2011 Lexus CT 200h Review

I feel like I've had a bit of an epiphany of sorts.

No, it wasn't a matter of rediscovering God or even myself; I didn't stumble upon a hidden talent or realize my life path wasn't the right one; in fact, nothing really changed – save for my driving style over the course of a week. (Insert collective gasp here.)

Sure, it's a hatch, but it's a sporty, modern-looking hatch that's angular and choppy in all the right places. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

When I first heard I was going to get behind the wheel of the new hybrid Lexus, I admit I rolled my eyes just a little. Before I knew anything about the car, I'd already passed judgement based on previous hybrid experiences (which had been less than favourable). However, as I did a bit more research and started to look at pictures and even spot a few on the road, I got a bit more excited. And here's why:

Lexus seems to have taken the hybrid vehicle up a notch. They've entered a new level of efficient and cool, and if hybrids continue in that direction then maybe it really will all be OK. Maybe.

Here's the deal: Hybrids are a fabulous idea, when they work well. The idea of a gas- and battery-powered vehicle is obviously quite ingenious. Save the planet and your cash; really, what more could you ask for? However, often the execution of said vehicles is less than stellar and far from perfect. Slopping transmissions, rough gas-to-battery-to-gas transitions, and limited (near-useless) EV modes usually make it impossible to buy into the hybrid trend.

And then the Lexus CT 200h came along and it all changed – for me.

First off, let's take a look at the CT's fab exterior design. Sure, it's a hatch, but it's a sporty, modern-looking hatch that's angular and choppy in all the right places. It also was not an obnoxious pastel blue or green colour because of its hybrid breeding. The deep crimson red, chrome-lined windows and deep-blue-tinted Lexus symbol (only seen on their hybrid vehicles) enhanced the car's sporty look – something that's relatively unheard of for a hybrid design.

Sleek headlights on top of a chunky front bumper outfitted with fog lights give the CT 200h great presence on the road, as does the shelf-like rear, subtle roof-mounted spoiler and designer-esque linear taillights. Really, it's just an overall good-looking car.

The deep crimson red, chrome-lined windows and deep-blue-tinted Lexus symbol enhanced the car's sporty look – something that's relatively unheard of for a hybrid design. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)