New Rumors on the Next-Generation Lexus CT

Japanese magazine Mag-X has some new rumors on the next-generation Lexus CT, including the above rendering that suggests the hybrid hatchback might get more than just a fresh new design.
Kevin · August 3rd, 2015

Lexus CT Owner Blog: Thoughts on Infotainment

My plan for this month’s post on the CT owner’s blog was to sing the praises of the Display Audio controller, the circular dial interface for recent Lexus models without navigation installed.
Kevin · May 31st, 2015

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The CT 200h F SPORT in Winter

Winter has arrived, and I’m getting my first exposure to driving the CT 200h in the snow & ice. The cold weather has given me real appreciation for the product planners at Lexus Canada, who have outfitted the CT F SPORT package with heated front seats and side mirrors. I’ve driven Lexus press cars in …
Kevin · December 8th, 2014

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The CT 200h vs. IS 250

Before purchasing the CT 200h, I went through the process of choosing between the hybrid hatchback and a base-model IS 250 sedan. Why these two models? Price was the controlling factor — I had a definite budget and the base-model IS 250 with all-wheel drive was at the very top end. Here are the key …
Kevin · November 2nd, 2014

The New Car: Reasons for Choosing the Lexus CT 200h F SPORT

For the latest post in my CT 200h owner’s blog, I’ve outlined the reasons for choosing the hybrid hatchback over the IS 250 AWD sedan. (The top reason shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.) Read about my CT 200h vs IS 250 Decision
Kevin · November 2nd, 2014

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The First Modification

After three months of ownership, I’ve made my first modification to the CT 200h: It might be a little difficult to see from this photo, let’s highlight the mod in red: That’s right, I made an adjustment to the cupholder, using a strip of foam to reduce the rattling of my water bottle. Living dangerously, …
Kevin · October 5th, 2014

Lexus to Build a CT-Based Sedan?

Lexus is considering a CT-based compact sedan, according to a Motoring Australia interview with Lexus International president Tokuo Fukuichi: “This is also a new product that … we consider about the possibility in the market. We have a chance to develop something like this,” said Fukuichi, who is also the global design chief of Toyota …
Kevin · October 3rd, 2014

Lexus Not Considering CT F or NX F High Performance Models

Lexus F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi has dismissed the idea of a high-performance CT hatchback — from Motoring Australia: “He is not interested in building with front-wheel drive configuration,” [Yaguchi-san’s] interpreter told motoring.com.au. Asked if F could develop an all-wheel drive version Yaguchi replied via his interpreter: “Basically they have to consider taking whatever is …
Kevin · September 10th, 2014

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The Cross Country Trip

This summer, in partnership with OpenRoad Lexus in Richmond, BC, my wife Karissa and I drove across North America in our brand new Lexus CT 200h. The timing was interesting — we had originally planned to take a relaxing drive through Canada and the USA, but some unexpected events occurred and we need to be …
Kevin · September 2nd, 2014

Driving Across North America in the Lexus CT 200h F SPORT

This summer, in partnership with the OpenRoad Lexus dealership of Richmond, BC, my wife Karissa and I drove across North America in our brand new Lexus CT 200h. Here’s how it happened, by the numbers: 6 days, 4,736 kms (2,943 miles), an average speed of 90km/hr (56mph), and $270 in gas. Wait, what? $270 to …
Kevin · September 2nd, 2014

My New Car: The 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT

Time for a major announcement — after seven years of driving a 1994 Lexus LS 400, I took delivery of a 2014 CT 200h F SPORT last week at OpenRoad Lexus Richmond in British Columbia. While I have plenty of experience driving Lexus vehicles, this will be my first time being a new owner. The …
Kevin · July 17th, 2014

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The New Car

Time for a major announcement — after seven years of driving a 1994 Lexus LS 400, I took delivery of a 2014 CT 200h F SPORT last week at OpenRoad Lexus Richmond in British Columbia. While I have plenty of experience driving Lexus vehicles, this will be my first time being a new owner. The …
Kevin · July 14th, 2014

Jeremy Clarkson Reviews the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Jeremy Clarkson has reviewed the Lexus CT 200h for The Sunday Times, and it’s a rather harsh read: Today we live in a part of the world where miles per gallon has surpassed miles per hour as “the thing that matters”. And this car is a hybrid, which means it can do nigh-on 70mpg. I …
Kevin · May 9th, 2014

The Lexus CT BG Concept from the Beijing Motor Show

Lexus China is displaying a customized CT 200h at the Beijing Motor Show, calling it the CT BG Concept — here are some photos from Japanese website Car Watch: According to Chinese website Sohu, the CT BG concept is based on the CT 200h F SPORT, but with a “more personalized design language”: The model …
Kevin · April 21st, 2014

Interview with Lexus CT 200h Chief Engineer Chika Kako

The Lexus Spain weblog has an extensive interview with Lexus CT 200h chief engineer Chika Kako, the first-ever woman chief engineer for a Lexus (or Toyota) vehicle — here are some translated quotes, by way of Kaizen Factor: Former CT chief engineer Osamu Sadakata engineer set the bar high with the first version of the …
Kevin · April 3rd, 2014

Photo Gallery: Closer Look at the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Lexus International posted a nice photo collection of the updated CT 200h on their Facebook page: (The new Redline exterior color is a knockout — really suits the CT’s updated look.) [Source: Lexus International Facebook page]
Kevin · April 2nd, 2014

German Magazine Disassembles Lexus CT 200h After 100,000km Road Test

At the completion of their 100,000km extended road test of the Lexus CT 200h, German magazine Auto Bild disassembled the hybrid hatchback to look for signs of wear & tear: Looking through the accompanying photo gallery, there were some minor faults, but nothing major — in fact, the only two maintenance issues during the 100,000km …
Kevin · April 1st, 2014

Lexus Korea Launches CT 200h Art Project

The updated Lexus CT 200h has lead to some pretty interesting marketing experiments — first, there was Lexus Japan’s stellar Trick Photography project, and now Lexus Korea has followed it up with a graphic design showcase: This video shows how the designers put together some of these images: There’s a lot of creativity in these …
Kevin · March 20th, 2014

Interview with Lexus CT Chief Engineer Chika Kako

The Lexus UK blog has an interview with Chika Kako, the chief engineer of the updated CT 200h and the very first female chief engineer in the Lexus brand’s history: How did consumer feedback shape the improvements that have been made to the CT? Chika Kako: Some customers complained about the CVT noise, and to …
Kevin · March 12th, 2014

Auto Express Reviews the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Auto Express has posted a complimentary review of the updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h: It’s easy to dismiss the Lexus CT 200h as dull, but for customers with no interest in driving fast, it’s ideal. Quality, refinement and ride are all improved, while the styling is fresher all round. Read the Auto Express CT 200h …
Kevin · March 6th, 2014

Photo Gallery: 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT with *Redline* Exterior

Japanese website Car Watch has posted some photos of the updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT in the new Redline exterior color: I saw the CT 200h in Redline a couple weeks back at the Toronto Auto Show, and thought it was a strong color that suited the CT perfectly — anyone else seen …
Kevin · February 24th, 2014

Four New Lexus CT 200h Commercials

With the release of the updated Lexus CT 200h, there are new commercials springing up around the world — let’s start with three from the USA: Here’s the CTh commercial for European markets, like the music in this one: (Any other regional Lexus CT commercials out there that I’ve missed? Leave a link in the …
Kevin · February 12th, 2014

Amazing Trick Photography with the Lexus CT 200h

In a continuation of their excellent CT commercial, Lexus Japan has sent a team of creatives on a road trip to take more trick photography — here are some examples: This is some seriously amazing work — there’s currently 19 trick photos (and accompanying videos), with 11 more still to come. So good. Visit the …
Kevin · February 3rd, 2014

Lexus Manufacturing Plant in Japan Displays Custom CT 200h at Local Auto Show

The Lexus manufacturing plant in Fukuoka, Japan, has built a custom Lexus CT200h for display at the 2014 Fukuoka Motor Show in last week. Inspired by traditional handicrafts, the interior of this special edition CT 200h incorporates local fabrics, ceramics, tortoiseshell and mat rush — here’s the only photo I’ve been able to find: This …
Kevin · January 27th, 2014