2011 Lexus CT 200h review By Kelsey Mays

Americans love hybrid hatchbacks, but mostly for the hybrid part; overall, we're still lukewarm on traditional hatchbacks. Lexus added a third ingredient — budget luxury — to create the CT 200h. With a starting price just over $29,000, it's the least expensive Lexus in nearly two decades, and it shows.

The 2011 CT 200h feels at times like a cut-rate Lexus, but its combination of fuel efficiency and handling should win the brand some much-needed younger buyers.

The front-wheel-drive CT's styling is the closest yet to Lexus' LF-Gh concept, and it comes in base and Premium trims, which you can compare here. We evaluated a CT 200h Premium.

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Parking brake
1. Sets the parking brake*. (Depressing the pedal again releases the parking brake.) *: Fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left foot while depressing the brake pedal with your rig ...

Smart access system with push-button start
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket. (The driver should always carry the electronic key.) 1. Locks and unloc ...

The Inside
Cabin materials are inconsistent for a Lexus — too much faux-metal plastic, a cheaper headliner than usual — but the same could be said for most sub-$30,000 luxury cars. For its league, the CT sco ...