[jruhi4]

How about the 2011 Mini Cooper "Countryman"

Yeah, that's a good one. The Mini Countryman is a viable competitor, though it has a bit more of a "rugged crossover" vibe than the Lexus CT.

 

[jruhi4]

Or the VW Jetta.

The VW Golf/Jetta and Audi A3 are quite similar underneath, but the Audi is the more upscale luxury brand. That's why I'm still saying that the Audi A3 is the Lexus CT's most direct competitor, whereas the Golf/Jetta are aimed more against the Toyota Corolla and Matrix.

 

[jruhi4]

What about the MazdaSpeed 3

I'd say the same thing I've said about the Subaru WRX. The Lexus is more luxury and fuel economy-oriented, whereas the Mazda is more about performance.

 

[jruhi4]

What about the Impreza?

You mean the base, naturally-aspirated (non-Turbo) version? Maybe.

Again, though, Subaru's all-wheel-drive and boxer engine powertrain hardly produces exemplary, Lexus CT-like fuel economy, although the new optional CVT transmission reportedly improves the Impreza's fuel economy quite a bit.

 

[jruhi4]

One that comes to my mind is the Subaru WRX hatchback.

Not really. The Subie is a full-on AWD performance car, while the Lexus CT is a fuel economy luxurious champ. Believe me, I owned a previous-gen Subaru WRX for 2 years and test-drove the Lexus CT's big brother, the HS, extensively over a couple of days at the Press Preview (see Is the Lexus HS the Sybil of the automotive world? - my.IS - Lexus IS Forum ) and comparing the two is like apples and oranges.

There's really only one direct rival to the Lexus CT in the U.S.: the Audi A3, especialy in diesel guise. If you're willing to consider 2-door hatchbacks as rivals, then base MINI Cooper and Volvo C30. Expand the comparison to Canada, and you could add the Mercedes-Benz B-Class as a competitor. Go to Europe and you could add the just-launched Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Some would add the 3 and 5-door hatchback 4-cylinder gas and diesel versions of the BMW 1-series that we don't get here in the States, but, given its RWD platform and more cramped interior (and, probably, superior dynamics), it's not really a fair comparison.

At any rate, Lexus itself has admitted that their benchmark for the CT was the Audi A3.