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.

 

The base Mini Cooper as a rival?

 

The Audi A3 is more accurate as a "competitor".

 

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.

 

What about the Mazda 3 Speed?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Wait...did you just compare a Jetta to a Toyota Matrix or Corolla? Wow. I'm speechless.

 

At least he didn't compare the CT200H to the Matrix.

 

What about the Civic SIR?

 

Oh boy..not another debate about the almighty SIR.

 

Top-tier Prius?

 

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.

 

I looked at the Audi A3 TDI before I bought the CT200h. The Lexus gets better fuel economy, plus uses regular gas, which is at least 10% less than diesel here in N. Calif. Today, I saw a typical station with regular at $3.82 and diesel is $4.20. The handling of the A3 seems better than the Lexus, but both are fun to drive in terms of driving dynamics except both have poor acceleration, which is OK for the fuel consumption tradeoff. My last car had a 0-60 spec of 5.4 sec and the CT200h is 9.8 sec. Since I was rarely flooring my last car to use its full power, I have not found the lackluster acceleration to be a daily issue. I have owned 1 Lexus and 3 Audi's before and a major difference is in the service department. Audi dealerships that I have dealt with come nowhere near delivering the high level of attention to customer satisfaction that Lexus dealers offer. That tipped the scale for me, but either car seems to be a pretty good bet for an upscale compact sport-hatch.

 

Tryed the A3TDI as well before buying the CT. I personnally wasn't very comfortable in the seats, didn't like the way the car reacted when depressing the gas pedal. This is without out saying that it was more $$$ than the Ct, worse fuel economy and below average reliability.
A no brainer purchase for me and I am VERY pleased with my car.

 

I loved my MKV Golf GTI. It was simply ridiculously unreliable. So, that eliminates a Volkswagen product (particularly one that shares so much with the Golf).

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about the Audi reliability issues I had with all 3 of mine - and none with the Lexus.
My favorite experience of my former A4 was when driving at night in the snow with salt spray getting on the windshield. I had to turn off the headlights (while driving at night) to get the windshield washer to work because the headlight washers would come on automatically if the lights were on and rendered the windshield washer useless.

 

that's funny nobody mentioned the car I was comparing to the CT...not that the performance or luxury are the same (well, same engine) but I was deciding between the Prius loaded up (either the IV or V model) and the CT....purely from a standpoint of I'm sick of getting 17 MPG in my Buick Enclave SUV (I hate GM but that's a whole other story). Fortunately, the Enclave was leased. My whole thinking was that by the time I load up the Prius (which has some options that the Lexus doesn't offer), it came out to a couple thousand over the $30K mark and for just a little bit more, I liked the all around package of the CT better.

 

The Ct is a much cooler car to drive, stiffer, more comfortable, tighter, nicer looking in my humble opinion. I'm willing to loose a little bit on gas saving for the rest of the advantages I'm getting in the CT

 

agreed Claude..btw, back in 2006, my wife and I took a vacation with our 3 kids to Mont Tremblant up in your area...beautiful in the Summertime! Enjoy your new car....now my 3+ month wait...fingers crossed

 

Remember that while you can price out the Prius at or near the cost of the CT, the Toyota dealers are (or were) ready to deal on the Prius. Before I purchased my CT, a local Toyota dealer knocked $2500 off the sticker without having to be asked. I can only image what kind of a deal they'd make if you played hardball.

Also, I don't know if it's out yet, but Ford is releasing the new Focus. It comes in a wagon and it supposedly has European roots. Very reliable and a technological marvel. It's not a hybrid, but I think it gets decent fuel economy.

2012 Ford Focus | View Full Gallery of Photos | Ford.com

 

Sorry for going a little off topic here.. but I'm not sure which thread I should ask this question.
I saw a video review on YouTube and the guy timed the CT from 0-100km/hr and it took 1 min 12 secs (in ECO mode). That's gonna be a problem for me on the highways.. can somebody tell me how quick it can get up to 100km/hr in Normal or Sports mode??

 

This is a Audi thread where they are trying to discourage you from buying a Lexus.
Even in Eco mode, it takes a normal time to get to 100km. I always drive in Normal mode, except if I REALLY need the extra zip, which is rarely and I'm at 100km very fast. In sport mode, it's 9.6 seconds. In normal, it's probably 1 seconde higher. I use to drive a Nissan X-trail and the CT is much quicker to get to 100km. Don't worry, go and try the car and beware of who's saying what.
I'm sure you'll love the car.

 

Yeah I've already test drove the car, but didn't get a chance to take it on the highway haha! Abolutely fell in love with it. Will place my order end of this month.
Accordingly to my sales.. I'm looking at 2-3 month wait

 

The CT200h is very similar to the Audi A3 diesel, and seems similar to me to a high end Prius (in fact the CT takes some of its parts from the Prius...I forget which ones, if it's the engine or what). I didn't consider the A3 because I look up reliability for all cars before I bother, and the A3 has a HORRIBLE reliability record. I test drove the Prius...eh. Pretty bland. And I couldn't get a high end cruelty-free (no leather). That nixed the Prius.

I've read about the Ford Focus hatchback coming out and seen pics. It actually looks similar to the CT, and is slightly larger (I'm guessing the back seats don't fold down flat, because they've gone to extreme lengths NOT to show the cargo area in any pics or videos, which is not a good sign). It supposedly will get 30mpg city/40mpg hwy and cost about $10K less than the CT. I'm going to take a look at that car, for sure. Ford has come a long way with its reliability and styling and mileage issues. BUT...make no mistake. The Lexus is a LUXURY car, and Lexus has proven reliability and quality reputation.

I've looked at other cars, but those are the only ones where I thought they were actual competitors.

 

The focus is not really a competitor, IMO. If you are OK with the Focus interior, road noise, etc, then the luxury interior of the CT simply isn't worth the money. If you want a really nice interior, the Focus won't cut the mustard. So, do you want a nice interior or is a nice interior not worth the extra money? Answering that question should quickly eliminate either the CT or Focus.

Personally, I want something that is a very nice place to be. This car will see 15k miles/year and I want to be very comfortable and relaxed during my travels. My last car was a Golf GTI. The interior is what sold it on me even though it didn't have the performance of the Mazdaspeed 3 and the Subaru WRX. It was worth the slight compromise in performance to get what was a much better interior. So, my next car needs to be as good or better than my GTI interior.

 

is kartboy going to be making anything aftermarket for the ct200h? i'm on nasioc from time to time, too...

 

Theres a good chance That way i can write off the car for R&D. Next we'll need COBB to make an AP for tuning.

Tom

 

I have no desire to make it a power monster. I have plenty of other toys that do that. I liken the CT to more of a Briggs and Stratton Go kart VS a 125 shifter kart.

With the Briggs kart you just keep it floored and go around the track never slowing down for the turns.

 

^ drift through the turns instead!

i've been really thinking about (of course for pure looks only) of the 2004 sti brembo's and rotors on the ct200h, being that they both share the 5x100 bolt pattern. i know kartboy produces some adapters for brakes on the subies, but...what do you think? possible?

 

IMO, the CT is competing against the Prius... Or actually, its after the people who want everything a Prius offers, but absolutely HATES Prius's and their owners :lol:

Its the second best Hybrid in terms of MPG at this point, since it is just a Prius drivetrain, but it has sedate yet seductive styling, an EXCELLENT interior, and great handling, all of which someone who actually cares about cars feels the Prius completely lacks in.

It doesn't compete with the A3, 1-series, or other Luxury entry-level compacts, because none of those are Hybrids, and its too much Luxury to compete with other compacts like the Focus, Cruze, Elantra, MINI, etc.

The CRZ is about the closest thing, but it lacks a back seat and luxury. If Honda were to come out with a hybrid TSX, then it would compete with that, but right now IMO this car has created a new "niche" in the market.

 

You should take more attention to the banned with email, to secure your account play, it requires to you visit account management to secure your status.