The Lexus CT is a hybrid electric automobile sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota, as a premium compact hatchback. The CT, consisting of a single model called the CT 200h, is a luxury hybrid based on the Toyota Prius drivetrain and Toyota MC platform chassis, and is the first luxury compact and hatchback hybrid. It is the first production model in Lexus's family to introduce the "Spindle Grille" design as seen in its fascia. Lexus has trademarked the names CT 200h, CT 300h, and CT 400h.
Production began in January 2011 and European sales following shortly after. Japan sales began on 12 January 2011, while US sales began in March 2011. The CT has been discontinued in the US and later Canada, with the 2017 model year being the last. CT stands for "Creative Touring" and "Compact Touring". The CT was discontinued in October 2022 with a special edition named Cherished Touring.
LEXUS CT 2011 - 2014
After getting a good hybrid experience with the Prius, the Japanese car maker introduced the first premium compact hybrid vehicle on the market, the Lexus CT, at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The Toyota Prius was the car that shifted the market attention toward hybrid vehicles. The first generation of the Prius was introduced in 1997 and, by 2010, the hybrid system was already to a higher level of efficiency and performance. It was ready to be introduced to the first compact hatchback built by Lexus.
LEXUS CT 2014 - 2017
The 2014 Lexus CT200h was the facelift of the first hybrid compact built by Lexus, on the proven hybrid platform from the Toyota Prius.
On the outside, the front is the most obvious change. It adopted the front grille theme from the rest of the range, with the "spindle grille" design. Its center was slightly moved forward to create a more aerodynamic form and that led to a redesigned hood, lower bumper, and front fenders. On the hood, a "shark-fin" antenna replaced the older, classic one.
LEXUS CT 2017 - Present
Usually, a car is refreshed after four years from its launch and it stays on the market another three or four years after the facelift. For Lexus CT200h the first facelift was in 2013 and, in 2017, a second refresh was made for the premium hybrid compact-hatchback.
The biggest difference was on the redesigned grille, which featured a 3D design pattern for the latter model and horizontal slats for the former. In the back, there were new LED taillights, with side-fins for aerodynamic purposes or for a better look.
Facelifts
In 2013, for the 2014 model year, the styling of the CT was refreshed, using Lexus' corporate "Spindle" grille.
The second facelift was launched in 2017, for the 2018 model year. This brought the option to specify full LED lights which featured a new design. A larger “Spindle” grille also came as standard on all models.