Test Drive

A hybrid that actually looks good? Lexus shakes up the gas-saving game with its CT 200h

Lexus says "CT" stands for "Creative Touring" — and that description could certainly fit the Lexus CT 200h. It's derived from the ever-green Toyota Prius platform and running gear, but remade with the style, comfort and poise that one expects from a Lexus.

While the Lexus lineup offers a full range of hybrid-equipped vehicles, those are all larger, existing platforms with hybrid systems fitted to them. The CT 200h was designed only to be a hybrid, and is the smallest and most efficient car Lexus builds.

What's under the hood?

The CT 200h uses the same 1.8 litre VVT-i inline-four from the Prius, along with electric motors to make a combined 134 horsepower, connected to a Continuously-Variable Transmission.

Observations

Driving

The CT feels much more solid and capable than you would ever expect from a small hybrid. The steering is weighty and body roll has been minimized. Power is sluggish, but the brakes are good and don't suffer from the numb 'sponginess' that a lot of regenerative braking systems tend to deliver. In town, it's maneuverable, and on the road it feels planted. It has a 'Sport Mode' which sharpens the throttle response, sets the electric assist for maximum boost and cleverly turns the Hybrid System Indicator gauge into a tachometer (see below.)

Styling

The CT 200h is a pointy, creasy machine, but it's one with pretty good proportions. It achieves its primary goal — to look way, way better than a Prius — easily, and the interior is beautifully shaped and well-finished. It's upscale, for the most part, but we wish it looked a bit more dramatic. The cool wraparound rear window is a small blip of flair on an otherwise subdued design.

Comfort

Lexus seems to pay extra close attention to making things in the cockpit feel ergonomic. Even if it means it may look oddly shaped. The handles, dials and anything you grip seem to be made with this in mind — it's distinctive.

Utility

The hatchback is not as large as it appears from the exterior, and neither are the back seats.

Efficiency?

The CT 200h is rated at 43 mpg city, 40 highway and 42 mpg combined.

How much does it cost?

The 2013 Lexus CT starts at around $32,000. Our test car, with navigation, leather and premium audio came in at $39,515 including the destination fee.

What's Good?

• BMW, Mercedes or Audi offer nothing that competes with it in the United States.

• Fantastic interior design and finish

• Very well-integrated hybrid system, with minimal electronic clunkiness and noise. Works as advertised, essentially.

• Quiet

What's Not?

• Not a lot of power. Plan your freeway onramp approaches in advance.

• Hints of clever design on the exterior, but nothing more

• Not as efficient as a Prius (EPA 51/48 mpg)

Our Verdict

The CT 200h is effortless to drive, and compact enough to fit anywhere in congested urban environments. You and your passengers (or at least your front seat passenger) sit in well-appointed, luxury comfort, and all the while you're averaging more than 40 mpg. How many other cars can achieve all of that?

How we'd buy it:

We would probably go for the F Sport package, which adds $1,000 to the price, but adds better suspension, graphite wheels and just looks a bit more premium and less like a run-of-the-mill five-door. Make ours Ultra Blue Mica.

The Lexus CT 200h began as the LF-Ch concept in 2009.

Photo by Kevin McCauley

The Lexus CT 200h began as the LF-Ch concept in 2009.

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

Photo by Erza Shaw Getty Images

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Pop megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has donated $100,000 to the University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The gift will allow the clinic to hire fill-time faculty to head it, benefiting the students who study there.

“I am delighted that the BeyGOOD Foundation has made this very generous gift to the UH Law Center,” said Leonard Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. “Not only will this funding help establish a full-time criminal justice clinic that provides pro bono legal services in our community, but it will also supercharge our already excellent criminal law and justice programming.”

The clinic is one of nine at UHLC. It helps students learn to navigate the criminal justice system, especially on behalf of clients that are underserved by skilled attorneys. People of color are affected disproportionately by a lack of good, ethical representation.

Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history and easily the biggest musical star native to Houston, has a long history of advocating for criminal justice reform. She was a staunch supporter of the police reform following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, asking law enforcement to “stop killing us” in a web post. In 2020, she penned an open letter to the Kentucky attorney general asking for justice in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, established in 2013, Beyoncé has focused mostly on expanding the prospects of Black-owned business and offering education opportunities to students. Forwarding the cause of legal representation in Texas while also helping out marginalized communities compliments her other philanthropic work.

“At UH Law, we envision a legal profession where ‘everyone has the opportunity to prosper,’ as BeyGOOD envisions, and we will achieve this vision by providing access to strong and effective legal representation in criminal proceedings,” Baynes said. “And together, through this gift, the BeyGOOD Foundation and UHLC will shepherd the next generation of criminal justice attorneys in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”