Our cars: Lexus CT200h - February 2012

Lexus CT200h SE-L Premier

Week ending February 17
Mileage 3932
Miles this week 542

Lexus CT200h review

I covered a lot of miles in the Lexus this week, with lengthy stints on the M25, M40 and M1 as I drove to Derbyshire and back. On the whole, I think it's a pretty good motorway cruiser.

The driver's seat has plenty of cushioning, and even though the base is rather small, I find it comfortable, at least for the first two hours of a journey.

Our SE-L Premier model's cabin is impressively plush too, and its 'Remote Touch' control system - complete with computer-style mouse - works well enough once you get used to it.

There is a caveat, however - the CT200h's hybrid powertrain really doesn't like to be rushed, because the CVT gearbox sends the petrol engine's revs soaring when you put your foot down, without an equivalent increase in pace. Take a more relaxed approach and things are much quieter.

Getting the CT200h up to typical cruising speeds isn't too hard, and once you're settled on the motorway the cabin is, for the most part, pretty quiet.

Week ending February 10
Mileage 3400
Miles this week: 240

I took my first trip in our hybrid Lexus hatchback this week. I can see why I am starting to see so many on the road. It's a smart thing – especially from the driver's seat.

Emissions mean that it's extremely favourable on the company car tax front too. While my 100-mile round trip netted 45mpg, which is equally impressive.

Some colleagues have an issue with the ride quality, but I don't have so many concerns, especially when you're up to cruising speeds.

What I am struggling with is the 'slippy' CVT gearbox which means that engine speed rises out of sync with road speed when you're accelerating. The answer is to drive it more and learn to get around it, I feel.

Chas.Hallett@whatcar.com

Week ending February 3
Mileage 3160
Miles this week 466

A group of us were in Brighton this week, and I got the CT200h for the return journey home.

Brighton is at least 100 miles and two hours away from my house, and hitting the M25 during rush hour was going to do nothing for a tired, grumpy me. The hard ride made me even grumpier over the poorer surfaces on the motorway, and I don’t think the winter tyres helped matters, either.

What I didn’t appreciate until the following morning, though, were the heated seats. Some manufacturers give you the option of luke-warm, hot and very hot for seat heating, but the Lexus has more options to suit your mood.

rosie.mcmahon@whatcar.com