STUD or DUD: Is Lexus' CT200h Going To Shame The A3 AND 1-Series?

Nope, they look just as bad as this. The 1 series looks like a clown car and the A3, dated and uninspiring. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you OBie

The CT200h is more likely to be listed in the 2011 auto hall of shame

Dud, if I'm going to be stuck in a mini station wagon, I'll pay less and get a nicer looking more sporty/powerful mazda 3.

Interior wise,yes it will take the crown.Exterior looks like a last gen Mazda 6.Performance wise it is not going to be better than the IS 250-350 and thats saying something because the IS does not perform anywhere near its competition.

Well it has a nice interior and the looks are not bad it needs awd, MORE POWER and something special. What are they thinking? Luxury car buyers want performance, prestige, not an overpriced shitbox that will get spanked by a Subaru WRX!

Did Lexus buy Mazda or what?

Needs to be a 3 door to be a stud

DUD, looks like a Matrix that's been given a fancy interior.

and despite all the naysayers and critics, this is what WILL GUARANTEE IT SUCCESS!

the matrix, despite (or becasue of) its corolla underpinnings, has been one of the most successful vehicles in its class. i see 'em ALL OVER the place. one owner i know, traded her old 4Runner for it. say what you will about the matrix, it's been minting money for toyota since Day 1.

with a Lexus badge, and hybrid drivetrain, i simply can not see why this car will not ALSO be a big seller. remember, looks are SUBJECTIVE; the toyota/lexus rep transcends that for a lot of people.

The typical Lexus strategy in Europe is to offer their products on sale with one to two engine options, both of which are completely overpowered and uneconomical (except the IS220d) and yes, overpriced. I fail to see how the CT200h will even kill the appeal of the BMW 1-Series or Audi A3 which come with a solid choice of engines, different trims and can be individualized to suit buyer tastes.

In my honest opinion this new Lexus will be just as unappealing as their entire lineup in Europe. Hybrids are expensive and don't have a sporty image here. Instead of shedding out cash for a complex and "unheard" of brand called Lexus, people tend to go straight to their Audi, BMW or Benz dealership for a 1-Series, A3 or A/B-Class. These are simple, down to earth cars that can be equipped to suit the individual buyers personal tastes and they come from trusted brands. It's that simple, really. Lexus just isn't a top contender here and offering an expensive hybrid small car (with one engine choice only) is not the strategy to pursue. The CT needs more engine choices - simple engine choices. None of this hybrid stuff. Hybrids aren't top sellers in Europe. Even the new Mercedes S400 Hybrid is virtually a failure here (people buy more diesel S-Classes) but apparently not in the US, where hybrids are accepted.

I drive a BMW 118i by the way. Styling wise, it's a no brainer for me: the BMW wins all the way. I'll admit that the CT200h is nice inside, but the rest of the car is so unappealing from a design perspective.

Protege5 front, Mazda3 rear, Mazda6 dash.

FWD killed it already. It will need AWD or RWD to compete, otherwise its just a hybrid econobox styled after the Mazda 3 with a little more upscale interior.

Dud... The whole car is just ugly, and the interior is not luxurious in any way, shape or form.

No. A FWD Auris based car cannot compete with the AWD Audi or the RWD Bimmer, despite the hybrid powertrain (which the Auris would get soon too, BTW). Besides, this CT is rather ugly. Although the same can be said of the 1-series, I think BMW will correct that when the next gen of the 1er arrives next year.

lexus interior seems nicer than the 1er, but a3 interior wins the catagory.
lexus exterior fails and the bmw wins.
i am sure in handling/performance, 1er will win also
i can't imagine any 1er or a3 buyer choosing this one. maybe some wrx or mazda 3 buyer will 'graduate' to this, but the market for that is quite small...

concept was a stud, this is a dud, and no it won't be able to compete in the us with the a3 or 1series (heard it wasn't coming here anyway) so dumb article

The concept looked better, but this isn't as bad as, say, the abominable Nissan Leaf.

The problem for Lexus is that the A3 is ending its product cycle and a new A3 is coming. The new A3 will be larger offering a sedan option along with the traditional hatchback and sportback. Add the S3 version and a possible RS3 to with no response from Lexus. Lexus seems to stumble greatly in Europe.

whatever.

but it seems to work. lexus benefits from toyota bulletproof rep. toyota benefits from lexus link and prestige.

both brands have sales figures all competitors (and fanboys) can ONLY be jealous of.

in any case, the similarities are mainly in PROFILE and 3/4 views.

close up views and end shots remain distinctive.

profiles aside, only the Mr. Magoos out there will ever confuse a lexus for a toyota. and no one expects them to be on the road other than as passengers.

if any confusion arises in the OPPOSITE direction, it's ALL to toyota's BENEFIT! as a styling/marketing strategy, this duo makes an UNBEATABLE tag team!

Dont be so hard on this Lexuus if priced right I think many current Toyota owners will buy this.

What's this??!?!!?!? Are they trying to re-hash Audi's "Shooting Brake"?