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Hybrid cars suffered a sharp, second-straight monthly sales decline in May, even as the new Lexus CT200h lent some distinction to the parade of models.
With gas prices $3.50 to $4 per gallon, a severe sales slide among hybrids is an anomaly. Blame it partially on parts shortages tied to the March earthquake in Japan and fewer sticker-price cuts in the face of falling inventory of products.
The 2011 CT is a cocky-looking hatchback with its low center of gravity and a chopped, wraparound rear window with spoiler. It hit showrooms in February and immediately drew attention for its rich appearance, both inside and out, compared with other hybrids.
Lexus considers its front-wheel-drive, four-door a five-passenger premium compact. Five of us, including Jan, Hannah Gaines, Ruth Davis and Kim Parker, tested it on a Friday evening recently; lack of comfort in the middle seating position of the back row make this a better four-passenger than five. We were on our way to LaPorte to join Nicole Allen and Aaron Endres for their outdoor wedding and indoor reception at the impressive Tapestry House.
The CT’s finish was of unusual color – “daybreak yellow mica” – and, depending on sunlight or shadows, took on a yellow/gold/mustard-like cast. Melissa Stromberger, on her last day as manager of Starbucks off 47th Avenue in Greeley before moving to northern California, said, “I dislike the color, it looks like snot. The styling’s okay, they’re trying to appeal to younger drivers, something they haven’t done much of in the past.” She’s right about the appeal, for Lexus officials said it is aimed at 30 to 40-year-olds. I’ll miss Melissa; she knows her cars and was ready with quick assessment of whatever I showed up in.
The Lexus is a good, sporty handler. It is powered by the same hybrid system as that used in the 2011 Toyota Prius. Fuel mileage of 40 or better can be attained under most any type driving situations. The tradeoff, of course, is tepid acceleration.
The CT’s 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine is teamed with an electric motor that peaks at 80-hp; combined horsepower is 134, as the two do not peak simultaneously. They’re tied to a continuously variable transmission.
Throttle response and steering effort are altered noticeably among three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. Only in Sport, with steering tightened and response quickened, is performance satisfactory; even then, to floor the accelerator is to hear the roar of the CVT and no rapid acceleration increase. To drive wholly in Sport would mean fuel mileage much lower than the predicted 40. I drove mostly in Normal mode and averaged 42.3, which is impressive; that is what the hybrid is intended to do.
Enhancements to a double-wishbone rear suspension intend to make the body more rigid and limit body roll in turns.
Cargo space behind the CT’s rear seat is only 14.3 cubic feet and it is of high load level in accommodating the hybrid’s battery pack beneath the floor.
Three optional packages – premium audio with 10 speakers, LED headlamp with leveling and washers, leather seats and rain-sense wipers – boost the CT’s price from a base of $30,900 to $35,819. Among standard equipment are 17-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel antilock brakes, curtain and knee airbags, moonroof, heated seats, rear wiper, dual-zone climate control, power windows/locks/mirrors, driver information center, XM satellite radio and tonneau cover.
Hybrid sales reached 34,082 in March, fell to 24,797 in April and totaled only 16,319 last month.
Notes from e-mail
Q: Bud, in reading your appraisal of the Nissan Juke, I’m glad you mentioned the limited driving range, mostly due to the small gas tank. It reminded me that when Toyota first brought out the Matrix, the AWD version had a smaller gas tank than the FWD model. For years, cars have increased their horsepower, but the gas tanks have remained the same. I like to go longer distances between fillups. Thanks to the 18.5-gallon tank in my 2001 Avalon (in addition to its excellent MPG), I can usually drive for close to 400 miles on a tank. My 2005 Chevy Astro conversion van is helped by its 27-gallon tank. – B.H.
A: Reducing the tank capacity to 11.8 gallons in the Juke AWD model, Bill, means that the little car goes to the gas pump more often than does my V-8-powered pickup.
HYBRID SALES
Sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. through May
Toyota Prius 62,180
Honda Insight 10,137
Honda CR-Z 7,046
Ford Fusion 6,355
Lexus RX450h 5,126
Toyota Camry 4,922
Ford Escape 4,698
Lexus CT200h 3,528
Toyota Highlander 2,722
Lincoln MKZ 2,444
Nissan Altima 2,109
Honda Civic 2,015
Lexus HS250h 1,198
Porsche Cayenne 688
Chevrolet Silverado 525
Cadillac Escalade 518
GMC Yukon 366
Chevrolet Tahoe 307
Volkswagen Touareg 261
Mazda Tribute 179
BMW 7h 175
Mercedes S400 156
Lexus GS450h 123
GMC Sierra 105
Infiniti M35h 78
Lexus LS600hL 35
BMW X6 24
2011 Lexus CT200h
$35,819
(price as tested)
MPG City 43 Highway 40
Vehicle type: Premium compact hybrid
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches
Length/Width/Height: 170.1/69.5/56.7 inches
Weight: 3,130 pounds
Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, electric motor
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel mileage: 42.2 mpg
Fuel tank: 11.9 gallons
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic; 6/70,000 powertrain
Competitors: Audi A3 TDI diesel, Lincoln MKZ hybrid, BMW 1 series, Volvo C30
Built at: Kyushu, Japan
THE STICKER
$30,900 base
$1,330 Perforated leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming outer mirrors
$1,215 Auto-leveling LED headlamps, headlamp washer
$1,125 10-speaker premium audio, in-dash CD changer
$875 Destination
PLUSES
Excellent fuel economy
Sporty handling
Nice interior
MINUSES
Weak performance
Mustard look
