The Globe and Mail

While manufacturers such as Infiniti and Porsche, for example, have decided to utilize hybrid powertrain technology as a performance boost as well as a fuel economy aid and cleaner emissions enhancer, the company that really put hybrids on the map in North America – Toyota – has stayed the course with a more pragmatic approach. After all, the Prius is the best-selling hybrid in this part of the world by a long shot and built its reputation by being thrifty and dependable.

No surprise then that Toyota – and Lexus – has utilized Prius technology extensively throughout their model lines – including the new Lexus CT200h, which was introduced to the Canadian market earlier this year and is essentially a Prius with Lexus bodywork.

There are some differences; the CT200h has its own software, the controls are different and so is the nickel metal hydride battery pack. But otherwise, you could be blindfolded, ride in the passenger seat, and not notice the difference between this car and its Toyota stable-mate. This is both the CT200h’s strength and its biggest flaw.

But first, a few specs. The CT200h is the fifth hybrid model in Lexus’ Canadian model lineup. It’s available as a four-door hatchback only, and can be had with a range of options and extras. For example, the Technology package ($8,400) comes with a back-up camera, voice-activated navi system, a power moon roof, driver’s seat memory and so on. I drove this version this time around, and most of these extras I can do without.

The base model, at just less than $31,000 before extras, is nicely equipped and gives you pretty much everything you need in this type of vehicle. Things like traction control and vehicle stability control systems, and hill-start assist are standard, and it has tilt/telescoping steering, climate control and all the other modcons we’ve come to expect from Lexus. No complaints in the creature comforts department.

Power is provided by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder attached to a permanent magnet electric motor and a CVT automatic transmission. Combined power output is set at 134 horsepower, and this combo is said by the company to emit considerably less emissions than any comparable diesel engine, with superior fuel economy thrown into the bargain. Combined fuel economy is 4.6 litres/100 km, which is almost as thrifty as the Prius. And the HS250h hybrid sedan, for that matter – another Lexus that has made extensive use of the Prius’ technology.

And this is where the problem lies – for both of these vehicles. This is a boring car to drive. No; make that an annoying car to drive. Because of its CVT, it has no pick-up or snap of any kind and is actually slower in city traffic than, oh, a Yaris or Civic.

Yes, there is a rotary dial front and centre that allows you to choose from Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, but if you choose the two former settings, you’ll be sucking everyone else’s exhaust, for sure.

I was unpleasantly astonished at how gutless this vehicle was. Yes, you can get excellent fuel economy out of it, but give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going, if that’s your preference. Pick the Sport setting and it’s marginally faster, but even then, you have to really keep your foot in it to keep up with traffic. Which, of course, defeats the purpose: what’s the point of driving a hybrid car if you have to run the crap out of it all the time?

Even though they’re in different markets with different body styles, I found myself comparing the CT200h to another hybrid I drove recently: the Kia Optima. The South Korean sedan has a conventional planetary transmission, and it makes a huge difference to the vehicle’s overall drivability.

That said, there is an all-electric mode that kicks in during low-speed driving; parking, backing-up, and that sort of thing – anything up to 40 km/h, but, as far as I can see, that’s the only redeeming feature to this system. When I drove the HS250h last year, I had the same complaint; it felt like a Corolla and performed like one, only slower. The CT200h is no better when it comes to driving enjoyment.

On the other hand, it’s a nice looker, resembling the first-generation Mazda3, and aside from its gutlessness, and the fact that it’s difficult to see what’s beside you on the road, is a pleasant enough car to drive. The lack of peripheral visibility is particularly noticeable when doing an over-the-shoulder check during lane changes. There is a blind spot the size of a school bus behind you, and no matter how I adjusted the side mirrors, I could never get this glitch sorted out.

A few years ago, when Honda brought out its Accord Hybrid, people weren’t ready for a high-performance hybrid drivetrain in a conventional sedan, and Honda dropped this model from its lineup a scant two years after it was introduced. Even though they’re different companies, with different ways of approaching the hybrid issue, I think Lexus is ready now, and the CT200h could really use something similar.

Tech specs

2011 Lexus CT200h

Type: Four-door hatchback hybrid

Base Price: $30,950; as tested: $37,985

Engine: 1.8-litre, Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder/Permanent magnet electric motor with nickel metal hydride battery pack

Horsepower/torque: 134 hp/torque not available

Transmission: CVT

Drive: Front-drive

Fuel economy (litres/ 100 km): 4.5 city/4.8 highway; regular gas

Alternatives: Audi A3, Kia Optima Hybrid, Mercedes B200, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight EX

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