When the Lexus CT 200h made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, it was the first compact hybrid hatchback to be launched in the luxury automobile segment. It has gone on to become one of the brand's best-selling hybrids: Lexus has sold more than 300,000 CT 200h globally since launch in 2011, including about 75,000 in Europe, one the largest markets for the model.

With this latest update, Lexus looks to build on the CT 200h's strengths and its well-earned reputation for efficiency and reliability, introducing a refreshed exterior that extends its driver-appeal - without compromising its user-friendliness and fuel economy.

Chika Kako, Chief Engineer of the Lexus CT 200h, summed up the impact of the changes: "The CT 200h has been refreshed and revitalised by enhancing its progressiveness. Its updated design is more emotional and sporty, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact car for younger customers who enjoy spirited driving, but care about the environment."

Introduced for the 2011 model year, the Prius-based CT is an old fellow that doesn’t have a place in the luxury-oriented automaker’s lineup. But finally, Lexus decided to end production of the hybrid compact hatch.
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Facelifted for the 2014 model year, then refreshed again for the 2018 model year, the CT will be phased out in October 2022. Until then, Japanese customers that don’t know better are offered a special edition with a cheesy handle. Specifically, “Cherished Touring” is how the last hurrah is called.

This variant “expresses gratitude for your patronage so far” according to Lexus. Compared to the bone-stock CT 200h, the limited-run Cherished Touring is available Graphite Black or Sonic Quartz for the body shell. These colors are joined by Sonic Titanium for the roof and silver for the spindle grille, rear bumper trim, and fog light surrounds. Not exactly special, this specification also sweetens the deal with two-tone upholstery.

Dark red is used for the upper portion of the seats and door panels while black dominates the rest of the interior. Red stitching on the heated steering wheel is also featured, along with red stitching for the knee pads, side armrests, and instrument binnacle. Lexus also mentions electrically retractable heated side mirrors along with rain-sensing windshield wipers.

As mentioned beforehand, there’s nothing really special about this car.

The powertrain is pretty disappointing as well. A 1.8-liter mill that cranks out 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet (142 Nm) of torque is complemented by an electric motor that produces 60 kW (just under 81 horsepower) and 207 Nm (153 pound-feet) of instant torque. Be that as it may, total system output is rated at 100 kW (134 horsepower) and 207 Nm (153 pound-feet).

The swan song is currently available to order in the Land of the Rising Sun from 4,223,000 yen, which converts to $36,590 at current exchange rates. Since 2011, Lexus delivered around 380k units of the CT in 65 markets.

Lexus discontinued the CT entry-level model in Japan earlier this year putting a 10-year production cycle to an end. The hatchback was sold in the United States until the 2017 model year but the automaker decided to drop it from its US lineup after just 4,690 deliveries in the country in 2017. However, it seems that Lexus is poised to give the CT another chance as a new report indicates a second-generation model is currently under development with three different powertrain types.

To the surprise of nearly no one, Lexus plans to turn the CT into a small crossover replacing the traditional hatchback shape. That’s according to Best Car Web, which has a new article dedicated to the upcoming products from the premium manufacturer. The information is really scarce at the moment and you should also take it with a grain of salt but it seems that the new CT could be positioned slightly above the UX in the company’s global portfolio if it gets the green light for production.

The most interesting part of the report coming from Japan claims that the CT successor will be offered with combustion, electrified, and electric powertrains. Again, everything is pretty vague at this point, but Best Car Web mentions a 2.0-liter hybrid system, a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, and a battery-powered variant.

The production of the first-generation CT was discontinued in March this year when a final edition model was released. It had visual upgrades but only a single available powertrain – a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mill with 98 horsepower (73 kilowatts) and 105 pound-feet (142 Newton-meters) of torque. Supported by an electric motor with another 80.5 hp (60 kW) and 153 lb-ft (207 Nm), the hybrid system was capable of delivering a peak output of 134 hp (100 kW).

In the United States, the previous CT went on sale for the 2011 model year with a starting price of $29,120. It was updated with a new front fascia for the 2014 model year but just three years later, the electrified hatchback lost its position as the brand’s entry-level model in the United States.