The Lexus CT 200h might just be the perfect hybrid car for riding out the ongoing gas price crisis. You'll do a combined 42 MPG according to EPA data, with this hybrid engine getting its best fuel efficiency in the sort of stop-and-go driving where most engines are the thirstiest. It's thrifty and comfortable, though slow– so driving enthusiasts need not apply.If you're primarily concerned with low fuel costs, comfort over speed, and a no-nonsense reputation for reliability, this high-end luxury hatchback is worthy of your attention. It's got a luxury badge without the luxury car pricetag, Lexus-level quality, hybrid efficiency with zero learning curve, plenty of personality, minimal long-term risk, and skills to pay the bills when it comes to smooth and efficient commuting. Could it be the perfect fuel-sipping commuter for the Gen Z budget? Maybe so, maybe no. Read on. What You'll Pay Today For This Reliability Leader LexusBack in 2011, a Lexus CT 200h would set you back $29,120 for the standard model and $30,900 with the premium package. All models ran a hybrid four-cylinder engine up front, driving the front wheels through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Pricing for a brand-new CT 200h would climb slightly over the years, pushing up to around $32,000 in 2013. For most of its life, it was safe to call the Lexus CT 200h a $30,000 car. Today, you can expect to pay well under half that amount for a second-hand copy.Before we continue, a note for context: since the final model year of the CT 200h was 2018, you won't find any second-hand units on the market with remaining warranty, though previous owners may have added extra-cost protection that is transferable to you. Assume that the CT 200h you're considering has no remaining warranty of any kind, until you've got proof to the contrary. It's also worth noting that the CT 200h earned a first-place performance out of 17 luxury compacts rated by RepairPal for top-notch reliability. The annual repair costs listed total just $386 per year on average. Note that the CT 200h also used one of the most durable transmissions ever installed to an everyday car.Lexus The lowest-mileage units on the market today tend to have 50,000 to 60,000 miles on their odometers, and pricing from $15,000 to $19,000 depending on trim grade and options. On the other side of the spectrum sit the highest-mileage CTs, with many examples pushing well into 200,000-plus mile territory with asking prices of $5,000 to $10,000.Somewhere in between are units from $12,000 to $15,000. At this price point today, shoppers should be handily into a used unit with 80,000 to 120,000 miles on the odometer, and plenty of life remaining. Up To Speed On The Lexus CT 200h LexusWhen Lexus first started readying the CT 200h for its 2011 model year launch, gas prices were unstable, and compact, fuel-efficient luxury cars were big business. The HS 250h hybrid was already on the scene as Lexus's first sedan in the US to come only with a hybrid powertrain. Launched originally in 2009, the HS 250h would end production after 2012, leaving the CT 200h as Lexus's new entry model. The increasingly demanding luxury shopper of the day wanted solutions to cut fuel costs without sacrificing performance, and was commonly choosing smaller cars for the job. The popularity of hybrid-powered options was ramping up, and various diesel-powered contenders from Audi and BMW were also on the scene.Trouble was brewing in the diesel universe. Just after the CT 200h got its first refresh in 2014, the dieselgate scandal finally broke, spelling the demise of many diesel-powered models in the USA in the years to follow. This fall from grace for diesel power helped put electrified compact choices right where hybrid-heavy brands like Toyota and Lexus wanted them.LexusStill, the face of the entry-level Lexus hybrid was changing. For 2016, the popular Toyota Prius moved to the latest TNGA platform, but the CT didn't. Now, Lexus's entry model was riding an aging platform, and 2017 was its final year on sale. By this point, the SUV craze had been in full swing for years, and an increasing array of compact SUV options with hybrid power, next-generation ICE engines and AWD was drawing shoppers out of small luxury cars and into small luxury crossovers. Lexus was ready: in 2018, they revealed their new UX 250h, a new entry compact hybrid SUV built on Toyota's latest platform. 'Lexus Musts' Ensured The CT 200h Wasn't Just A Prius In A Suit Lexus's CT hybrid used the Prius powertrain of the day under the hood, but within a package heavily redesigned for Lexus duty. In the development of the CT 200h, Lexus identified elements they referred to as 'Lexus Musts', as well as a combination of attributes that would help set the model apart from the Prius within the marketplace. These included a specifically Lexus-designed body and cabin, outstanding manufacturing quality, outstanding attention to detail, and a body and cabin exclusively designed and trimmed to Lexus standards. The CT 200h even used many of its own exclusive controls, chosen for a premium tactile feel, performance, and responsiveness.2011 lexus ct 200h instrumentsLexus CT 200h Drive Modes Explained Normal Mode: Linear throttle response Eco Mode: Optimized air conditioning and throttle calibrations for maximum fuel economy Sport Mode: More direct power steering feel, relaxed traction control intervention, additional electric power for greater throttle response EV Mode: All-electric operation for up to one mile under specific conditions LexusLexus says that the 'Lexus Musts' of the day ultimately applied to over 500 target items within the CT 200h that affected its noise levels, performance, powertrain control, steering, suspension, and overall road feel. Though specifics are sparse, these Musts even applied to the sound quality of certain controls, perhaps including door handles and power windows. The intention, said Lexus at the time, was to give shoppers an "exclusively developed body, chassis and Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain control system" that worked towards delivery of a "segment-unique choice of Dynamic and Relaxing driving moods". Before You Buy A Lexus CT 200h Lexus Though the CT 200h is a highly-rated pick when it comes to reliability, used models in the marketplace can vary significantly from one another depending on how well they were cared for by past owners. The owner's community suggests paying particular attention to the CT 200h's battery pack cooling fan, especially if the car has been used in dusty climates or by pet owners. A duct located on the side of the rear seat draws cabin air into the battery pack, but can clog with debris and hair over time. If airflow is restricted, the battery can run hot, limiting performance.Owner-reported signs of a weak or dying battery are rare on units with less than 200,000 miles, but symptoms include sluggish full-throttle acceleration, full-throttle acceleration that causes a check engine light, or other warning or error messages displayed in the instrument cluster. An expert can check the health and condition of the battery in the CT 200h you're considering if you have any concerns. A Useful Timeline of Hybrids In The U.S. Lexus Owner community experts note that most units won't need a new battery until they're at least 10 years old, and that battery health can be tracked with a smartphone app, OBD reader, and a little learning. The CT 200h will tell drivers when it needs replacement with a 'master warning light', and replacement costs for a new battery pack range from about $1,200 for a refurbished unit with warranty coverage to about $3,000 for a brand-new unit.Lexus As the gas engine and CVT transmission in the Lexus CT have a very easy life thanks to their hybrid operation, many owners choose to replace worn-out battery packs as their cars age and continue driving them for years.