Independent Reviews of Lexus New and Used Cars

There was a lot to like here. Essentially, a CT200h costs no more on the used market than the Toyota Prius it’s fundamentally based upon - yet offers extra quality, more equipment and the plush values of the prestigious Lexus brand. Back in 2017, we were disappointed that this car hadn’t been updated with the drivetrain, gearbox and handling changes made to the more recent fourth generation Prius design. Still, by that point, it probably wasn’t cost-effective for Lexus to do that so late in this MK1 CT model’s production life. Even so, this late-model CT200h continued to offer many of the things typical middle management executives wanted bound up in a properly eco-friendly package. It’s one that’s still arguably very much in tune with our times - and it felt a little fresher thanks to the 2018 model year changes. If you don’t really care about handling dynamics and you’re fed up with the default German choices in this segment from this period, what’s on offer here could still make an awful lot of sense. On the balance sheet. And in your driveway.

Lexus has at last brought us a plug-in hybrid, in the form of this NX 450h+. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

So there you have it. The Lexus NX has always been a little too individual to sell in the kind of numbers its maker would like - but then that’s all part of its appeal. It’s not perfect but it’s never boring. And in a market sector that can be just that little bit stale, it’s a breath of fresh air. Especially if you’re looking at this first generation model in its later 2018-2021-era form. That might not necessarily mean you’ll want one. It’s obviously not intended for the few who regularly want to get their tyres muddy in this segment. Nor will it really suit family-minded driving enthusiasts. Then there are the distinctive looks. If your favoured model choice in this segment is something squarer and more sensible like an Audi Q5 or a BMW X3, you might find an NX a bit. in-your-face. If, on the other hand, you like bold design and don’t mind standing out a bit on the school run, it’ll probably suit you perfectly. Such potential buyers will revel in the sophisticated drivetrain that shines in the city. They’ll love the generous equipment levels. And most of all, they’ll like the way that this car makes them feel special and different, just like a Lexus should. If you fit that buying demographic, then we think you’re going to absolutely adore this car.

The Lexus LC Convertible offers the potential for a fresh direction for this premium Japanese brand. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Even by 2017, this third generation IS had been a quietly successful model line for Lexus, clocking up over a million sales, with 6,000 new owners taking delivery every month. So this update should have helped it considerably, particularly in a market switching away from diesel power towards the kind of electrified hybrid powertrain this IS had long been offering. Instead though, this final MK3 model update proved to be the IS model line’s final performance and when production finished in 2021, it wasn’t replaced, Lexus directing customers instead to the slightly larger ES model. As a used buy though, this final version of the IS looks a savvy choice - well, in IS300h hybrid guise anyway: we wouldn’t bother with the rare alternative IS200t conventional variant. Don’t go expecting a choice of body styles or a wide range of different power options. And though on the road, the ride and handling of this post-2017 IS model was much improved, the engineers weren’t unfortunately able to do very much about the way that the vague response from the thrashy CVT auto gearbox, which rather undermines the driving experience. But there are also lots of things to like - looks, build quality, efficiency, equipment and luxury for instance. Back in 2017, we rated this car as the best small Lexus yet made. And that makes it a very desirable thing indeed.