Green gleams in affordable luxury hybrids

Every time the price of gas jumps, interest in hybrid vehicles skyrockets. Although questions remain about the specific payback on the extra cost of a hybrid, the reduced emissions and amazing fuel economy are undisputedly huge benefits.

Thankfully, the taxi cab interiors of early models are disappearing as more luxury touches are added. Indeed, the entry-level luxury hybrid is an emerging market segment that puts a higher level of comfort and refinement in a green package. Lexus and Lincoln have both developed affordable luxury hybrids that have a boatload of features to outshine their Toyota and Ford counterparts.

In fact, Lexus has one of the most comprehensive lists of hybrid vehicles on the market, ranging from the top-of-the-line LS 460H sedan at $122,000 to a CUV and three more sedans. The newest, the CT200h, is an entry level hatchback that starts around $33,000.

The CT200h is not just a re-badged Toyota Prius. For starters, the styling is sleek, with a very low 0.29 coefficient of drag, and a wide profile that this is one for the road. LED running lights up front and the squared-off rear deck, which opens to a very functional and spacious cargo area, contribute to the CT200's sporty appearance. The wheelbase is altered, and the interior is in a different stratosphere than its Toyota sibling.

Although the powertrain - engine and transmission - are shared with the Prius, several tweaks give the CT200h a much higher fun factor. For example, a centre consolemounted rotary switch enables the driver to select from ECO to Normal to Sport driving modes.

In ECO mode, there is an additional feature labelled EV that enables the car to run on battery power alone for up to two kilometres, provided you keep the speed under 40 kilometres per hour. This contributes to the claim that the CT200h has the highest combined city/highway fuel economy rating (4.6L/100km) of any luxury vehicle in Canada. Of course, this needs to be balanced with the fact that the CT200h is classified as a compact luxury hybrid.

At the other end of the continuum is the Sport setting. Select it and things change noticeably. The background colour on the dash switches from blue to red, the eco meter is replaced with a tachometer, and everything else just happens more quickly - throttle response, steering, even Hybrid battery output jumps from 500 volts to 650 volts. What slows down is the active safety equipment, which does not come into play as early. Acceleration to 100 km/h is quicker by .5 seconds (9.0 verses 9.5). Braking from that speed is the same in all modes, but averaged four metres less than the heavier and larger Lincoln MKZ.

For me, the biggest surprise is how well the CT200 handles. It is impressive. In fact, it has a go-kart like feel with a low centre of gravity that allows the driver to push hard into corners before reaching the limits of adhesion. Ride quality is on the firm side but contributes to the great handling. The cabin is reasonably quiet, but at highway speeds, tire thrum is noticeable and could become wearisome during long trips. Of course, one could just crank up the premium sound system with its six bamboo charcoal speakers.

Interior appointments are firstclass, highlighted by one of the best pure driving positions at any price, with seats to match. This is complemented by little touches, such as a thick padded steering wheel (akin to the LFA supercar), and all key controls are within easy reach. A computer-like mouse enables one to easily navigate around the screen to adjust everything from climate to audio. The gear shift lever, however, is an odd ball design that takes practice, lots of practice, to use with ease.

Interior space is good with seating for four. With the rear seat folded flat, there are 900 litres of useful cargo space.

In addition to the standard array of passive and active safety equipment, there is a backup camera, whiplash lessening seats and optional LED headlights that are brighter than HID, use less power and last longer. The CT200 has yet to be crash tested. Warranty coverage is 48 months/80,000 km comprehensive (includes tires), powertrain is 72 months/110,000 km, and 96 months/160,000 km on hybridrelated components. The first and second scheduled maintenance intervals are covered.

Lincoln started producing luxury cars in the early 1900s and has been the conveyor of U.S. presidents, thousands and thousands of wedding parties and is No. 1 with airport limousine services throughout North America. However, the days of the long-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive limos are ending, replaced with front-wheel and all-wheel-drive sedans, wagons, CUV/SUVs, and most recently, a hybrid sedan. These new Lincoln models share platforms with other Ford products that are lower on the price scale.

The MKZ sedan is the smallest of the current crop of Lincolns and shares a platform with the Ford Fusion. Small is a relative term, though. The MKZ is a mid-sized four-door sedan with comfortable seating for four. Five in a pinch. Winner of the JD Power Award for the most dependable vehicle in its class, Lincoln proves that the company still builds quality products, even if its styling is a tad boxy and seems dated.

But while not a shape that will appeal to all, despite Lincoln's signature waterfall grille and squared-off rear deck, in the right colour and with optional wheels, it can emit the right amount of understated luxury.

The powertrain includes a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder gas engine and a highoutput electric motor with impressive torque ratings. Lincoln claims the MKZ Hybrid is the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in Canada. Note the subtle distinction from the Lexus claim - luxury sedan verses luxury vehicle.

Acceleration is modest but more than adequate for keeping up with the herd, with zero to 100 kmh averaging 8.3 seconds. Stopping from the same speed is a different story and required at least four additional metres than the CT200h.

The MKZ also still uses a key start, which seems dated and not in keeping with a high-tech vehicle. And while the larger MKZ is quieter than the Lexus and has a superior ride quality, the trade-off is that the MKZ's handling puts you more in mind of a cruise ship when compared to the Lexus.

The interior has some unique features, such as an instrument cluster that displays leaves and blossoms (green of course) to reflect your short-and long-term fuel efficiency. Too heavy on the accelerator, and the leaves disappear, but if you are gentle, you earn blossoms for good behaviour. The cabin design and layout are attractive and functional.

Add to that plenty of high-tech goodies, such as Lincoln SYNC, and MyKey, which permits the owner to alter pre-programmed settings such as the low-fuel warning. About the only holdover from the past is the steering wheel, which looks a little too much like the one in the 1958 Lincoln, sans the clear plastic rim.

Trunk space is reduced in the hybrid by more than 130 litres compared to the gasoline sedan, resulting in about a third less cargo capacity than the smaller Lexus.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, optional blind-spot warning and cross-traffic alert, adaptable HID headlights and a rearview camera. Crash tests using the new NHSTA standard leave room for improvement - one four-star and two three-star ratings on the five-star scale. Warranty coverage is four years/80,000km, powertrain and roadside assistance six years/110,000 km, plus no-charge for the first two scheduled maintenance intervals.

The Union of Concerned Scientists ranked the Lexus CT200h and the Lincoln MKZ hybrid as the top luxury models for fuel economy and low greenhouse gas emissions. So what we have here is the best of both worlds - a sporty, fun-to-drive functional hatchback and a more traditional sedan built for comfort and isolation from noise, vibration and road harshness.

Both offer luxury blended with impressive fuel economy. The Lexus CT200h has impressive handling, class-leading fuel economy and among the best driver seating positions available at any price. This is a fun car to drive, and one tends to overlook the firm ride and forgive the road noise.

Unlike the sizzling shape of the CT200h, Lincoln's MKZ is more like your father's, or perhaps your grandfather's car - a classic, somewhat dated design that has been modified - sort of like wearing a bow tie with a Hugo Boss suit. It is comfortable, super quiet, has a good ride quality and a luxury interior with lots of high-tech features.

Overall, the LED lights are widely used for automotive lighting, and will come out with even more innovation in the future.