LEXUS has cut a variant from the smallest car in its showroom as it gives its CT200h range a mid-life facelift and a new lease on life in the fiercely contested premium small hatch market.

The luxury arm of Japanese car-maker Toyota offered four variants when the petrol-electric hybrid range originally went on sale in early 2011. While it was competitive in terms of standard equipment, the hybrid hatchback fell short when it came to its chassis and dynamics, drawing criticism for its average ride.

Three years in, Lexus has listened to the feedback. The CT200h’s suspension and steering have been tweaked, the chassis is stiffer, and 94 improvements were made to NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels to provide a more hushed cabin.

Lexus has streamlined the range down to three variants by removing the former entry-level model, lifting the standard equipment list to make the CT200h better value than before.

But is it enough to distract buyers from the cheaper entry price of the BMW 1 Series, resurgent Audi A3 or top-selling Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

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