I cross shopped the Lexus CT200H and the IS250. Both were way too slow for the price so I dismissed them outright. Lexus is crazy if they think the only reason people are looking at the CLA is the price.
Lexus won't make a CLA competitor
Seeing the success of the CLA, many automakers are turning to low priced luxury vehicles to bring in younger customers and boosts sales. Lexus will not do such a thing though.
"We will not head down below $30,000," Lexus chief Jeff Bracken said. "We have Toyota and Scion to handle that price level for us."
The closest thing that Lexus has to a CLA competitor is its CT 200h, which starts from $32,050. This model is a hybrid hatchback though, which means that it really isn't a direct competitor to the CLA sedan.
![]()
Senior vice president of Toyota's US sales arm Bob Carter suggested that Benz and BMW may be making more entry level vehicles to help meet up coming CAFE fuel economy standards. The two brands rely on their relatively low volume MINI and smart brands to help raise corporate mileage levels. Lexus, due to Toyota and Scion, doesn't have to worry about this and can therefore focus on higher profit luxury vehicles, Carter explained.
"We will not head down below $30,000," Lexus chief Jeff Bracken said. "We have Toyota and Scion to handle that price level for us."
The closest thing that Lexus has to a CLA competitor is its CT 200h, which starts from $32,050. This model is a hybrid hatchback though, which means that it really isn't a direct competitor to the CLA sedan.
Senior vice president of Toyota's US sales arm Bob Carter suggested that Benz and BMW may be making more entry level vehicles to help meet up coming CAFE fuel economy standards. The two brands rely on their relatively low volume MINI and smart brands to help raise corporate mileage levels. Lexus, due to Toyota and Scion, doesn't have to worry about this and can therefore focus on higher profit luxury vehicles, Carter explained.
