Allowing for independent control of left and right hand sides of the cabin, the new CT 200h is equipped with a compact, lightweight air conditioning unit. It incorporates a hybrid battery-powered electric variable capacity compressor, reducing the load on the engine to improve fuel economy.

Because of the need to heat the cabin and de-fog the windscreen, vehicles can suffer a drop in fuel economy during winter months. To counter this, Lexus engineers have combined a third generation exhaust heat recirculation system with new air inlet mode control technology incorporating a humidity sensor.

Via a windscreen-mounted humidity sensor which monitors humidity, cabin and glass temperature, the air conditioning system automatically controls the air inlet mode to increase the volume of recirculated air within the cabin. This combines satisfactory defogging performance with the minimum escape of warm air, reducing the engine run time needed to heat the interior.

The Lexus CT 200h's front seat heaters have been designed to operate proactively with the air conditioning heater unit. In cold weather, they activate automatically on start up, reducing the workload of the heater and further enhancing fuel efficiency.

The Lexus CT 200h is equipped with no less than 89 external LEDs -the largest number yet fitted to a Lexus model. Consuming 45% less power than conventional, halogen units, they offer an improvement in fuel economy.

A Lexus and industry first, both Premium Sound systems are equipped with unique, environmentally-friendly, bamboo charcoal-based resin diaphragm speakers, for a faster response and clearer sound. A new, energy efficient, Digital Signal Processing-integrated (DSP) amplifier is 26% lighter and consumes 50% less power than a conventional, analogue-powered amplifier.

Further improving its environmental performance, several of the Lexus CT 200h's larger components including the loadspace deck sides, deck board and deck board trim have been fabricated from a bioplastic material containing 30% plant-based polyethylene terephthalate.