---
title: "Lexus Could Bring the CT Back as a Tesla Model 3 Rival, Report Says"
description: "After giving it the axe in America last year, Lexus might be bringing back the CT hybrid hatchback as an all-electric rival to the Tesla Model 3 if a new Auto Express report is to be believed."
date: "2018-04-18"
modified: "2018-04-18"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/20204/lexus-could-bring-the-ct-back-as-a-tesla-model-3-rival-report-says"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "Hybrid cars"
  - "Lexus"
  - "Tesla Model 3"
---

# Lexus Could Bring the CT Back as a Tesla Model 3 Rival, Report Says

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/2017_lexus_ct_200h_f_sport_020_78b9a4b530b31201aa201fd167b98924a4865861-e1524050700129.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

After [giving it the axe in America last year](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/10744/the-lexus-ct200h-dead-in-america>), Lexus might be bringing back the CT hybrid hatchback as an all-electric rival to the Tesla Model 3 if a new [*Auto Express*](<https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lexus/ct/103198/new-2020-lexus-ct-hatch-to-rival-tesla-model-3>) report is to be believed.

Introduced as the CT 200h back in 2011, the outgoing car was available only as a hybrid—essentially a Lex-ified Prius. According to the report, a next-generation CT would come as a hybrid as well but would also be sold alongside an all-electric version, putting it in direct competition with [Tesla's much-hyped, entry-level luxury EV](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17280/tesla-model-3-the-first-serious-review>).

"The CT has a high conquest ratio of 70 to 75 per cent. It's useful at bringing new people to the brand. People buy the CT for efficiency; with the UX, we’re looking for a different customer," Lexus Europe director Pascal Ruch said, speaking to the British publication. A second-gen CT is expected to share bones with the [UX crossover](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/19051/lexus-details-the-2019-ux-subcompact-crossover-in-geneva>), parent company Toyota's New Global Architecture C platform which also underpins the C-HR, Prius, and [hot new Corolla](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20141/toyota-might-do-a-corolla-gazoo-racing-hot-hatch>).

"If the question is 'Will we replace the CT?', let’s say so." said Ruch. "We might have to think about a different approach to the sector. Maybe it's the time to find something new in the CT’s segment."

*Auto Express* says Toyota's Model 3 rival is scheduled to arrive in 2020. Just like its predecessor and the Tesla it aims to defeat, we expect it to start somewhere in the $30,000 range. We've reached out to the company for further comment and will update this story if we hear back.

***UPDATE:*** In an email to *The Drive*, a Lexus spokesperson says they "haven't heard of any plans for an electric CT," so you might want to take today's news with a sizable grain of salt. The Lexus rep makes sure to add that the company is "excited about the launch of the UX to enter the growing luxury subcompact crossover segment."

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)