FACELIFTS can be a tricky business with the results often leaving much to be desired - but the Lexus CT 200h has emerged from behind the bandages looking sleek and stylish.
The revamp for this year has involved more than 90 improvements freshening the model up both inside and out - as well as making it the most economical compact luxury motor on the block.
The handling has also been tweaked and comfort levels have been raised helping the smallest model in the Lexus line up to move out of the shadow of more traditionally powered rivals.
Prices for the six-strong range start from £20,995 for the entry-level S model which is £1,000 lower than before. This is all grist to the value for money mill as the hybrid hero is able to sip fuel at more than 70 miles to the gallon and emit carbon dioxide at a tax-free level for private purchasers.
The mid-range Advance trim I drove offers satellite navigation, a six-speaker audio system, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, keyless entry and push button ignition, plus dual-zone climate control as standard.
At £23,995 the price-tag is unaltered despite the model featuring extra equipment - including parking sensors and heated front seats - worth about £1,000.
The low-slung exterior features the aggressive grille seen on the Lexus GS and IS models as well as a ‘shark fin' aerial on the roof which goes well with a bold design that also includes natty fog lamps.
The cabin benefits from upmarket materials and a dash spruced up with a space-age centre console which does take a bit of time to get used to.
There's plenty of room for those up front, but things are less roomy in the rear where head room when getting into the back seats is tight and it's a squeeze to seat three.
Boot space is a bit tight at 375 litres - although this is still sufficient for a family of four's weekly supermarket shopping trip.
If more space is needed the rear seats easily fold flat increasing capacity to a useful 985 litres.
The CT 200h is engaging to drive thanks to new production techniques which give the car greater rigidity allowing sharper responses.
So when it comes to taking tight corners at pace there is little in the way of body roll while a low centre of gravity means levels of grip are good.
The steering is light but reasonably informative while the ride is firm but far from uncomfortable with humps and hollows being well absorbed by the suspension.
The hybrid is powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor which together produce a power output of 134bhp.
There's a reworked CVT gearbox which is reasonably smooth although it does tend to keep the engine at the upper end of the rev range when accelerating which is noticeable in the cabin.
Performance is reasonable with 62mph being reached from a standing start in a shade over ten seconds on the way to a top speed of 112mph - but the CT 200h is going to appeal on running costs more than it setting anyone's hair on fire.
So when driving through an urban area the hybrid's ability to frequently run on just the electric motor will bring a smile to any self-respecting wallet as no fuel is used and emissions are zero.
There is a standard three-year warranty, while the hybrid system is covered by a five-year guarantee.
Safety is covered by eight airbags and electronic stability control which earned the CT200h a five-star rating from Euro NCAP's crash testers.
The CT 200h is a potent package for modern eco drivers who may find the icing on the cake to be the fact that it is 85 per cent recyclable when its motoring days are over.