Alpine A110 vs Lexus CT: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Alpine A110 (6.2/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Lexus CT (6.0/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Alpine A110 | Lexus CT |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact | Compact |
| Years | 2017–2026 | 2010–2022 |
| MotorFiable Score | 6.2 out of 10 | 6.0 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 1.8 TCe · With caution | 1.8 Hybrid · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 5.7/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Suspension | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity | 9.6 out of 100 faults |
| Tyres and wheels | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Electrical system | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Bodywork and interior | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 8.4 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Airbags and safety | No documented faults | 6.2 out of 103 faultsHigh severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Alpine A110
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionChassis that can deform on A110s built from 6 to 11 January 2023Yes. An April 2023 Safety Gate alert covers A110s built between 6 and 11 January 2023: a production error can deform the chassis and cause loss of control of the vehicle. It is a recall of very few units.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorFront bonnet lock with loose screws on 2017–2019 A110Yes. A July 2019 Safety Gate alert covers A110s built in Dieppe up to 27 February 2019: the front bonnet lock may not be tightened enough, and the bonnet could open while driving.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature wear of the EDC gearbox clutch in early Alpine A110sYes, on early units. Since February 2022 Alpine has carried out a technical operation in its workshops to correct premature wear of the EDC gearbox clutch. According to L'argus, a sealing defect makes the discs wear out early. It is not an official recall.
In their engines
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 TCeA110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 carsYes, on early-series A110s. In 2019 Alpine issued a recall because metal particles can jam the oil pump solenoid valve in the high-pressure position. L'argus reports abnormal noise, a “risk of engine failure” warning and, in the worst case, engine failure.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 TCeA110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hotYes. In 2021 Alpine issued a recall for the fuel pump (2,849 A110s in France, built from 1 October 2018 to 4 November 2020), and in October 2023 another one for the same part: in strong heat the car may fail to start or lose power.
Main faults of the Lexus CT
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyDefective weld between the fuel tank and the filler pipe: leak and fire riskYes: CT 200h vehicles built between November 2016 and April 2017 were recalled because the weld between the tank and the filler pipe could be insufficient and lead to a fuel leak, with a risk of fire. The repair consists of replacing the tank with a properly manufactured one.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyCrack in the evaporative emissions control unit on the tank: leak when the tank is fullYes: Safety Gate records a 2016 alert for a possible crack in the evaporative emissions control unit attached to the tank; with the tank full, fuel could leak and, given an ignition source, cause a fire. In the United Kingdom, the campaign covers CT 200h vehicles built between August 2010 and February 2015.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyAirbag inflator for the curtain airbags with a possible micro-crack in the weldYes: a 2016 Safety Gate alert covers CT 200h vehicles produced in 2009-2012 because the weld on the inflator of each curtain airbag may have a micro-crack; if it grows, part of the inflator may separate, partly inflate the airbag and, in limited cases, project fragments into the cabin.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridBrake actuator failure (hard pedal, loss of assistance)Yes, it is a documented fault on the Prius III: the diaphragm of the brake actuator's accumulator can degrade and make the pedal very hard, forcing you to brake with much more force. Toyota ran a campaign in 2013; there are also owner reports of actuators failing after the warranty had expired.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridThe car loses drive or stalls because of a hybrid system fail-safe mode faultYes. Toyota acknowledged that, in the event of certain internal faults, the hybrid management computer on units built before 2014 might not correctly activate fail-safe mode, and the car would lose drive or stall while driving. It was fixed by software; reprogramming at an official dealer is free.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridInverter (IPM module) overheating and loss of driveYes. On units built between 2014 and 2016, the transistors in the inverter's power module can be damaged by thermal stress and cause loss of drive. Toyota ran a campaign in 2020; there are also inverters that have failed outside the campaign, with repairs of around €3,000.Repair: €3,000