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If you’ve spent any time hanging around the Club Lexus forums, you’ve probably come across a few posts by a user who goes by the handle of “Raidin,” and his Courier CT, a 2014 Lexus CT 200h F Sport hybrid. By all accounts, the Courier CT is the first Lexus CT 200h to reach one million miles, and one of the first hybrids in the modern era to hit that number, and Raidin has been keeping the Lexus community up to date on the journey every step of the way for the last decade or so, first posting on the CT 200h Forum before moving his travelogue over to Club Lexus.

Longevity is a key concern when it comes to hybrids. Sure, the engine and transmission might go the distance, a Lexus is just a Toyota, but better, after all. But what about the hybrid battery and electric motors? Given that hybrids, as we know them now, are relatively new to the market, there aren’t a lot of million-mile units we can point to as proof that they can last just as long as ICE vehicles. But, if the Courier CT is any indication, we’re going to be seeing a lot of hybrids and plug-ins going all-nines on the odometer over the next few years.

How Do You Build A Million-Mile Hybrid?

The 2014 Lexus CT 200h launched for a base MSRP of $32,050 back when it was brand-new. Before you get too excited and rush out to buy one, you should know that it’s the furthest thing from “sporty,” taking nearly 10 seconds to get up to 60 mph. Reviewers tend to praise the car’s “surprisingly athletic” handling, but the 134-horse powertrain in the 200h is distinctively underpowered when compared to other hybrids released in the last decade. It’s not exactly a chore to drive, but it’s not a hot hatch in disguise, either. It’s a five-seat family car.

With that being said, the fuel economy is impressive even by 2025 standards, and the 200h has received universal praise for its comfortable interior. The interior passenger volume is measured at 86.1 cubic feet, which is perfectly roomy for a five-door hatchback, and you’ve got enough hip room to pack three kids in the back without too much complaining.

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Bottom line: the car is appealing for practical reasons rather than for thrilling ones. It’s comfortable, reliable, and it’ll save you money. In other words, it’s the perfect hybrid to get you to one million miles.

How Did Raidin Max Out His Odometer?

From the car’s nickname, the Courier CT, it’s easy enough to guess what sort of work Raidin is doing to put around 100,000 miles on his car every year. Delivery work plus daily driving as the family car will definitely pack on the miles.

Kelley Blue Book estimates cars to pack on around 15,000 miles annually, and the Courier CT has nearly seven times that much experience. So, what kind of damage does that rack up? According to Raidin, here are all the major repairs the car has experienced over the years:

One-Time Repairs:

• Brake booster/master cylinder Intake manifold
• Passenger-side front-wheel bearings
• Valve lifters
• Rear brakes
• All four ignition coils
• EGR valve
• Hybrid battery
• All 4 TPMS sensors
• Fan motor assembly
• MAF sensor
• Several wheel studs
• 12v battery replacement

Two-Time Repairs:

• Head gasket
• Water pump
• Thermostat
• Driver-side front-wheel bearings
• Both horns
• Front brake pads and rotors (with a third replacement impending)
• Oil filter housing
• Front and rear shocks

Maybe the most surprising point to be made here: Raidin only had to replace the hybrid battery once. These batteries are typically estimated to last around 150,000 miles, and Raidin is getting more than three times that much juice out of each one.

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The funny thing about the hybrid battery: Raidin’s quest to join the high mileage club may be why he was able to get so much life out of each one. Experienced hybrid drivers will tell you that leaving a hybrid sitting in the garage for too long will deplete the battery and shorten its life expectancy. So, if you’ve got a hybrid, letting your kids take it out now and then might not be such a bad idea.

Maintenance Is Affordable, But Batteries Are Expensive

RepairPal estimates a CT 200h hybrid battery costs up to $4,586 for parts and labor. While some batteries will last longer than others, that replacement is an inevitability if you’re driving a hybrid to one million miles. Sooner or later, it’s gonna burn out, and you’ll need a new one. So it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep some rainy-day money aside if you’re thinking of following in Raidin’s footsteps.

Other than that, RepairPal estimates that the car should only cost you around $386 a year to maintain. Not only is that pretty low for a luxury car, it’s low even for a Lexus, a brand estimated at an average annual maintenance cost of $551.

What Will A Used Lexus CT 200h Cost You Today?

If the CT 200h wasn’t already on your radar, there’s nothing like a million-mile story to drum up a little interest. Before you go heading out on your own journey to roll the odometer over, you should be aware that Lexus hasn’t offered to buy Raidin’s car back from him. Raidin drove the car to a Lexus dealer to get it certified, but, so far, no offer to buy it back. And he can’t get the odometer to reset, either, so he’s gotta do all his own calculations on the road to two million.

You Gotta Do It For Love Of The Game

Getting a Lexus to one million miles is kinda like beating a really hard video game, or sitting through all of Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman without falling asleep this time: there’s no material reward, just a sense of pride that you did it.

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With that in mind, pricing for these cars is shockingly reasonable, considering their proven longevity and Lexus’ slower-than-average depreciation rates. If we take a look at Kelley Blue Book, here are the fair market estimates we turn up for a base model:

Remember that Kelley Blue Book assumes an average of 15,000 miles per year for a used car, depending on factors like location. But, according to what we’ve just learned about the CT 200h, 100,000 miles is basically brand new for this car, assuming the previous owner has taken decent care of it.

Sources: Lexus, Club Lexus.