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DELRAY BEACH, FL – Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus division has a problem.

While it’s successful, having been the top-selling luxury marque in the U.S. for 10 years, its owner base is aging.

The solution?

Lexus thought last year’s HS 250h would win over the young’uns, but apparently it just diverted folks from the stodgy ES model, aka Lexus’ Camry.

Now, the brand is trying again, with the CT 200h compact hybrid-electric hatchback.

It’s sporty, but green. Will America’s 30-somethings like it? Maybe.

The car is one of the most intriguing Lexus offerings in years, deviating from the standard 4-door 3-box design in favor of a 5-door hatchback body style.

It features a highly rigid body with Lexus-first performance dampers.

And, oh yeah, the CT nets 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km) on average.

But it also makes a piddly 134 hp between its 1.8L 4-cyl. gas engine and 60 kW electric motor. It’s the same HEV system that drives the Toyota Prius.

And, in a recent test drive here, the CT has an exceedingly heavy accelerator pedal, regardless of the driving mode: normal, eco or sport.