Ford C-Max Plug-in hybrid to have 20 mile range

Other than the term mpv, this is how they have been comparing them

c-max hybrid to prius v
c-max energi to prius phv

It looks like the prius v has some serious competition.

 

The C-Max has more space with the seats up and down. The C-Max cargo space is between the liftback and the v.

Prius: 21.6/39.6
C-Max: 24.5/52.6
Prius v: 34.3/67.3

However, part of the additional space in the C-Max comes from being taller.

 

I meant the energi. They raised the floor in the back for the battery It's 19.2/42.8. The passenger room stays the same between models.

 

yeah but Prius v is one size larger car. So if you dont need extra trunk space of Prius v, it compares to Prius - which is cheaper than C-Max and gets better mpg... if you need extra trunk of Prius v, then it has 40% more than C-Max.

So it makes little sense to compare C-Max to Prius v due to size difference. Confusion comes from Ford PR, which prefers to compare it to more expensive and bigger Prius v.

I mean, in reality passenger space is probably what, 2%-5% larger in the back? Rest is front and height, plus even that back space comes from raised sitting position. On the other hand, Prius v has 40% bigger trunk... thats huge.

 

The v is $1250 more than the C-max while having a greater difference in fuel economy than between the C-max and liftback. So, if you don't need the full capacity of v, the C-max is cheaper and more fuel efficient.

Measured the other way, the volume difference is 28%.

Well, duh, that's PR dept. job to pick the competitor to make their product look the best. The C-max is between the liftback and v in cost, fuel economy, and size. The v makes the C-max look better on two of those. They both also have the same body shape, and will be identified by most of the masses as a wagon/crossover as opposed to a hatchback. They probably could have found a non-hybrid closer in size to compare it to, but the people and press will comparing the hybrids regardless.

The confusion, if it exists, is because the C-max has a plug-in option, and it's closest competitor doesn't. Wth Toyota?! Why the slack?

 

The C-Max Energi is looking more and more enticing. Hmm I wonder if I can get any deals on one. It would be interesting to see what I could wring out of it.........

 

I'm sure at the beginning production will be low, and the dealers won't deal. But there is an extra $1500 California incentive and the HOV sticker. They claim a 9 speaker stereo in the upgraded system too. Hopefully that means sub woofer. I would not expect deals for another year, but you never know.

 

Aye, I don't know any Ford dealer personnel anymore either. It wouldn't be a sound financial decision but my girlfriend needs a new car and as much as i like my Prius there are some things that bug me enough to entertain the idea of a switch if the mpg-fun factor were high enough.

 

The C-Max got my attention also. I like the greater battery mileage as well as the higher highway speed on battery power. The lower price doesn't hurt either. Hopefully Prius will respond now that the bar has been raised.

 

If the C-Max works out then Toyota will have to respond!

 

well, the bar hasn't been raised until all the facts are known. but i hope it goes up and quickly!

 

Yup! It's the real-world data that makes the purchase decision, not on-paper calculations.

 

but as I was saying, if you dont need Prius v capacity, then you get Prius liftback or C-max. If you need Prius v, then C-max is too small.

Comparing Prius v and C-max for hybrid versions makes no sense, because there is Prius liftback which is about the same size as C-max.

So I am not sure why would anyone compare C-max and Prius v, you wont cross shop the two.

I understand why Ford does it - to make their C-max pricing appear better, but in reality, it will be compared to liftback, and it gets worse mpg and it is priced worse than Prius.

 

The bar has been rasied. We can read the spec sheet. We just don't know if the c-max clears it in good form. That takes some test drives. I'm sure toyota knew much much of this, but we won't see the response until the gen IV. Car changes take time.

Absolutely, although I would say want not need. And some people want a toyota and others want a ford. More choices are good.

The c-max is wider and higher and adds passenger room and cargo room. So if you want a little more room c-max does it. If you want a station waggon like form factor with more cargo room, but slightly less passenger room then the prius v is there.

They are both hybrids with lots of cargo room and good mileage. It seems an obvious comparison.

I think they do not want to go head to head with the liftback. Honda tried and failed miserably. This ones a little bigger, a little more CUV like, but with almost as good gas mileage as the liftback (better than the prius v) and more power. It depends what you want when you say priced worse. People are willing to pay for more power to weight and bigger rims. I would say its priced quite competitively. The 2012 fusion hybrid wasn't.

 

In addition to austingreen's points, the liftback's kammback rear end impairs its utility. The C-Max, like the c and v, have better utility because of the fullback design.

 

The Plug-in numbers for July 2012 are not impressive!
I can see why most car makers are so careful when it comes to Plug-ins.

Chevrolet Volt: 1,849 Volts,
Toyota Prius Plug-In: 688 Prius plug-ins
Nissan LEAF: 395 cars
Mitsubishi i: sold 333
Focus Electric: In June Ford sold 89 Focus Electrics. To date 97 vehicles have been sold.
Honda Fit EV: 7 Honda Fit EVs
July 2012 Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales Report Card

 

The Plug-in is not yet being sold everywhere yet is it?

 

no.

 

how much is the cmax energi and what is the range?

 

$32k base 'MSRP and 20+ miles.