Ford C Max, Prius killer?

We've just done a test drive of the C-Max. I think the best description is "between a 3rd-gen Prius and the v." My wife cannot abide the gen 3's interior so she wanted to look at alternatives. We started with the v, of course, but she was put off a bit by the price and the styling. So we found ourselves at the Ford dealer.

The C-Max is peppy and pleasant to drive. The display showed mpg at somewhere around 30-something but I wasn't buying that number as "real world." It seemed totally possible to get mid to high 40's just based on the little bit of bombing around that I did on the test drive. So don't be dissuaded by someone else's numbers. If you've driven a Prius regularly, you are probably a lot better at milking mpg than the bozos who tried out the car before you. Bottom line is that I believe 47 mpg is a fine ballpark number for comparisons.

For us as Prius owners, the C-Max is a bit bigger, with very nice fit and finish. I found the driver's seat to be just fine and my wife loved the SUV-like "sitting up high" feel. The back seats had reasonable leg room but we didn't really give them much of a test, so I don't know about the comfort for a long haul. The cabin is pretty quiet, especially compared to Prii. The cargo area will hold plenty of groceries, which is really its normal use for us, so no complaints there.

The price for a pretty loaded C-Max is about $31-32k and that seems to be a tad cheaper than a similarly equipped v and right at the top end of gen-3's pricing. (My wife expects Nav, heated power seats, etc) Given that Ford's hybrids have a strong track record, I think it's a serious candidate for anyone who has a reason to look past the gen 3 Prius. You can spend more or less on any of the cars in the discussion (Prius, v, C-Max) but the bottom line is that the C-Max is a real player. It's comfortable, fun to drive, utilitarian, and priced competitively. Consider it if you are looking at the Prius or the v.

 

Actually, you seem to be wrong on all 3 counts. Toyota says the V is already too expensive to build as a Plug-in. And yet the C-Max IS going available as a Plug-in.
Ford touts electric range, speed of plug-in C-Max Energi hybrid - Autoweek
- According to auto week - it'll do TWENTY EV miles, but like to PiP, it can do blended as well for higher mpg-e's.
- More HP than the Prius V
- Less expensive than the V
- Greater range than the PiP per tank full
- Higher freeway/EV speeds
- And then there's the Price:

2013 Ford C-Max Energi Priced From $29,995*

How can they do that!
We actually wanted a V, but my better half has headroom trouble upon entering/exiting the V - even though she's only 5'-8" .... while my 6'-5" frame has no problem entering / exiting. So ... now, if we sell the Lexus SUV hybrid, we may be checking out the C-Max Plug in.

At 1st blush, I figured Ford was just trying to play catch-up, when they dropped the Escape hybrid ... but now? Man! IMO, Ford is really throwing down the gauntlet in front of Toyota.
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Looks like right on all three actually.

EV range...no one has reported on C-Max's EV range. Toyota hybrid's is about a mile.
MPG in hybrid mode. Prius gets better mpg.
Price. C-Max is more but has more standard features (auto/on/off headlights, auto mirror, power seats).

Now the Ford ENERGI plug in getting 20 miles EV definitely beats the Prius Plug In's 11 and that, along with the lights, seats, mirrors and other nice features makes the ENERGI a better buy than the Prius.

If Ford's cutting deals on the ENERGI to get them out there, I might bail on the Prius 2012 for an ENERGI 2013. It would double my mileage from 50 mpg on Prius to 100 mpg on ENERGI as I can now plug in at home and work and could not when I purchased the Prius.

 

Still waiting for a C Max Hybrid (or several) to show up on Fuelly to see how it's doing mileage-wise.

 

If anyone is ok with that trunk size, go for it. Get it for 20 miles in one charge. It makes the Prius PHV look like the best balance of EV miles, recharge time and interior space.

 

If interior cargo space is your primary concern. The raised cargo floor of the C-max Energi does put a crimp in hauling big stuff, but isn't a hinderance for grocery shopping. The Volt has more cabin and cargo spce than the gen1 Prius. Compromise is going to be made based on what the individual holds important in the vehicle. The early Camry and Civic hybrids suffered from reduced trunk space. If that had been a priority to buyers then, enough might not of sold to continue the line.

 

Gen1 Prius is no longer in production. Why are you comparing Volt to it? Gen3 Prius currently in production has 21.6 cubic feet trunk.


Despite having a raised floor, C-Max Energi should have more cargo space than the Volt. It'll also cost about $3.5k less than Volt after tax credit (unfair IMHO).

The gas mileage of C-Max Energi in hybrid mode seems to be 43 MPG, taking 4 MPG hit. Prius PHV is the only plugin without taking interior space and hybrid MPG while lowering emission.

 

I'll tell you what really gets me excited about this plug in Ford. It's based off the same Synergy Drive as the escape. Plugin supply builds a great range extending battery traction pack kit for the Ford Escape. Added to the Ford C -max plug-in it could easily bring the energi's EV range to over 35 or 40 miles. And it's blended mode would be unimaginably Sweet! Look what I'm doing ... I'm already adding my mods

SGH-I717R ? 2

 

It is also the PHV with the shortest EV(ish) range. Which makes the hybrid fuel economy more important for overall individual efficiency.

I'm just saying these are the first generation of PHVs on the road. As such, the compromises are going to be more noticable in them. Ford and GM choose go with longer EV range to differing degrees with the price in space taken up by the battery. Toyota choose a smaller pack for the lesser price and space costs. Which means a non-full EV mode with shorter range.

People are going to choose what serves their needs and wants best. Regardless of which is the best package based on another's definition.

 

Here's the first C Max Hybrid on Fuelly.

freeusfromprius (Ford C-Max) | Fuelly

The car is averaging 39.7 mpg after three fuel ups. Meh.

 

when a car is brand new - as well as it's tires - that mpg number really doesn't mean anything does it? For example many new Prius drivers take months and months before they start to hit the EPA numbers.

SGH-I717R ? 2

 

Yep. It's too early. But I just got a Prius V, and I'm at 45 mpg after two tanks, which I'm happy about. I seriously considered a C Max, and if I averaged 39 after a few tanks, I'd be pretty upset.

 

You are getting 3mpg above epa, why would you expect to get 8 mpg under epa on the c-max. Remember YMMV, and if you are beating epa, you likely have an easier cycle.

 

That may have something to do with it, but is that it? Here's another C Max just added to Fuelly: Wagoneer (Ford C-Max) | Fuelly

The average mpg is 38 after 3 tanks.

Again, I'm wondering if people are really going to average 47 in this car.

 

I get 42 in my prius. You can't tell from small numbers of samples. YMMV. If you like your car that's great.

 

Just for the record, I really liked the C Max, and was favoring it over the V. One of the reasons I soured on the C Max was a bunch of reviewers mentioned they weren't getting anywhere close to the EPA ratings. I also had some other disappointments with the C Max, such as the smaller than expected cargo area, hard to sit on back seats, and Ford Sync. I have some issues with my V too, particularly the shape of the front seats.

In general, I want competition. I'm very happy with Ford's commitment to high mileage vehicles. I just hope they are as advertised and rated.

 

It's only two fills. The third number is best one to date. The page seems to be projecting 3 fills a month based on the 2 fills in the week and half tracking has been done. Between short and overfills, 2 fill ups isn't enough for an average.
The number is improving.
The C-max is named free us from prius, and the owner also has a Jetta TDI in their stable, which is over EPA highway. I think it's fair to say they don't know the ins and outs of getting the best fuel economy from a hybrid yet.

 

EPA test cycle is done on the dynamometer. I do not believe the weight and aerodynamic of the vehicle is weighted to reflect the realworld.

 

Ofcourse the test uses the weight and aerodynamics. The tests do have differences with actual driver behavior and road conditions. If you are greatly beating the epa in one car, the odds are you will still beat it in anouther. If you are performing very far bellow in one, you aren't going to be beating it in anouther. Tests like CR routinely get much less than EPA and are non-standardized, so can not be used for comparison. Other magazines do a better job.

 

Maybe so, but its aerodynamics are pretty decent:

Preview: 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid
Damn near identical to Prius V drag, of 0.29

Dang! Didja catch that tire smokin' 57 seconds into the video?
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