Prius owner now has a C Max, too

thanks! sounds like a great car. insight mileage and ford quality. how does the interior space compare to prius hatchback? front, back and hatch?

 

Thanks for the info, I have an '05 Prius and am looking at either the C-Max Energi (PHV) or PiP. I'm a little concerned about a first year car (C-Max) but it looks like it has some really nice features. Do you notice road noise less in the C-Max with the active noise cancellation? Does the MyFord Touch interface work reasonably well? The PiP seems very refined but a little boring although I'll be using my car as a kid mover so boring isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

C-Max hybrid can learn and adapt to your usual commute route (2 to 4 weeks to learn), so MPG will get better as you go.

 

Nice that mileage on CMAX matches up to EPA ratings. Ford has way better stuff on its hybrids than Toyota. Power seats, auto lights and mirrors, blindspot alarms and they look better. Just recently found out I can have a charging station for a plug on. Was thinking of CMAX Energi but, with same mileage and EV range, the Fusion Hybrid Plug in might be the way to go to drive a great looking car and get 100 mpg combined...and US made.

 

That is an issue for me. Skis in with back seat down are key UNLESS they can fit in Fusion trunk or they do what Audi does with an arm rest pass through for skis. The hatchback is also a nice ski feature with the lid being an umbrella getting gear out and on so I might still do the Energi but so like the Fusion idea that high mileage doesn't have to look it.

 

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Outsells Toyota Prius v in First Full Sales Month, Helps Ford Set Hybrid, Small Vehicle Sales Records - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

ByFord Motor Company

Published: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 - 5:19 am
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ --

• In its first full month of sales, Ford's new C-MAX Hybrid outsells Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769
• Ford sets record for hybrid sales in October with 4,612 units – double October 2011 hybrid sales
• C-MAX hybrids help Ford achieve strongest October small car sales in 11 years –a total 25,493 vehicles for a 54 percent increase year over year
• Nearly 70 percent of C-MAX Hybrid buyers are new to Ford, with 25 percent of sales in California as Ford continues to make in-roads on the coasts

The new Ford C-MAX Hybrid – America's most fuel-efficient and affordable hybrid utility vehicle – is now the best-selling hybrid utility vehicle after outselling Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769 units, in just its first full month of sales in October.
<snip>

 

I was really surprised that Ford introduced an "oil wetted" timing belt into their engines.

I hope it last, since replacing it would be an expensive repair.

I'll keep my Prius"v." It's engine, like all Prii, uses the much more reliable and longest lasting "timing chain."

 

Chains last longer, but they cost more and are noisier. That's why they are relatively new(past 10 years) to Toyota engines.
I would prefer a chain, despite the noise, but the important question with a timing belt engine is if it is interference or non. The VW TDI is an interference engine, and the cylinders can smash opened valves if the belt breaks. Leading to very expensive repairs, and why the belt needs to be replaced religousily.

The last timing belt engines of Ford's were non-interference. You'll be stranded if the belt breaks, but the engine wouldn't chew itself up to near destruction. Just replace the broken belt and all is good. I've heard these engines take up more volume in the engine bay.

Knowing that and the change interval are important for future purchasers for down the road costs. My parents' Acura had there car's belt changed at 100k miles. I've heard the TDI interval varies between 80k to 120k. In the TDI's case, the owners say to replace it early, but with a non-interference engine, getting it done on time isn't has high stress. Since changing transmission fluid at 100k on even maintenance free transmissions is a good idea, a timing belt change around then shouldn't be an unduly pricey maintenance item.

Even chains can stretch over time, and using plastic gear teeth, or even entire gears, with them to reduce noise isn't rare.

 

From what I read in reviews, the 2013 rear seats do fold down, unlike the prior years.

From Cars.com

 

The back seats do fold down in the Ford Fusion Hybrid '13

 

From goodcarbadcar sales tables:

Ford C-Max Sales Figures

3,182 - October​

4,848 - November​

4,310 - December​

​

Toyota Prius V Sales Figures

2,769 - October​

2,690 - November​

2,992 - December​

 

Thanks for the feedback. I like the look of the C-Max

 

From goodcarbadcar sales tables:

Ford C-Max Sales Figures
3,182 - October
4,848 - November
4,310 - December
2,725 - January '13
3,183 - February
3,769 - March


Toyota Prius V Sales Figures
2,769 - October
2,690 - November
2,992 - December
2,522 - January '13
2,543 - February
3,460 - March

 

Wow. Thats pretty good, however, there is only one Cmax vs how many flavors of Prius? Better to match the Cmax to all Prius sales instead of just the V. Not everyone who looks at the Cmax would want the V, but may instead choose the regular Prius. If purchased based on EPA numbers, those looking at the 47 will see the higher number on the GenIII and choose that one instead.

 

That is what the overwhelming comparision is tho. See a few hunderd thousand here:

Ford C-MAX Toyota "Prius V" - Google Search