2013 Ford C-Max Energi Beats Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid At 100 MPGe Combined Read more: http://rum

I wouldn't consider that a competitor for the Prius C - it's a competitor for the Prius Plug-In.

 

Yeah, even the hybrid version is 6k+ more that the C

 

I was underwhelmed by the Prius-Plug-In.

The C-Max looks promising. Healthy competition is good. It'll stir innovation and keep prices reasonable.

 

The after tax credit price differential between the Energi and the CMax Hybrid makes the Energi a very tempting offering. I really do hope this turns out to be a great car in every flavor and that Ford sells a zillion of them. I would likely take the plunge myself but bought the C in July and am very happy with my purchase. But a couple of years from now.... well, we will see!

 

Why is this in the Prius c forum? It belongs in the News or plug-in forum.

 

It is a competitor with the PiP because it is a plug-in hybrid. In terms of cabin space it is more of a Prius liftback competitor, and in terms of storage space it only competes with the Prius C. (The extra battery pack nearly wipes out the space behind the second row of seats.)

 

The C-Max is a bigger version of the Focus it's based on, which itself is now a big car. It'd be awesome for the average obese McAmerican, but personally I see no reason to be interested in one. If they made a lowered Fiesta 3-door Plug-in Hybrid that weighs 2500 pounds, then we can talk.

 

Fiesta hatch with their new hybrid tech. Peppier and more fuel efficient. Now we're talking...

 

That's actually an advantage. You want the technology to be as non-invading as possible, almost to the point of not even being noticed. Prius success came from delivering great results in a subtle way.

 

I was actually talking about this:

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid variant can peak at a brisk 85MPH in pure EV driving, or more than 20MPH faster than either the regular Hybrid or a Prius plug-in. Plus, it has an EV range of 20 miles.

The Prius plug-in total all-electric range in blended mode is 11 mi (18 km) as rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has an expected total range of 540 miles (870 km), and a maximum electric-only speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).


It's getting there... once someone introduces a vehicle with a 100 mile EV range and I'll be all over it... no matter how hideous it looks.

 

It's probably more economical to run something like the energi in blended mode for a 100mile commute than running 100miles in pure Ev due to battery cost and or a loss of long range capability.

 

tesla

 

I was actually after a C-MAX hybrid when I went out car shopping, specifically the ENERGI with the tax credit. I have been a Ford (Mustang + F150) guy for a long time and I drove a fusion hybrid we had at work (company car) for a while and was very impressed/surprised at how well Ford was doing the whole hybrid thing. At the end of the day, I drove home in a Prius C (a car I didn't even know existed the day before) because a similarly equipped (to the C3) ENERGI was $35k (take $3750 off that w/rebate theoretically), the Barebones SE with Nav was $27.5k (no rebates) while my C3 was $20k with the recent grad rebate.

I do think the C-MAX is a better/nicer more powerful car that is worth more money, but not that much more money. Also, while I have a deep seeded love affair with FoMoCo, I appreciate the proven track record of the Toyota hybrid powertrain. I could certainly see the C-MAX as a viable replacement to my C3 in a few years when I am ready for something new... if the price is right!

BTW... it was the Mustang that got the axe.

 

Yeah, but I'm sure everyone on this board isn't strapped for cash. We chose a more expensive tech laden hybrid over conventional internal combustion engined cars. After all, one can get a stick shift Versa sedan for about $11k +T/L.

Somehow, being less dependent on gas prices makes me feel a little bit "freer".

 

It is rated 21 EV miles for the EPA city cycle (108 MPGe). Highway cycle is likely 17 to 18 miles (90 MPGe). If you drive 85 mph on battery, you will not get close to 17 miles since the EPA highway cycle average speed is 48.3 mph.

Prius PHV's electricity consumption for the first 6 miles is 117 MPGe (29kWh/100mi). The first 11 miles is rated at 95 MPGe because gas engine blended in the highway cycle.

Just so you are aware, there is downside to higher EV top speed. Energi's top speed is 102 mph vs. the hybrid's 115 mph. My guess is that the power split device has to be re-geared so the ICE doesn't have to come on at 85 mph speed. The Energi's hybrid mode is rated at 43 MPG vs. 47 MPG.

The trunk space is another issue with the bigger battery. It has 19.2 cu.ft volume. Prius PHV has 21.6 cu.ft.

 

I'm quite curious how that loss of space will playout.

PHV doesn't make either that compromise or efficiency following depletion. Both make it a much easier sale (upgrade choice) over the no-plug model.

And if for some reason it is extremely popular, it's not like Toyota cannot do the same thing. A choice of battery-pack size is an intriguing new approach.

 

I see what you mean about the trunk space (thanks for the pic).

I'll be watching at the sidelines with great interest.

 

100% more EV range for Energi (20 vs 10) and 12% more cargo volume for Prius plug in. EV range is the reason for buying either car so on that key metric, the Energi wins out. If Prius ups its EV mileage it will likely have the same reduction in cargo space unless (still my beating heart) Prius redesigns the PIP to look cool.

Showstopper for me on either vehicle is lack of a sun-roof. Ford goes with the crazy stupid non-opening "vista roof", PIP offers nothing.

I'm back to waiting for best plug in on the market in 2015.

 

Energi performs deeper battery cycle (85% vs 73%) than Prius PHV. That's another thing to think about.