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Solid information about the Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford C-MAX Energi are slowly emerging as the actual product release date approaches later this year. The latest tidbit was a claim, not yet EPA verified, that the C-MAX Hybrid will get better gas mileage than the Toyota Prius v, and have better technology on-board.
The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi, Ford's first hybrid-only car line, are a pair of MPV style vehicles the company is bringing to the U.S. after several years of sales and production sale outside the U.S. At the end of 2012 they will go on sale in the U.S. with both regular hybrid (C-MAX Hybrid), and plug-in hybrid (C-MAX Energi) versions.
In May, Ford announced the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid would have a base price of $25,200 (for the SE model) or $28,200 for the SEL model which adds leather seats, satellite radio, and Sync with MyFord Touch. The price for the C-MAX Energi has not been announced.
A couple days ago, as part of a larger discussion on measures to increase fuel efficiency across Ford's model line, it was mentioned as an aside that the Ford C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be certified by the EPA with 47 miles/gallon fuel efficiency. This would make the C-MAX Hybrid 3 MPG more efficient than the Toyota Prius v. Additionally the C-MAX Hybrid would, according to Ford, have "more performance and technology." The characteristics of the C-MAX Energi have not been announced.
The C-MAX Hybrid fuel efficiency rating has not been certified by the EPA as yet, but the company must be pretty confident of their results to go ahead and make this announcement.
The company aims with both C-MAX vehicles to beat the fuel efficiency of the equivalent vehicles in the Toyota Prius line. Hence, the C-MAX Hybrid at 47 MPG is better than the Prius v at 44 MPG, and the C-MAX Energi with a higher MPG rating would be better than the Prius Plug-in. In theory.
Will claims of "more performance and better technology" and better fuel efficiency tip the field away from the highly popular Toyota Prius? A few miles/gallon better efficiency doesn't seem like much of a winning sales proposition, but what about the other claims? In terms of "more performance" the C-MAX Hybrid will have 50 more horsepower than the Prius v, which should make for a somewhat peppier car. The "better technology" comes down to whether Ford Sync with MyFord Touch is better than the Prius Entune system.
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Comments
Personally I think the C-Max
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Personally I think the C-Max hybrid / Prius v comparison is not a valid one.
The Prius v is MUCH bigger than the C-max. 34 cubic feet of cargo room in the Prius v, while C-max only has 24 cubic feet.
Of course the Prius v would get less MPG-- It's a bigger car.
The C-max is better compared against the normal Prius hatchback. In which case, the Prius Liftback gets the better fuel economy 50mpg vs. C-max's 47mpg.
Yeah the Prius v is sized
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In reply to Personally I think the C-Max by Chief Mechanic (not verified)
Yeah the Prius v is sized like the Grand CMax, not the regular CMax. Still impressive MPGs for an MPV tho, and 50 more hp than Prius.
It's Ford that is making the
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In reply to Yeah the Prius v is sized by Anonymous (not verified)
It's Ford that is making the comparison - every piece of material they release is aimed at comparisons with Toyota.
Yeah just pointing out that
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In reply to It's Ford that is making the by David Herron
Yeah just pointing out that Ford's comparison has a big unsaid caveat.
I think the C-max is best compared to the regular Prius LIftback-- Both are about the same size-- C-max has 24 cu. feet cargo space vs. 21 cu. ft. in the regular Prius. 50 more HP but 3 less MPG.
Since it uses the same kind of power split device drivetrain as the Prius, the C-max I think would be what a "sporty" version of the regular Prius would be, if Toyota thought of building one. :-)
I wonder how big it is. I
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I wonder how big it is. I like hatchbacks over regular cars. The ford fiesta and focus are based on the sedan. This one has upright seating. Have a Pontiac vibe and the seats are good and there is headroom. Wonder how much bigger this is compared to the Pontiac vibe. Is this a compact or medium size? Or sub compact. The vibe is cramped in the back but it has about 35 cubic feet in the back. I like the upright seating. I hope this will be bigger. Like the ford focus but it's to small.
I wonder how big it is. I
Permalink
I wonder how big it is. I like hatchbacks over regular cars. The ford fiesta and focus are based on the sedan. This one has upright seating. Have a Pontiac vibe and the seats are good and there is headroom. Wonder how much bigger this is compared to the Pontiac vibe. Is this a compact or medium size? Or sub compact. The vibe is cramped in the back but it has about 35 cubic feet in the back. I like the upright seating. I hope this will be bigger. Like the ford focus but it's to small.
I wonder how big it is. I
Permalink
I wonder how big it is. I like hatchbacks over regular cars. The ford fiesta and focus are based on the sedan. This one has upright seating. Have a Pontiac vibe and the seats are good and there is headroom. Wonder how much bigger this is compared to the Pontiac vibe. Is this a compact or medium size? Or sub compact. The vibe is cramped in the back but it has about 35 cubic feet in the back. I like the upright seating. I hope this will be bigger. Like the ford focus but it's to small.
I wonder how big it is. I
Permalink
I wonder how big it is. I like hatchbacks over regular cars. The ford fiesta and focus are based on the sedan. This one has upright seating. Have a Pontiac vibe and the seats are good and there is headroom. Wonder how much bigger this is compared to the Pontiac vibe. Is this a compact or medium size? Or sub compact. The vibe is cramped in the back but it has about 35 cubic feet in the back. I like the upright seating. I hope this will be bigger. Like the ford focus but it's to small.