At $30K, this one is possibly the first_PHEV that makes real $'s and sense.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Oct. 18, 2012
2013 Ford C-MAX Energi PHEV-21 - $29,995 incl. delivery and after federal tax credit is rated at 44/41/43 mpgUS city/highway/combined on gasoline and a very healthy 100-MPGe combined on the plug.
While I was away in San Francisco, Ford released a semi-official EPA all-electric range (AER) rating on its upcoming C-MAX Energi PHEV of 21 miles.
At the same time, Ford released an interesting statement that the Toyota Prius PHEV offers just 6-miles of all-electric range (AER), or one-third the distance that its C-MAX Energi can travel before its first engine start. Here Ford is taking advantage of the fact the Prius PHEV cannot travel over 62 mph or accelerate much faster than 3.3 mph/second from the city/highway and cold tests enforce without the engine starting or assisting.
The C-MAX Energi is Ford’s first production PHEV and provides 188 HP total system output (possibly up to 195 according to Ford’s latest releases?) from its 141 HP atkinsonized 2.0L engine and 118 HP electric motor. Remember that electric motor torque falls off as RPM’s climb resulting in the total system output as written.
The C-MAX Energi’s combination of relatively fuel efficient highway driving and electric only powered city driving will prove to be a godsends for commuter warriors the world over.
The all-new C-MAX Energi is proudly build on American soil at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI. According to Ford PR, it will be available this fall at EV Certified Ford dealers in 19 markets, followed by nationwide rollout in all 50 states in early 2013.
For those considering the C-MAX hybrid or Energi PHEV over and above the Prius hatch, v or PHEV, a quick rundown is in order.
The C-MAX hybrid and Energi incorporate an interior that places the Prius family lineup at a generation or more disadvantage. With a silky styled dash in all black, Piano black surrounds, chrome inlays where appropriate and SmartGauge with EcoGuide greeting you with every push of the start button, it is indeed a fantastic living and working space in which you may spend 500 + hours per year or more in.
When it comes to roominess however, there are a few missteps. There is ample headroom for both front and second row occupants. However, the rated 24.5 and 19.1 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the second row seats for the C-MAX Hybrid and Energi respectively is more like a small C-Segment hatch with upright but not lengthy stowage space for your gear.
Regarding fuel economy during charge sustaining mode or when on the gas, the Hybrid’s 47/47/47 mpgUS city/highway/combined rating appears to be rated extraordinarily high when compared to real world experience by both members and the online community as a whole. How the appearance of an EPA rating overstatement will play out in the future is anyone’s guess but we will remain vigilant as more customers pick up their C-MAX’s over the winter.
A beautiful and hyper efficient American made small car at what I consider an affordable price is worthy of all of our attention.
). I really loved the interior in the c-max as compared to the Prius, but I tried an FE test with a depleted pack on the Prius for the same route and the results were really disappointing to me. I don't believe the pack in the C-max was as low as I let the Prius get, but regardless I got 37 MPG in the c-max and 51 in my Prius. For both I set cruise to 65 on the Interstate and 55 on the highway so that they would be as close a comparison as possible. I know that I am used to my Prius, but I did not try to drive it efficiently. With the less than expected MPG in the hybrid mode and the likely large sacrifice in cargo area I am concerned that the c-max energi would not meet my family's road trip needs. They were so close, but I think they have missed the mark.
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