2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid MSRP Pricing Will Start at $25,995, Ordering Available Now

There were probably more than a few new-car buyers who were disappointed to learn that the new Ford Escape would not be offered with a hybrid model, but Ford isn't giving up on a hybrid utility vehicle. The all-new 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid will be the successor to the Escape Hybrid, and although it won't go on sale until this fall, dealers are now taking orders for the C-Max Hybrid which has a starting MSRP of $25,995. Not only is this $500 less than its key rival, the Toyota Prius v, it's also a drop in price by about $4,500 compared to the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Ford has yet to announce official (or even expected) fuel economy figures for the C-Max Hybrid, but it did say that it expects this new model to beat the 2012 Prius v which is rated at 44 miles per gallon in the city, 40 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 42 mpg. These numbers far exceed the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid 34 city and 31 highway numbers of the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid. In addition to its fuel economy, the C-Max Hybrid will also offer more passenger volume than the Prius v or 2013 Escape.

Powering the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four that is expected to produce around 141 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque. While these figures are only estimates at this point, Ford says this engine is "among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered." As for the electric components of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, this will be Ford's first use of a lithium-ion battery in a hybrid vehicle, and it states that the C-Max Hybrid will be able to travel at higher speeds under full electric power than the Prius v. On top of all this, the new C-Max Hybrid will feature some of Ford's latest cabin technologies including the updated MyFord Touch infotainment system, the all-new hands-free liftgate that debuted on the new Escape and SmartGauge with EcoGuide to help drivers maximize their fuel economy.

“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v, and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president for Ford's U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump.”

Following the introduction of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid will debut later in the year. Using a plug-in powertrain, Ford says that the C-Max Energi will have better electric-driving performance than the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid (which went on sale in March) including better fuel economy and driving range. All of the C-Max models will be built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. alongside all of the various Ford Focus models. This means that the plant will produce everything from the entry-level Focus to the high-performance Focus ST to the advanced Focus Electric and C-Max Energi.