With the Ford Escape Hybrid on its way out, the Blue Oval’s newest entry in the hybrid multipurpose vehicle segment—the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid—is on its way in—and it will bring along plenty of advantages as compared to its top target, the Toyota Prius V.
“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, Ford’s vice president for 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, even as gas prices rise over time.”
And if that helps whet your appetite for the C-MAX Hybrid, Ford also announced it will take as little as $25,995 to satisfy it, with dealers taking reservations now.
Advantage: Ford C-MAX HybridAs mentioned, Ford is explicitly taking aim at the Prius v with the new C-MAX Hybrid, and the latter is on target to deliver:
- Better fuel economy
- More net torque and horsepower—both of which are expected to be on hand in best-in-class amounts
- A higher all-electric driving speed
- More front and rear headroom
- More total cargo space—up to 99.7 cubic feet that also bests the Toyota RAV4 by more than 25 cubic feet
- An MSRP that undercuts that of the Prius v by $555
It’s also worth pointing out that the Ford C-MAX Energi—a plug-in hybrid version of the C-MAX that’s due before the end of the year—will provide these kinds of benefits and more when compared to the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, including a higher MPGe efficiency rating and a longer all-electric driving range. Finally, for those who want to play the patriotism card, the C-MAX will be built at Ford’s Wayne Assembly Plant in Michigan.
Ford C-MAX Hybrid: Tech TalkLike many new Ford products, the C-MAX Hybrid will be packed with technologies, and not just under the hood. For example, the family-friendly fuel sipper will offer the same hands-free power liftgate as found on the 2013 Ford Escape, allowing owners to open up the rear of the vehicle with a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper. Naturally, the latest generation of SYNC with MyFord Touch and the SYNC AppLink system will be on the C-MAX Hybrid’s long list of available equipment, too, as will a next-gen iteration of the automaker’s SmartGuide with EcoGuide.
This system makes it easy for drivers to monitor the fuel-economy performance of the vehicle, then use that information to develop more efficient driving habits.
Of course, there is, in fact, plenty of new tech beneath the skin of the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which boasts a powertrain with an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 engine, an advanced lithium-ion battery pack, a regenerative-braking system that captures up to 95 percent of the energy that would otherwise be lost to stopping, and Ford’s envelope-pushing powersplit powertrain architecture, which allows the car’s electric motor and gas engine to work either together or separately to optimize fuel efficiency in all driving scenarios.
