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Prius owner now has a C Max, too

Discussion in 'Ford/Lincoln Hybrids and EVs' started by HeyKB, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. HeyKB

    HeyKB Not so new member

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    Well, we bought a C Max and have had it for about a week.

    I've gotten 52 mpg and 48 mpg on a couple of trips. It's taking a little practice because the programming is clearly different from the Prius. I think as I get more familiar with how it drives, I'll be over 45 mpg routinely.

    One thing that definitely takes some getting used to - it will hop into EV mode at 60 mph.

    For what it's worth, the transition between electric and gasoline engines is quite smooth. The CVT feels very Prius-like because it just works. The Ford salesguy says the C Max battery is higher capacity than Prius and my limited experience seems to support that. It feels like the charge level definitely moves more slowly (both up and down), so I'm optmistic that we'll be getting some good chunks of EV driving as part of our gadding about.

    I'm still driving our '05 Prius as the main vehicle, but that's mostly a function of it running perfectly after 105,000 miles and my being the person doing the driving. The C Max is my wife's car and when I need to be out of town, she wants me to leave the C Max for her. No problem - the Prius is running very well and I expect that it will continue to do so.

    One more comment on the C Max. It has plenty of gadgets and hi tech feel. When we bought the Prius in 2005, we were impressed with the many nuanced capabilities built into the car. As is true with 2012 Prii, the C Max has the updated technology you would expect. Nobody had USB ports in 2005, but in 2012 the C Max has two. That sort of thing.

    I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the C Max was competitive with the V and standard Prius. It is. It's got plusses and minuses, but it's in the ballpark and it's worth a look if Toyota's offerings aren't fitting your situation for some reason.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks! sounds like a great car. insight mileage and ford quality. how does the interior space compare to prius hatchback? front, back and hatch?
     
  3. HeyKB

    HeyKB Not so new member

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    The hatch space is a more than the standard Prius but not quite so big as the V. The front and back seats are at least as roomy as the standard Prius. I'm thinking the C Max has a bit more headroom.

    One thing I forgot to mention in the OP is that the bigger ICE means it's happy to jump forward when you hit the accelerator. That's a different feel from our Prius, which is a little grumpier about being asked for a quick move. That also means we need a lighter touch when we're not in a hurry and want to maximize mileage. We're still adjusting but no more so than back in '05 when we got our Prius.
     
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  4. guachodan

    guachodan Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info, I have an '05 Prius and am looking at either the C-Max Energi (PHV) or PiP. I'm a little concerned about a first year car (C-Max) but it looks like it has some really nice features. Do you notice road noise less in the C-Max with the active noise cancellation? Does the MyFord Touch interface work reasonably well? The PiP seems very refined but a little boring although I'll be using my car as a kid mover so boring isn't necessarily a bad thing.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    C-Max hybrid can learn and adapt to your usual commute route (2 to 4 weeks to learn), so MPG will get better as you go.
     
  6. HeyKB

    HeyKB Not so new member

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    The C Max is from Europe, so it's not a new car to Ford. They have a non-hybrid that is not coming to America.

    Supposedly the Energi has a longer EV range than the stock PiP. That's what the Ford propaganda says, anyway, so it may be nonsense. But if you will be doing a number of short trips routinely, the Energi will be worth a look.

    Like I said above, it's a perfectly reasonable alternative to the Prius. I'd give it a test drive in any case.

    We wound up with the C Max because my wife really doesn't care for the interior layout of the 2012 Gen III. YMMV (or your wife's!)
     
  7. HeyKB

    HeyKB Not so new member

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    Oh, and the active noise cancellation in the C Max? It's terrific. Just terrific. My wife isn't in the Prius much any more, but I ride in both cars and I have to say the Prius seems to let in a lot more road noise. It's 100% a reaction to the C Max being so quiet by comparison.

    You'll still hear the ICE and so on, but the road noise is much diminished in the C Max.
     
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  8. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

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    Nice that mileage on CMAX matches up to EPA ratings. Ford has way better stuff on its hybrids than Toyota. Power seats, auto lights and mirrors, blindspot alarms and they look better. Just recently found out I can have a charging station for a plug on. Was thinking of CMAX Energi but, with same mileage and EV range, the Fusion Hybrid Plug in might be the way to go to drive a great looking car and get 100 mpg combined...and US made.

    livefusion3.jpg&MaxW=630.jpeg
     
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  9. HeyKB

    HeyKB Not so new member

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    The Fusion Hybrid was our first Ford test drive this year and wifey really liked it. The back seats don't fold down and (believe it or not) that was enough for her to prefer the C Max. I think she also likes the SUVish driver position, up a little higher than a sedan.

    The Fusion is a super comfortable car and if you want a sedan body style in a hybrid, I can't imagine not loving it. It's got all the same goodies as the C Max - such as the ones you mentioned - and it's very pleasant to drive. If a plug-in is in your future, I'm not at all surprised that you think the Fusion is a contender.
     
  10. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

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    That is an issue for me. Skis in with back seat down are key UNLESS they can fit in Fusion trunk or they do what Audi does with an arm rest pass through for skis. The hatchback is also a nice ski feature with the lid being an umbrella getting gear out and on so I might still do the Energi but so like the Fusion idea that high mileage doesn't have to look it.
     
  11. scottf200

    scottf200 Member

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    Ford C-MAX Hybrid Outsells Toyota Prius v in First Full Sales Month, Helps Ford Set Hybrid, Small Vehicle Sales Records - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

    ByFord Motor Company

    Published: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 - 5:19 am
    DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ --

    • In its first full month of sales, Ford's new C-MAX Hybrid outsells Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769
    • Ford sets record for hybrid sales in October with 4,612 units – double October 2011 hybrid sales
    • C-MAX hybrids help Ford achieve strongest October small car sales in 11 years –a total 25,493 vehicles for a 54 percent increase year over year
    • Nearly 70 percent of C-MAX Hybrid buyers are new to Ford, with 25 percent of sales in California as Ford continues to make in-roads on the coasts
    The new Ford C-MAX Hybrid – America's most fuel-efficient and affordable hybrid utility vehicle – is now the best-selling hybrid utility vehicle after outselling Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769 units, in just its first full month of sales in October.
    <snip>
     
  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I was really surprised that Ford introduced an "oil wetted" timing belt into their engines.

    I hope it last, since replacing it would be an expensive repair.

    I'll keep my Prius"v." It's engine, like all Prii, uses the much more reliable and longest lasting "timing chain."
     
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  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Chains last longer, but they cost more and are noisier. That's why they are relatively new(past 10 years) to Toyota engines.
    I would prefer a chain, despite the noise, but the important question with a timing belt engine is if it is interference or non. The VW TDI is an interference engine, and the cylinders can smash opened valves if the belt breaks. Leading to very expensive repairs, and why the belt needs to be replaced religousily.

    The last timing belt engines of Ford's were non-interference. You'll be stranded if the belt breaks, but the engine wouldn't chew itself up to near destruction. Just replace the broken belt and all is good. I've heard these engines take up more volume in the engine bay.

    Knowing that and the change interval are important for future purchasers for down the road costs. My parents' Acura had there car's belt changed at 100k miles. I've heard the TDI interval varies between 80k to 120k. In the TDI's case, the owners say to replace it early, but with a non-interference engine, getting it done on time isn't has high stress. Since changing transmission fluid at 100k on even maintenance free transmissions is a good idea, a timing belt change around then shouldn't be an unduly pricey maintenance item.

    Even chains can stretch over time, and using plastic gear teeth, or even entire gears, with them to reduce noise isn't rare.
     
  14. acdii

    acdii Active Member

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    From what I read in reviews, the 2013 rear seats do fold down, unlike the prior years.

    From Cars.com
     
  15. coach81

    coach81 Active Member

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    The back seats do fold down in the Ford Fusion Hybrid '13
     
  16. scottf200

    scottf200 Member

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    From goodcarbadcar sales tables:

    Ford C-Max Sales Figures
    3,182 - October​
    4,848 - November​
    4,310 - December​

    Toyota Prius V Sales Figures
    2,769 - October​
    2,690 - November​
    2,992 - December​
     
  17. prius_cor

    prius_cor New Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. I like the look of the C-Max
     
  18. scottf200

    scottf200 Member

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    From goodcarbadcar sales tables:

    Ford C-Max Sales Figures
    3,182 - October
    4,848 - November
    4,310 - December
    2,725 - January '13
    3,183 - February
    3,769 - March


    Toyota Prius V Sales Figures
    2,769 - October
    2,690 - November
    2,992 - December
    2,522 - January '13
    2,543 - February
    3,460 - March

     
  19. acdii

    acdii Active Member

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    Wow. Thats pretty good, however, there is only one Cmax vs how many flavors of Prius? Better to match the Cmax to all Prius sales instead of just the V. Not everyone who looks at the Cmax would want the V, but may instead choose the regular Prius. If purchased based on EPA numbers, those looking at the 47 will see the higher number on the GenIII and choose that one instead.
     
  20. scottf200

    scottf200 Member

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    That is what the overwhelming comparision is tho. See a few hunderd thousand here:

    Ford C-MAX Toyota "Prius V" - Google Search