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Prius vs C-MAX?

Discussion in 'Ford/Lincoln Hybrids and EVs' started by prius121212, Jan 10, 2015.

  1. prius121212

    prius121212 New Member

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    Anyone seen the new Ford C-MAX? It's pretty nice. Drove one the other day. It's interior is far nicer than the Prius', it has more technology, the display is much nicer, and it has some 54HP more. It also has far more room than the Prius and it even costs less. It comes with a Li-Ion battery instead of NM- and stock with alloy rims.

    It begs the question, what is superior about the Prius? I am kind of wondering why people are buying the Prius after having seen the C-MAX which is nicer in every respect and it costs less. The only advantage is the Prius is rated for slightly better MPG, although the one I drove clocked 50.1MPG over the last 300 miles according to the display.


     
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  2. pmike

    pmike Member

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    The Prius has proven reliability through several models and generations. I would never consider a C-Max due to this fact. If you are willing to roll the dice and don't care about statistical reliability then it is a worthy competitor. I am not impressed with Ford's interior, they look like they didn't know if they were designing a transformer or a interior, I am sure the younger buyer are entertained by the design.
     
  3. prius121212

    prius121212 New Member

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    Well, there dont seem to be any known major issues with the C-Max as to date. It came out in 2013. Plus the MG1 and MG2 are in the transmission in the CMAX, so the tranny is considered hybrid related which means 8 year 100k miles. Engine is 60k/ 6 years. So all of the major, expensive parts are covered to 6/60 or 8/100 anyway.
     
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  4. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Well, C-Max does get 50mpg then!
    MPG re-do
    Ford revised combined city/highway mpg downward on these models.
    • 2014 Ford Fiesta (up to 2 mpg reduction, depending on powertrain)
    • 2013-14 Ford C-Max Hybrid (43 to 40 mpg)
    • 2013-14 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid (43 to 38 mpg)
    • 2013-14 Ford Fusion Hybrid (47 to 42 mpg)
    • 2013-14 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid (43 to 38 mpg)
    • 2013-14 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (45 to 38 mpg)
    MPG revisions undercut Ford marketing
     

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  5. pmike

    pmike Member

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    I though we have concluded that the C-Max is the Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, not an uppercase v) (big Prius) competitor, which would put there sticker mpg close to each other. C-Max 42/37 versus Prius v 44/40. What does Ford have to offer that Toyota doesn't, I don't like their interiors. If they were significantly cheaper then that might pique my interest. Check fuelly.com to compare real world numbers.

    We cross shopped the following vehicles for work: updated Nissan Rogue, CR-V, Chevy/GMC Equinox/Terrain, and Ford Escape. We only wanted to consider vehicles which had a dealership in town. We ended up with Rogue's, which was the best out of the bunch. I would say the GM offering and CR-V was in the middle and the Ford Escape was the worse out of the bunch. I think the only reason Ford can sell vehicles is that people want something different, they don't care about other qualities, the novelty matters more, same goes with Hyundai/KIA. I will take a relatively boring Honda or Toyota every day of the week.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes we've all heard of the C-MAX. nice little car, but it is vastly inferior in mpg's. the other things you stated are correct, although, looking at one, the hatch space didn't look larger to me. taller maybe, but i don't typically pile stuff up to the ceiling.
     
  7. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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  8. hybridbear

    hybridbear Member

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    I agree completely! The Ford interiors are far nicer and more comfortable. MFT is also much quicker to respond and easier to use that Entune and MFT has way more features.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Having owned both, I agree with the OP's basic assessments.

    The Prius is better in overall MPG and track record; however, Ford has the second most extensive track record in hybrids. The drivetrains are fairly similar (patent sharing a few years back). Other than teething issues with the company wide Ford sync system using Microsoft code that was fixed with a major update download about a year ago, the car has been very reliable. There are some dead 12v battery issues predominately with the base SE model but we have nearly 50,000 miles combined on our SEL's without one hiccup. I was so impressive with our SEL hybrid that we traded it in for top of the line Energi models. I would have strongly considered a PIP for the wife but they aren't available here in Texas.
     
  10. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Fuel economy, seating and trunk space were the differentiators for me.

    Real world fuel economy for the C-max as reported by owners was 10% less than real world for the v as reported by owners. (fuelly.com)

    I have three grandkids and they and their car seats fit in the rear seats of the v leaving the fronts for grandpa and grandma.

    A 6.5' xmas tree goes to recycling in the v. A group of 4 goes to the beach for a week with all our luggage, towels, rafts, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, etc. The c-max luggage space was tiny by comparison.

    I prefer the C-max styling. I like its NVH. I like its handling.

    I did not consider the Prius hatchback (4 seats, smaller trunk in height) or the C (4 seats, smaller trunk). While they excelled in one of the important criteria (MPG), they failed at 2 (seating, trunk space).

    But in the aspects of a car that were of significant value to me, the v was better.

    We also own an Avalon for when she wants her plushmobile.


    Fuel economy and
     
  11. prius121212

    prius121212 New Member

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    Yea, Ford BSed the numbers as do a lot of companies. I blame the EPA for writing a shitty standard. I think the new numbers are reasonable. I see people getting as much as 65 MPG with extreme hypermiling on the CMAX, and the one I drove got 50 but that was with 50PSI in the tires and 90% slow city driving. Some guys are having trouble even making the base 37/42. So it depends on the car and who drives it, just like the Prius. You can get what it's rated for or above depending on what you do and how you do it.

    Where do you see that? I just looked it up on Fuely and the SE and SEL versions (non-plugin) CMAX average about 42 and the v is 41.1 over all three year models.
     
  12. mojo

    mojo Senior Member

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    A friend just bought a Cmax .
    Im from Detroit and throughout my 58 year lifetime,American cars have been built to fall apart at 100,000 miles .Or at least require 20% of the original purchase price in repairs.
    Usually starting around 50,000 miles.
    Last time I drove a Ford with 30k miles,I was stranded on a dark highway with a broken fan belt that the dealer had just replaced weeks before.
    American car $30,000 for 100,000 miles.
    Toyota $30,000 for 250,000 miles plus with minor maintenance.
     
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