2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid. |
1968 Ford Brochure. |
In the C-Max Hybrid, Ford's Toyota Prius V-fighter, it has a different idea. Better? Let's see.
2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid. |
2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid interior. |
The C-Max Hybrid's base price of $25,170 is $1,505 less than the Prius V base price. Our test vehicle came with Equipment Group 203A, whcih adds a power liftgate and rear parking aid, reverse sensing system, ambient interior lighting, Sync, MyFordTouch, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and satellite navigation. The package cost is $2,290. With $825 destination and delivery charges, the as-tested price came to $28,285. That's a bit more than three thousand dollars below the as-tested price of the Prius V Michael tested in the fall of 2013.
EPA mileage estimates are very close between the two cars...42 city/37 highway for the C-Max Hybrid and 44/40 for the Prius V...but there's clearly an advantage to the Prius V, which also has 10 cubic feet more cargo room behind its rear seat.
On balance, the C-Max Hybrid is more different from the Prius V than it is better. It is certainly good enough to make Ford a credible player in the small hybrid market, but it will take much more to seriously threaten Toyota's dominance in that segment.