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Ford's C-Max Energi: 100 mpg (city/highway); $29,995*

GasBuddy Blog -- The latest news from Ford is nothing to sneeze at. The new 2013 C-Max Energi (why can't they spell it right?) will be the most fuel efficient plug-in hybrid on the market.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford's new hybrid has been certified as getting the equivalent of 108 mpg (city) and has a combined city/highway EPA rating at 100 mpg. And Ford is quick to point out that's 5 mpg better than its closest competitor, the Toyota Prius plug-in.

If you're unfamiliar with the C-Max name, join the club. It's an all new name plate for Ford in North America. And if it delivers this kind of unparalleled fuel efficiency, you can bet that you'll be hearing the C-Max name pretty often in the not-too-distant future. It's a...


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Submitted Oct 16, 2012 By: PD
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Author Topic: Ford's C-Max Energi: 100 mpg (city/highway); $29,995* Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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garywa01
Sophomore Author Alberta

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Message Posted: Oct 25, 2012 7:50:52 AM

That is cool!
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TTQuattro
Rookie Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 11:12:57 PM

we should have had this long before now!!!!!
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DeepWaterTitan
All-Star Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 8:07:29 PM

I need to find a smaller car with all the traveling I have been doing
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RINdriver
Rookie Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 10:59:29 AM

Just a thought - will my employer or even public shopping areas soon have publicly accessible charging stations? These type of hybrids really don't seem to be geared to the more open areas of the central states.
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EVDreamer
Rookie Author Kansas City

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Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 9:37:12 AM

I am looking forward to test driving one!
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Oct 19, 2012 3:44:58 AM

pilotmass: are you sure? from the reading, it appears this is still a semi-prototype.
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pilotmass
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Oct 18, 2012 12:41:00 PM

Saw one today in White. Very smart.
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Oct 18, 2012 3:55:47 AM

overpriced toy. Takes way too long for ROI.
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A2J
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 6:25:35 PM

$30K
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InvisiBill
Rookie Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 5:09:32 PM

This is basically just Ford's answer to the Volt (which is rated at 98MPGe overall). For a fair comparison, the Volt is $31,645 after tax credits. Maybe it's location-based, but Ford's site is actually showing $32,950 MSRP for me. The C-Max is (maybe?) a little cheaper, but it's also lacking in some specs.

C-Max Specs
Volt Specs

The battery is less than half the size of the Volt's (7.6kWh vs. 16.5kWh). While it may be a little more efficient, I'd expect quite a reduction in the electric-only range simply due to the much smaller battery. The Ford has a 14 gallon gas tank, while the Chevy's is 9.3. Keep in mind that the EPA tests are 11 miles or less, so a plug-in hybrid could get very high window sticker numbers, but not have much capacity for real-world use. They mention that they're coming up with new tests for plug-in hybrids, but they don't have any details on those changes.

The C-Max has a higher rated horsepower, but doesn't list torque. It has a larger ICE with more power. The way they list the specs, it seems like it uses the ICE substantially for powering the car, whereas the Volt doesn't.

The Ford has a little more room inside, but it's 7" taller. The Volt seems to be a little sleeker, while the C-Max is more rounded on top (which is probably where it gets the extra volume inside, as the other dimensions are pretty similar). Personally, I like the styling of the Volt better, but everyone will have their own opinion on that.

I think plug-in hybrids are a good transitional vehicle. If chosen properly, they can give you the benefits of an EV most of the time with the convenience of a gas engine when needed. I don't think this model is any sort of exceptional creation, but competition will only lead to improvements and price reductions. But as many people have said, the high purchase price currently makes them a pretty poor value for many people. My car averages over 30mpg (without even thinking about trying to drive economically), which is quite a bit better than the average 23mpg they used for their comparisons (meaning there would be less savings than in their example).
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Billbop
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 3:09:51 PM

The only way we'll ever get prices down is to move to electric vehicles and let the BigOil companies see if they can eat their oil.
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GatorGuy
Champion Author Columbia

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 11:34:09 AM

Go Ford!
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sparky808
Champion Author Honolulu

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 11:31:55 AM

Old post.
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BudsterMO
Champion Author Kansas City

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:51:04 AM

The C-Max Energi is still a battery powered car with all of the well known problems that go with EVs. No thank you. I will wait on the Compressed Natural Gas or Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered vehicles.
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PontiacFan
All-Star Author Gary

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:51:02 AM

Seems like a much better buy than the Volt.
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Mr_Bill_W
All-Star Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:44:57 AM

Old but good news...
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BlueVanGroup
Champion Author Colorado

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:38:03 AM


The alleged MPG hasn't changed since yesterday.
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Soglaos
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:37:39 AM

Repeat
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waynemustang
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:35:56 AM

Can Ford do it with less subsidies than other manufacturers?
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Wolfwings
Champion Author Delaware

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:34:19 AM

Again?
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bluenvoy
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:34:04 AM

And when you plug it in, it will use more electricity then a 4 bedroom house. And it's not cheap either.
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Kaiyne
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:33:45 AM

ok.
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mikesr100
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:33:15 AM

Go Ford
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dlzastera
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:31:28 AM

Ford is king.
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orcar
Champion Author Boise

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:30:58 AM

I just placed an order for the Obamamobile. It has a solar panel from Solyndra, a battery from A123, a wind turbine and a EPA sticker. My cost $2,000,000 give or take a few tax dollars.
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yeehaw1073
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:30:32 AM

interesting...might even be affordable
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TriniB
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:30:20 AM

Something to look for.
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Double_Golden
Champion Author San Francisco

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:30:03 AM

very good, but priced...
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VernonOR
Champion Author Oregon

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:29:41 AM

Yesterday news..love the mileage, good for Ford, but can't afford the price tag.
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AC-302
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:29:29 AM

Saw this already. Bully for Ford.
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LQQKGAS
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:29:12 AM


You CANNOT measure electricity in MPG !!!
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101Speedster
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:28:18 AM

peapaw,

You are not happy with 108 mpg?
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traumer
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:27:37 AM

It all sounds good, could give Prius some competition.
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peapaw
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:27:27 AM

Still not the answer.
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drobbbb
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:27:27 AM

we'll see
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Moppy1981
Rookie Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:26:31 AM

same as yesterday
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donny47
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:26:18 AM

hope it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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BeaconLite
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:25:19 AM

Look out toyota.
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bluebird1
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:25:00 AM

It's an acheivement but not that big, since it's too expensive to make it worthwhile or widespread enough.
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lightbulbman2008
Champion Author Worcester

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:24:29 AM

same story different day...
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nanu4u21
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:23:56 AM

ok
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LostAgain2009
Champion Author New Mexico

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:23:20 AM

You want fresh articles then go to the All Recent News link and bump up some other articles.
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Rajah
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:22:21 AM

Nice specs, but not-so-nice price.
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Black Wagon
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:22:05 AM

Why all of the old news? It's not the weekend.
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nauzad
Champion Author Las Vegas

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:21:45 AM

Yesterday's news again!
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JimVP
All-Star Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:21:19 AM

Cost of car remains an issue.
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packards42
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:21:04 AM

yes, but the price to get in one.
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Diesel_Ram
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:21:02 AM

Again, yesterdays story
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Old Timer
Champion Author Akron

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:20:23 AM

Old article
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derek84us
All-Star Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:20:11 AM

We need charging stations
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