2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid: Available To Order Now From $25,995

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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid: Available To Order Now From $25,995

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

3,028 views May 17, 2012

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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

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Toyota, take note: as Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell from HBO's popular Game Of Thrones might say, “Ford Is Coming.”

Pop culture references aside, Ford announced yesterday that it has begun to accept orders for its 2013 C-Max Hybrid hatchback, a car it hopes will steal Toyota’s hybrid car crown.

Starting at $25,995, the base-level 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is $555 cheaper than the very lowest specification 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon, but Ford claims it can best the Japanese hybrid on gas mileage, specification and interior space.

Inside, the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid manages to best the 2012 Toyota Prius V’s cargo passegner space by nearly three cubic feet, while its higher roofline allows it a few extra inches over the Prius V. However, at 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row, its cargo area is considerably smaller than the Prius V's 34.3 cubic feet.

Although the C-Max Hybrid is new to the U.S. market, Ford is keen to point out that it is built on the successes of the European-market gasoline C-Max, which has sold 156,000 cars since launch in 2010.

Combining its third-generation hybrid drivetrain with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine that is Ford’s most efficient non-turbocharged engine to date, Ford says the C-Max Hybrid has projected best-in-class horsepower and torque.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

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At the moment, Ford hasn’t released official EPA-approved gas mileage figures for its compact minivan hatch, but has reiterated it will be a class-leader in economy.

In order to achieve that, it has to better the 42 mpg combined of the the 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon.

But wait. Ford isn’t hunting just one Toyota Prius hybrid, however. It wants to collect the entire set.

Although it isn’t due for another six months, Ford claims the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid will best the fuel economy of Toyota’s 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

Alongside the extra space and improved gas-mileage, every Ford C-Max Hybrid will ship with Ford’s highly-praised MyFord Touch infotainment system.

As part of its technology package, the C-Max Hybrid will also ship with its hands-free tailgate technology. Approach the car with the wireless key fob in your pocket, wave a foot near the rear bumper, and the tailgate will automatically open for you.

There is just one catch however: while Ford dealers are now accepting orders for the all-new hybrid to customers who have overcome their prejudice of the brand, deliveries aren’t expected to begin until the fall.

As for Toyota? It might want to heed Lord Stark's advice.

Stark Ford Is Coming

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Comments (24)

James Davis Posted: 5/17/2012 6:23am PDT

I don't think Ford can make Toyota shake in their tracks. Toyota is so far more advanced than Ford in hybrid and electric car technology that Ford has become Toyota's annoying little brother that has lost all touch with reality. Instead of Ford climbing up that hill of advancement and success, they are rapidly sliding backwards.

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robok2 Posted: 5/17/2012 10:06am PDT

Ah, talk about reality from someone who ahsn't seen it in years... james, was Toyota "so far more advanced than Ford" when the Fusion hybrid came out and destroyed the Camry hybrid's mileage?

The devil will be in the final sepcs, of course, but you'll look even dumber than usual if Ford beats Toyota with what it's claimed it will.

Rapidly sliding backwards...? Yeah, will you be an adult and retract your comments if Ford turns out to be correct?

And is Toyota's mastery of EVs the reason the PIP gets worst-in-class EV range? How about those whopping 2k of RAV4 EVs, that sure shows dominance... Toyota's got crdibility in hybrids, of course, but EVs...? Great blinders, where do I get a pair?

If Ford pulls this off, great for them and us.

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Chris O Posted: 5/17/2012 10:32am PDT

Common robok, no need to go all RoboCop. Let's keep things pleasant here and refrain from personal attacks on other commenters even if their views annoy you.

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robok2 Posted: 5/18/2012 10:03am PDT

Help me out here, Chris. When a poster regularly lies and posts nonsense, should I send a bouquet of flowers? It's not a matter of opinion, unless you consider which number is higher a number of opinion, too. I can state several examples of Ford beating Toyota with actual data, including the only PHEV Toyota has thus far released.

Did you miss his attacks on GM and others for compliance cars, then mysteriously disappear when Yoyota announced those massive 3k production targets for the RAV4 EV?

If people don't want their views attacked, they might want to sue facts and data, not the nonsense James spacializes in. Or did you miss his claim 2 weeks ago that GM secetly added an ICE Spark and will make US models there? Both not true at all.

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Chris O Posted: 5/18/2012 10:47am PDT

I'm not saying I don't understand your annoyance, but there is a difference between attacking views and attacking persons.

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robok2 Posted: 5/18/2012 2:34pm PDT

I'm not you, Chris. It's that simple. If you choose to let someone just continually make up lie after lie, that's your choice. I make no secret that I don't like the guy since he's the King of just making things up, then either lying again and claiming he never wrote what he did, or making excuses.

I respect your right to disagree, of course, but that's your decision, not mine. If he continues to disrespect the site and others with his lies, then I'll call him on it every time I have a chance.

Lies, not opinions. Claiming cars are made where they're not, ICEs are new that have been sold for years, I could go on all day. People whose views are a mix of outright lies and stunning ignorance aren't people that deserve respect.

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John Voelcker Posted: 5/18/2012 2:57pm PDT

@Robok2: As your friendly moderator, I have to weigh in here. I asked another commenter to restrict his posts to the facts of the case, and that applies here. You refute inaccurate statements very nicely!

Attacking commenters as people and characterizing their motives, however, is something that we'd prefer not to see.

Those things are sometimes directed at other commenters, other times at the writers or site publishers. Either way, we'd respectfully suggest that you stick to refuting facts and commenting on assertions.

It's fine to point out patterns of past behavior to add context, but we draw the line at namecalling.

Hope you'll continue refuting inaccuracies & citing actual facts!

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Nick Hlavaty Posted: 5/17/2012 12:45pm PDT

Yeah, but you'd still be driving a.... Ford. EWWW!

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Xiaolong Li Posted: 5/17/2012 5:44pm PDT

Look around, average Toyota drivers are OLD!! That is why Toyota has to come up with new brand such as Scion and Prius C to draw younger crowd....

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Frank Tsay Posted: 5/18/2012 6:44am PDT

Ford purchased hybrid last generation technology from Toyota. Although Ford excels in EPA mileage, in real world, Toyota beats Ford every time, according to car magazines' tests.

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John Voelcker Posted: 5/18/2012 8:08am PDT

@Frank: It's not entirely correct to say that Ford "purchased hybrid last generation technology from Toyota."

As I understand it, in the 1998-2004 timeframe, Ford developed its 2-motor hybrid system, realized some of what it had developed infringed on Toyota patents in Japan, and licensed them. If you have contravening evidence, please provide.

It also used some of the same suppliers as Toyota because they were then the only global auto-parts suppliers who could provide certain electric-drive parts.

In real-world mileage, Toyota beats Ford every time ... I'm curious what data you base this on for, say, Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid? (comparing similar car types & segments)

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Frank Tsay Posted: 5/18/2012 7:54pm PDT

@John: Please read page 31 of Consumer Report, April issue. This issue is all about cars. The overall mpg of Camry hybrid and Fusion hybrid are 38 vs. 34. This is just one example.

As for the origin of Ford's hybrid technology, I am still trying to find the info. The first Ford hybrid vehicle is the last generation Escape, right? It is actually a re-badged Mazda tribute. I believe you know who supplied Mazda hybrid technology. Toyota! And then, For used the same technology to develop Fusion hybrid. Doesn't it explain something? I wish I could find any of those articles regarding this part of history.

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Frank Tsay Posted: 5/18/2012 8:09pm PDT

@ John: By the way, I hope somebody will do some research on a very important health related issue. We all know Japan's nuclear power plant disaster caused most Japanese automakers huge production problems. Now all factories resumed production, but still in polluted areas. Japanese government has raised its standards on radiation pollution for 2000%! Will that affect cars made in Japan and ship to our market? Are Americans exposed to harmful radiation by Japanese cars?

I own a 2010 Prius with 125k miles(yes I drive a lot). Don't know whether I will buy another Japanese car for the rest of my life no matter how reliable those are. I might have to find from other choices, like Fusion hybrid or Passat.

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John Voelcker Posted: 5/19/2012 4:51am PDT

@Frank: I'm afraid you have it backwards. The Ford Escape was designed entirely by Ford and built in North America. The Mazda Tribute was a very low-volume rebadged version of the Escape, to compensate for Mazda's lack of crossovers before it launched the CX-7 and CX-9.

As for the Consumer Reports April issue, it compares the new 2012 Camry Hybrid to the outgoing 2012 Fusion Hybrid. The numbers would be different if CR had used 2011 models--the Fusion beat the Camry decisively--and it will likely be different using 2013 models too, though 2013 EPA ratings aren't out yet. The article you cite is a one-year anomaly comparing a brand-new Toyota to an old Ford model.

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Joe Mikulas Posted: 5/17/2012 8:31am PDT

You are wrong. The Prius v has 34 cubic feet of space with the seats up. The CMax only has 24. The regular hatchback Prius only has 21.

The CMax is a closer comparison to the regular Prius, not the V.

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Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Posted: 5/18/2012 4:43am PDT

Thank you Joe!

Of course, we meant interior passenger space, rather than cargo space. Thanks for pointing out our copy error, which we've now clarified.

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Chris O Posted: 5/17/2012 8:48am PDT

I don't see Ford chase Toyota from it's Iron Throne just yet but the game of thrones is definitely on in the market of plug-in hybrids!

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John Dolan Posted: 5/17/2012 6:46pm PDT

Articles that assume this tone are just silly jingoism. Competition is always good when we are trying to change the entire mode of personal transportation.
I am sure Toyota feels this is true. It makes sense for Ford to go after Toyota does it not.? This type of competition is good all around and will make both companies better players!

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Don Gatewood Posted: 5/19/2012 2:13am PDT

As they say...Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

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David Daley Posted: 5/21/2012 4:08pm PDT

Let's play a game called, "Have you driven all of the cars you are writing and commenting about?" All I am saying is that these posts can be dramatically improved in qualitative analysis if you have driven these cars.

I have driven a Prius (gen II and gen III) as well as a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I can say that the most noticeable difference is in driving dynamics, and not just EPA/MPG figures. I absolutely LOVE the FFH driving attributes, while at the same time admiring the Prius' MPG creds. I would choose the FFH anyday over the Prius. I have admired the MPG of Prius for quite some time but it does not match the overall SATISFACTION OF THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE of the Ford. Disagreement is welcomed. Foodforthought Ford manuf in Hermosillo, MX

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John Voelcker Posted: 5/21/2012 4:24pm PDT

@David: Not sure if your comment was addressed to other commenters or to GCR staff. Rest assured that we've driven all the cars mentioned except the Ford C-Max Hybrid, which no one in the auto media has yet driven because Ford hasn't released them into the wild yet.

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Robert Allen Posted: 2/13/2013 7:30pm PST

Take it from an old guy, when your attacks get personal they lose credibility. Just by stating documented facts to counter someone's statements works better than name calling. To cope with my stress I volunteer, teaching disabled sports. My 2 favorite groups are Down Syndrome & Wounded Warriors.

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