2013 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid: First Drive Page 3
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Ford proudly touts the C-Max Energi’s projected range of 620 miles, among the highest for any non-diesel passenger car. The plug-in Prius, more than one Ford person noted, delivers a mere 541 miles.
Real-life experience tells us that few people—and almost no families with kids—actually manage to travel six to nine hours without stopping. Still, the less filling up, the better.
Active noise cancellation
Just like the C-Max Hybrid, the plug-in C-Max Energi uses active noise cancellation that broadcasts sound waves through the door speakers to counter engine noises that customers disliked. That lets Ford run the engine at lower, more economical speeds—also known as “lugging’—that would otherwise generate noises customers react adversely to.
That clever electronic masking works, assisted by thick side glass, an acoustic glass for the windshield, and upgraded sound insulation in a variety of places throughout the vehicle. Ford also focused extensively on reducing wind noise and improving body sealing.
The result is a much quieter, more restful hybrid driving experience than in the often-strained-sounding Prius. The C-Max 2.0-liter gasoline engine still howls under heavy loads from time to time, but it’s tolerable and somehow sounds further away than just a foot or so ahead of the driver’s feet.
Cheapest plug-in hybrid?
Ford’s effective pricing is aided by a larger Federal income-tax credit than the Prius Plug-In Hybrid earns. Its larger battery—7.6 kWh versus the 4.2 kWh in the plug-in Prius—not only delivers longer electric range but also qualifies for a $3,750 tax credit (for buyers who qualify). The Prius plug-in gets only $2,500.
The base C-Max Energi stickers at $33,745, while the plug-in Prius base model lists at $32,710. That means that Ford can claim a “net price” that’s $200 $400 lower for the base versions of both vehicles.
The plug-in hybrid C-Max costs $4,750 more than a C-Max Hybrid with similar equipment, though Ford used “net pricing” to say that a C-Max Energi model was only $1,000 costlier than the comparable C-Max Hybrid SEL after the $3,750 Federal incentive.
Equipment differences in the Energi version, compared to the Hybrid, include standard electric heated seats, a high-capacity electric heater, and that lower final-drive ratio.
Born in the USA
For buyers who care about where their car is built, the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi is the first plug-in hybrid car built in the United States.
In fact, Ford will export the plug-in C-Max to Europe from its U.S. plant, although diesel and gasoline versions of the C-Max (not offered here) have been built in Europe for many years.
Both the Energi and Hybrid versions of the C-Max are built in the Wayne, Michigan, assembly plant that also produces the Focus compact sedan and hatchback, and the Ford Focus Electric battery electric car.
The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the upcoming 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid are built in Japan, however.
Ford provided airfare, lodging, and meals to enable High Gear Media to bring you this first-person drive report.
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Have an opinion?
1) How much does it cost and what is the Fed rebate?
2) Much load bay space is lost to the battery.
3) That 62.8 mpg should be 62.8 mpgBS as in, it is not actually measured on the normal mpg scale but some other scale that has no meaning.
Thanks
John C. Briggs
As for the 62.8mpgBS issue, I don't think this is clear enough for the average reader. These numbers are almost completely without meaning and frankly should be either avoided for very clearly labeled.
The base C-Max Energi stickers at $33,745, while the plug-in Prius base model lists at $32,710. That means that Ford can claim a “net price” that’s $400 lower for the base versions of both vehicles.
$33,745 (C-Max Energi base price) - $3,750 (Fed. tax credit for EVs) = $29,995
$32,710 (Prius plug-in base) - $2,500 (lower fed. tax credit) = $30,210
$30,210 - $29,995 = $215.
$400 difference? Am I missing something?
[hangs head in shame at lack of early-morning basic math skills]
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f26/battery-cooling-fan-failure-warranty-not-24766/
I blame the repair people and dealers for not properly researching.
Does the Volt not count for some reason?
I wonder how many people are willing to trade more space/lower price for less EV range...
I have two additional question on the Energi,
1) Does it have electric heat? Or does the ICE come on during the EV now mode when you crank up the heat?
2) What is its "performance" comparing to the Volt in acceleration?
And I suspect this is confirmed by the fact that nowhere in any of their material is the charger specified--and they'd likely have said so if they were using the 6.6-kW charger from the Focus Electric.
(1) Yes, it has electric resistance heat of some sort (didn't have time to get full details) and also heated seats. I don't believe the engine comes on when you switch on the heat, though to be honest, I didn't check.
(2) Don't have an answer for that one: We weren't able to do proper timed acceleration tests or side-by-side comparisons. The only comparison car at the Ford event was a Prius Plug-In (not too surprisingly).
That is interesting. Ford really sneaked the C-Max Energi right between the Volt and Prius Plugin.
It has worse MPG than Prius plugin and less EV range than the Volt, but it is cheaper than both.
Or according to Ford Marketing, it has slight better MPG than the Volt, more space than the Volt, but also far more useable EV range than the Prius plugin.
I guess it all depends on how you look at it.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-ford-c-max-energi-first-drive-review
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/phevtech.shtml
Different Kinds of PHEVs
There are two basic PHEV configurations:
Series PHEVs, also called Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). Only the electric motor turns the wheels; the gasoline engine is only used to generate electricity. Series PHEVs can run solely on electricity until the battery needs to be recharged. The gasoline engine will then generate the electricity needed to power the electric motor. For shorter trips, these vehicles might use no gasoline at all.
Parallel or Blended PHEVs. Both the engine and electric motor are mechanically connected to the wheels..
Calling them PHEV is just too generic... Sure, if you consider "hybrid" as "anything" with two power source. Then just about every ICE can be called hybrids since it has an alternator and starter and it certainly can launch the car for few feet with its 12V starter battery.
One is powered primarily by gasoline engine, the other is primarily by electric motor. Big difference.
MrEnergyCzar
Prius plugins get better MPG b/c it is significantly lighter than the other two. It is also significantly "degraded" in terms of performance to achieve those MPG numbers. wimpy tires, weaker suspension and worse accerlation all help MPG but it doesn't help performance.
If Prius had added the battery pack size as Energi, it would be about 10% heavier, that will translate into a 8-10% MPG loss. That would degrade it down to 45 MPG. Along with a larger tires and more powerful engine to power the extra weight, it would have degrade the MPG down to 40-43 MPG range, just like the C-Max Energi.
Everything is about trade off in the closely competitive auto market.
I am trying to read in between the lines. I think this review is giving Ford C-Max Energi a favor. The test was performed in October-November in San Francisco area, when the average temperatures are 63-69F. I presume the reviewer did not have to run neither A/C, nor heating. In contrast, Mitsubishi i was tested at 90F with A/C and was criticized shorter of EPA range. I am not sure about the conditions for testing plug-in Prius, that is compared unfavorably with C-Max Energi but one should not be biased on the basis of country of the vehicle manufacturing and "liking or disliking" the vehicle size. No comment was made on the cargo area (unless it is buried in the comments section).
I hope GCR makes some efforts to reflect the "real world" true MPG with all those "plug in" EREV/PHEV reviews. If they can, review the EV range with each and every EREV/PHEV and then reiview them again with "extended" or "gas mode". People care to know the "real" MPG in those modes. Auto makers are certainly using it to market to people. It might be hard to do that with Prius Plugin, but with Volt and C-Max Energi, it can certainly do that.
Last time I looked at the door sticker on mine it said "Built with pride in the USA"
That is unless you don't consider the volt a plug in hybrid.
Since it has both electric drive and a gas engine, it most certainly is a hybrid. Just a much better design than any of the others, as it operates as full on electric, and can operate as a series, and a parallel hybrid once the battery is depleted. But then you should know this.
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