Ford C-MAX Hybrd - Regrets?

427435 wrote:
Willald, how is the ride, handling, interior noise, and overall comfort with the Fusion Hybrid??

Ride, handling: Like a sports car, basically. Pretty nimble in cornering, yet a very comfortable ride overall. Thats been my impression after owning, driving it for almost a year now, and also been told that by more than one person that rode in it.

In terms of power, acceleration: Fair. If you hit accelerator hard enough to make it engage both gas and electric motor simultaneously, it is VERY quick. In that gas + EV mode its as fast and powerful as just about anything I've owned (except for maybe the old LT1 V8 Firebird I used to have). However, as I've noted before, 'leadfoot' driving like that will mean you won't be getting the rated 47 mpg (more like lower 40s or upper 30s). :)

interior noise: Extremely quiet, especially when in EV mode. Without looking at the dashboard, you can barely tell whether its in EV mode or gas mode, since its still pretty quiet in gas mode as well, and the transision between the two modes is so seamless.

Overall comfort: Pretty good. Front seats are very comfortable and roomy. Back seats are as well, but the lower roof height back there makes head room a little lacking for larger, taller adults. Really, though, overall comfort is about what you'd expect for a mid-size sedan.

Will

Willald, how is the ride, handling, interior noise, and overall comfort with the Fusion Hybrid??

I don't own a C max, but I do own a 2013 Fusion Hybrid, which has the exact same hybrid drivetrain and is very, very similar to the C max.

I can tell you our Fusion has been flawless, one of the best cars I've ever owned. I would absolutely, in a heartbeat, buy another one! Amazing fuel mileage, an absolute blast to drive, and one of the simplest and easiest vehicles to tow behind a MH. Just put it in neutral and go, basically. No disconnecting fuses or batteries, no starting and running the engine every few hours to lube the tranny, no special crazy procedure to go through when hitching it up. None of that nonsense. C max's flat towing procedures are pretty much the same as the Fusion hybrid, since they have the same drivetrain.

I've read several reviews, issues, etc. on the C max. As DouglasC already mentioned, most of the issues are related to the 'My Ford Touch' informational system. Fortunately, I did not like that system from the first time I saw it, and specifically looked for a Fusion that did NOT have it. Really glad ours doesn't. This vehicle's dashboard is complicated enough without that, haha. :)

As to the mileage: I laugh every time I read various reviews and other things, complaining about how Ford hybrids don't achieve the mileage that Ford claims. I personally, have not achieved Fords claimed mileage very often, either. Nope, instead, I usually BEAT what Ford claims! In everyday commuting to work and back (26 miles, 'bout 80% highway), I'm averaging between 48 and 50 mpg.

I will say this: Hybrid mileage is drastically affected by driving style, more so than a conventional drivetrain. If you drive like a 'leadfoot', and must be the first away from every stoplight and the last to start braking, you will never see the rated 47 mpg. OTOH, if you go easy on it, and try to keep it in EV mode as much as possible, you will easily see 47 mpg or better. Best I've ever seen was 53 (average), on the way to work.

Also, hybrids will not achieve as good mileage in the winter, like already noted (cabin heater forces gas engine to come on more). Long interstate trips where you run at 65 mph or higher nonstop will also bring the mileage down some, as at those higher speeds it can't run in EV mode as much. Still, though, even on bitter cold days or on long highway trips, I can still easily average 44 mpg. This is much, much better than any comparable vehicle with a conventional drivetrain will give you.

Be the mileage what it is, we really didn't buy it for fuel milage, that was just an added bonus. We spent the extra $$ for a hybrid, mostly because of how much simpler it makes flat towing behind the MH.

Only thing I don't like (and this is very minor), at least related to the Fusion hybrid: Trunk space is a little lacking, due to the large batteries back there I'm not sure, though, if that'd affect the C max hatchback design quite as much?

Bottom line: Go check out and test drive a C max, or maybe a Fusion hybrid. If you like it, and can negotiate a deal on it within your budget, go for it!! You will not be sorry.

That could explain it, we didn't purchase the "My Ford Touch" feature. BUT, isn't that feature the same in the Fusion and it is rated in the Top 5?

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I believe that the "reliabllty" problem that CR continually reports about Ford vehicles is almost entirely related to the "My Ford Touch" information system. "My Ford Touch" has received numerous complaints over the past few years since it was introduced. It has been improved but still has some problems. You can avoid that system by not buying the "Option Package" that includes it. That's what I did when I purchased my Fusion hybrid in 2012. I studied the system and decided that I didn't want it, then found a vehicle that did not have it as an option.

On the whole, all Ford vehicles have few reliabily problems besides "My Ford Touch".

Love ours! No problems and I never expected to get the published mileage so the cash back was a bonus. Only thing I did not like and other new cars have the same issue is the C-Max does not have a spare tire. Ford provides road service, a plug kit & an 12V air pump (they had to have been kidding, someone at the factory is laughing). Went to a wrecking yard and bought a spare tire & jack, problem fixed. Only fixes have been software updates which again I expected, the thing is a computer on wheels! Any review you watch on Youtube is positive, have NEVER seen any neg. No one ever post what the reliability problem is in CR. We have the removable base plates and work great. My charge line was OK! Have towed over 3,000 miles & have 5,000 on the car in 6 months.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

My C Max has close to 21,000 driving miles in just over nine months. Would I do it over again?
YES! Quite honestly, I really like like the car. I would have said "I love the car" but you can't love something that cannot love you.back. ;-)

The car has been very reliable. It's handling and performance are extraordinary for a hybrid. My son is a Prius owner and he would tell you my C Max runs circles around his car. It tows easily behind our MH. The only towing issue was figuring out the correct placement of the Patriot brake box. Our Blue Ox baseplate is a first generation with exposed tabs. The newest generation has the removable tabs. There was an issue with the charge line from the MH to the car but that was an installation error. The problem was fixed so now we can tow for many hours without issues.

I did have the engine control module software recall update performed and the gas mileage improved since then. In around town driving I average well over 42 mpg. Last night on a twelve mile trip in light city traffic I averaged 52.2 mpg. Cold weather drops the mpg as the gas engine has to run frequently to provide cabin heat. In summer running the a/c is not much of an issue as the compressor runs on electricity and not a fan belt.

I have subscribed to Consumer Reports since the 60's and find them to be a tool. My experience with the C Max has been outstanding, one of the best of the many, many cars I have owned since my first in 1965. I would not hesitate to buy another!

Just my opinion. I have had 3 Subaru's. I have tried other cars and I think they are my favorite. I wish they made a big truck!

okwaterdog wrote:
For over 12 years I have enjoyed my Suburu Forester, both towing and driving, but have decided it's time to buy again and decided an automatic would be nice. I am looking at the Ford C-MAX Hybrid.
Have seen posts from earlier this year but nothing recent, so am asking again?

If you have one, have you been satisfied? any regrets? I've seen recent news about the mpg (not 47), CR comments about poor reliability, and am wondering why Ford hasn't introduced a 2014 model. Maybe I am overly cautious, would you buy one again, or recommend them to your closest friend?

All responses appreciated.

I don't own one and have no experience, but isn't this the ... 2014
Here are some reviews and notice that Ford is giving cash back for the MPG discrepancy.... REVIEWS
Have you checked the towing manuals, as to the compatibility for this particular vehicle?