2013 C-Max Hybrid

[dan50]

Looked at a CMax and a new Escape while my car was in for service today. Both interesting cars except for the back seats.

The rear seat reclining mechanism takes up a surprising amount of the seat cushion width and, to make the seats fold flat I guess, the seat cushion is really, really low. Doesn't seem like a very nice place to put adults and much more confining than the previous generation Escape. Is a comfortable rear seat too much to ask in a 3,500 pound, $ 30,000 car?

[bball40dtw]

Originally Posted by dan50

Looked at a CMax and a new Escape while my car was in for service today. Both interesting cars except for the back seats.

The rear seat reclining mechanism takes up a surprising amount of the seat cushion width and, to make the seats fold flat I guess, the seat cushion is really, really low. Doesn't seem like a very nice place to put adults and much more confining than the previous generation Escape. Is a comfortable rear seat too much to ask in a 3,500 pound, $ 30,000 car?

I didn't think the seat was that bad. I also think that people with small children will prioritize fold flat seats over adult rear comfort. The mechanism does work very well. That being said, I can sit behind someone my height in the C-Max. Its not ideal, but its possible. Four non-giant adults will be fine. Both cars are based on the Focus, and it doesn't have a larger rear seat like the Cruze.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by bball40dtw

Here are a couple of pictures from my phone. So far so good with the C-Max. For someone that is 6'5" with a 36" inseam, the C-Max is extremely comfortable to drive and be a passenger. It is a more upright seating position than the Focus, but not quite a CUV. It also has less of a cockpit feel than most of the newer Ford vehicles.

As I have become more used to car, I have been better at keeping the C-Max in EV mode. I am looking forward to the car recognizing my usual destinations so it will go into EV+ mode, which allows you to use more battery close to home or frequent destinations. The hybrid driving screens are one of the best features of the C-Max. I wish our Focus had at least a full color LCD between the tachometer and speedometer.

My mileage keeps climbing. I have a 20 mile commute that includes both service street and highway. On cruise control, at 72 mph, my commute has been averaging the EPA tested 47 MPG. Hopefully I can get 500 miles a tank.

That's the ice storm color, which looks like they took frosted glass and made it slightly more pale. I wonder why they did that vs keeping Frosted Glass like it is still on the 2013 Escape.

[bball40dtw]

Originally Posted by suss6052

That's the ice storm color, which looks like they took frosted glass and made it slightly more pale. I wonder why they did that vs keeping Frosted Glass like it is still on the 2013 Escape.

Beats me, I would have bought the Frosted Glass if it was offered. Toyota has a very similar color to Ice Storm on the Prius called sea glass pearl.

[xpartmgr]

Originally Posted by bball40dtw

Beats me, I would have bought the Frosted Glass if it was offered. Toyota has a very similar color to Ice Storm on the Prius called sea glass pearl.

Nice ride. I drove one last night and thought it was pretty good. Heck I am even considering one for myself. I would love to see real world hwy numbers also. I figure since I am about 50/50 I want to make sure the fuel savings is worth it.

[bball40dtw]

Originally Posted by xpartmgr

Nice ride. I drove one last night and thought it was pretty good. Heck I am even considering one for myself. I would love to see real world hwy numbers also. I figure since I am about 50/50 I want to make sure the fuel savings is worth it.

At 72 mph, on the eco cruise setting, I have been getting around 42-44 MPG on the instant readout. If you drop it to 65, and the road is flat, you can run in EV only mode for a few miles. Once the battery is exhausted, it will recharge and start over again. I know Ford has been saying up to 62 MPH in EV only mode, but it seems to be able to go a bit higher. At least in the 70s if you are going downhill.

[xpartmgr]

Originally Posted by bball40dtw

At 72 mph, on the eco cruise setting, I have been getting around 42-44 MPG on the instant readout. If you drop it to 65, and the road is flat, you can run in EV only mode for a few miles. Once the battery is exhausted, it will recharge and start over again. I know Ford has been saying up to 62 MPH in EV only mode, but it seems to be able to go a bit higher. At least in the 70s if you are going downhill.

Thanks for your response. Now if I can find a dealer that will allow me to take one for a couple hours and really try it out. I made the mistake of not doing that on the Focus and now I have to replace it.

[bball40dtw]

Originally Posted by xpartmgr

Thanks for your response. Now if I can find a dealer that will allow me to take one for a couple hours and really try it out. I made the mistake of not doing that on the Focus and now I have to replace it.

It will take you a few hours to get used to driving the CMax. Utilizing the hybrid driving screens, Eco cruise, EV+ mode, and the regenerative breaking system all add up to maximum efficiency.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by bball40dtw

sea glass pearl.

I wonder how much those guys get paid to think of names of colors all day...

[gkirk]

Found this review of the C-Max. They guy gives it a nod over the prius V

http://jalopnik.com/5938415/2013-for...alopnik-review

Although it is cheaper, i doubt in 5 years it will resell as well, so that's a bit of a wash.

Still though, sounds like a good beast.

TL/DR: He gives it 60/100 although to him a 6/10 is good.