   2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Lesley Wimbush
When the Prius was introduced back in 1997, it was initially regarded as little more than a curiosity or science project, and therefore Toyota had to create a market where none existed. There began a savvy campaign kickstarting the industry’s first use of the internet as marketing tool, linking the Prius to such events as “Earth Day” and featuring strategic product placement in movies and television. The Prius was soon adopted by the socially and environmentally conscientious celebrity set, becoming synonymous with green technology and the acknowledged leader in hybrid mobility for over a decade.
As fuel prices soar and climate warnings grow ever more dire, virtually every car manufacturer has developed either hybrid or electric mobility technology of their own – although Toyota and Lexus still have a lock on 70 percent of the hybrid market – more than all other manufacturers combined.
Going head to head with such a heavyweight favourite is a daunting proposition, especially when it’s coupled with the Toyota legacy for reliability.
But the Prius is no longer the sole choice in the segment, with others arriving to contest a growing piece of the market.
Ford’s C-Max hybrid is one such vehicle.
Available in Europe in gasoline and diesel variants, the C-Max was introduced in North America in 2013 as a hybrid only. Like the Prius, it comes in two versions: hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
This week’s tester, the 2014 C-Max Hybrid SEL resembles a very tall Focus hatchback, and features the new Aston Martin-esque front grille. It’s a neat and tidy package, and while I won’t go so far as to call it good looking, I find it a lot more attractive than the nerdishly rounded and rather dated Prius.
The C-Max returned for 2014 with some aerodynamic tweaking and improved gear ratios to make it more fuel efficient. You see, when they introduced the C-Max last year, Ford claimed an impressive 4.0 L/100 km combined fuel consumption rate – a figure that puts it close to the magical 3.8 L/100 km rating of the Prius.
But complaints from owners who were unable to match the official rating started trickling in. It seems that Ford had supplied consumption numbers for the Fusion Hybrid – which they argued was legally within the Natural Resources guidelines since both vehicles shared the same powertrain. Ford agreed to separate testing and efficiency numbers for the C-Max and compensate owners $895 for fuel discrepancy estimates. The updated consumption ratings were 4.2 L/100 km city, 4.9 highway and 4.5 combined.
   2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL engine bay, trip computer, Thank You message. Click image to enlarge |
Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. Due to an “error” in their testing processes, Ford recently announced a revision to several official EnerGuide ratings, among them the C-Max.
So once again, the C-Max received a new set of fuel consumption figures, with owners receiving $725 compensation, lessees receiving $475.
The new revised ratings are 4.5 L/100 km highway, 5.3 city and 4.9 combined overall. At least until later this year, when revised procedures for Natural Resources Canada dictate EPA-style five-cycle testing, likely putting the 2015 C-Max at 5.6 city and 6.4 highway. The Prius gets bumped up to 4.7/4.9 under the same testing regimen.
Phew!
That’s a significant setback for any vehicle taking on a segment juggernaut like the Prius. However, the C-Max has a lot going for it and it’s a nice alternative for those put off by the Prius’s less than engaging driving characteristics.
   2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL dashboard, seating, cargo area. Click image to enlarge |
Starting at $27,499, the C-Max is just slightly more than the base $26,105 Prius. My tester, a loaded SEL, starts at $30,199, which gives you leather seating, satellite radio and MyFord Touch. There are three choices of equipment packages, with the less-than-charming names of Equipment Group 301A ($1,200), 302A ($1,700) and 303A ($2,500) – which combines all the features of the previous packages. It includes a Sony audio system, navigation, rear-view camera, hands-free power liftgate, active park assist, and forward sensing system for a total of $34,399. Throw in a panoramic sunroof ($1,200) and my tester rang in at $34,849 before taxes and delivery.
A fully loaded Prius is similarly priced at $34,190 – but the leather upholstery is simulated and there is no power liftgate available.
Inside, the C-Max’s cabin is a typical Ford environment, and it is that ability to share parts and materials which allows them save costs while designing a space that’s both attractive and well put together.
Compared to the Prius, which is looking rather dated, the C-Max cabin is stylish and modern. In contrast to other hybrid competitors, which tend to cheap out on cabin materials, the C-Max features plenty of soft touch surfaces and premium stitched leather.
   2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL gauges, power distribution graphic, centre stack. Click image to enlarge |
The seating is upright and feels very much like that of an SUV, and the upholstery, while firm, is quite comfortable. The high roofline provides plenty of headroom both fore and aft, although rear seating is a bit low for comfort.
The panoramic sunroof adds to the overall light and airy atmosphere inside.
While the trunk is somewhat compromised by the battery pack underneath, overall cargo space is 708 L, or 1,500 L with the rear seats folded down.
 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL hands-free liftgate instructions. Click image to enlarge |
Ford’s hands-free liftgate, first introduced here on the Escape, is a great feature for grocery shopping, Home Depot runs and any other situation where you’ve got your arms loaded up with parcels. As long as the key fob’s in your pocket, simply waving your foot beneath the C-Max’s rear bumper will activate the power liftgate.
As in the Focus BEV and Fusion Hybrid, the C-Max’s Smart Gauge cluster provides information on energy used or regenerated through braking and coasting. The frugal driver is rewarded by a graphic of lovely green foliage, while the heavy-footed are chastened with a more anemic sprout.
MyFord Touch has been universally lambasted by frustrated reviewers, and though recently updated is still a very large bone of contention for many users.
Trying to set the navigation to my home address was an exercise in teeth-grinding frustration – MyFord Touch’s voice recognition refused to acknowledge the existence of Peterborough, Ontario despite my passenger’s and my repeated attempts. Hooking up a smartphone is a convoluted process, which in this case required deleting all previously stored contacts before it would stop searching for them and accept a new connection.
The buttons are confusing and tiny – which made me long for a simple row of large, easily operated knobs.
  2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL. Click image to enlarge |
Like most hybrids, the C-Max starts up with an eerie silence. Top speed on electric power alone is 100 km/h, a big improvement on hybrids of old, which usually had the combustion engine cutting in somewhere around 50 km/h.
It features the same “Powersplit” hybrid system as the Fusion Hybrid, which consists of a 2.0L four-cylinder Atkinson cycle combustion engine with 141 hp/129 lb-ft of torque, which increases to 188 hp when you factor in the electric motor and 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The C-Max is quite pleasant to drive. Thanks to its European origins, it has a firmer suspension and less roll than the Prius, but with its tall body does lean a bit if pushed in the corners. Steering is a bit weightier than some hybrids, which again adds to the sense of driver engagement. Surprisingly, the turning radius isn’t that great – it took more maneuvering than expected to navigate congested spots.
The upright seating position means that visibility is pretty good, especially given the C-Max’s tall greenhouse; however, those oddly forked A-pillars take some getting used to.
Overall, I averaged 5.9 L/100 km during a week that included a lot of driving in busy downtown Toronto.
More fun to drive, with more available features and a higher quality cabin, the C-Max offers a compelling alternative to the Prius.
Pricing: 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL
Base price (SE): $27,499
Base price (SEL): $30,199
Options: White Platinum Tri-Coat ($400) Equipment Group 303A ($2500), Engine Block Heater ($100) Panoramic Sunroof ($1200) Remote Start System ($350)
Freight & PDI: $1565
Price as Tested: $36,414
Competitors:
Chevrolet Volt
Honda Accord Hybrid
Toyota Prius/Prius V
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
