The following review is for a 2013 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Five-door hatch in Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid models.

Introduction

The Ford C-MAX is a five-door hatchback originally built for the European market and new to the U.S. for the 2013 model year. The 2013 Ford C-MAX comes in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, the latter dubbed Energi. (No non-hybrid version are available in the U.S. as there are in Europe.)

Built on the same platform as the Ford Focus, the Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine paired with a 118-hp, 88kW electric motor. Here's the difference: Ford C-MAX Hybrid uses a 1.4-kWh Lithium-ion battery, while Ford C-MAX Energi packs a hefty 7.6-kWh Lithium-ion pack. Gears are selected by an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). 

Ford C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-rated at 45/40 mpg City/Highway, those figures lower than the initial numbers. In general, hybrids are most efficient in the city, since stop-and-go driving uses the regenerative braking system more frequently to help charge the battery. 

Ford C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid is rated at 44/42 mpg. The Energi Plug-in Hybrid is EPA-rated at 100 MPGe Combined miles per gallon equivalent. According to Ford, it has a top speed of 85 mph. It can drive up to 21 miles in electric-assisted mode, and can go up to 620 miles with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. This beats the Toyota Prius plug-in, which has a six-mile all-electric range and 540-mile total range. 

Like something out of a sci-fi movie, the C-MAX can learn frequently driven routes and will automatically adjust its settings to maximize efficiency. Ford engineers developed this feature, called EV+, which uses the car's built-in GPS and proprietary software to adjust how battery power is used. For example, if the vehicle is nearing a frequent destination, it will remain in electric-only mode to save fuel. 

Charging times for the C-MAX Energi are about seven hours with a traditional 120-volt household outlet, and about 4.5 hours with a 220-volt Leviton fast charger. The latter must be purchased separately and is available at Best Buy stores. 

Its layout and design makes the C-MAX versatile enough for commuting or weekend road trips. There's a 60/40-split rear seat that folds completely flat, creating more room for cargo. However, because of its battery, the C-MAX lacks the trunk space of most gas-powered compact sedans. The hybrid offers a fair 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, yet, the Energi offers a mere 19.2 cubes. Optional is a handsfree liftgate, first found on the Ford Escape, that allows anyone with the key fob to open the hatch by simply waving a foot underneath the back of the vehicle. 

Versions of the C-MAX equipped with navigation use the latest version of MyFordTouch, which has improved since the last generation but can still be irksome to use. Still, there are some handy features, like charging station location information on the C-MAX Energi. But, unfortunately, it's not possible to tell in advance if those stations are already occupied. Once the C-MAX Energi is plugged in, however, Ford's software can alert drivers via text message if the charge is interrupted, foiling any potential plug stealers. 

Competitors to Ford C-MAX are few and far between. Alternatives to the hybrid include Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and Prius v wagon. Plug-ins that rival the C-MAX Energi are currently limited to the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius plug-in. Because the federal tax credit for hybrid and electric vehicles is currently calculated according to battery size, the C-MAX Energi is awarded a higher federal tax credit than does the Prius plug-in. 

Lineup

The 2013 Ford C-MAX sedan is available with two powertrains: Hybrid and Energi plug-in. The hybrid is available in two trim levels, and the Energi is offered in a single trim. 

The C-MAX Hybrid SE ($25,200) comes standard with cloth seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, manual adjustable driver and passenger seats, a leather-wrapped, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with menu and audio controls, leather shift knob, power windows, trip computer, cruise control, remote keyless entry, Ford Sync voice-activated system, 6-speaker audio system with CD player, auxiliary jack and USB port, a 60/40 split folding rear seat and 17-inch aluminum wheels. 

The C-MAX Hybrid SEL ($28,200) adds leather-trimmed and heated seats, a power adjustable driver seat, pushbutton start, universal garage door opener, satellite radio capability with a 6-month included subscription, the MyFord Touch interface with touchscreen, fog lamps, power heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, rain sensing wipers and a reverse sensing system. Most of these additional features can be added as options on the Hybrid SE. Options on the Hybrid SEL include a package that bundles an upgraded Sony audio system, navigation, HD radio ($1,195); another that adds a power liftgate, rearview camera and hands-free liftgate ($1,695), and a third that combines both at a slight discount ($2,495). Many of the features found in the packages can be added a la carte. 

The C-MAX Energi SEL plug-in ($32,950) comes standard with everything found on the Hybrid SEL, and offers similar packages and options. 

Safety features on all models include dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver's knee airbag, ABS, emergency brake assist, traction control, stability control, an anti-theft system and a post-crash alert system. Rearview camera is optional. 

Walkaround

Ford is strictly limiting the C-MAX to hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants in the U.S. Why? Maybe because research says early hybrids based on existing gasoline models didn't sell. Marketers soon figured out that people wanted a unique-looking car that people could recognize right away as being a hybrid. And although Ford is now offering an electric version of the Focus and a both hybrid and plug-in versions of the Fusion sedan, the C-MAX will satisfy those who still insist that alternative fuel cars should look different. 

Despite its distinctive shape, the Ford family resemblance is apparent. C-MAX has the same wheelbase and footprint as the Ford Focus, but, in addition to its wagon silhouette, it's also taller and has a more upright, utilitarian look. The front end features a thin, narrow upper grille with the oval Ford logo, and a wide-mouthed, geometric lower grille with strong horizontal lines. Headlamps are long and angular, and blend up into the hood line. 

From the side, the C-MAX has a high roofline and strong wheel arches. A high, straight character line runs across the door handles to the wraparound tail lamps. Standard 17-inch wheels make the car look substantial, in contrast with some of the dinkier wheels and tires found on early hybrid models from other brands. 

In back, angular tail lamps and deep body creases keep it interesting without being obnoxious. A prominent rear bumper is both distinctive and useful for resting groceries or packages. Optional on the C-MAX is Ford's handsfree liftgate technology, which allows anyone with the key fob to open the liftgate by simply waving a foot underneath the back of the vehicle. 

Interior

The similarities to the Ford Focus continue with the interior design of the C-MAX. The instrument panel, climate controls and center stack feature the same angles, vents and knobs. It looks busy compared to the Prius's clean, almost too-austere controls. 

The C-MAX instrument cluster uses a central speedometer with Ford's pleasing soft blue lighting. On either side, 4.2-inch LCD displays keep drivers informed about energy use, phone functions, audio settings and other vehicle details. Dubbed SmartGauge, these dual screens include a Brake Coach feature that helps train drivers how to get the most out of the regenerative braking system. 

The steering wheel on the C-MAX is covered with soft-touch material and is comfortable to hold and use. However, as with other Ford steering wheels, the myriad controls look confusing and cluttered. The audio and handsfree phone controls, which are placed low on the wheel, are especially awkward to use. 

Overall, materials are attractive and appear durable. The gear shift seems unnecessarily large and bulky, and sticks out at an angle from the center console in sharp contrast to the Prius's nubby little shifter. Door inserts have a softer plastic above the arm rest, and hard plastic below, with deep, wide pickets for cans, water bottles and various accessories. 

Models equipped with navigation and MyFord Touch use an 8-inch touch screen that displays live traffic and weather in addition to audio and navigation controls. On the C-MAX Energi, charging station locations are embedded into the navigation maps, although technology doesn't yet exist to know whether those stations are occupied. Drivers can pair their Android or Apple smartphones to use streaming audio via Bluetooth and other features. While the MyFord Touch system is good in theory, certain aspects are annoying, including not-so-accurate voice recognition and menu options that aren't immediately intuitive. 

Front seats sit very high and upright. Even shorter people feel tall in the car, especially in the passenger seat, which doesn't have a height adjustment feature. This is almost disconcerting for those used to driving or riding in a low, cockpit-style cabin. Front leg room is 40.4 inches, a couple of inches less than the Chevrolet Volt, and about an inch less than the Prius v. 

However, the high roofline on the C-MAX makes for plenty of headroom, even in the back seat. Rear headroom is 39.4 inches, almost an inch more than the Prius v and nearly three-and-a-half inches more than the Volt. The Ford C-MAX bests the competitors when it comes to rear legroom, too with a spacious 36.5 inches, a tad more than the Prius v and a whopping five-and-half inches more than the Volt. 

In back, the C-MAX has a 60/40-split rear seat that folds completely flat, creating more room for cargo. However, because of its battery, the C-MAX lacks the trunk space of traditional gas-powered compact hatchbacks. The hybrid offers a fair 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, far less than 34.3 cubes found in the Prius v, but a tad more than the original Prius hybrid. Because of its larger battery, the Energi offers only 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space, about a cube less than the Prius Plug-In. Still, that's substantially more than the Chevrolet Volt's 10.6 cubic feet. 

Driving Impression

Driving the C-MAX is similar to driving just about any other hybrid car. It's smooth and quiet, and switches between gas and electric power nearly seamlessly. Energi models have three drive modes: Auto EV, which will automatically switch between electric and gas modes to optimize fuel economy; EV Now, which runs the vehicle purely on electricity, and EV Later, which will operate the car like a traditional hybrid and turn off the all-electric capability. 

Active noise cancellation is standard on the C-MAX. Microphones in the cabin monitor road and wind noise, and send noise cancellation waves as needed through speakers in the doors. We found this worked very well, and on a competitive drive loop, we found the C-MAX Energi much quieter than the Prius plug-in. 

Thanks to instant torque from the electric motor, the C-MAX is peppy off the line, and acceleration adequate in other scenarios. The eCVT operates smoothly, although it lacks the changing gears feeling of a traditional automatic transmission. The screen on the left side of the speedometer told us when we were driving in a way that maximized energy savings, and when we could do better. 

Ride quality is firm, but not overly stiff. We found it surprisingly softer and more compliant than the Prius. Steering is comfortable, and we didn't notice any egregious body roll while weaving through turns along the Northern California coastline. Braking is confident although a tad grabby, as is characteristic of regenerative brakes. 

Summary

The Ford C-MAX offers versatility, practicality and efficiency in two fuel-saving variants. Though hybrids and plug-ins continue to come with a high price premium, the C-MAX's superior range and tax credit eligibility make it a good value in the segment. 

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Laura Burstein reported from San Francisco after her test drive of the Ford C-MAX. 

Model Lineup

Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE ($25,200); Hybrid SEL ($28,200); Energi SEL ($32,950). 

Assembled In

Wayne, Michigan. 

Options As Tested

Premium audio, navigation, hands-free tech package, power liftgate, keyless entry/start, rearview camera, panoramic sunroof.