With fuel prices as high as ever right now, it’s understandable that you may fancy spending your hard-earned cash on a vehicle that will do its best to ensure you burn as little of your remaining dollars as possible. One of the easiest ways to save money when running a car is by getting one with superior fuel efficiency, and there are fewer ways of getting the job done than by opting for some sort of hybrid. The added electric motor works alongside the conventional internal combustion engine to gather speed, reducing the amount of work the engine has to do. In turn, this saves crucial fuel.
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
Base Trim Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
188 hp
Base Trim Torque
129 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel Economy
TBC
Segment
Subcompact Hatchback
New ones can cost a pretty penny, but luckily, there are plenty of excellent used options that can be picked up for even the most restrictive budgets. We reckon one of the most appealing options is the Ford C-Max Energi. This easily overlooked Ford is not only one of the most practical hybrids on the used market, but also one of the most affordable.
The C-Max Energi Is Worth A Fraction Of Its Original MSRP
Front quarter shot of a 2017 Ford C-Max EnergiFord
The C-Max Energi was built between 2013 and 2017, and features a plug-in hybrid powerplant that allows the 2.0-liter ICE to preserve fuel with some added electrical assistance. It was a pretty expensive model in its day, as its base MSRP started from $27,120, around $3k up on the standard hybrid model of the Focus-based C-Max. Don’t fear, though, as depreciation has well and truly worked its magic on Ford’s practical family bus, to the point where you can pick up higher mileage examples of the car for less than $5,000.
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2013-2017 Ford C-Max Energi
Engine
2.0L NA I4 with hybrid
Transmission
1-Speed CVT
Power
188 hp (combined)
Torque
129 lb-ft
0-60 mph
8.2 seconds
Average Used Value
$7,054-11,618
Decent ones will demand a little more outlay, but CarBuzz’s Marketplace reports that the average cost of earlier 2013 vehicles comes in at around the $7,000 mark, whereas later 2017 machines can be had for closer to $10k. Even the flagship Titanium trim model from the final model year only commands in the region of $11,000 on average, with exceptional examples asking a few thousand more, while well-traveled examples sneak beneath $10k.
Whichever way you look at it, the C-Max Energi is great value, especially when you consider the sort of equipment you get with even the lowest-spec specimens.
The C-Mac Energi Provides Plenty Of Standard Equipment
2017 Ford C-Max Energi front cabin angleFord
For starters, the C-Max Energi gets an eight-inch touchscreen setup bolted into the dashboard, which comes with an in-built satellite navigation and multimedia system. Alongside this, you can access the overlays for the hybrid system, which keeps you up to date with the real-time battery charge and other key information. Plus, the C-Max Energi comes with powered and heated leather seats, cruise control, and multi-zone climate control as standard, as well as power folding mirrors.
Look around, and you can secure yourself a good deal on an example loaded with some handy extras. These include a panoramic sunroof, a foot-activated power tailgate, a reverse camera, and a premium Sony audio system. For less than $10k, it’s unlikely you’ll be left wanting as far as creature comforts are concerned.
Discussion
How do hybrid cars work to make them more efficient than regular gas cars?
Hybrid cars give you better fuel economy than gas cars by having a gas engine along with electric motors that use the power stored in a battery. This isn’t the 12-volt that every car has, but more like what’s found in an electric vehicle, though smaller. That battery is recharged through regenerative braking, providing a constant source of extra power that allows a hybrid car to drive on electric power for short periods, thus saving gas.
Ford’s Efficient Family Car Has Some Juice
Red 2017 Ford C-Max Energi frontFord
While the value is all well and good, what’s the point if the thing will guzzle more fuel than an F-16 fighter jet. The C-Max Energi excels in this regard too, while at the same time offering more versatility than its Hybrid sibling. While the Hybrid has the 2.0-liter engine working with the single electric motor at all times, the Energi can be run in EV-only mode alongside a more traditional hybrid setting. There’s also a charging point installed in the vehicle’s front fender, which allows you to top up the battery at home or with a public charger. While the C-Max Energi can achieve a combined 38 MPG in hybrid mode, it can also cover a maximum of 20 miles when running on pure battery power.
This will come in handy when cruising through the city, where you’ll likely only cover minimal mileage. The engine can then be utilized once you escape built-up areas and start taking on faster roads that demand the C-Max’s full potential. Alongside the useful plug-in hybrid functionality, the vehicle uses a regenerative braking system that turns the usually wasted kinetic energy lost during braking into extra power for the battery. Should you fancy saving the battery level for later, the car can also be run in pure ICE mode. These various modes make the C-Max Energi a very versatile machine, which is ideal given that such a car will likely see a wide range of action.
The C-Max Has Plenty Of Pulling Power
Red 2017 Ford C-Max Energi tail viewFord
Given that the C-Max Energi is a compact MPV, there’s always the potential that you’ll be squeezing plenty of passengers and their belongings within its flowing body. Fortunately, its 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid unit provides a combined 188 horsepower to the front wheels, which is plenty enough to get it moving along. The power is channeled to the driven wheels via a single-speed CVT transmission, which helps transport the car to 60 mph in a little over eight seconds. Given it’s based on the underpinnings of the popular Focus compact car, the C-Max Energi also provides confidence in the bends.
It’s A More Practical Alternative To The Excellent Focus
2017 Ford C-Max Energi cabin top view shotFord
Speaking of the Focus, the C-Max is a great alternative for those who need some extra space for a growing family. It’s essentially a longer and taller version of the Focus, which not only provides extra headroom for passengers in the main cabin, but also makes it easier to lean in if you need to strap your kids into their booster seats. There’s also a decent amount of extra legroom, though its 19.2 cubic foot trunk capacity is compromised somewhat versus the standard Focus’s 23.8 cubic foot section, primarily due to the space taken up by the battery pack.
Model
2013-2017 Ford C-Max Energi
2012-2018 Ford Focus
2012-2018 Ford Focus Electric
Legroom
43.1/36.5 inches
41.9/33.2 inches
41.9/33.2 inches
Headroom
41.0/39.4 inches
38.3/37.9 inches
38.3/37.9 inches
Shoulder Room
55.9/55.2 inches
55.6/53.7 inches
55.6/53.7 inches
Hiproom
54.3/51.9 inches
53.9/52.7 inches
53.9/52.7 inches
Trunk Capacity (Rear Seats Down)
19.2 cubic feet (42.8 cubic feet)
23.8 cubic feet (44.8 cubic feet)
14.2 cubic feet (33.2 cubic feet)
The enlarged and more versatile cabin space will come in handy for those with young children though, and the added hybrid functionality means that it’s considerably more fuel efficient than a standard Focus. The compact car wasn’t available as a hybrid in the US, but the full-EV Focus Electric sported a significantly smaller 14.2 cubic foot trunk due to its range of batteries, illustrating how practical the C-Max is, given it also has to house the sizable battery setup.
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The Added Hybrid System Does Bring Some Compromise
Rear quarter shot of a 2017 Ford C-Max EnergiFord
Of course, it’s not all sweetness and light. The added mass of the hybrid system means that the car’s running gear, like the brakes, suspension, and tires, will be given a harder time. This means they’ll get used up quicker than a lighter non-hybrid alternative, which will snatch more cash from your wallet over the long run. You’ll also have to be mindful of the battery, as lithium-ion components will naturally degrade over time. Seeing as even the newest C-Max Energis are nearly a decade old, it’s a good idea to conduct a battery health check to ensure that it remains in good shape.
A poor one means the car won’t run anywhere near as efficiently as it should, and you’ll effectively be carrying around dead weight that is only forcing the engine to work harder. Replacing the unit will also cost you thousands, so it’s best to take care from the outset and ensure the battery in your potential future family hero is performing well. The rest of the C-Max has proven to be reliable over the years too, so make sure it’s been well-maintained during its life, and you can expect it to look after you for many years to come.
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The C-Max Energi stands out as a tantalizingly cheap plug-in MPV that not only provides plenty of space, equipment, and efficiency for a growing family, but also provides confidence from a driving standpoint. Make sure to do your homework when checking out used examples, and chances are you’ll be able to get a vehicle that can do everything similarly practical alternatives can manage, but for a quarter of the price.
Sources: Ford.
