Overview & Reviews

The Ford C-Max Hybrid is a tall wagon that seats five and offers an impressive amount of passenger space. Although its hybrid drivetrain and resulting high mpg ratings are the main draws, the C-Max is also quite practical for family use thanks to its interior layout and wide array of convenience features. Furthermore, its seating position feels more like an SUV than a conventional wagon and offers the resulting commanding view of the road that many consumers desire.

There are a few drawbacks to the Ford C-Max Hybrid, however, such as rather modest maximum cargo space relative to competing models. But overall, we think its combination of high fuel economy and SUV-style seating position should make it a compelling alternative to other hybrids and small crossover SUVs.

Current Ford C-Max
The Ford C-Max Hybrid is a tall hatchback/wagon that's available in two trim levels: SE and SEL. The plug-in hybrid C-Max Energi is reviewed separately.

All C-Max Hybrids are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 141 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque. It's paired to an electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery pack. The gas and electric propulsion systems working in tandem produce an estimated 188 hp. EPA-estimated fuel economy is an impressive 43 mpg combined.

Standard feature highlights on the SE include dual-zone climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the Sync voice-activated electronics interface (includes Bluetooth phone connectivity) and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface. Moving up to the SEL gets you rear parking sensors, heated seats, the MyFord Touch electronics interface, extra Sync services and satellite radio. Key options include a power liftgate, a rearview camera, a navigation system, a panoramic sunroof and remote start. Also available are front parking sensors, an automatic parallel parking system and an advanced power liftgate that opens when you swipe your foot under the bumper.

Quicker than most hybrids, the C-Max accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. Solid midrange response on the highway means passing is easy, with a seamless blending of engine and electric motor power. Overall, the driving experience is quite pleasant, with a smooth and quiet ride. Around turns, this tall wagon feels steady and even a bit sporty.

Adding to the sense of well-being is the tall hybrid wagon's airy, spacious cabin. The C-Max offers a massive amount of headroom and fantastic visibility out the front. If you're accustomed to driving around in a small SUV or crossover, you'll likely find the driving position exceptionally comfortable. In addition to its sporty cockpit-like design elements, the C-Max Hybrid also boasts top-notch materials and build quality.

The Sync voice control interface makes it easy to call up your favorite music on the fly, and when you combine it with the MyFord Touch and navigation, you get even more functionality. One downside is that it takes a while to get up to speed with either of the electronic interfaces, which can be a bit unintuitive and have been prone to glitches.

Although rear-seat comfort is excellent in the C-Max (with ample legroom even for adults), cargo capacity is modest due to the intrusion of the hybrid's lithium-ion battery pack. There are only 24.5 cubic feet behind the backseat. Lowering the seats opens up 52.6 cubic feet of space, still short of a typical small crossover SUV or a Toyota Prius V.

Apart from these shortcomings, the Ford C-Max Hybrid is an exceptional family runabout. It's quicker and more enjoyable to drive than other hybrids, yet it's far more fuel-efficient than a compact crossover SUV or minivan.

Used Ford C-Max Hybrid Models
The Ford C-Max Hybrid debuted for the 2013 model year. There have been no significant changes since.

User Reviews:

• 

  First Impressions - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By tea5 - January 7 - 9:55 pm

  Took delivery of vehicle yesterday. Acceleration definitely adequate for entering busy main roads. This was a major reason I chose this car over the Prius, a 50 horsepower advantage makes a big difference. Very quiet inside - active noise cancellation works. Gave reliability a 4, but I cant really comment on this from my first day with the car. Fit and finish are excellent. Extremely easy to sync phone with the dash system via bluetooth.

• 

  My First and Last Ford - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By cmax_sucks - January 1 - 2:14 pm

  After dealing with numerous recalls and technological glitches, I am finally throwing in the towel on my 2013 C-Max (Ive had it for a year). As others have pointed out, the MPG was grossly exaggerated by Ford. At the moment, Im dealing with relatively minor issues (i.e. entertainment system sporadically stops working, center console wont close, trunk lift gate doesnt work, warning lights randomly go on and off). It is both inconvenient and frustrating to take the car in for repairs all of the time. My last straw - last time I took it in, I returned to find the dealership showing my car to prospective customers (literally sitting in my car with my personal belongings on display).

• 

  Electrical - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By drsnowball - January 1 - 6:00 am

  In July my newly leased, left over 2013 C-Max had a dead battery after sitting overnight. The clock on the dash said 8:38AM. Road side assist came and jumped to start. I called the Ford service center and was told "You must have left something on." I was certain I had not. On, Sept. 14, 2014, I came out to find my car dead again. The clock (coincidence?) read 8:38 AM; however, after the jump start the clock failed to run. Thought! For about 10 days continuing, the unlock button on my key was slow to open the passenger door and trunk lock. Perhaps an indication of the battery voltage decreasing? Tomorrow the service dept. will try to find the problem. Ill let you know.

• 

  C-MAX Go - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By cmaxgo - December 29 - 9:55 pm

  fast,quick,quiet,smooth ... got it up to 110 on open road , smooth as silk. fun to drive, drove a GMC Yukon for years and prefer the C-max any day. Good vision, easy to pass. In town, cant beat it. Avg 44-50 mpg in town. 36-39 highway depending on how much fun I want to have. Plenty of headroom, leg-room. My teenager is about to drive and has been eyeballing the C-Max, dont think I want to let it go. so far, best car ive ever owned.

• 

  CMax lives up to the hype - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By blynne - November 16 - 6:26 am

  Unlike some reviewers, I have found that my city driving is over 50mpg. Our town has lots of hills so I thinkit is a good measure. I love the responsiveness and the ease of driving. After playing with the INSYC system, I like it. The navigation system is easy to use and love how the map rotates to keep the direction of travel up on the map. Im looking forward to a road trip soon.

• 

  Car stop running once a while and could not start engine for a while - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By tjshiau - August 27 - 1:39 am

  My 2013 Ford C-MAX hybrid SE could not run during driving (i.e. stop at traffic light) and could not start the engine for a while from a few second to two hours. It will start the engine and run again after this. However, it will happen again either one month later or a few minutes later. It is not safe to drive this car. I am not so sure whether this car has this issue or this model has this issue. I like to know whether this is design issue or some bugs on my car only. To be fair, this car is powerful with good gas mileage. My average gas mileage is 40.4 mile per gallon after 7000 mileage. If the traffic is good, it could be over 50 mile per gallon or between 43 and 47 mile per gallon.

• 

  bad mpg and ford cant fix it at 9k miles - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By patfran - June 28 - 3:12 am

  This car has been to dealership 3 times to fix the poor performance on gas mileage. Advertised 47/47/47 and lately I am getting 32.5. Gas engine turns on as I am stopping! The second visit to dealership didnt even test drive. Radio doesnt turn on and off with dashboard button. Service bulletin still hasnt fixed that. I dont think they want to do more than throw the $550 check at us. With the sleek design and ability to put some great pzazz into this vehicle, they cut it off at the knees. Hybrid without good gas mileage is not worth anything.

• 

  Good car, dont buy for mileage! - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By ddd13 - June 3 - 12:55 pm

  Edmunds! How about correcting your review regarding the stellar mileage? Ford - how about changing the deceptive commercials representing that mileage is better than a Prius V? This is nice little car, but it is abundantly clear that its real world mileage is in the 36 to 37 mph range, while the Prius V can expected to yield 42 - 44 with similar driving. Really disappointing is highway mileage if you expect to drive more than 63 mph. Over 3000 miles of very moderate driving and often attempting to manage the EV mode, we cant exceed 36 for any reasonable distance. Recent 300+ mile trip at 70-75 maxed out at 36 mph. Could be driving a non-hybrid. High 40s for Prius V at speed???

• 

  A lot more than expected - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By axlbertp - May 9 - 5:06 pm

  5000 miles already doing 40~ MPG in 40 miles to work each way, fun to drive, Excellent braking capacity, and very agile and precise in hard braking, very good accel 4 a hybrid, like the sync but needs to get ued to it nice dashboard, and very confortable with most controls on the wheel very nice car, forget the prius that lags in evrything my only con is that is a little high in the interior excellent the michelins and semi low profile tyres works very well I like it, I believe I will put 100k miles in 3 years here...

• 

  Impressive - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By charliech47 - April 5 - 8:07 am

  Just bought the 2013 at Edmunds FMV. Very nice machine. Trip MPG is 47-48 if you stay at or bellow 65 MPH. If you drive with a bit of finesse and use the little cruise guide on the display on the left in city and cruise control on the highway youll get very close or better to the advertised MPG. It does take a little practice to get comfy with the infotainment but practice makes perfect and only a bit more complex than my GM Saturn vue. If you do lead foot it youll be surprised. Brilliant automotive engineering by Ford!