Overview & Reviews

Tall-roofed, space-efficient wagons like the Ford C-Max Energi are very popular family vehicles in Europe but are a rarity in the United States. Add the fact that the C-Max Energi is also a plug-in hybrid and it's obvious this Ford is far from a conventional choice.

Nevertheless, the Ford C-Max Energi has a lot of appeal for families on this side of the Atlantic as well. It's exceptionally fuel-efficient, drives smartly and has a stylish and well-made interior. Its plug-in hybrid design also provides the potential for much lower fuel consumption than other family vehicles you might buy. The main downside is that the Ford C-Max Energi is a lot more expensive than the typical hybrid car.

Current Ford C-Max Energi Specs
The Ford C-Max Energi is a four-door wagon/hatchback with seating for five. It is sold in a single, loaded SEL trim level.

Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition and entry, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, Ford's Sync voice-activated controls and the MyFord Touch touchscreen interface. Major options include a navigation system (coupled with premium audio), Ford's nifty hands-free power liftgate (bundled with a rearview camera) and an automatic parallel parking system. A panoramic sunroof is a stand-alone option.

Of course, the big story on the Ford C-Max Energi is its plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor provides an estimated 188 horsepower. Ford claims the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid can travel up to 21 miles and at speeds approaching 80 mph in all-electric mode. Once that electric driving range is depleted, the vehicle operates as a standard hybrid, using the electric motor only to assist the gasoline engine under certain conditions and to recover electricity generated during braking. Using a 240-volt charging system, fully recharging the battery pack only takes about 2.5 hours.

Electric-only driving range of that magnitude allows the Ford C-Max Energi to deliver one of the market's best overall fuel-efficiency ratings, making this family wagon a very appealing choice – especially for those with shorter commutes. However, the C-Max Energi costs more than similarly sized conventional hybrids as well as traditional wagons, crossovers and minivans that offer more space. In addition, the jumbo-size battery pack eats up a large portion of the wagon's potential cargo space.

Underway and on a fully charged battery, the C-Max Energi typically is propelled only by the electric motor for several miles. The wagon remains blissfully quiet and performance is energetic. You'll have no problem merging into fast-moving traffic or pulling away from a standstill. Only if your right foot asks for more thrust than the electric motor can provide is the gasoline engine awakened to provide support. The C-Max Energi also handles pretty well as hybrids go, though it's not overtly sporty and its regenerative brakes also require some acclimatization.

Once the hybrid battery pack is drained, the C-Max Energi's driving appeal fades slightly. The four-cylinder engine has to do the work of moving the car's bulk (those batteries add quite a few pounds) without the help of the electric motor. If you try to accelerate hard, the engine can get rather loud and you'll likely also hear some unseemly groans. Although this kind of behavior is common in hybrids, it definitely makes you yearn for the next recharge. As consolation, the C-Max Energi achieves great fuel economy, as once it's out of all-electric mode and into normal hybrid mode it rates an EPA-estimated 43 mpg combined.

From behind the wheel, the Ford C-Max Energi feels a lot like a small crossover SUV. There's good legroom and shoulder room up front, and the seats are very supportive. They're also mounted high, combining with a large windshield and side windows to create a commanding view of the road. Although the dash layout can look a bit confusing at first, time and familiarity with the intricacies of the MyFord Touch interface clear up some of the initial bewilderment. Rear seat legroom is good even for adults, and there's an abundance of headroom thanks to the tall wagon profile. Folding the rear seats increases the cargo capacity to 42.8 cubic feet, which is about 20 cubic feet shy of a Toyota Prius V or a typical small crossover SUV. Also, the load floor isn't flat when the seats are folded, due to the battery pack, which creates a high shelf that sits about a foot higher than the load floor.

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

User Reviews:

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  Just got mine - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By cgold13702 - April 14 - 1:52 pm

  I am generally happy with the car. I realize it is the first generation, but Ford could have done better. I ordered it with every electric option and yet I do not have memory seat, daytime running lights or blind spot alert. I requested all of the above, and apparently it is not yet available. I the stated electric range of 20 miles is not even close. I drive very conservatively and I do not get 15 miles on a charge. The ride and handling are excellent. The road noise is non existent.

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  Love Ford C-Max Energi plugin - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By m_b2 - February 3 - 9:32 pm

  The Energi is the first car I have found with significant electric range and a hybrid backup system that is practical. Volt is sporty but the dimensions of the car dont fulfill my everyday needs.

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  I really like this thing - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By imaxmagee - January 19 - 8:10 pm

  My company installed some charging stations which prompted me at least look at some plug-in vehicles. I just couldnt bring myself to consider the Prius (plus it only goes 11 miles on electric), and the Volt was really nice, but just too small. That left the C-MAX, and I couldnt be happier. I am absolutely amazed at the quality of the car. It feels great all around, and I swear, they fixed everything I hated about every car I have had before it. I plug it in at work everyday and that is it. My round-trip commute is about 20 miles, so it really gets me home and back. On the weekends, I just drive it as a hybrid and it works great. The only thing I dont like is the turning radius.

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  Energi wont run on battery alone - otherwise good - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By drdan3 - January 13 - 7:55 pm

  Bought a 2013 model with 303a option. It is fine in most ways - power, comfort, build quality. However, what we discovered is that the EV only mode goes to zero as temperatures drop. In part this is due to use of heater/seat warmers. But as temperatures have increase in Maryland, EV mode has not returned and is still zero. The car goes automatically into hybrid mode. Gas mileage hovers around 35 mpg. Taking it to Ford dealer tomorrow...

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  I LOVE my new Ford CMax Energi! - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By Annie - November 4 - 2:15 am

  This car gets amazing gas mileage, much better than advertised and much better than my Prius. It is very fun to drive, with much more peppiness and acceleration than other hybrids. Comes well equipped for the price compared to other hybrids in its class.

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  Cathys Max - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By Cathy - April 4 - 11:52 am

  The energi version is the one we bought as the higher price was offset by the government tax rebate - thus the upgrade was free. However, this is our run-around-town car, so the limited trunk space wasnt a problem. If space is essential, stay with the hybrid version. Our car will go about 16-20 miles on the battery only, just depends on the time of year (less in the cold weather).

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  Fun to drive with fantastic mileage - 2014 Ford C-Max Energi
  By cheryl2229 - March 31 - 5:40 am

  Ive had my new 2014 CMax Energi for 1 month and Im loving it. I havent been to the gas station yet. Im averaging 102 MPG with a +/- 20 mile daily commute and 2 100 mile trips over Christmas. The few days Ive used the heat do make me wonder how much efficiency will drop with a/c use come summer. It has so much power and handling ability, you will forget you are being green!

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  Why doesnt Ford advertise the C-Max more? - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By Brian - January 21 - 4:13 am

  I love my C-Max energi. I use the 120 volt powercord that came with the vehicle and get the full 5.5 kWh charge in 7 hours for about $.60. That charge carries me 15-20 miles, depending on conditions. Because I do mostly city driving with daily recharging, I get 67 mpg overall. This average is based on 6 months of daily use. Before I got the C-Max, I had a MINI Cooper. It was nice and sporty, but my daughters had outgrown it. We are a tall family, and all 4 of us are comfortably spread out in the C-Max. The kids like the color-changing "disco lights" in the footweels when we drive at night. The one problem is cargo space, buy hey, I bought this car for commuting--not road trips. I love the controls, the quiet drive and the stereo. The GPS can be a little difficult to program, however. I like the back-up camera, but find it difficult to gauge how close I am to another car on the front end. The curved drop off of the front fender makes it hard to determine how much space lies in front of the vehicle. This is such a great car! Ive owned two BMWs, a Saab, a few VWs and let me tell you: the Ford C-max is NICER than all the other cars! Ford hit a home run, as far as this environmentally conscious family is concerned. And its made in DETROIT!!!! My only complaint is that Ford is not bragging and advertising more. Every American family should own a C-Max. It really is that good.

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  Happy - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By crystal darsow - December 8 - 9:50 am

  Might be the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Great Car, Much Better Than Hoped For - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By barco1 - November 21 - 5:41 am

  Have 2000 miles on the car so far and loving it. Big pluses: seats are very supportive and comfortable. Driving is nimble and quick, dare I say sportscar like? Driving country roads is quite fun. Freeway driving is great; Id have no problem taking this on a long road trip. Driving in all electric mode has a great feeling to it, hard to describe, but there is a direct response to it, not sluggish at all. I plug it into a normal outlet at night, fully charged every morning. So far, combined MPG is 51, and I do not have driving habits that promote good mileage. Only major drawback is the fact the back storage is not flat when the back seats are down, due to the batteries.