Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi: Prius alternate?The Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid looks like the Toyota Prius V.
On the specs released, Ford compares the new C-MAX Energi's performance against the Toyota Pius plug-in as well.
And Ford states that C-MAX's retail price will be cheaper than the Prius'.
The overall theme of Ford's positioning of the new C-MAX hybrid family seems to be "better than the Prius" on almost all fronts.
The Toyota Prius is the reigning king in the hybrid segment, and other companies have been trying to nibble away at Prius' dominance.
Honda tried with the Insight, and Toyota responded with the Prius C, which feels more refined than the Insight.
Ford is going head-on against the Prius family. And on paper, the C-MAX family does look superior.
For example, Ford expects the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid to deliver more than 20 miles in electric-only mode, and that is almost double the electric-only range of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
"We are proud C-MAX Energi is the first plug-in hybrid that can deliver a 550-mile overall range and more than 20 miles of electric range," said John Davis, Ford's chief engineer for compact cars and utility vehicles.
On top of that, the C-MAX Energi's electric only top speed is going to be faster than the Prius plug-in's.
Ford has definitely benchmarked the Prius, and when the C-MAX hybrid family goes on sale later this year, many domestic-only shoppers, who may have considered the Prius, would be drawn to Ford.
It looks like all hybrid cars will continue to improve into the future.
Rate this article:
Do you like this article?
