stevedebi

Keep a close eye on the brakes. From my experience with Ford hybrids (I had an Escape Hybrid), the brakes last a lot longer than ICE cars. It is probable that some malfunction is causing the wear. I had my FEH for 80K with no brakes, and I'm at 21.5 on my C-Max Energi with no problems.

My garage is ... uh, occupied (by boxes), and I park mine outside the garage. I run the charger under the garage door and plug in next to the garage. Fortunately I have a plug right next to the main garage door. No problems charging in the rain.

My wife is 4'10" and she doesn't mind driving our C-Max Energi. But she much prefers the VW Passat TDI.

Note that I've not seen either in person, but the Internet has pictures of both, and they both seem to have that same back seat slope. I sometimes wonder why they didn't put the battery under and behind the seats in the C-Max. It is interesting to note, the C-Max Grand over in the UK can be had with a mini spare tire. I'm wondering if a grand C-Max could be set up and use the space better.

No, L1 charger here. I charge overnight. The EV stations are generally very expensive, maybe 2 bucks an hour. I only use the very few public chargers that are free. Someone did a calculation, and it would take 20 years to pay off the difference in price based on the better efficiency of the L2 charger.

Had it happen after they tore apart the rear interior chasing down a "styrofoam" squeak. When they put it back together, they forgot to get the receptacle back up. I took it back and they had to remove the seat to get it done.

Yes, but all three share the same basic system, Camry, Rav4, and NX. They took the exact engineering from the NX, but the system is the same. It is different from the Prius. FWIW, they took the AWD from the Highlander Hybrid...

Looking around, I think that the ICE and hybrid Rav4 are the same. Pictures of the rear look identical. Plus, all the articles said that they put the HiMh batter under the rear seat, and it does not shrink the interior. I agree, that isn't the best design, but it isn't just the hybrid.

Excellent, thanks for trying it out. We can put that mis-information to rest...

DRL are available on every model except 2014. The 2013 can be updated via the BCM by a dealer, and the 2015 and later have a driver option for it.

It was in several articles. It is less than 800, but I don't remember the exact amount. The same engine, battery, and drivetrain are used on the Camry hybrid, so they were able to maximize production. Found it, they are claiming $700 http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/2016-toyota-rav4-hybrid-first-drive

I don't know, a quick search shows that 2013 US C-Max Hybrids are running about 13.5K or so. Most with 30K miles or more, but still, plenty of life left and no worries about importing.

The Ford Explorer currently weighs in at 4443 in base trim, which is a full 1000 lbs heavier than the biggest UK C-Max. The hybrid option will add at least 500 lbs, and a large enough battery would add another 300 lbs. So, around 5000+ lbs, for a vehicle that would have a larger cross section and thus more drag. And it would require either a larger base engine, or a modified EcoBoost (which doesn't exist in Atkinson form). Put it all together and it would still get maybe 30 in town, at best, and worse on the highway. Plus it would add thousands of bucks to the price. EDIT: And it would not be able to tow any significant weight. Ford did the math about 10 years ago and decided not to hybridize the larger SUVs. Grand C-Max Hybrid is a possibility, but would you be willing to have a rating of 38/34?

The articles I read indicate that Chrysler expects the hybrid to be a big seller. They don't offer it below XLE trim. So if you are wanting XLE or higher, the small difference is going to be worth the better MPG. I think they are right, it will sell well.

It would not be a "hissing" sound, it would be a beep, and it would only happen at very slow speeds or in reverse. That is not a "Pedestrian" warning sound. I don't know if you have read it here yet, but the 2016 Ford literature indicates the 2016 will not go into EV above 62 MPH. We think this is an error on their website. When you get a chance, can you report back if the car goes into EV above 62 MPH? All previous years after 2013 (system was reflashed during that year) will go into EV at any speed up to 85 MPH.

If you go into advanced editing mode you can change the topic heading.

My 2008 got 30 lifetime, never over 27 on the highway. The 2008 was a bit less efficient than the 2010, and I had AWD, which carries a weight penalty with the FEH.

The hybrid option adds less than 800 bucks to the car, so I think resale will probably follow the ICE models.

I think the Escape would be worse than the C-Max by at least 5 MPG city and more highway. It is taller. The Highlander Hybrid had a V6. I never understood that hybrid concept. As I said, the AWD on the Rav4 is not that heavy compared to a mechanical AWD (which the Escape uses). What does the spare donut tire (carried inside the car) have to do with MPG (except the weight)?

I don't think it would be too difficult, so long as the car is also sold in the US. Some of their models are Canada only and have not been crash or emissions tested for the US. The EPA has a site for this as well. http://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines

Depends on the commute. For a long distance high speed commute, the Diesel is the way to go. MPG in the mid 40's vs mid 30's at 80 MPH. For a stop and go commute, the C-Max is better. I read that the VW dealers sent their unsold diesels back to VW shortly after the scandal hit. I don't think they are even on the lots at this point. But I'm not in the market and haven't looked or asked.

Got a link for that? I'm coming off lease in 2017...

Just a note here, the newest Prius still uses NiMh batteries on the base model. The higher trim models have gone to LiIon. I took a look at several reviews, and I don't think I would want this. 1. They have a "Sway" warning. Toyota vehicles have a soft ride, at the expense of feeling "tippy". I love the way the C-Max holds in a turn. 2. I just don't think I can live with that mileage. It is at least 10 MPG less than the C-Max. 3. Max 25 MPH for EV mode? Basically good for a half mile or so. I'd rather let the car go into EV at higher speeds when it can. 4. It is as expensive as the C-Max Energi, but has no rebates. 5. Really, no real leather on a 36K car? Not even as an option?

My 2008 Escape Hybrid had only the single gauge that indicated charge / discharge. I ended up getting a ScanGuage II to monitor my driving. They didn't have the MFT with the hybrid functions? That is normally included if the car has nav.

No,the NiMh is not high tech, and it weighs more, but I would bet that the vehicle will last at least 15 years with one, because I know of Prius that old. It is interesting that they chose to use it. Their higher end Prius use LiIon. I'm not sure about the Camry.