stevedebi

It really depends on what you want and need. Toyota engineers for a soft and comfortable ride. Ford lets in more road noise. An SUV is better for me because we have really tall curbs here at my house - I have to pull the C-Max away from the curb in order for the passenger side folks to exit. It is OK, but just an inch taller would fit! The AWD system is not that robust, and does not weigh much. They put electric motors over the rear wheels. Without the mechanical elements back there, they save weight, but it cannot be used in sand or for a long time - the motors overheat and shut down. MPG wise, I suspect I could actually get 35 in town, which is considerably less than the 45-50 I get with my C-Max Energi in Hybrid mode, so no contest there. On the road, I'd expect no more than 29 in most driving, whereas the C-Max gets 36 even at 75 MPH. So, the C-Max is hands-down winner with better MPG. But the Rav4 has a much larger cargo capacity from what I've read. EDIT: Another interesting note: They chose NIMh battery tech rather than LiIon. They have 17 years of experience with NiMh, and I suspect those batteries are going to last a long time, with better longevity than LiIon.

Actually, not at all worried. They are giving us 1K up front, and the 2014 engine already has the hardware in place to use DEF, so that fix is likely to be easy. It is the Jetta, which doesn't have the hardware, that is the hard part. I don't think CARB is going to let them release any fixes until they come up with a fix for all models. The letter they sent indicates that the fix for our Passat will only affect top speed, not mileage or performance. As to advertising, there is no point in advertising a product that is not for sale!

First one I saw was a 2015 "off lease". Wonder how that is possible.

I have to say that were I in the market, I would seriously consider the Rav 4. I'm not a Toyota fan, but I like the higher ride. I've never understood why Ford didn't continue the hybrid Escape after 2012.

2014 Passat TDI here. The diesel gets 40 on the road and about 32 in town.

I was speaking of the lifetime mileage.

That site on the "2017" C-Max is pretty funny, since it uses a color that has not been in production since 2014. The jury is still out on if they are even going to continue C-Max production after the factory is re-purposed. It appears they may move production to Mexico.

I'm not sure I understand why you need to do this. Just set the trip meter, and divide the number of miles by the gasoline used. Am I missing something? It is more complex with our Energi models, where we have to account for the plug in energy.

I think that was the OEM tire for my 2008 Escape Hybrid. Or one similar from Continental.

Interesting, I don't recall those.

Ford replacement parts have a 12 month guarantee. A fix should be free if it fails within that time. I think there is generally a mileage limit as well, but check it out.

Why wait? Drive over to LA and pay that much now...

Yeah, I've always wondered about that one. My Ford Escape Hybrid turned (slightly) shorter! Yes, it makes it ride better because of the longer wheelbase, but come on! I sometimes wonder if the wheelbase isn't because it is shared with the Euro model, which comes in a "grand" version that is longer.

Yes, it will be interesting to say the least. The last heavy / bulky vehicle we got as a hybrid was the Chevy Pickup around 2008. Ford considered it but deliberately passed, in favor of newer transmissions and turbo engines.

I'd go with the 2015 myself, it is two years newer and a better value. You can use Google maps for navigation. The 2013 does have some advantages, they removed some of the displays with the 2014 model. But unless the 2013 has nav, I'd suggest passing. Run a carfax on whichever one you are seriously considering. The 2015 may have been a rental, for example.

Just to put in my experience. I had a Ford Escape Hybrid 2008. I busted out a tire on one side and had to replace both rear tires. I went with the recommended Costco tire, which was based on the ICE Escape. My mileage immediately dropped by 2 - 3 (and I only got 30 on the FEH). When it came time to replace the front tires, I replaced all four and the MPG went back up. The tires I got had excellent grip and were great handling. But the MPG suffers. I highly recommend getting LRR tires for the hybrids.

It is a matter of weight. I don't think it will get that good. Maybe 25. Of course, it depends on temperature and load as well. My Energi gets about 25 in summer most days, and I'm 800 lbs lighter than this model. So maybe with careful driving it could get 30. But I'd expect less for most folks. EDIT: There is a bigger worry in my opinion. Is this the FIRST Chrysler hybrid, and this one is a plug in, as well? Plan for a lot of teething pains.

Well, hybrids are NOT a mystery to Galpin Ford, they have been selling them since 2005. Just someone being lazy over on the lot, they should have had a plan to charge up the hybrids/Energis on a rotating basis. Galpin service has been excellent.

I used firefox for my update.

Curb weight is estimated at 4500 lbs, before loading it up. That car is going to be lucky to get 25 EV range, and I'd figure 20-22. It is too heavy for that size battery. The Tesla is 4600, it is true, but it also has a much larger battery, and no ICE, AND a lower frontal area. They will be exceptionally lucky to get 35 on the highway, like we do. I'll start the pool and say real world, City 35, Highway 32 (70 MPH), EV range in summer at 24. Some estimated specs: http://www.allpar.com/model/m/pacifica/specifications-safety.html

Yup, and the C-max is not an SUV. That badging in front of the doors is Escape. They are speaking of modifying a conventional ICE to run in EV at low speeds.

Actually, I think he was responding to my posts, where the 12v battery was dead on most every Hybrid I saw on the lot.

Galpin Ford here in the San Fernando valley is the biggest volume ford dealer. They had at least 40 Hybrids, and maybe 20 Energi, in stock when I shopped. I looked at the hybrid first - the first six did not start (dead batteries). I finally had them pull a cart over and charge one up. I ended up with my 2014, which was on the main lot - and started up immediately.

One note for new owners. If you press the button without stepping on the brake, the accessory mode will come on, but there is no "go" icon (a small car with arrows below it, on the lower right of the display). You do NOT have to turn the car off to get it into GO mode - just step on the brake and then hit the start button again.

The Escape is rated at 32, but that would be at 55 MPH. At 75 MPH, I would expect about 27 even from the small engine. I get 36 at 75 MPH, without any effort.