C-MaxJaxon

Here's a list of things I'm interesting in hearing a comparison to the C-Max or just general feedback. Maybe some of them have been answered elsewhere. Have fun plowing through the list, Frank. ?

1. How smooth the transition is going in and out of EV mode
2. NVH when the engine is running
3. Cabin noise at highway speeds
4. Seat belt height adjustability
5. How the front and read pillars affect visibility
6. Performance of the rain sensing wipers
7. Position of the start button
8. Seat comfort on longer drives
9. How quickly there's heat after a cold start
10. Noise and air movement with the climate control fan at full speed
11. The heated seat levels
12. The door lock and unlock touch sensord
13. Keypad entry
14. Sound quality of the stereo, including subwoofer capability
15. Headlight performance
16. Merging and passing power
17. How Eco, Sport, Slippery and Deep Snow/Sand driving modes affect throttle, steering or other things
18. Sound and feel when closing doors
19. The MPG summary screen when shutting off the engine
20. How quickly the steering wheel heats and how warm it gets
21. Arm rest position
22. Speed and feel of the shifter dial
23. Length, width and height in inches of the cargo area with the seats down
24. Opening the fuel filler door
25. New car smell
26. How long music will play with the car off
27. Remote start
28. If the engine starts when the HVB is too cold on a cold start
29. If the engine is forced on to give heat even in Eco mode
30. Adaptive cruise performance
31. The all weather floor mats if you have those
32. If the lug nuts have aluminum sleeves that can swell

I had this problem on one wheel right after I bought mine new in Oct 2012. I checked the torque with a socket by hand on all the wheels, and all five on the rear passenger were swollen. I had them replaced under warranty sometime later when I had the dealer rotate at the same time. This is definitely not a problem that is always caused by aging.

Congrats! There may be a Velocity Blue hybrid or plug-in in my future this year or next.

I went from a RWD 2005 Cadillac CTS to the C-Max. CTS was more fun to drive and got about half the MPG. CTS had better steering and suspension, but the C-Max comes surprisingly close. ? The turning radius does not compare, though. ?

The prices of the Escape plug-in were posted recently.Base model is $34,235, SEL is $36,815 and Titanium is $40,030. The federal tax credit should be over $6,000. Coming to dealers in the spring.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1126501_2020-ford-escape-plug-in-hybrid-price-set-will-arrive-before-toyota-rav4-prime

Video version of the MotorWeek review.

Raiti's Rides video review.

How about ground clearance & turning radius.

How did the braking feel?

+500 on the turning radius

Escape is 38.8 ft and CR-V is 37.4, according to KBB. The C-Max was 38.4 ft. I miss the 35.5 ft of my old 2005 Cadillac CTS.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/honda-cr-v-vs-ford-escape-comparison/2100008065/

MotorWeek review of the hybrid.

https://www.motorweek.org/reviews/road_tests/2020-ford-escape

Hybrid Government Fuel Economy Ratings are not yet final but we averaged 40.5 miles-per-gallon of Regular. 

 

As for acceleration, there’s a more forceful hit of power than you’re expecting off the line.  Engine noise increases significantly as speeds do, but it’s not nearly as offensive as most hybrid CVT setups.  60 miles-per-hour arrived in 8.0-seconds flat; with the 1/4-mile completed in 16.2–seconds at 88 miles-per-hour. 

 

Through the handling course, our all–wheel-drive tester felt fairly nimble with good amounts of grip from the 19–inch wheel and tire package. 

 

The independent MacPherson strut front suspension, as well as the independent double lateral link rear setup has more travel than before, but upgraded shocks better manage the weight transfer. 

 

Even with the load penalty of the hybrid hardware, this Escape feels lighter on its feet than before.  It’s not an all-out performance car feel; but just more solid, stable, and capable.

The SEL has 225/60R18 tires (727 rev/mi.), Titanium has 225/55R19 (723 rev/mi.), a 0.5% difference. 

Frank

I'm talking about the sidewall height and its effect on handling, not the circumference. The tire size calculator on the Discount Tire site shows a 0.44" smaller sidewall height on the Titanium with 19" wheels. That should make the ride firmer and hopefully more like the C-Max.

The SEL has 18" wheels and lower profile tires than the Titanium with 19" wheels.

One thing I need to remember when I test drive one some day is to make sure the tires are inflated to factory recommendation. I don't want to drive something that's been sitting on the lot for a while and has underinflated tires that make it ride smoother than it really does. I might have to talk them into setting them up to 10% over factory spec like I usually run. Anyone know what Ford recommends?

There's also a new RAV4 Prime performance plugin with 302 HP, 5.8 sec 0-60 and 39 mi. electric range to add to the mix.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29833650/2021-toyota-rav4-prime-photos-info/

MotorWeek Quick Spin Escape vid:

CR-V Hybrid UK review vid:

I still have the window sticker with 47/47/47 as a souvenir. My lifetime avg is a reasonable 43 due to Iowa winter cold, a short commute to work for years and lots of highway miles on 70 MPH interstate.

The EPA site finally posted numbers. They match the window stickers found by people here.

FWD - 44 city, 37 hwy, 41 combined

AWD - 43 city, 37 hwy, 40 combined

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2020&year2=2020&make=Ford&baseModel=Escape&srchtyp=ymm

2018 C-Max was 42 city, 38 hwy, 40 combined

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39613

2013 C-Max was 42 city, 37 hwy, 40 combined

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2013&year2=2013&make=Ford&baseModel=C-MAX&srchtyp=ymm

Mine did this Sunday. The thing that's weird is that it never happened for the first five years. Now it's happened at least 4-5 times in the last couple years.

New MotorTrend short review, mostly of the non-hybrid. Criticisms include: cheap interior, awkward start button placement, sometimes jarring suspension and uncomfortable driver's seat. The extra weight of the hybrid gives up some playfulness.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/escape/2020/2020-ford-escape-pros-and-cons-review/

I thought the specs for the 2020 Escape Hybrid showed a pump and a sealant kit not a spare tire.

Looks like it's only the non-hybrid models with a mini spare.

Spare tire availability is also potentially a factor. The Escape has one and it appears the CR-V does not.

My 2013 has 85K miles and I still enjoy it after seven years. Virtually nothing wrong with it and zero out of warranty repairs. There isn't much reason to move to something new right now. It will need new tires before winter, so I will want to get at least a year out of those before trading it in. I don't expect a big trade-in since the C-Max isn't a super popular vehicle and the dealer will likely have a difficult time selling it.

Not sure I want to be a beta tester and buy one the first model year before they fix all the bugs. The recalls on my car got tiresome after a while. I've thought about leasing one to try before I buy. Have also thought about getting a lightly used one to avoid the depreciation hit.

I guess more cargo space would be nice. I do like the exterior and interior of the Escape and also the new Honda CR-V Hybrid. I will probably test drive them both and decide based mostly on how the suspension and steering feel, how comfortable the seat it, visibility, interior noise and stereo sound quality.

Also want to see what the real world fuel economy numbers are in magazine reviews, on Fuelly and actual owners on car forums.

It bugs me that you have to get the Titanium package to get the better sound system and LED headlights. I've also read the turn signals and backup lights are incandescent. :swear:

The sidewall height of the tires on the lower models also doesn't look like they will drive very sporty.

The plugin version I'm not sure about. It may depend on real world range on battery, cargo space, price and how big the tax credit is. I also don't have a 240V line in the garage or a Level 2 charger.

But I'm finding myself drawn more to the new CR-V. I'm not brand-loyal, so it wouldn't be hard to jump.

A bunch of us had this problem a couple of weeks ago.

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/6889-radio-and-other-issues/

I also found someone here with the problem a couple days later.

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t26790560-disconnect_battery_2013_ford_cmax

It's curious that there would be multiple people with the same problem on or around the same day. :headscratch:

After my battery died a couple days later and I jump started it, the problem was gone. But I had the dealer do an APIM software update anyway. You may be able to fix it with a fuse pull or battery disconnect.

My dealer is suggesting updating the APIM firmware to the latest version under an extended warranty. That probably needed to be done anyway. But who knows if that is the actual fix or it just needs a power cycle.

My 2013 did the same thing yesterday morning with the power and volume becoming inoperable. Very curious...

I'm having my local dealer research this and find out if there's a TSB.

If the truck driver can't see you in the side door mirrors, you are in a dangerous place and probably making the driver nervous. If you are so close that you can't see the truck's side mirrors, you are too close.

You will only save about $1 of gas per 100 miles of driving with the 11% increase. That is not worth the risk in my opinion.

The numbers are going to vary depending on the trailer, the car following, their driving speed, and the speed and direction of the wind, so we don't know what the real world results are going to be.

You should record the temperature, wind speed/direction and initial battery level each day to try to take into account other factors. Wind really has a big influence on mileage.

The comment in the manual is on page 96.

"Note: You may hear a rumbling noise when one or both of the rear windows are open. Lower a front window slightly to reduce this noise. Press the switch to open the window. Lift the switch to close the window."

Makes no sense. Try alternating it on and off for 8-10 consecutive days and report back. If this really is happening, then maybe something is wrong with your car.