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Consumer Reports has done a first drive of the redesigned 2016 Prius, with pricing, prelim mpg, and some impressions (not a full test): http://www.consumerreports.org/cars/behind-the-wheel-of-the-more-efficient-2016-toyota-prius-hybrid Highlights: On sale in January 2016. Plug-in sometime later. AWD model available in Japan only - "under consideration" for US. $24,200 for the base Prius 2 trimline; $30,000 for the Prius 4 Touring. "Only the base Prius retains a nickel-metal battery; all other versions get a more compact and advanced lithium-ion battery." "The EPA estimate for combined fuel economy is 52 mpg. An Eco trimline, which will account for about 10 percent of sales, is rated at 56 mpg due to limited options, higher tire pressure, and weight-saving tweaks such as eliminating a spare tire. The outgoing Prius got 44 mpg overall in Consumer Reports’ test cycle." CR got unverified 50mpg on mixed test drive in the 2016. [implies that one could bump mpg on many cars using similar tweaks, e.g. tire pressure. It will be interesting to see what the pressure is on the ECO model compared to regular.] "As before, the Prius can propel itself solely on electric power, typically up to about 20 mph" Ride and handling improved; interior "vastly" improved.

Toyota finally has a press release on technical and design improvements in the forthcoming 2016 Prius. Discussion and the full release here: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/10/13/2016-toyota-prius-tech-improvements/ Some highlights: appears to be many design changes from body to suspension to engine to batteries and to motor / transmission. Estimated 10% increase in EPA mpg for standard model, more for an "ECO" model (possibly released later, possibly based on Echo like the current Prius C). Some versions will have LiON batteries. Seems they replaced planetary gearset transmission with "parallel" gears, claiming reduced friction. Added automatic front grill air louvers (like C-max). Implied handling improvements from lowered center of gravity and improved rear suspension. Many small engine improvements boost thermal efficiency. Of interest to those of us in cold climates are claimed improvements to cabin heating sysem by extracting exhaust heat, and more elaborate engine cooling system for a quick engine warmup. And an AWD option using a second electric motor on the rear axle.

Hey Everyone! Great forum, fun to read and super informative! In the past few months, I have been in the market for a new or new for me vehicle. The warranty on one of my cars is coming due in Feb and it needs to go as maintenance costs typically constitute a couple months of mortgage payments. A little background: Born in Chicago, grew up in Europe then South Florida...so my taste in cars lean towards hatchbacks! Here is a sample of the vehicles I am interested in: Buick Encore 13-15 Honda Crosstour 13-15 Toyota Prius Four 12-14 Honda CR-Z 13-14 Subaru XV Crosstek 12-14 Lexus CT200h 12-13 Honda CR-V 12-14 Ford C-Max 14-15Nice list, huh?!? Encore: Nice, although narrow and I feel expensive for some of the shortcuts they took.Crosstour: Love the look and how it drives, can get a great deal on a new one because no one likes them--I DO!Prius: Always called it a "turd on wheels". Actually not so bad, but sooo boring to driveCR-Z: Really ike it, but too small and low to the groundCrosstek: Love the functionality, the ride quality is a little jarring for my tasteCT200h: Tad more functional than the CR-Z, love the interior, tad better driver than the Prius CR-V: My mom and sister drive it (nothing wrong with that, just want something different)C-Max: LOVE IT!! but concerned about reliabilitySo there you have it. I am a car guy and never thought my list would look like this. I know there are others out there, but I want something more than what you see everyday. Currently the top runners are the C-Max and the CT200h--two totally different cars. Biggest concern with the C-Max is reliability and longevity. My criteria going in to this process was quality, reliability, MPG, and comfort! Thanks for reading my diatribe! Would love to hear your comments...

We've owned our C-Max for approximately 1.5 years and have 34,000 miles on it. Most of the miles are for commuting about 80 miles a day to work. It is a mixture of speeds 50% at and 50% under 65 mph. The terrain is very hilly though not mountainous and the weather is hot in summer and very cold and snowy in the winter. In November we put snow tires on which are removed in April. I have figured the cost of gas for the C-Max to be about $290 more than the Prius using the average miles per gallon figures for the 2013 model year of both cars from the Fuelly website,(49 mpg for the Prius and 43.9 for the C-Max). Having driven both cars the Ford C-Max wins hands down and is totally worth the extra $290 in gas. It is a much more comfortable car in fact it feels almost like a luxury vehicle. Driving is a much better experience. The view out the rear view is obstructed in the Prius and the display in the C-Max is much less complicated.

It took 10 months, but I traded in the Cmax for a Prius. The NHTSA recall was the final straw. I find it interesting that Ford told dealers not to sell it or even demo it (saw the letter) but yet they haven't officially told all of those who carry their families in them everyday. And while I'm not saying it is a cover-up, I find it curious why the IIHS hasn't "tested" the Cmax yet but they did test the Fusion that came out AFTER the Cmax and they gave the Fusion a top safety pick. Surely the Cmax wont' get that or else there wouldn't be a recall out there. So I wish you all well and hope that the recall thing works out. The many many problems, the lack of 47/47/47, and the safety recall were all evidence that Ford isn't interested in my business, just interested in selling cars. In fact I ran into an owner of a Cmax that was my same color and such and they were going through the battery nightmare. Thankfully I never had that to deal with.

Just got a new C-MAX... Had a 2006 Prius and drove it into the ground (155K+) - never a problem until the end, at which point had one issue, and a Toyota dealer I couldn't trust. Had a real-life average of about 49.5 MPG over the life of the car. Love the cars, hate the dealers... anyway, now a Ford guy again :-) On the Prius it was a good technique to "feather" the throttle in certain conditions. You could just barely press the gas and it would let you "coast" freely, no drag for braking, no acceleration by either the gas or electric. Handy down a hill in traffic, or whatever. Did it often. Is there such a trick in the C-MAX? I seem to always either be charging the battery (braking) down a hill, or using the battery or gas (accelerating) - can't you coast this thing? :-) Thanks for any advice.

As we plan the C-MAX gathering here in Dearborn, MI - I am curious to learn if there was a gathering for Prius owners? I did some bing and googling and could only find one planned for 2013.

Ford C-MAX Energi Takes Aim At Toyota Pruis Alisa Priddle / Free Press Ford is claiming its new 2013 C-Max Energi is the most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid on the market in yet another salvo against hybrid leader Toyota. Ford said the C-Max Energi has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as getting the equivalent of 108 m.p.g. in city driving and a combined city/highway EPA rating of the equivalent of 100 m.p.g. The Dearborn automaker points out that is 5 m.p.g. better than its main competitor: the Toyota Prius plug-in. READ MORE HERE

Ford Targets Prius, Non-Hybrid Owners by Redrawing Popular Classic Animated Character in New C-MAX Ads New TV, digital and print campaign – featuring Italian "La Linea" character popularized in the U.S. in the 1970s and 80s – highlights how Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid top Toyota Prius v and Prius plug-in in MPGe and more New ads also showcase C-MAX Hybrid's "real-vehicle" performance, technology and value to attract non-hybrid intenders who have not been willing to sacrifice attributes they are used to receiving from traditional gas-powered vehicles C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating All-new 2013 C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America's most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Prius v FORD C-MAX HYBRID FORUM – Ford is drawing on the popularity of a classic animated television character to establish C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid as better, more fuel-efficient hybrid alternatives to Toyota Prius v through a new advertising campaign that breaks tonight. Reviving a classic 1970s character from a popular Italian animated children's series called "La Linea" – also a hit in the U.S. in the 1980s – the new ads use the series' familiar style to showcase C-MAX Hybrid's "real-vehicle" performance, technology and value to new buyers. "The 'La Linea' C-MAX Hybrid ads are simple, unique spots that will introduce our first all-hybrid line in North America to Americans by hand-drawing the vehicle's silhouette and showing how it beats Prius v, especially in fuel economy," says Matt VanDyke, director, U.S. Marketing Communications, Ford Motor Company. "We also are targeting customers who have been sitting on the hybrid fence by showing how the new C-MAX Hybrid offers the value, performance and technology they previously thought had to be sacrificed for efficiency." The national campaign for C-MAX launches across the U.S. today and features TV and digital components. Integrated efforts featuring social media, print ads and events are to follow in targeted regions. C-MAX "Wheeee" commercial The C-MAX is Ford's first line dedicated completely to hybrids, and the C-MAX Hybrid will be featured first with C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid model joining the campaign later this year. The animated "La Linea" series was a pop culture phenomenon between 1970 and 1986, seen in various ways in more than 50 countries around the world; in the U.S. it appeared on "Great Space Coaster," a popular children's TV show. "La Linea" – Italian for "the line" – follows the adventures of a nameless and speechless character traversing a never-ending line and often frustrated by obstacles encountered. Trapped in a two-dimensional world, the character has little option but to appeal to an unseen, off-screen animator armed with a grease pencil. The animator obliges by drawing a solution, though often with a twist. In the Ford campaign, the series stays true to its roots with the character constantly being frustrated by the limitations of the Toyota Prius v, such as the lower amount of horsepower featured in one of the spots. As a solution, the animator draws a C-MAX Hybrid for the character. Once behind the wheel of a Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with its 188 total system horsepower instead of the 134 offered by Prius – the animated character happily finds his place traveling at a normal speed down the highway. In the end, the "real-vehicle" aspect of C-MAX Hybrid is once again showcased as it breaks out of the fantasy world of animation and real footage of the vehicle is shown. Ford C-MAX "Be Great" commercial "That's why this campaign works so well – because C-MAX is capable of saving people from the limitations and frustrations of current hybrids," said VanDyke. "But the ads are done with just the right tonality of competitiveness versus a strong competitor. It clearly positions our product in a fun way." Plenty of opportunities exist for Ford to position itself in a positive way against Prius. For example, as the first Ford hybrid to achieve equal city and highway fuel economy figures, C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating. Delivering fuel efficiency is important, according to a recent poll commissioned by Ford. In fact, 25 percent of survey respondents said that if they had $1,000 of discretionary income to spend on energy savings, they would put it toward a vehicle with hybrid technology. C-MAX Hybrid goes further by offering 15 class-exclusive features, such as SmartGauge® with EcoGuide and the available hands-free liftgate – featured in one of the TV spots when the character has its hands full and is unable to reach for keys. Classic animation for a new lineup "La Linea" was created by Italian artist Osvaldo Cavandoli in 1969. It quickly grew in popularity and became a worldwide hit that was shown in more than 50 countries. Between 1971 and 1986, there were 90 "La Linea" episodes created with each episode less than three minutes long. Cavandoli died in 2007 but the company that has controlled licensing of the show for 30 years, Quipos, retains and maintains control of "La Linea." Quipos worked with Dearborn, Mich.-based Team Detroit, the Ford advertising agency behind the campaign, to ensure the C-MAX spots had the vintage look and authenticity of Cavandoli's original product, said Brad Hensen, creative director at Team Detroit. In fact, the licensing agreement mandates the animation must be done by hand, or as Hensen says, through "old-school cell animation." That's opposite to the way most animation is done today – with computers – though that isn't to say computers aren't used in the animation process. Shilo, the New York-based Emmy Award-winning company handling production of the TV spots for the C-MAX campaign, made computer versions of the ads first. The computer versions were then sent to the animators so they could create everything by hand. Shilo has produced a wide range of commercials, from the MetLife Insurance spots featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts to ads for EA, Under Armour, AT&T and Lincoln. "The fact that each cell has to be hand-drawn lends a certain warmth to the animation," said Hensen. "All of this other computer animation we are being inundated with – including ads by other automakers – is just too fluid, too slick, too perfect. Life isn't that way. Being more real is another way this campaign truly reflects the vehicle." In fact, the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid both deliver the "real-car" feel of traditional gas-powered vehicles. In addition to the higher horsepower delivered, standard technologies such as Torque Vectoring Control, Curve Control and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) offer impressive driving dynamics and maneuverability with road-holding capability and sportiness. Further, Ford's hybrid powersplit architecture allows the electric motor and gas engine to work together – or separately – to maximize efficiency. In C-MAX Hybrid, the feature enables electric-mode driving of up to 62 mph, a 30 percent increase over previous-generation hybrids. The technology of the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid also lends to that "real-car" feel by not forcing owners to go without for the sake of not draining power sources. That's important to note because Ford has a portfolio of roughly 500 patents classified as hybrid technology that has steadily been growing and shows in today's hybrid vehicles. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide feature, for example, has a dual-screen LCD design that allows the customer to tailor their vehicle information to their needs with four levels of customizable information. The all-new 2013 C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America's most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is for sale at Ford dealerships nationwide. C-MAX Energi – at $29,995 after a federal tax credit (including destination and delivery) – is available for order at select Ford Certified EV Dealers.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Earns 47 City, 47 Highway, 47 Combined – an EPA Rating Hat Trick; Beats Toyota Prius v by up to 7 MPG All-new 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating Ford’s first hybrid to achieve equal city and highway ratings, the versatile C-MAX Hybrid also is expected to offer 15 class-exclusive features such as the available hands-free liftgate C-MAX Hybrid launches this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Forum – Ford Motor Company once again raises the hybrid fuel-economy bar with the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined – beating Toyota Prius v by up to 7 mpg. The certification is significant because it makes C-MAX Hybrid the first hybrid vehicle to offer 47 mpg across the board. Also, hybrids traditionally have been more economical in city driving than on the highway, unlike conventional vehicles. C-MAX Hybrid, however, returns the same fuel economy whether driving cross-country or across the city – stemming mostly from a growing list of Ford innovations that have helped the vehicle to deliver an impressive list of metrics, such as a top speed of up to 62 mph in EV mode. “The all-new C-MAX Hybrid is a great symbol of how Ford has transformed into a fuel-economy and technology leader with 47 mpg across the board and a highway rating 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v,” said Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “We’ve done this with innovation – represented by nearly 500 hybrid patents – while driving costs down 30 percent so we can bring these fuel-saving vehicles to more customers.” Among the Ford innovations helping C-MAX Hybrid drivers enjoy maximum fuel economy are the patented SmartGauge® with EcoGuide that coaches for top fuel efficiency by providing growing green leaves in the gauge cluster as a reward for economical driving; and ECO Cruise, a feature that helps optimize powertrain elements for convenient yet economical highway travel. City equals highway Hybrid vehicle drivers traditionally saw superior fuel-economy figures in city driving, so loyalists maximized their fuel economy through regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic. But now, higher-speed innovations have caught up on efficiency. “City, highway and everywhere in between, C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-certified at 47 mpg,” Bakaj said. “It’s a win-win-win.” C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is currently available for order at select dealerships. More information about C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi can be found here. Press releases, videos, photos and other material related to Ford’s electrified vehicles can be found here. Ford C-Max Energi Forum Ford C-Max Hybrid Forum

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Aims for 47 MPG to Beat Prius v as Most Fuel-Efficient, Affordable Hybrid Utility Vehicle in America Ford C-MAX Hybrid projected to achieve 47 mpg city, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology – all at a $1,300-lower base price C-MAX Hybrid is Ford’s first entry in the largest hybrid segment and is expected to attract a large percentage of conquest and mainstream buyers with the segment’s lowest payback period of two years compared with leading small crossovers C-MAX Hybrid will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013 FORD C-Max Forum – Ford’s new C-MAX Hybrid soon will make a big statement in the largest hybrid segment with projected leading fuel economy of 47 mpg city – beating the Toyota Prius v by 3 mpg, plus a $1,300-lower base price. The segment for small hybrids such as the C-MAX Hybrid and Prius accounts for 65 percent of all hybrid sales. Ford expects about half of C-MAX buyers to be conquest customers trading in competitive models. Ford has simultaneously increased hybrid efficiency and performance while reducing cost. The result is an expected payback period of two years for the hybrid technology premium compared with leading small crossovers. This is about half of the four-year period Ford research shows could trigger more mainstream hybrid sales. “The C-MAX Hybrid builds on Ford’s 20 years of hybrid innovation and fuel-efficient offerings to take on Prius v with better city fuel economy at 47 mpg and at better value – a great chance for us to shake up the hybrid market,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “C-MAX Hybrid delivers 3 mpg more than Prius v with 50 more horsepower and exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate – and the $1,300-lower base price means the payback period will be the smallest in the segment.” Ford research highlights other ways in which hybrids could become more mainstream. The gap in average income between hybrid and conventional vehicle buyers has decreased by half – from about $30,000 to $15,000 – in the past few years. Maximum efficiency, technology and value The C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles and currently available for order at select dealerships. The projected 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway ratings to be delivered by C-MAX Hybrid beat the fuel economy of Toyota Prius v with its 44 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. The vehicle also can be driven 500-plus miles with total system horsepower of 188 compared with total system horsepower of 134 from Toyota Prius v and Prius. The power of C-MAX Hybrid stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered. More details about the C-MAX powertrain can be found in this press release. C-MAX Hybrid also offers class-exclusive technologies such as the available hands-free liftgate, optional active park assist and SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, along with the ability to deliver higher speeds in electric mode than Toyota Prius v. The latest-generation SmartGauge with EcoGuide is designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, providing information such as instantaneous fuel economy to help them more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency. A new Brake Coach feature helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. Redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves. Active lifestyle The C-MAX Hybrid offers room for five people and plenty of cargo – making it perfect for the owner with an active lifestyle. The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches). For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats. The seats easily fold flat with 52.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row. Quality choices C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology it offers and has helped Ford develop a portfolio of nearly 500 patents in the area of hybrid technology. Also, Ford’s hybrid taxi fleet logged more than 80 million miles in California during the past decade – more than quadruple the number of miles logged by Toyota’s Prius lineup. Yet, among the nearly 43 million battery cells Ford has tested or seen put to work in customer vehicles, only five issues have been documented. C-MAX Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here. C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s strategy to give customers the power of choice for vehicles with leading fuel efficiency across all powertrain technologies. C-MAX Hybrid is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North America in 2012. The other vehicles include: • Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe; charge time in four hours with the available 240-volt charging station, nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf [/b] • C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Coming this fall; better electric-mode MPGe than Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and better overall range than any plug-in hybrid • All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway • Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world