I’ve assumed EPA’s 47 mpg for the SEL, 44 mpg for the Energi (it’s heavier), and 2.97 miles/kWh (EPA’s 100 mpg-e @33.7 kWh/gallon). The EPA numbers are probably optimistic, but if so, the break-even mileage would be less than the 70,981. And if the price of gasoline continues to increase as world demand rises, the Energi looks even better.

Finally, if you live in California, there is a state rebate of $1500, which makes the comparison a no-brainer.

“FYI, neither C-Max or Prius can fit 3 child seats properly in the second row.”

Well, I don’t know about that, don’t have kids yet. But you won’t know unless you try. He doesn’t have to worry about that though since his kids are 6, 10, 13(From the source article). He should have no problem with it. A minivan or a SUV with third row, which is what they got rid of for the Leaf, would have the room but not the MPG or electric range they want.

The PiP and C-Max Energi are comparable in price.
PiP – $32,795 starting – $2,500 tax deduction
Energi – $33,745 starting – ~$4000 tax deduction

That other guy, Anonymous, just meant lower price compared to the Volt.

Please tell us where you got the 4% hit in MPG for the PiP compared to the regular Prius because I can’t find that. The EPA rated them both the same, the PiP actually got a 1mpg bump in city cuz of the bigger battery and the gas engine getting more help in stop and go. They are both rated 50 MPG Average. So I can only surmise that the C-max will also stay largely the same, maybe taking a 1 MPG hit, based on what happened with the Prius.

Ford did rate the Energi as having ~20 mile range in all electric, still waiting for the EPA though. I’m guessing the MPG would be about the same as it is now, maybe 46 MPG average.

“Even in “EV now” mode, C-Max Energi will NOT reach its top speed of 102mph (115mph for C-Max). Also, during heavy loading, the engine will come on to assist.”

True, it won’t go to the top speed in all electric, but why would you want to? In all electric you really only need to care about freeway speeds. Sure its nice, but you don’t need it.

Also, in “EV Mode” you could stand on the go pedal and not have the engine turn on. It will in “EV Auto” mode though. PiP can’t do that. It can do 6 miles all electric, 11 miles total blended electric/gas. From Toyota’s own website:

“Prius Plug-in EV Mode is a blended operation of electricity and gas and can work under certain conditions up to 11 miles on a full charge.”

I agree with you, total scam. A lot of people don’t seem to understand that the 11 miles rating is blended electricity/gas not pure electricity.

Actually he is giving it up b/c his wife bought a Leaf. Most family with Leaf usually also have a Prius for longer distance.

FYI, neither C-Max or Prius can fit 3 child seats properly in the second row. It will only work if they are Out of Child Seat requirement. Even at that point, having 3 children in the back seat is a “task” that most parents don’t want to deal with. It should have been a minivan job instead.

“the C-Max Energi’s low price with 20 miles of range plus better range-extended fuel economy is going to make it seem much more attractive than the Volt.”

NONE Of your “statement” are fact. Neither Ford Nor EPA has confirmed any of the “claims” here.

We shall see. If Prius Plugin’s extra 150 lbs battery weight degraded the MPG by 4% and Lowered PiP’s crash results by 1 star (from 5 to 4), I wouldn’t be surprised that C-Max Energi’s MPG rating is lowered as well. Sure, it would still be in the low 40s. But we shall see.

Yep. And if people bought cars based on the fact that 95% of their trips involved only the driver or driver and single passenger, then the Ford EXP, Pontiac Fiero, Mazda Miata, Toyota MR2, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky would have been huge hits.

Strangely enough, they weren’t huge hits. The Volt’s 4-place seating looked, to those of us who think about how people buy cars, like a serious problem. It’s no surprise that someone with 3 children is giving up on the Volt.

Not that it matters much, the C-Max Energi’s low price with 20 miles of range plus better range-extended fuel economy is going to make it seem much more attractive than the Volt. If Ford really delivers these things in quantity, they should sell fairly well; better than the Volt, anyway.

Finally, someone challenges Toyota. Well done, Ford.

Even in “EV now” mode, C-Max Energi will NOT reach its top speed of 102mph (115mph for C-Max). Also, during heavy loading, the engine will come on to assist.

@usbseawolf2000,

Well, the whole point with Plugin is trying to stay in EV mode as long as possible and in as many condition as possible. What is the point of paying thousands for the tiny range of plugin with extra weight, worse handling/braking and extra price? Not to mention the fact that those “plugin hybrids” are going to clog up the already limited Public Charging Station. I have already seen plenty of Prius Plugins “Hogging” public charging stations for HOURS (Pip only takes about 1.5 hr to fully charge at Public Level 2 charging station).

@TPGIII,

I am NOT a car salesman and I don’t live in Detroit. I actually live in the heart of Si valley, SF Bay Area. You can almost call it the “Mecca” of Prius, Hybrids, EV and “green” stuff…

Volt is designed to be a “commuting” car. That is why its EV range is about 40 miles since 75% of the people in this country commute less than that per day. Most people commute by themselves.

Sure, will Volt be good for all situation? Absolutely NOT. Dr. Lyle “had” to change over to C-Max (which makes sense for him) b/c his Wife bought a Leaf. They need a “long range” high MPG vehicle to take care of longer trips. That is NOT what Volt is designed for. This is why you see a lot of Prius/Leaf combination out there. In this case, he is choosing C-Max Energi/Leaf combination.

But don’t make Energi or Pip models sound like they are truly efficient for day to day driving without gas. Energi or Pip can do what most Volt owners have done with 63% EV miles (Pip is less than 30%)

Also, I will seriously doubt the energi models can have the 47MPG rating or the 100 MPGe rating. The Energi models are at least 250lbs Heavier if NOT more (based on the PIP vs Prius gain of 150 lbs).
That is adding one large person plus some luggage. It is seriously doubtful that it will retain the 47mpg rating.

That is why everything are TBD on Ford’s page.

I would love to be able to get a Model X but I can not see my budget stretch to that easily.

Who knows in a couple of years there might be a Volt seven seater like the Model X.