Thread of the Day: Ford C-Max Hybrid vs. Toyota Prius v – Which Would You Choose?

With the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, the automaker is directly targeting the Toyota Prius v. The C-Max is the first hybrid wagon to challenge the Prius v and on paper it looks like the odds are in the newcomer’s favor.

The 2013 C-Max Hybrid is EPA rated 47/47 mpg city/highway, beating the Prius v’s 44/40 mpg rating, though your mileage may vary. Combining engine and electric motor output, the C-Max Hybrid is rated 188 hp, while the Prius v has a combined rating of 134 hp. As you’d expect, the C-Max was quicker, posting a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds, 1.9 seconds quicker than the Prius v’s time. The Prius v, however, wins in cargo space with 34.2 cubic feet behind the second-row compared to the C-Max Hybrid’s 24.5 cubic feet.

After our first test on the Toyota Prius v we said, “The pseudo hybrid minivan rides better than a Prius, too. Since Toyota expects Prius v customers to come from crossovers and SUVs, making it not feel like a small hatchback was a key goal. Pitch and Bounce Control is the hallmark feature that [keeps] the ride as flat as possible on uneven road surfaces. The suspension was then tuned to keep the drive nice and tidy.

During our recent Ford C-Max Hybrid First Test, senior features editor Jonny Lieberman described the C-Max’s handling like so: “While no means a sports car, it is a sporty little upright hatchback that’s actually fun to toss around. So much, in fact, that this week I told two different people to purchase a C-Max Hybrid instead of a Prius.”

Which hybrid wagon you would choose? Don’t forget to check out our Ford C-Max Hybrid and Toyota Prius v first tests.

Not only is the Ford faster, but just on general principle, I’d go with Ford. Toyota purposely and quietly made the Prius V for the American market their “old-tech” model with ancient nickel-metal hydride batteries. Demanding consumers in Europe and Japan get modern, lithium-ion batteries that are quick charging and less bulky so three-row seats are standard for them…but not Americans.

Wow. talk about busy interior on that Prius…

+1 for the C-Max

Source : wot[dot]motortrend[dot]com