Ford‘s C-MAX hybrid is now available for order, and will come with a base MSRP of $25,995, undercutting the Prius-V by about $500.
The C-MAX is driven by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric system that the company is projecting will get 42 mpg, which matches the fuel mileage rating of the Prius-V. The C-MAX will only be available in America as a hybrid and plans to take the fight to Toyota’s dominance of the hybrid market. A plug-in hybrid version of the car will also be available, but not until late 2012.
It C-MAX also offers bigger dimensions that the Prius V, with about three more cubic feet of passenger space.
The introduction of the C-MAX hybrid will help Ford bring reduce average fuel economy across the lineup, and meet the companies goal of tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013.
The first C-MAX’s will be delivered to customers this fall.