Seeing through the hybrid hype
It is remarkably difficult, even as a keen observer, to accurately gauge consumers’ true concerns regarding fuel economy. On one hand, anything one writes focusing on fuel consumption and/or tailpipe emissions never fails to generate overwhelming response. And yet despite Consumer Reports reporting that the C-Max hybrid recorded notable discrepancies between its advertised fuel economy and its independently measured profligacy, Ford continues to enjoy exceptional sales of its electrically assisted hybrids.
Are motorists truly concerned by how much fossil fuel they consume? Or are we content with the mere pretense of saving the planet, not concerned with the reality of whether those claims are real or inflated.
This week, Keith Walker from Ottawa, having read about the C-Max’s real-world fuel economy, wondered whether Toyota’s Prius would fit the bill. “Gas mileage is the main reason for purchasing a new car, so a reliable answer would very much be appreciated,” he wrote.
Unfortunately, the answer is a little more complicated than an either-or; much depends on how and where you spend most of your time driving. If you need a roomy car and spend most of your time in an urban area, the C-Max might not be a bad choice — despite its comparatively dismal highway fuel economy and the fact that even its urban numbers aren’t even close to what Ford advertises. It performs fairly well, is relatively spacious and a real-world 7.5L/100 km isn’t that bad for urban driving.
The basic Prius will probably generate better numbers — both in the city and on the highway — so it might be a better choice if overall fuel economy is your concern. But the Toyota won’t be as roomy or as powerful as the C-Max.
Even though the Prius would fare better than the C-Max on the highway, nothing is as efficient at high speed as a good diesel.
So for road warriors, a far better choice might be Volkswagen Jetta diesel. Almost as spacious as the Ford and far sportier, the compression ignition VeeDub is the very model of frugality on the highway.