Ford C-Max Suffers MPG Downgrade Déjà Vu
Ford is reducing the fuel economy rating on its C-Max hybrid for the second time since the car’s introduction as a 2013 model year vehicle.
The US automaker today announced that results of an internal audit show that the car is actually only capable of a combined fuel economy rating of 40 MPG, a downgrade from the 43 MPG claimed as of last August.
Previous to that number Ford has initially said the C-Max could achieve 47 MPG combined thanks to a 47 MPG city and 47 MPG highway rating. As of today that number has been lowered a total of 15 percent with new city/highway ratings of 42/37.
During the initial downgrade Ford admitted that it hadn’t done its homework and simply used the EPA numbers for the Fusion Hybrid – which shares the same powertrain.
In an effort to combat the bad publicity Ford announced a slew of upgrades to help the car’s fuel economy, including everything from new engine oil, a more efficient transmission drive ratio and numerous aerodynamic tweaks.
During the announcement last August Ford offered $550 to owners in compensation. Today owners will be offered a (presumably) additional $475 goodwill payment.
In addition to the C-Max, Ford has donwgraded the fuel economy ratings on five other models. A complete chart of those adjustments can be viewed below:
| U.S. EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy Label Ratings and Goodwill Payments* | ||||||
| Model Year | Vehicle | Powertrain | Revised(City, Highway, Combined) | Previous(City, Highway, Combined) | Lease Customers | Purchase Customers |
| 2014 | Fiesta | 1.0L GTDI M/T | 31 / 43 / 36 | 32 / 45 / 37 | $125 | $200 |
| 1.6L A/T | 27 / 37 / 31 | 29 / 39 / 32 | $150 | $250 | ||
| 1.6L SFE A/T | 28 / 38 / 32 | 30 / 41 / 34 | $275 | $450 | ||
| 1.6L M/T | 28 / 36 / 31 | 27 / 38 / 31 | Combined MPG not affected | Combined MPG not affected | ||
| 2013-14 | C-MAX | Hybrid | 42 / 37 / 40 | 45 / 40 / 43 | $300 | $475 |
| Fusion | Hybrid | 44 / 41 / 42 | 47 / 47 / 47 | $450 | $775 | |
| MKZ | Hybrid | 38 / 37 / 38 | 45 / 45 / 45 | $625 | $1,050 | |
| Model Year | Vehicle | Powertrain | Revised**(Charge Sustaining, Charge Depleting, EV Range) | Previous**(Charge Sustaining, Charge Depleting, EV Range) | Lease Customers | Purchase Customers |
| 2013-14 | C-MAX Energi | Plug-in Hybrid | 38 mpg / 88 MPGe+ /19 mi EV range | 43 mpg / 100 MPGe+ /21 mi EV range | $475 | $775 |
| Fusion Energi | Plug-in Hybrid | 38 mpg / 88 MPGe+ /19 mi EV range | 43 mpg / 100 MPGe+ /21 mi EV range | $525 | $850 | |