How many gallons of gas did you use on your last trip into the big city?
In this extended video road test, I took a 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi from Central New Jersey into mid-town Manhattan. I experimented with the Energi’s EV Now and EV Later modes to see how it reacted on backroads and Interstate highways, as well as in New York City traffic. The trip started with the battery showing 18 miles of charge. The fifty-odd mile route resulted in a 61 MPG result – easily the most fuel efficient trip I’ve ever taken into NYC.
The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid has a pure electric range of approximately twenty-one miles when fully charged. While the stated EPA mile per gallon (MPG) estimates are 108 city / 92 highway – compared to 47 / 47 for the standard C-MAX – gas mileage results will always vary, depending on route and distance. 100+ MPGs will only be seen on shorter trips.
MPG-o-Matic 2013 Ford Escape Review Summary:The 2013 Ford Escape battles it out with a host of worthy competitors in the highly popular small crossover segment, from the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, to the Hyundai Tuscon and Chevy Equinox. While some may lament the exit of the traditional Escape SUV, the new crossover design is a more pleasant vehicle overall and is sold worldwide as the Ford Kuga. The Escape’s torquey EcoBoost engine and tightly designed cabin set it apart from the competition.
MPG-o-Matic 2013 Azera Review Summary: The 2013 Hyundai Azera is slotted between the Sonata and Genesis in Hyundai’s line-up. It aims to upset the apple cart, by delivering a whole lot of luxury at a rather remarkable price. Whether you’re in the market for a large Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Buick, or Lincoln, you’d do well to cross-shop the Azera. While it’s not as thrifty with fuel as a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, or Volkswagen Passat TDI, the Azera’s comparatively low acquisition costs and 100,000 mile warranty make it a compelling choice for budget-minded folks shopping for a large luxury sedan.
MPG-o-Matic 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Review Summary:For many folks, the old Dart wasn’t legendary (Klick and Klack aside). It was a compromise, the little Mopar you bought if you couldn’t afford one of the truly sought-after models, like the Barracuda, Challenger, Road Runner, Charger, or GTX. Be that what it may, today’s Dart is a splendid and affordable sedan, with a chassis that owes its heritage to Alfa Romeo and a power plant swiped from the mighty little Fiat Abarth. With plenty of interior room and top-notch in-cabin technology, the Dart is well worth a look.
MPG-o-Matic 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Review Summary:The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata tops the charts when it comes to low-ticket, drop top roadster fun. Affordable rear-wheel-drive (RWD) convertible sports cars are tough to find these days, given the departure of the Honda S2000, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice. While some may decry the Miata’s relatively low power output, it’s the sum of the parts that makes this little roadster so enjoyable to toss about when the sun is shining. With a power retractable hard top, the fun needn’t end when the weather turns cold or the rain starts to fall.
