Ford C-MAX vs. Subaru Legacy MPG

Chart is based on 179 fuel economy reports for the Ford C-MAX and 405 fuel economy reports for the Subaru Legacy.

Ford C-MAX MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	53	47	69	34.8
2015	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	24	37	21	19	66	44.4
2014	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	20	30	50	65	72.2
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	17	21	42	21	70	63.0
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	1	18	35	46	63	43.1

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This page shows only averages. See all the Ford C-MAX fuel economy data.

Subaru Legacy MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	none	10	0	0	90	75	32.3
2016	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	light	light	5	5	40	50	65	30.0
2015	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	0	23	0	77	66	31.0
2013	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	hvy	0	25	28	47	64	24.4
2013	4dr Sedan 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	med	hvy	1	47	12	41	62	28.2
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	med	light	0	7	6	88	70	32.0
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	15	50	35	63	25.0
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2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	5	13	40	43	95	22.0
2011	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	10	75	15	70	21.0
2011	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	8	13	36	43	68	27.0
2011	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	light	none	0	90	0	10	65	25.0
2010	4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	6	13	29	52	69	23.9
2010	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	6	15	74	75	26.5
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	7	16	10	67	67	28.5
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	5	60	20	15	100	21.4
2009	4dr Wagon turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	5	10	85	120	39.4
2009	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	med	none	8	15	33	45	70	24.9
2009	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	3	23	17	57	71	23.7
2009	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	none	2	18	58	22	70	20.4
2009	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	2	32	19	46	61	25.5
2008.5	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	20	70	0	10	120	18.4
2008	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	0	50	20	30	100	20.4
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	10	13	18	60	65	27.1
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	2	18	44	36	104	23.4
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	5	7	31	57	72	23.4
2008	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	v.lt	light	4	7	8	81	61	26.9
2008	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	lead	none	5	15	15	65	75	27.8
2008	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	7	16	37	40	68	24.9
2007	4dr Wagon turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	light	0	10	2	88	97	24.6
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	16	16	5	62	75	21.3
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	light	48	1	24	26	73	24.6
2007	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	20	20	20	40	65	26.4
2007	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	2	8	4	85	72	29.5
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	none	8	10	20	63	73	21.1
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	3	7	10	80	103	28.4
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	1	13	24	62	71	27.6
2006	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	3	18	32	48	64	22.4
2006	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	3	3	3	90	87	29.9
2006	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	hvy	0	10	20	70	50	33.0
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	none	23	18	14	44	70	21.8
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	7	35	16	42	72	21.8
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	v.lt	none	8	9	19	65	57	27.1
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	light	5	38	0	58	88	28.6
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	lead	light	17	25	15	43	79	20.3
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	7	9	21	63	75	22.2
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	v.lt	none	10	50	20	20	100	25.6
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	9	26	20	45	72	26.1
2004	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	0	15	30	55	60	29.0
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	18	23	58	102	19.8
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	lead	light	0	30	63	7	60	20.6
2003	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	0	10	18	73	58	28.5
2003	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	25	8	63	65	21.1
2002	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	5	40	25	30	90	25.5
2002	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	hills	light	none	10	50	20	20	55	17.0
2002	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	80	0	20	90	19.6
2001	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	v.lt	hvy	0	0	60	40	70	47.8

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This page shows only averages. See all the Subaru Legacy fuel economy data.

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Ford C-MAX

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Ford C-MAX's fuel economy is at once the #1 reason most people will buy a C-MAX, but also the model's greatest shortfall. The EPA ratings are an impressive 47 mpg city, 47 highway. In real suburban driving we (and many owners) observed trip computer averages of 33 to 40, with an overall average of 35.8. Go easy on the gas and initiate braking early enough to fully recoup kinetic energy, and low to mid 40s can happen. But 47 is a stretch. There are two ways to look at this. On the one hand, the C-MAX isn't coming close to its EPA ratings. Odds are Ford will have to make an adjustment and credit past buyers for the difference, Hyundai-Kia style. (Which actually might be a reason to buy one before this happens.) On the other hand, even 36 mpg is about 8-12 miles-per-gallon better than similarly functional non-hybrid vehicles, including the related Ford Escape. Efficiency is supported by excellent, highly configurable instrumentation. I personally opted to view a tach (rare in a hybrid), driving style ratings, and average mpg. A "brake coach" lets you know after each stop what percentage of kinetic energy was regenerated. In hybrids, this has a large impact on mpg than how hard you accelerate (more on this below). The C-MAX is also offered as an "Energi" Plug-in Hybrid rated to cruise 21 miles on electricity alone. see full Ford C-MAX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Ford C-MAX

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	With some care, it is not too hard to surpass the revised EPA estimates of 44 city / 39 highway. It particulary shines in city and suburban driving where you can crest 50 mpg on some short trips. In mixed driving, we match the EPA estimate of 40 MPG without paying much attention. While not as great as the Prius, this efficiency was certainly a step up for us and the difference in fuel costs over a year between the C-Max and Prius was not worth the shortcomings we found in the Prius (particularly poor handling and uncomfortable seats). see full Ford C-MAX review

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	On the down side for fuel economy, cold weather does a number on the MPG as is reported with other hybrid. On short trips (4 miles or less) on a cold start in cold weather with the heater going, expect low 20s for your MPG. This is mitigated over longer trips once the engine has warmed up, but we still get 1-3 MPG under our usual in cold weather for longer trips. see full Ford C-MAX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The downside of the H6 is not great gas mileage, but for what you are getting, it is not bad. On the highway with cruise control have managed to get about 30 mpg. In a mix of city and highway it gets 23 mpg. In city only it gets 18 mpg. Again, for AWD not bad, but not great. Want better gas mileage, get the H4 engine. see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	With the CVT transmission, rpms stay low and there is no shifting saving on fuel. see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Great mileage for an AWD car see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	I average 43mpg in a little over half highway driving. I get 55mpg on the highway and about 35mpg in city driving. This is very impressive considering this car's performance. see full Subaru Legacy review
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Better than expected especially for a heavy AWD wagon. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	My driving styles provides better than stated fuel econcomy. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	31 hwy, 22 city see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Good fuel management. 20-23 Mpg city / 25-29 highway. see full Subaru Legacy review

Subaru Legacy Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	A bit thirstier than I had hoped - but the AWD probably has a lot to do with that. see full Subaru Legacy review
2009	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The fuel economy with a 4 cylinder 170 hp engine is pretty disappointing at 22-23 mpg. The AWD system is responsible for some of the loss but I also drive an AWD Acura TL SH-AWD with a 6 cylinder 305 hp engine that is only marginally worse at 18-19 mpg. see full Subaru Legacy review
2008	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I do not dislike the fuel econ, its AWD and I knew that going into the purchase, after you walk away from a totaled vehicle, safety becomes the prioroty over fuel econ. Have been able to get 32mpg out of both vehicles with smart driving see full Subaru Legacy review
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	heavier concumption due to awd and power see full Subaru Legacy review
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Room for improvement without driving below the speed limit. see full Subaru Legacy review
2006	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	With a 250 hp engine and AWD, I noticed fuel economy in the high teens to low 20s. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	poor gas mileage for its size. getting about 18 mpg average in mixed driving. the car also requires 91+ octane. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	AWD system is a plus, overall, but fuel economy suffers. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	In town gas mileage is about 20MPG. Highway can be as high as 28MPG but that is rare. see full Subaru Legacy review
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Only get around 23mpg on average see full Subaru Legacy review