Ford C-MAX vs. Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel Economy (km/L)

Chart is based on 179 fuel economy reports for the Ford C-MAX and 16 fuel economy reports for the Chevrolet Cavalier.

Ford C-MAX km/L

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	km/L
2017	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	53	47	69	81.8
2015	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	24	37	21	19	66	101.8
2014	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	20	30	50	65	169.8
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	17	21	42	21	70	148.2
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	1	18	35	46	63	101.4

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

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	km/L
2004	4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	mtns	med	light	34	6	3	57	80	66.5
2004	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	0	15	0	85	70	77.8
2003	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	0	0	28	72	74	61.1
2003	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	hills	light	none	0	0	30	70	60	72.4
2002	4dr Sedan 115-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	hills	med	hvy	10	20	20	50	80	69.7
2002	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	med	none	10	10	30	50	60	56.8
2002	2dr Coupe 115-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	7	13	46	35	70	57.3
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2001	4dr Sedan 115-horsepower 2.2L I4 3-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	0	100	65	56.1
2001	2dr Coupe 150-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	18	47	12	24	60	65.4
2001	2dr Coupe 115-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	0	10	5	85	60	74.7

This page shows only averages. See all the Chevrolet Cavalier fuel economy data.

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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

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

Chevrolet Cavalier Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2004	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	you can get over 35mpg on the highway if you drive moderately see full Chevrolet Cavalier review
2002	4dr Sedan 115-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I bought this car flat for $2000 off an elderly lady, and I can already say, I've paid this cars way through gas mileage savings easily compared to my previous truck. see full Chevrolet Cavalier review

Chevrolet Cavalier Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2002	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	Bottom of class. see full Chevrolet Cavalier review