Ford C-MAX vs. Volvo V50 MPG

Chart is based on 179 fuel economy reports for the Ford C-MAX and 34 fuel economy reports for the Volvo V50.

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

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	MPG
2010	4dr Wagon 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	hills	light	light	50	40	5	5	100	31.8
2008	4dr Wagon turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	none	9	1	80	10	80	23.4
2007	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	none	0	60	5	35	65	22.1
2007	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	19	11	20	50	76	27.3
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	10	12	28	50	67	22.4
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	3	3	90	5	75	24.2
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 109hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	mtns	light	light	20	20	30	30	110	42.0
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2006	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	15	23	40	23	68	23.7
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	25	16	27	32	78	32.1
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD	hills	med	light	35	35	15	15	110	25.3
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	16	31	10	44	77	23.6
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	lead	hvy	13	17	18	52	73	24.3

This page shows only averages. See all the Volvo V50 fuel economy data.

See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks

See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models and Volvo models.

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

Volvo V50 Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Great fuel economy for a 5 cylinder wagon. see full Volvo V50 review
2006	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	getting 25 around town and 32 hwy see full Volvo V50 review
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD	25-30 mpg is DOUBLE what my previous Jeep was getting. see full Volvo V50 review
2006	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	30 plus mpg h/w at 65-70 mph for hours on end. see full Volvo V50 review
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual FWD	30+ on the highway makes this a real touring car. City mileage plummets but typically get 27+ combined. The Turbo gives it lots of acceleration when needed and frugal when you leave the turbo alone. see full Volvo V50 review

Volvo V50 Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Really not that great but part of that is I LOVE to kick in the turbo when getting on the interstate or pulling out from a stop sign. see full Volvo V50 review
2006	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Keeping those five cyclinders fed burns fuel. On the highway, that's not a problem, but in stop and go traffic, MPG numbers go down and down. see full Volvo V50 review