The Ford C-Max was discontinued years ago, but the small, economical model still continues to garner its fair share of critical acclaim in the used vehicle market. In recent months, Consumer Reports has declared the Ford C-Max to be one of the best used vehicles that cost between $10,000 and $15,000, one of the most satisfying five-year-old hybrids, one of the best used hybrids under $15k, and one of the best used cars for teens, which was also true of the Ford Fusion. Now, the Ford C-Max has once again made that same list as it continues to offer quite a bit of value for that particular age group.
Purchasing a vehicle for a teen is a bit more difficult than experienced adults since most parents must balance both cost and safety when making that decision, particularly since teens are, on average, the riskiest drivers on the road and experience crash rates far higher than other age groups. That’s precisely why Consumer Reports teams up with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to come up with a list of vehicles that are reliable, safe, and affordable.
In that regard, the 2014-2016 Ford C-Max made the cut thanks in part to its average list price of $10,000. To make this list, vehicles must also have above-average reliability scores on CR‘s member surveys, average or better scores on emergency handling tests, have dry braking distances of less than 145 feet from 60 miles-per-hour, good or acceptable ratings in four IIHS crashworthiness tests – moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints – and either four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if the vehicle has received a rating. Additionally, CR takes insurance costs into account, and these vehicles must also be widely available for less than $20,000 on the used vehicle market.
“In compiling these lists, we found that some of the same models that were on last year’s lists are no less expensive and some are actually more expensive now, even though they’re a year older, due to the tumultuous market,” said Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center. “As the same amount of money may not be going as far, it’s even more important to make it a safe and reliable choice.”
We’ll have more automotive insights like these to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for Ford C-Max news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Headline should read, “Great car is discontinued.” I own a C max for 10+ years and I know.
I am not a Ford guy, yet, one of the most agreeable little cars I ever drove was a Ford C-Max diesel I rented in Spain. Plenty of power, a transmission that shifted like a hot knife through butter, decent ride, and fun to drive.
The radio is something I never quite figured out, but, fortunately one of the buttons was set to a classical station, so, I was all set.