Ford C-Max MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 104 other Hybrid cars rated 2016–2018, the C-Max beats their 34.2 mpg average by 5.8 mpg, about $163 a year.

Every Ford C-Max engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Ford C-Max gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
2L 4-cyl Hybrid	39.5	41.5 / 36.8	2013–2018	$972
2L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid	38.2	40.2 / 36.4	2013–2017	$1,005

ROWS 2·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

Against its rivals in the same model years, the Chrysler 300 gets 21 mpg, the Hyundai Sonata 37.3 mpg and the Chevrolet Impala 23.5 mpg, next to 40 mpg for the 2018 C-Max. The C-Max is the cheapest of them to run: $869 a year less than the Chrysler 300.

FIG.02·Ford C-Max fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2018)	$0.080
Fuel per year	$960
Fuel over five years	$4,800
Against other Hybrid cars, 2016–2018	−$163 a year
EPA's own estimate	$1,605 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2018 Ford C-Max does better in town than out of it: 42 in the city against 38 on the highway, $97 a year in favor of city driving.

FIG.03·Ford C-Max city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2018)	42 mpg	$914 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	38 mpg	$1,011 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	-4 mpg (-10%)	Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the C-Max changed over the years

The C-Max peaked in 2018 at 40 mpg (42 city, 38 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2016 at 38.5 — 1.5 mpg apart, or $37 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.

FIG.04·Ford C-Max gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2018	40	42 / 38	1	$960
2017	39.5	41.5 / 38	2	$972
2016	38.5	40.5 / 36	2	$997
2015	38.5	40.5 / 36	2	$997
2014	38.5	40.5 / 36	2	$997
2013	39	41 / 36.5	2	$985

ROWS 6·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Ford C-Max — 2 engines across 2013–2018. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,605. Full method.

Everything on the Ford C-Max

Recalls29 campaigns Reliability3.5/5 Common problems20 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space24 cu ft Used prices536 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2013–2018

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 2018 Ford C-Max get?

40 mpg combined, 42 city and 38 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2013 the C-Max has averaged 38.9 mpg.

Is the 2018 C-Max more efficient than the 2017?

About the same: 40 against 39.5 mpg combined.

Which C-Max year has the best gas mileage?

The 2018, at 40 mpg combined (42 city, 38 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.

Does the C-Max get better gas mileage than the Chrysler 300?

Yes: 40 mpg for the 2018 C-Max against 21 for the 2019 Chrysler 300, about $869 a year less to run.

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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