Our 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid carried a base price of $28,200. But we'll wait to find out.ДЇor comparison purposes, our 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon, rated at 42 mpg combined, returned 40.0 mpg over a fairly hilly test route that included hauling lots of cargo. Until then, however, we remain somewhat skeptical that the C-Max will deliver mixed real-world mileage much above 42 mpg. We've requested another C-Max for a longer road test, and will spend some time running in city and suburban uses.ДЄt speeds of 50 mph or below, the C-Max Hybrid uses its electric motor and can rack up those electric miles-which should improve gas mileage significantly.

We didn't get close to that number, registering in a range of 37 to 39 mpg. That number is close enough to its EPA rating that we're not worried.Д«ut the C-Max also gets a 47-mpg highway rating, for a combined number of-yes-47 mpg.

We noted on that drive that over 20 miles of largely urban stop-and-go traffic, the C-Max returned about 44 mpg. These results lead us to echo our comment from that first C-Max Hybrid drive: 'We have some questions about whether it will live up to its EPA ratings as reliably as the Prius does.' Some other readings: Its lifetime efficiency to date over a total of 3,200 miles was 33.4 mpg.ДЄnd over two previous trips, it had attained 34.7 mpg (over 607 miles) and 32.5 mpg (over 1,173 miles). That included 44 miles on electricity alone, according to the car's display. This time, we averaged 39.9 mpg, just a hair short of the 40-mpg level that is likely to impress friends and car shoppers. Instead, we only covered 238 miles-the bulk of it at 75-mph freeway speeds. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we couldn't do our usual 360-mile test route on Ford's newest compact five-door hatchback.

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