2018 Ford C-Max

Pros: Nicely finished interior; outstanding headroom; easy entry/exit and good visibility thanks to elevated seating position; surprisingly sporty, nimble handling

Cons: Large turning radius for the size; real-world mpg doesn’t match Toyota Prius; hybrid battery pack cuts into rear cargo space; non-linear brake-pedal feel

CG Says: The 2018 Ford C-Max drops its Energi plug-in version. This small-for-the-class midsize car offers better-than-average passenger room because of its “tall-wagon” body style. The C-Max is a conventional hybrid with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas/electric powertrain that puts out 188 horsepower in total. C-Max is front-wheel drive and has a continuously variable transmission. Available features include active park assist, fixed panoramic sunroof, keyless access and starting, and remote engine start. The C-Max is aimed squarely at Toyota’s wildly successful Prius family, and it comes closer than many other hybrids to hitting the mark. Part of its appeal stems from the fact it offers a usefully cubic cargo area along with some neat features such as Ford’s hands-free power tailgate, all at Prius-competitive prices.