2016 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · CVT · 88 MPGe + 38 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 99 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,027 a year to fuel (99 MPGe + 40 MPG), versus $1,122 for the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid (88 MPGe + 38 MPG). That's roughly $96 a year, or about $479 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid | Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,122 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,027 |
| 88 MPGe + 38 MPG | Combined efficiency | 99 MPGe + 40 MPG |
| 95 MPGe / 40 MPG | City | 99 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| 81 MPGe / 36 MPG | Highway | 98 MPGe / 41 MPG |
| 37 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 34 kWh |
| 550 mi | Driving range | 600 mi |
| 20 mi | All-electric range | 27 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 106 cu ft |
| 19 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 129 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 101 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 600 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 550 miles for the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (106 vs. 100 cu ft); the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (19 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 67 2016 midsize cars, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid ranks 7th and the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid 4th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid or the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is rated 88 MPGe + 38 MPG combined and the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid 99 MPGe + 40 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,122 for the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid and $1,027 for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid: about 600 miles versus 550 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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