2016 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf
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
The 2016 Nissan Leaf 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 $799 a year to fuel (114 MPGe), versus $1,122 for the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid (88 MPGe + 38 MPG). That's roughly $323 a year, or about $1,616 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
- Nissan Leaf
Side by side
| Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid | Nissan Leaf | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,122 | Your annual fuel cost | $799 |
| 88 MPGe + 38 MPG | Combined efficiency | 114 MPGe |
| 95 MPGe / 40 MPG | City | 126 MPGe |
| 81 MPGe / 36 MPG | Highway | 101 MPGe |
| 37 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 29.6 kWh |
| 550 mi | Driving range | 84 mi |
| 20 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 92 cu ft |
| 19 cu ft | Cargo volume | 24 cu ft |
| 129 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 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 | 8 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (80 kW) |
| CVT | Transmission | Single-speed |
| 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 Nissan Leaf across model years
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
- Nissan Leaf
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 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 550 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 84 miles for the Nissan Leaf.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (100 vs. 92 cu ft); the Nissan Leaf has more cargo space (24 vs. 19 cu ft).
Among 67 2016 midsize cars, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid ranks 7th and the Nissan Leaf 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Nissan Leaf is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid or the 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Leaf. The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is rated 88 MPGe + 38 MPG combined and the Nissan Leaf 114 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Nissan Leaf 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 $799 for the Nissan Leaf.
Which has more range?
The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid: about 550 miles versus 84 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Leaf, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 19 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf in other years
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