2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Ford C-MAX 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 · 1.8L 4-cyl · CVT · 46 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · CVT · 95 MPGe + 39 MPG
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $1,011 a year to fuel (46 MPG), versus $1,078 for the 2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid (95 MPGe + 39 MPG). That's roughly $67 a year, or about $337 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
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,011 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,078 |
| 46 MPG | Combined efficiency | 95 MPGe + 39 MPG |
| 49 MPG | City | 104 MPGe / 41 MPG |
| 43 MPG | Highway | 87 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 35 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 570 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 20 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 100 cu ft |
| 16 cu ft | Cargo volume | 19 cu ft |
| 194 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 122 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.5 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| 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.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Ford C-MAX 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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (19 vs. 16 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ranks 9th and the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid 12th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid or the 2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is rated 46 MPG combined and the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid 95 MPGe + 39 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,011 for the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and $1,078 for the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 16 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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