2016 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Hyundai Sonata 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,122/ year to fuel
88 MPGe + 38 MPG

FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · CVT · 88 MPGe + 38 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,134/ year to fuel
41 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid (88 MPGe + 38 MPG) costs about $1,122 a year to fuel and the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (41 MPG) about $1,134.

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 Hybrid

Side by side

Ford C-MAX Plug-in HybridHyundai Sonata Hybrid
$1,122 Your annual fuel cost $1,134
88 MPGe + 38 MPG Combined efficiency 41 MPG
95 MPGe / 40 MPG City 39 MPG
81 MPGe / 36 MPG Highway 42 MPG
37 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) —
550 mi Driving range —
20 mi All-electric range —
100 cu ft Passenger volume 106 cu ft
19 cu ft Cargo volume 13 cu ft
129 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 221 g/mi
10/10 EPA fuel economy score 9/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 9/10
2.5 hrs Charge time at 240V —
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Hybrid
Regular gas + electricity Fuel Regular gasoline
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 Hybrid across model years

  • Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
  • Hyundai Sonata 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 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has more passenger space (106 vs. 100 cu ft); the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (19 vs. 13 cu ft).

Among 67 2016 midsize cars, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid ranks 7th and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 8th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a full hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid or the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is rated 88 MPGe + 38 MPG combined and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 41 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 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 $1,134 for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Which has more cargo space?

The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in other years

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