North Georgia Ford Compares 2014 Ford C-MAX Hybrid VS 2014 Lexus CT200h Near Calhoun, GA

The C-MAX Hybrid offers optional Reverse Sensing System to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The CT200h doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The C-MAX Hybrid’s blind spot mirrors use wide-angle convex mirrors mounted in the corner of each side view mirror to reveal objects that may be in the driver’s blind spots. The CT200h doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the C-MAX Hybrid and the CT200h have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid weighs 477 pounds more than the Lexus CT200h. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Lighter cars are also affected more by crosswinds.

There are almost 20 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C-MAX Hybrid’s warranty.

The C-MAX Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (188 vs. 134) than the CT200h’s 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford C-MAX Hybrid is faster than the Lexus CT200h:

The C-MAX Hybrid has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CT200h (13.5 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The C-MAX Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CT200h doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the C-MAX Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CT200h:

For better traction, the C-MAX Hybrid has larger tires than the CT200h (225/55R17 vs. 215/45R17).

The C-MAX Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CT200h’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The C-MAX Hybrid’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The CT200h doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C-MAX Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the CT200h (104.3 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The C-MAX Hybrid has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT200h (99.7 vs. 86.1).

The C-MAX Hybrid has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT200h.

The C-MAX Hybrid has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the CT200h (24.5 vs. 14.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the C-MAX Hybrid offers an optional power rear liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the C-MAX Hybrid SEL, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CT200h doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The power windows standard on both the C-MAX Hybrid and the CT200h have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the C-MAX Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CT200h prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The C-MAX Hybrid’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The CT200h’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

The C-MAX Hybrid has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The CT200h doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the C-MAX Hybrid and the CT200h offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the C-MAX Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CT200h doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The C-MAX Hybrid has a 115 volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters which can break or get misplaced. The CT200h doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The C-MAX Hybrid SEL’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CT200h doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the C-MAX Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the C-MAX Hybrid will cost $770 to $1725 less than the CT200h over a five-year period.

The C-MAX Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the C-MAX Hybrid will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the CT200h.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the C-MAX Hybrid is less expensive to operate than the CT200h because typical repairs cost much less on the C-MAX Hybrid than the CT200h, including $317 less for an alternator, $148 less for fuel injection, $187 less for a fuel pump, $70 less for front struts, $749 less for a timing belt/chain and $1319 less for a power steering pump.

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid won two awards in Kiplinger’s 2013 car issue. The Lexus CT200h only won one award.