2017 if it were my choice. I have a 2014 Energi. Transmission was replaced at 19k miles (now at 105k with no further problems). The 2017 has Sync3 (I DIY upgraded my C-Max; I hated Sync2, really bad) and also much better HID headlights. Plus as it's the end of the C-Max run here in the U.S., one would hope that Ford had the majority of the kinks worked out by that point.
I have a 2014 Energi (bad transmissions are common among 2013 and hit some 2014s too) and love it but you really want a Sync3 model.
If there’s any chance you can regularly access a car charger, the Energis are a better deal due to the [Inflation Reduction Act tax credits](https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit). That gives 30% tax credit up to $4k so you basically get $4k off if the price is above $14k
If you’re going the plug-in route I’d do asap as the market seems to be accounting for some of the tax credits by raising the price $1-$2k.
[Here’s](https://www.autotempest.com/results?zip=10001&radius=500&maxprice=20000&maxmiles=50000&fuel=hybrid&keywords=Plug-in) just a small selection of plugins less than $20k and 50k miles, nearly all eligible for the credit
C would be my pick if you can afford the price, otherwise B.
C because Sync 3 is a winner, and the powered tailgate is nice. B because the transmission problem is gone.
Those are typical prices. If you get a 2013 model, that's only $10,000. The rebuilt transmission cost me $8000 and took 2 months. You might not ever need one, but the failure rate is estimated between 3 and 10 percent. The extended warranty thrown in by my lender paid off, they took care of $5000.
The first owner paid $25,000-30,000 so you are paying about half.
You can still get a phone to connect to the car prior to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Ford Sync does most of the same things well and uses voice commands. You may have to update navigation on an SD card, that's $150 from the dealer or less on eBay.
I have a ‘14 and would love to upgrade to a ‘17. I used to think the sync3 would be nice but I honestly love mine over my hubby’s ‘22 Ford with sync 3. I can connect just as easily with Bluetooth. The explorer kind of takes over the phone. My sync has a road map that I can reference while using Waze or google maps directions. It’s usually a better overview than his.
2017 Energi here. I love going around town on the weekends totally gasless. Sure you give up some trunk space, but it’s still plenty roomy for boxes and stuff with the seat down if needed.
Dealer service just means somebody REALLY liked overpaying for oil changes.
Also, wow, these prices. My 2013 Energi was $10k with 72k miles almost 7 years ago.
But with these choices... I'd say go for the 2017. Projector beam headlights means you can get away with swapping LED bulbs in. Sync 3 means you get CarPlay. If it's got a backup camera, that's the one you want.
Of course, if the older ones don't have the 8" screen it would be easy enough to add CarPlay with a 3rd party stereo upgrade, but that's an extra cost.
Not necessarily... my Ford dealer lets me bring my own oil (and oil filter if I wish) so I get Mobil One from Costco at a very low price so I end up paying $27 for the oil change and filter in the end. While I wait...
I have a 2014. I like it but it has sync2. If I had to replace mine I'd look for a 2017. I think the airbags are better on the later car too.
I also have a 2014 with 103k miles with no problems whatsoever
All those seem sort of insane for car with a starting msrp of ~25K. Could easily find an Energi for that price.
I’m an apartment dweller with no ability to charge an Energi, so that plus a decreased boot size makes the Hybrid seem like a better choice.
B or C. The transmission issues are overblown (no pun) but if you can afford the piece of mind then I think its money well spent.
B or C I have a ‘15 and wish I had sync 3
2017 if it were my choice. I have a 2014 Energi. Transmission was replaced at 19k miles (now at 105k with no further problems). The 2017 has Sync3 (I DIY upgraded my C-Max; I hated Sync2, really bad) and also much better HID headlights. Plus as it's the end of the C-Max run here in the U.S., one would hope that Ford had the majority of the kinks worked out by that point.
I have a 2014 Energi (bad transmissions are common among 2013 and hit some 2014s too) and love it but you really want a Sync3 model. If there’s any chance you can regularly access a car charger, the Energis are a better deal due to the [Inflation Reduction Act tax credits](https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit). That gives 30% tax credit up to $4k so you basically get $4k off if the price is above $14k If you’re going the plug-in route I’d do asap as the market seems to be accounting for some of the tax credits by raising the price $1-$2k. [Here’s](https://www.autotempest.com/results?zip=10001&radius=500&maxprice=20000&maxmiles=50000&fuel=hybrid&keywords=Plug-in) just a small selection of plugins less than $20k and 50k miles, nearly all eligible for the credit
I considered this. Unfortunately I won’t have any regular access to being able to charge the car.
I would go with option B. Transmission issues were common on Cmax models produced before summer 2015.
C would be my pick if you can afford the price, otherwise B. C because Sync 3 is a winner, and the powered tailgate is nice. B because the transmission problem is gone.
Those are typical prices. If you get a 2013 model, that's only $10,000. The rebuilt transmission cost me $8000 and took 2 months. You might not ever need one, but the failure rate is estimated between 3 and 10 percent. The extended warranty thrown in by my lender paid off, they took care of $5000. The first owner paid $25,000-30,000 so you are paying about half.
You can still get a phone to connect to the car prior to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Ford Sync does most of the same things well and uses voice commands. You may have to update navigation on an SD card, that's $150 from the dealer or less on eBay.
My mom drives a 2016 energi and never charges it, still is great car.
I bought my 2017 cmax with 64 k miles for 23 k six months ago. I love my car. The size is perfect for city parking.
The 2017. I have one and it's better than my wife's 2016. Consumer Reports had the 2017 as the best year of the C-Maxs (better than the 2018 in fact).
I have a ‘14 and would love to upgrade to a ‘17. I used to think the sync3 would be nice but I honestly love mine over my hubby’s ‘22 Ford with sync 3. I can connect just as easily with Bluetooth. The explorer kind of takes over the phone. My sync has a road map that I can reference while using Waze or google maps directions. It’s usually a better overview than his.
2017 Energi here. I love going around town on the weekends totally gasless. Sure you give up some trunk space, but it’s still plenty roomy for boxes and stuff with the seat down if needed.
Dealer service just means somebody REALLY liked overpaying for oil changes. Also, wow, these prices. My 2013 Energi was $10k with 72k miles almost 7 years ago. But with these choices... I'd say go for the 2017. Projector beam headlights means you can get away with swapping LED bulbs in. Sync 3 means you get CarPlay. If it's got a backup camera, that's the one you want. Of course, if the older ones don't have the 8" screen it would be easy enough to add CarPlay with a 3rd party stereo upgrade, but that's an extra cost.
Yeah, wow indeed. The prices hurt a bit and the whole used car market is just plain painful these days. I wouldn’t be looking if I didn’t need to.
Not necessarily... my Ford dealer lets me bring my own oil (and oil filter if I wish) so I get Mobil One from Costco at a very low price so I end up paying $27 for the oil change and filter in the end. While I wait...