When searching for a new car, a simple test drive was not enough for Christian Tarragon. The Greenfield Park, Que., husband and father of two made sure to thoroughly research each possible candidate.

Christian had his eye on the brand-new C-MAX Energi but made sure to shop around and compare the plug-in hybrid with its competition. When it came time to purchase – after two years of meticulous research – the C-MAX stood atop his list, so he bought what turned out to be the very first C-MAX Energi in Quebec.

“I see myself as a trailblazer and someone who has the guts to jump on new products,” Christian said. “But I did my homework and I’m really confident with this buy.”

Maximum Efficiency

The C-MAX Energi is designed to deliver maximum efficiency by combining an advanced high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric motor with a gasoline engine. It also features an EV-only drive mode that you can manually select if you want to cruise around on battery power alone.

Christian says the range of the C-MAX Energi’s electric-only mode played a factor in his purchase. He notes that he can already foresee huge savings at the gas station.

“I came to the conclusion that the 35-kilometre electric range* was all that we needed,” he said. “For us, 35 kilometres is enough to get the children to daycare and run some errands.

“We’re going to be using the C-MAX electric motor about 90 per cent of the time.”

What He Loves About The C-MAX Energi

The C-MAX lineup is chock full of new technology that Christian found appealing.

For example, he was particularly impressed with the available foot-activated liftgate.** Being a father who is often carrying two children, this technology will obviously prove very handy for him.

“You get the impression that it’s a moving computer,” Christian said of the C-MAX Energi. “Lots of data, lots of information.”

He was also impressed with the vehicle’s large interior space and torque.

Have you been considering a plug-in hybrid? If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below.

Also, check out our blog posts about Electric Vehicle Etiquette and Hybrid Myths.

*Actual mileage results will vary.                                          

** Some driver input required. Requires having available Intelligent Access key on your person.