Ford's new hybrid gets 47 mpg, it will fit all your stuff and, believe it or not, it's a kick to drive.
The C-Max's sole direct competitor is the Prius V, a car I despised for its utter soullessness. With its boring, disconnected driving quality, strained engine sounds and wobbly cornering, the Prius V is a car for those who are afraid they might feel guilty if they actually enjoyed driving a car.
The C-Max, on other hand, shows that, yes, it can be done. You can have a very practical hybrid car that lets you smile behind the wheel.
Oh, and there will be a plug-in version coming soon that will let you go even farther on a tank of gas, but at a higher price, of course. For now, the standard hybrid version is a remarkable enough achievement.