It’s now been 15 years for the reason that first plug-in hybrids began coming available on the market, and we’re lastly getting PHEVs with genuinely usable electrical ranges of greater than only a few miles. The PHEV with the longest EV vary you should buy proper now could be a bit shocking, partially as a result of it’s simply so… regular. Taking the crown with an EPA-rated electric-only vary of 54 miles is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e, the plug-in model of Benz’s best-selling compact crossover.
Spending per week with the GLC350e revealed it to be a incredible providing within the phase, and among the finest non-performance-oriented PHEVs available on the market. There may be one main downside, although: For nearly all the time I used to be in it, I wanted I used to be driving a completely electrical car as an alternative. That’s to not say the plug-in GLC received’t be an ideal answer for lots of people, however until you are taking full benefit of the powertrain, I believe a pure EV could be nicer.
Full disclosure: Mercedes-Benz delivered the GLC350e to the airport with a full tank of gasoline so I might drive it round Los Angeles for per week after coming residence from a visit.
Forming the premise of the GLC350e’s powertrain is similar turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 utilized by numerous different automobiles within the Mercedes lineup. Right here it makes 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque by itself, 54 hp and 59 lb-ft lower than within the GLC300 the place it’s paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The GLC350e provides on an electrical motor that places out 134 hp and 325 lb-ft for a complete system output of 313 hp and 406 lb-ft, which is extra torque than you get within the Mercedes-AMG GLC43. A battery pack beneath the cargo space has 23.3 kWh of usable capability to offer juice to the system.
Mercedes says the GLC350e will hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, the identical because the gas-only GLC300, however the on the spot torque punch of the electrical motor makes the PHEV extra pleasing round city. The GLC defaults to Electrical mode on start-up, and it’ll do as much as 87 mph on electrical energy alone, although even in EV mode in case you press the accelerator previous a sure level the gasoline engine will kick in (there’s a pleasant gauge within the digital cluster that reveals how shut you might be to hitting that time). In Hybrid mode the GLC prioritizes electrical operation as a lot as attainable — after touring 66 miles I had used up all the battery’s cost, with the automobile telling me that 85 p.c of my driving had been with simply electrical energy.
In Electrical and Hybrid modes the GLC350e affords regenerative braking with two depth ranges which are managed by the steering wheel paddles, the stronger of which received’t convey you to an entire cease however continues to be fairly useful in most conditions due to a most recuperation power of as much as 100 kW. Annoyingly, like on Mercedes’ absolutely electrical EQ automobiles, the brake pedal bodily strikes beneath regenerative deceleration, although solely by somewhat bit.
Totally deplete the battery and the GLC will nonetheless drive utilizing simply electrical energy at any time when attainable, often in brief bursts round city, and the engine usually cuts out when coasting. You possibly can cost up the battery by driving in Sport mode, by which the gasoline engine is all the time on, however it takes an especially very long time to even add a pair miles of vary this manner, and in Sport mode there’s no regenerative braking. The transition between EV energy and the engine turning on is extraordinarily easy, almost unnoticeable whether or not it’s kicking on at a stoplight or whereas cruising on the freeway. Sadly, the engine itself is fairly coarse and loud even at low revs, not matching up with the sereneness of the GLC’s electrical aspect.
Whereas the GLC350e’s electrical vary is spectacular, its total driving vary just isn’t. After I picked it up with a full tank of gasoline and a completely charged battery, the automobile’s show confirmed a complete vary of solely 250 miles; after utilizing up all the battery that estimate remained the identical, so my guess is real-world whole vary is someplace round 300 miles. (The GLC350e isn’t on the EPA web site but, so no official whole vary is given, however the nonhybrid GLC300 boasts an EPA vary of 452 miles.) When there are such a lot of absolutely electrical automobiles on the market with ranges simply exceeding 300 miles, together with inside Mercedes’ personal lineup, it could be a simple choice for me to go for an EV over this PHEV. Certain, for those who usually should go far past an EV’s vary and who don’t need to should cost whereas road-tripping, the GLC350e’s setup will probably be helpful. The GLC highlights why EVs are so a lot better to each day drive — they’re quieter, smoother, faster, calmer. When that turbo 4 kicks in, and when the battery is low on cost, you’re simply in a standard gas-powered crossover saddled with extra weight that often affords a glimmer of good electrical driving.
No less than the GLC350e’s battery could be fast-charged, which continues to be a novelty for plug-in hybrids. Utilizing a CCS plug the GLC could be juiced at as much as 60 kW, ok to completely recharge the battery in simply half-hour. That’s method higher than having to make use of a sluggish Degree 2 charger to refill a comparatively small PHEV battery, usually one in every of my largest annoyances with them. After all, you possibly can simply use a Degree 2 or wall outlet to cost, because the GLC comes with an AC adapter that may cost at as much as 11 kW. The GLC350e’s electrical vary being so lengthy means it’ll final no less than a couple of days’ value of standard driving for most individuals, and if it will get recharged each evening you’ll not often dip into the gasoline reserves. Once more, although, if that’s the case and also you aren’t often doing lengthy journeys, I’d a lot quite have a pure EV.
Powertrain apart, the GLC350e feels similar to every other GLC, which is to say it’s an especially good crossover. This technology of GLC appears to be like actually rattling good, notably with the $3,450 AMG Line look package deal that provides completely different bumper designs, sportier wheels and a grille stuffed with little Mercedes stars. The one indication that you just’re a plug-in hybrid is the cost port on the motive force’s aspect rear fender; there aren’t even any EQ badges or in another way coloured brake calipers like on another PHEV Benzes. Whereas it’s a fairly performed out shade at this level, I do suppose the Manufaktur Alpine Gray paint appears to be like very nice on the GLC, particularly later within the day when the gray absorbs quite a lot of heat from the setting solar.
The GLC’s inside is even higher, and my check automobile is a superb spec. Its $1,620 Sienna Brown leather-based appears to be like and feels good and is properly paired with the Steel Weave trim, and total the inside is best screwed-together than different new Benzes I’ve been in, with nary a squeak or flimsy piece of trim. For 2025 the GLC will get Mercedes’ up to date MBUX infotainment system that has simplified menus and graphics, and it stays one in every of my favourite methods on sale. It additionally has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however I a lot choose Mercedes’ native navigation and setup.
One other advantage of the GLC350e versus different GLCs is the addition of air suspension to the rear axle, which helps offset and take care of the burden added by placing the battery again there. It undoubtedly rides higher than the usual GLC, however it could be even nicer if Mercedes had added air springs to the entrance too, because the entrance finish can really feel overly crashy over bumps and tough pavement when the rear is smoother. A few of that roughness may very well be chalked as much as the $1,150 20-inch wheels, although they have been sporting Continental EcoContact 6Q tires with a great quantity of sidewall. Mercedes used to supply four-corner air suspension on the previous-gen GLC, and you’ll nonetheless get it on the present one in Europe. I additionally want the U.S.-spec GLC have been accessible with rear-wheel steering just like the European one is.
The GLC350e is on sale now with a beginning value of $61,050 together with vacation spot, $8,650 greater than an all-wheel-drive GLC300. That’s a no brainer improve to me given how a lot additional flexibility you get with the PHEV, particularly in case you’re capable of plug in at residence or at work. It’s additionally proper in keeping with its closest opponents, the Lexus NX PHEV ($62,415 with 37 miles of vary) and the Volvo XC60 PHEV ($59,345 with 36 miles of vary).
My check automobile was almost loaded, with options like a $1,500 panoramic sunroof, $450 ventilated entrance seats, $1,950 driver help package deal and the $4,150 Pinnacle trim that provides glorious ambient lighting, navigation, a 3D Burmester {surround} sound system, LED lights with projected animations, a head-up show, warmth and noise-insulated glass, a surround-view digicam system that may detect and accident and take photographs, and extra. All in, this GLC350e was $77,020, about two grand lower than the most cost effective EQE SUV (admittedly a bigger car). That could be lots for a four-cylinder compact crossover, however it feels definitely worth the scratch.
Fortunately, my needs are being answered. Mercedes is phasing out its EQ lineup, as an alternative specializing in popping out with electrical variations of present fashions that share the identical design language, and one of many first examples of that new philosophy would be the next-generation GLC that’s coming as quickly as subsequent 12 months. It is going to merely be a GLC that occurs to be electrical, with out driving on a compromised platform and with styling that’s not as off-putting. I believe it’s vital to have numerous selections on the market to get extra folks into electrified automobiles, and PHEVs are a giant a part of carrying out that, however for me, absolutely electrical is already the reply.
