Oh, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz
The Mercedes-Benz GLC meets the moment with an extra dosage of fuel frugality in the form of the new GLC350e. Ben Selby takes it for a drive.
The ‘e’ part of the equation refers to the addition of plug-in-hybrid technology. The GLC350e is capable of 132km (NEDC) on battery power alone and an 11kW AC charger will replenish the battery in around two hours in an optimal setting, though choose the optional DC charging package, the power limit increases to 60kW and will give you up to 80 per cent from empty in 20 minutes.
A 2.0L four cylinder petrol engine with a 25.4kWh battery pack and electric motor sends a combined 230kW and 550Nm of torque to all four wheels.
On startup it defaults to electric only mode and will remain there if you switch up to Hybrid settings around town. To wake up the petrol engine you can either select Sport or Battery Hold, the latter holds all available charge while the ICE unit recharges the battery. The GLC350e also responds well to a heavy boot, reaching 100km/h from a standstill in 6.7 seconds while still feeling solid, planted and generally well sorted underneath.
The ride is comfortable and the outside world is drowned out thanks to good levels of sound deadening and insulation. In electric silent running, you’re in an atmosphere of chapel like quiet. Until the climax of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony makes itself known through the speakers that is.
Inside and out, it’s still a nice-looking design: plenty of leather, piano black trim, touch buttons and a portrait MBUX infotainment system dominating the centre console. The optional Sport Package adds some AMG X-factor such as larger brake discs housed by 20-inch alloys. Throw in the Night Package on top of this and you have high-gloss black accents, and those 20-inch alloys are also blacked out.
The heated Nappa leather seats are supportive and comfortable, though I found you sort of look down upon the digital instrument cluster ahead of you. It’s still a great set up, offering sharp graphics and a concise readout.
At 470L, luggage capacity has been compromised thanks to the inclusion of the hybrid battery but loading and unloading is easy enough.
Apple CarPlay/Android auto connectivity comes as standard, as well as wireless phone charging, digital radio, fingerprint scanner, a host of active and passive safety features and what seems like almost limitless interior ambient lighting options.
If you see the best of both worlds as a balance of plug-in electric and internal combustion motoring while experiencing high levels of refinement and practicality, you may want to check this one out.
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FACT FILE
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e
Price: $115,900 (driveaway)
Engine: 2.0L Four-Cylinder Petrol
Transmission: 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic
Power: 230kW (combined)
Torque: 550Nm (combined)
Fuel Consumption: 1.2L/100km (combined)
Electric Only Range: 132km (NEDC)
Fuel Tank: 62L
Boot Space: 470L
Alloys: 20-inch
