The missus walked into the house, looked at me and forcefully proclaimed that we are never going to own an electric vehicle. It had nothing to do with price, range anxiety, lack of infrastructure or any of the usual factors cited by hesitant consumers. No, it was because the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) crossover I was testing, was occupying her spot in the driveway, the one right in front of the garage door. Which meant she had to back her Mazda onto the parking pad, something she dislikes doing at the best of times because of a visual impairment. But with the previous week’s two snowstorms — dumping almost 60 centimetres of the white stuff that created huge snow piles and narrowed our driveway entrance — she struggled with maneuvering her crossover onto the pad.
The reason for the Mercedes occupying her coveted spot was simple. I needed access to the garage’s wall socket to plug in the charger. Magnanimously, or so I thought, was that she could put the Mazda at the bottom of the driveway, and I would then come out and park it on the pad. She made it known it was the least I could do.
Curiosity made the compromise worth it; I remain intrigued by the proclaimed efficiency of PHEVs, this as sales of pure electric vehicles have hit the skids, if current reports are accurate. At face value, the return of the 350e 4Matic to Mercedes’ line of popular-selling five-seat crossovers could be the right product for the time. Whether it is or not (and with the current political clime, all bets are off), the fact it offers up to 87 kilometres of all-electric range is certainly laudable, Mercedes stating the 350e “sets the benchmark in its class, providing the optimum balance of electric efficiency and extended range for longer journeys.”
The new addition is being offered in three trims — Standard ($64,900), Exclusive ($68,700) and Pinnacle ($72,400) — each, says Mercedes, providing “a variety of comfort features and advanced technologies.” Standard equipment across the line includes a self-leveling suspension, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Keyless-Go and Keyless-Start, a centre airbag between the front seats, and the new third-generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. The tester was the top-level Pinnacle trim, with added content such as the stylish AMG Line package pushing up the sticker to $81,250, making it price comparable with such rival PHEVs as the Audi Q5 TFSI e, Volvo XC60 T8 Hybrid, Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring and Lexus NX 450h+ or RX 350h.
What powers the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4Matic?
- 2.0-litre turbo-four paired with an electric motor and a 23.3-kWh battery; total system output is 313 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque
The 350e follows a fairly straightforward PHEV formula, the crossover powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-four paired with an electric motor and a 23.3-kWh battery. The engine churns out 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor chips in 134 hp and a robust 325 lb-ft; total system output is 313 hp and 406 lb-ft. As long as it has the engine/motor combo to exploit, the Mercedes moves out quite smartly. No, not AMG-like acceleration, but usable urge, such as when merging onto highways, impressive considering the crossover’s hefty 2,510 kg (5,534 lb) avoirdupois. Mercedes says the 350e will hit 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, certainly an acceptable showing.
However, when I first picked up the GLC, it was showing zero charge, meaning I was relying on the gas engine alone. While not exactly a slug, the loss of 112 hp obviously has an adverse effect on performance. And the 350e’s weight — about 320 kg (approximately 700 pounds) heavier than the gas-only GLC 300 — combined with slightly spongy brakes and snowy roads, meant making sure I kept an adequate distance from the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Fuel Efficiency
- 2025 Mercedes GLC 350e is rated by NRCan at 9.2 L/100 km in combined driving, 10.2 city, 8.5 highway
- Together, the gas and battery systems will average 3.7 Le/100 km
The 2025 Mercedes GLC 350e is rated by NRCan at 10.2 L/100 in the city, 8.5 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.2 in combined driving. Together, the gas and battery systems will average 3.7 Le/100 km. This will result in an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,715, even with the engine requiring pricier 91 octane. The 350e is fitted with paddle shifters that can increase regeneration when lifting off the gas pedal, but not to the extent of one-pedal driving.
It should take five or six hours to completely charge with a Level 2 charger. However, with its optional 60-kW onboard charger, the GLC 350e, says Mercedes, can achieve a full charge in about 30 minutes when using a Level 3 charger. On household current, which is to say my garage’s wall plug, it takes at least a full day to reach maximum electric range from zero.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e’s cabin
Maybe Mercedes-Benz still offers a traditional luxury interior design in some of its models; the highly polished zebrano wood and deep black leather. The five-seat GLC 350e tester’s cabin vibe was anything but, being light and airy, with design elements giving off a very techy, futuristic vibe. In standard spec, the upper section of the GLC’s dash has a wing-like profile with flattened round nozzles reminiscent of the engine nacelles of an aircraft. The lower section flows into the curved centre console, which houses an 11.9-inch tablet-form central display. Like the dashboard, the screen surface is slightly angled towards the driver. Typical of Mercedes, seat adjustment controls and heat settings are integrated into the door. As for controlling the HVAC system, there are no physical buttons; one must use the infotainment system. Audio volume can be controlled by a slider on the steering wheel.
The $3,900 AMG Line package is mostly about sportifying the exterior, but the AMG Line Interior adds deeply contoured sport front seats, brushed-metal pedals with rubber studs, and a thick, flat-bottom sport steering wheel. Carpeted floor mats feature AMG logos. Between it and the Pinnacle trim, items such as a navigation system, Parking Package with surround-view 360 camera, ambient lighting, head-up display, illuminated door sills, a computer-controlled high-def headlight system called Digital Light, and killer Burmester 3D surround-sound audio system are all part of the deal.
With a length 4,716 mm (185.7 in), the 350e could be considered either a large compact or a smaller mid-sized crossover. While there are tons of legroom for front-seat occupants, rear-seat rider comfort very much depends on who’s up front. For instance, my 5-foot-7 daughter had plenty of room behind my not quite 5-foot-tall wife, not so much behind me, 6-foot-1 and rather leggy.
As for the 350e’s cargo area, there is a slight elevation in the cargo floor due to battery placement that slightly reduces storage space in comparison to the GLC 300. There’s 470 litres (16.6 cu. ft.) of cargo room behind the split/folding rear seats. If more capacity is required, the rear seat backrests fold, offering 1,530 litres (54 cu. ft.) for larger items.
What is the GLC 350e like to drive?
The last plug-in hybrid I drove, Volvo’s XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid Ultra, had a net system output of 455 hp, which gave the rig significant zip when maximum thrust was called for. The GLC 350e’s lesser 313 hp output (but greater electric range), clearly doesn’t offer the same urge, but as I said earlier, it still moves out smartly, and with the same quietude one expects from a PHEV.
I attempted to optimize the GLC 350e’s efficiency a couple of times by selecting the Hybrid drive program; this prioritizing electric power for what Mercedes calls the “most appropriate driving situations.” It was a little strange to see the tachometer drop to zero as the engine shut down, this on a highway run; equally so to see the range indicator actually improve, albeit ever so slightly.
Handling is good; there’s decent weight to the steering and the crossover turns with confidence, although weight transfer is noticeable if you try to push it through a corner too quickly. Most PHEVs in the GLC’s snack bracket have some form of self-levelling rear air suspension, as does the 350e. Its ride is comfortable enough, given our winter-ravaged streets, but don’t expect a pillow-like outing; there’s going to be some jostling when encountering the frequent tarmac irregularities.
Final Thoughts
Whether you consider crossovers attractive or not, the GLC 350e is certainly stylish, aided by both the tester’s very bright, very distinctive Spectral Blue Metallic paint job (a $950 option) and the AMG Line package, notably the 20-inch multi-spoke wheels. Beyond that, the main advantage the 350e has over its competition is significantly better electric driving range, by some 20 to 30 kilometres. However, the reality is that, in winter at least, cranking up things like seat and steering wheel heaters, and using the windshield and rear window defrost, can deplete range rather quickly. Still, for most daily commutes or shorter road trips, one could make filling the gas tank a rare occasion.
Safety-wise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States gave the 2024 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t tested a GLC since the 2022 model, when it received a 5-star rating for overall crashworthiness.
Not particularly sporting — though Mercedes makes no claim that it is — the GLC 350e impresses more with a quiet, unruffled demeanour to go with its upscale amenities. The ability to run on battery power for a longer distance than the competition is a plus, while also reducing the overall reputation of larger SUVs as gas hogs. Ultimately, I continue to believe PHEVs, while not the ultimate solution to shrinking the dependence on fossil fuel, at least move the needle in the right direction. And the 350e helps do this with more than a modicum of style.
Pros
✔ Better EV range than the competition
✔ Good handling dynamics
✔ Comfortable and quiet
Cons
✘ Brake feel could be better
✘ Too many cabin functions rely on touchscreen
✘ Pricey when optioned out
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.