Mercedes GLC 300 de Hybrid | Review

Handling...%
Performance...%
Usability...%
Pricing...%
Running Costs...%

The GLC is Benz’s medium-sized five-seat family SUV that takes on the likes of the BMW X3 and Audi’s Q5. You get up to 44 kilometres of emissions-free driving in the 300 de Hybrid between charges based on the European WLTP rating. During real world testing, we got close to that, especially when cruising along at a steady speed.

Special mention : More space. MBUX infotainment is excellent. Charging point is at the rear which means you can reverse into your parking spot. Some prefer analogue dials over digital screens, still a good mix of analogue and digital. Engine is perfect for motorway cruising and powerful for overtaking maneuvers.

Needs work : Wind noise on motorways due to height. Some boot space is lost for the PHEV battery. Keyless start and Keyless entry are two separate things.

Specs: As tested

Max Power 300 BHPDiesel / Hybrid Auto
0-100 km/h in 6.2 secondsRoad Tax €140

Price: €62,300

As spec’d :€62,843
Boot 550 / 1650 litres

Once the battery is exhausted, plug it in and you’ll have a full charge around seven hours later via a power socket or two hours using a wall box or AC public charging station.

Once you’ve depleted the electric battery you’ll have to rely on the help of the two-litre turbo petrol engine. You can also run the two together to extract maximum performance from the drivetrain by slipping through the drive modes. Combined together, engine and motor produce 235 kilowatts and a mega 700 Newton-meters of torque.

Using only the electric motor it’s reasonably quiet on start up. You may not think it but there’s a lot of pulling power available. From zero revs the battery really helps you launch and get up to speed quickly and smoothly. Unlike in a sole Diesel engined car where you might have to stamp a bit on the accelerator to get going, the GLC 300 de really only requires the lightest of touch to get moving. And that also proves similar during overtaking, just feather the throttle and there’s more than enough power to smoothly and safely waft you past. It glides along admirably on motorway cruises, perhaps due to its extra ‘boxiness’ there’s a little bit of wind noise creeping in at higher speeds, but nothing you’d have to turn the stereo up to drown out.

It really does make for strong performance, and the battery very much helps reduce fuel consumption as long as you’re a frequent charger. The official claim is that it will run on only 2.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined. In the real world, we were seeing around seven litres per 100 with the ICE doing the bulk of the work.

The rest of the package is pretty familiar GLC. It rides and handles nicely, helped by the always on 4Matic all-wheel drive and a comfortable set up suspension.

Inside, the cabin is beautifully presented and well-equipped. The latest digital screen, touchscreen, and Benz’s MBUX infotainment system are all part of the package. The downer is the 155 litre reduction in boot capacity because of the battery pack under the floor. Smaller Mercs (GLA 250 e I’m looking at you 😉 seems like it has a better boot/battery layout and therefore more available space. The GLC however is due a full refresh in 2023.

Despite that, the GLC 300de remains an impressive piece of kit, giving us a taste of our electrified future, and just maybe it’s something to look forward to rather than be concerned about.