Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e 2020 Review

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e is a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid version of the German luxury brand’s mid-size family five-seat SUV.

It’s designed to act as a taster to electrification for those among us who think e-motors are a good idea but are not prepared to go the whole hog and ditch the internal combustion engine altogether.

It’s one of a handful of PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) Mercedes-Benz currently sells in Australia, along with the C 300e and E 300e sedans and the A 250e sedan and hatch.

Essentially the 300e is the GLC 300 with electric gubbins added. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine makes 155kW and 350Nm – actually a bit less than the 190kW/370Nm version in the 300 – and once the 90kW/440Nm e-motor is added, the combined output steps up to 235kW and 700Nm.

Whatever parts of the powertrain are operating, they channel that drive to the road via a nine-speed automatic transmission, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, 20-inch alloy wheels and 255/40 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat rubber.

According to Australian official testing, the 300e has a combined fuel consumption rate of only 2.6L/100km. This is a bit of an ambit claim because the consumption rate is zero when the electric motor is doing all the work and more like 6.0-7.0L/100km when the 300e is operating as a hybrid.

When running on electricity alone, the range is only about 40km between recharges because the lithium-ion battery tucked under the boot floor has a 13.5kWh capacity.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e was initially priced at an aggressive $82,890 plus on-road costs, but recently pushed up to $86,300 (plus ORCs). This makes the difference between the ‘e’ and the regular GLC 300 now $4800, which is a bit more than the previous $3555 split between the two.

Still, for a price hike of around five per cent you get a whole extra drivetrain that saves you the cost of petrol during day-to-day commutes if you can keep the battery juiced. On top of that the 300e also adds air suspension and pre-entry climate control to the 300’s standard equipment list.

Standard equipment the 300e shares with others GLCs includes a sophisticated set of driver assist features such as active cruise control with active assistance of the steering and braking that allow semi-autonomous driving for short periods on appropriately marked roads such as a freeway before the car demands you put your hands back on the wheel.

Excellent multi-beam LED headlights are a boon at night and a definite safety advantage. As are autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and nine airbags.

Benz says the 300e’s cruise comes with route-based speed adaptation. This is true to an extent, but worth noting the Eco-Assist function that provides this service is limited in Australia because the mapping data isn’t good enough.

Eco-Assist can still sometimes uses the 300e’s camera and radar to judge when the car should react to moving objects or when it can recuperate energy, but does not display driving recommendation pictograms in the dash such as ‘foot off the accelerator’ that are available in other markets.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument display and 10.25-inch dashboard-mounted touch-screen deliver the media, sat-nav and vehicle info you would expect, plus tuning options galore courtesy of the MBUX infotainment system.

Artico leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and parking assist are all thrown in as well.

The GLC 300e is a terrific luxury SUV. It’s that simple.

It’s got a really well-presented, spacious and sensible cabin with lots of kit and plenty of storage space – remembering the gearshift lever is moved to the steering column, creating more space in the centre console.

On the downside, the battery pack under the boot floor reduces luggage space from 550 to 395 litres and the petrol tank from 66 to 50 litres. And courtesy of adding the electrified powertrain kerb weight is even heavier than the berserk Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S at 2030kg.

The orthodox part of the powertrain works very well, balancing refinement nicely with a level of zest. The air suspension is excellent, able to shift from comfortable relaxed to sportingly firm at the press of the ‘Dynamic Select’ mode button.

The GLC can drive at a relaxed suburban gait, or get along at a more urgent clip. Either way it feels good doing it.

The weakest element is brake feel. Performance is fine but the regenerative function delivers a wooden response typical of electrified vehicles.

In addition to the usual sport+, sport, comfort, eco and individual modes, because this is a PHEV you can also run the 300e in electric (possible up to 160km/h) and battery level (prioritised recharging).

Running on electricity alone is a cool experience. It’s quiet for a start and all that pulling power available from zero revs really helps you launch off the line and get up to speed.

Of course, mix the two powertrains together and you get even sharper response. Benz claims a 5.7sec 0-100km/h time, 0.5sec faster than the 300 and only bettered by the GLC 43 (4.9) and 63 (3.8).

The downer with all this is the electric urge doesn’t actually last that long. Officially claimed at 43km (WLTP), we managed low-40km a couple of times. But we also fell well short of that if the seat heater and climate-control were getting a workout and the throttle was being applied with some vigour.

This range is a weakness for the 300e. Others are starting to talk about 70-80km as being appropriate, which sounds a lot more appropriate.

When the battery is exhausted it takes seven hours to recharge via a power socket. You can cut that to two hours using a Type 2 plug and optional wallbox or AC public charging station.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e is an SUV wagon for family buyers with a green tinge. It would be possible to run this vehicle all the time on electricity if you were only driving short distances and plugging in appropriately.

Even if you don’t, you still get a capable luxury vehicle with plenty of room for the kids in the back and the right badge on the bonnet if those prestigious sorts of things mean anything to you.

In a straight comparison with the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, the 300e wins hands down. It’s got some important extra gear for not much more money.

It’s also a stand-out in Australia as being one of the few plug-in hybrids actually on sale. Certainly, those usual Benz rivals Audi and BMW haven’t chosen to go directly up against it yet.

Yes, it’s got compromises like a short range and compromised boot space, but as an introduction to electrification it’s a positive experience.

How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e cost?
Price: $86,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol/electric motor
Output: 155kW/350Nm (petrol engine), 90kW/440Nm (electric motor)
System output: 235kW/700Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 2.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 59g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)