Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 2025 Review

The GLC 350e 4MATIC joins Mercedes-Benz’s mid-size SUV range as a new plug-in hybrid option, priced from $99,900 before on-road costs. It sits between the GLC300 and the AMG versions of the family car.

Available in a single trim, standard equipment is generous. Externally, you get metallic paint, privacy glass, 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof and the brand's signature Avantgarde styling with aluminium-look side steps. Inside, heated front seats with memory and lumbar adjustment, ambient lighting, a head-up display and a power tailgate all come standard.

Infotainment is handled via an 11.9-inch centre touchscreen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a wireless charging pad tucked underneath the centre cubby and a fingerprint scanner for personalised profiles.

Buyers can add extra flair or tech via three key options: the Sport Package ($6,000) with AMG Line trim and 20-inch wheels, the Night Package ($1,300) for gloss black exterior accents, and the Plus Package ($7,600) which bundles in Driving Assistance Plus, Burmester 3D audio, ‘Digital light’ headlights which offer cool projections, GUARD 360° Protection Plus for additional theft prevention and augmented-reality navigation.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor for a combined output of 230kW and 550Nm. The petrol engine alone produces 150kW and 320Nm, while the electric motor adds up to 115kW and 440Nm. The system drives all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack – designed in-house by Mercedes-Benz AG is made up of 96 ‘pouch’ cells – enables up to 132km of electric-only range (NEDC) and a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds. Claimed fuel use is just 1.2L/100 km, though real-world results depend heavily on how often you plug it in.

Although the wider GLC range holds a five-star ANCAP rating from 2022, this hasn’t yet been confirmed for the plug-in variant due to its additional weight and components. The GLC PHEV gets adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking and traffic-sign assist. Seven airbags feature as standard.

If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be attending a launch just for a plug-in hybrid, I would’ve laughed. Mostly because I’m lazy and the idea of plugging in every day never appealed, so I never really understood the point of it. But after driving this SUV, I get it. The GLC 350e makes its plug-in tech feel effortless rather than forced, and that’s what makes it so appealing.

Through Melbourne’s Ferntree Gully region, the GLC 350e proved that Mercedes’ trademark composure is alive and well, even with the extra weight in the rear. The powertrain feels punchy, polished, and efficient. Our test returned 4.4 L/100 km, higher than the 1.2L claim but reasonable given the spirited pace.

The dynamic select drive modes are well-calibrated, including a ‘Battery Hold’ function that preserves charge for later use while still regenerating energy on the move. Regeneration can be adjusted using the paddle shifters, offering four levels from gentle to firm, including an automatic mode that adapts to traffic flow. Even in maximum regen, deceleration never feels too harsh, as can happen with other manufacturers’ systems.

The air suspension deserves real credit, too. It absorbs bumps effortlessly and keeps body control tight through corners. The rear axle uses a self-levelling air system that adapts based on load, which keeps the ride supple.

Inside the GLC’s cabin feels unmistakably premium. Timber trim across the dash, plush seat bolsters and soft-touch materials elevate the experience. The layout is modern but not overwhelming. The infotainment screen is crisp and easy to navigate once familiar, and the steering wheel controls make changing tracks or settings straightforward.

Overall, the GLC 350e feels like a cohesive, well-sorted PHEV that offers genuine luxury without significant compromise. As Mercedes’ product manager Adam Calello put it on launch day, it’s a “really comprehensive specification” paired with “absolutely amazing fuel efficiency”, and refreshingly, that’s not just marketing spin.

For all its refinement, the GLC 350e isn’t without flaws. The rear suspension sometimes thuds over sharper speed bumps, likely because of the electric motor mounted on the rear axle. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does interrupt the calm that defines most of the drive.

In a similar vein, you can also feel its 2.2-tonne weight through corners. It’s well contained, but still noticeable.

The seat controls on the doors look premium but aren’t particularly intuitive, which is a quirk that most Mercedes-Benz models share across the range. The infotainment system also impresses visually, but it can hesitate when switching menus or using voice commands. Some drive and energy settings are still buried a little too deep in sub-menus, which could also frustrate new owners. Again, not a dealbreaker but a point worth noting.

Efficiency will also depend heavily on charging habits. With the battery charged up, the plug-in system works seamlessly but like most PHEVs, fuel use is likely to rise sharply if driven without charge – something we didn’t get to test firsthand with a depleted battery.

None of this spoils the overall experience, though. The GLC 350e remains an impressively refined plug-in hybrid that’s best when driven as intended, smooth, relaxed and charged overnight.

For those with access to home charging, the GLC 350e makes a strong case for itself. It delivers luxury, performance, and low running costs without demanding a full leap into EV ownership.

Mercedes says it doesn’t expect the GLC 350e to replace traditional petrol models entirely. “Consumers change at different speeds,” the company says, “and we want to be able to serve them all.”

If you’d rather skip to the next step, a fully electric SUV of similar size is coming from Mercedes in 2026, likely commanding a higher price. But for now, the GLC 350e represents a pragmatic middle ground: electric when you want it, petrol when you need it and premium all the time.

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e at a glance:
Price: $99,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 150kW/320Nm (electric motor: 115kW/440Nm)
Combined output: 230kW/550Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Battery: 25.4kWh
Range: 132km NEDC
Energy consumption: Unconfirmed
Fuel: 1.2L/100km WLTP
CO2: Unconfirmed
Safety rating: Unrated

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