I drove a $72,000 Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid. These 12 features make it a perfect first EV — without the range anxiety.
I recently drove a 2025 GLC350e and was impressed by its powertrain, fancy cabin, and great tech.
The GLC is the second best-selling model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is one of the most popular compact luxury SUVs and the brand's second-best-selling model in the US.
I recently had the chance to spend a week driving a 2025 GLC350e 4-Matic around the streets of Atlanta. I was impressed by the Merc's PHEV drivetrain, luxurious cabin, and comprehensive suite of comfort, convenience, and safety tech.
The base rear-wheel-drive version of the GLC starts at $49,250, while the range-topping, high-performance version starts at $86,050. The PHEV variant starts at $59,900.
Here are 12 features that show why it's a great luxury SUV with the benefit of an extended EV range.
Handsome looks
The GLC's front and rear facia incorporate the latest look of Mercedes' C-Class sedans, evolving the overall shape that made the first-generation variant so popular with consumers.
The highlight of the new looks is the large mesh front grille comprised of small three-pointed starts surrounding the large Mercedes-Benz emblem in the center.
My test car came with the AMG package, which includes attractive black, 20-inch multispoke wheels and perforated brake discs.
Overall, the second-gen GLC is longer, lower, and boasts a slightly wider track than the vehicle it replaced. It's also more aerodynamic, with a 0.29 drag coefficient.
Plug-in hybrid power
The 350e is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 134-horsepower electric drive motor to produce 313 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in total system output.
Power gets to the pavement through a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
The GLC PHEV is good for 25 MPG of fuel economy in combined driving when using just the internal combustion engine. Factor in the hybrid system, fuel economy increases to 64 MPGe, according to the EPA.
Good electric range
The GLC has 54 miles of all-electric range thanks to its 23.3 kWh battery pack.
According to Mercedes, the 350e can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes using a DC fast charger at a rate of 60 kW. With a standard household level-2 plug, the GLC can charge from 10% to full in under three hours.
Refined driving experience
The overall driving experience was pleasant and civilized.
The steering was precise and well-weighted, and the front coil suspension and rear air suspension combined to deliver a soft and smooth ride.
With the ICE and electric drive systems operating in harmony, the 350e felt smooth and effortlessly powerful. While I did detect some hesitation when switching between various EV, hybrid, and ICE driving modes, the hybrid system was fairly seamless in operation.
Despite its 313 horsepower and 406 lb ft. of torque, the PHEV GLC wasn't any quicker than the standard GLC 300, which has 255 horsepower under its hood.
That's because the GLC hybrid carries an additional 1,000 lbs of heft.
Stylish cabin
The GLC shares much of its cabin design with the current C-Class sedan and the new CLE Coupe and Cabriolet.
That's a good thing because it looks terrific. The interior blends modern tech and design like the metal weave center console, massive LED displays, and LED ambient lighting with callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz design with the vintage turbine design air vents and fine wood trim.
The only real complaint I have, and one that I have with most modern Mercedes cabins, is the touch controls, which look great but can be fussy and imprecise to use while driving.
Comfortable seats
The GLC's 16-way power front seats, which are heated and ventilated, were very comfortable.
The sienna brown and black seats were upholstered in a material called MB-Tex, which does a fair approximation of real leather.
Stylish Digital Cockpit
In front of the driver is a stylish, leather-wrapped, heated AMG flat-bottom steering wheel.
The 12.3-inch configurable instrument display can be tailored to the needs of the driver with different designs focused on assistance features, the navigation system, and even off-road driving.
Excellent infotainment tech
The focal point of the GLC's center stack is a large 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The screen is equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system, which is pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.
The system's built-in navigation maps look spectacular, and the image quality of the GLC's surround-view cameras is equally impressive.
My test car came with the Guard 360 system, which uses the GLC's surround-view camera system to actively monitor the SUV and take time-stamped images of events such as collision damage when parked.
Burmester stereo
The optional 710-watt, 15-speaker Burmester 3D audio system sounds crisp and powerful. The system's metallic speaker covers also look fantastic.
Off-road mode
Among the 350e's various drive modes is an off-road mode that allows the PHEV to tackle rough terrain using only its electric drivetrain.
The GLC can also be had with a "transparent hood" feature that allows the driver to see through the hood at what's under and immediately in front of the vehicle when driving off-road.
Panoramic glass roof
The Mercedes Panorama roof, a $1,500 option, floods the cabin with natural light with minimal effect on headroom.
Safety tech
The GLC comes standard with a host of safety tech, including adaptive high beam assist, blind spot assist, and active parking assist.
However, you'll need to pay for the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package to get Mercedes' outstanding Distronic adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other high-tech features.
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