Bestselling GLC goes plug-in hybrid. It's ultra quiet … until the virtual assistant chimes in
As I switch into Electric-only mode via the car's gigantic 11.9-inch touchscreen, my tester does, indeed, go silent. Cool!
The transition from the default hybrid mode, which draws on the GLC 350's turbo four-cylinder engine, to pure electricity is seamless. And I move along in silence, with only faint road and wind noise penetrating a hushed cabin. Wow!
If I don't want to use up all the electric range in one go, I can switch over to Battery Hold mode, which saves it for later. Doing so reverts the GLC 350e to gasoline power, and I can hear the turbo engine spool up when I accelerate. It doesn't make much racket, except when I stand on the accelerator. I do so a few times to test it, and this non-AMG Mercedes responds eagerly.
Powering the GLC 350e is Mercedes stalwart 2.0-litre, turbo, four-cylinder engine, which produces 201 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force. Working with the engine is an electric motor that pumps out 134 hp and 325 lbs.-ft. Total system output is rated at 313 hp and 406 lbs.-ft.
A 24.8-kWh battery is also on board, and the GLC 350e supports DC fast charging ($600 option) which is rare among plug-in hybrid cars. Plug-ins usually support slower Level 2 charging, which takes several hours to charge the battery completely. On the other hand, fast charging my tester from 20 per cent to 80 per cent took less than 30 minutes.
The engine makes uses of a nine-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.
The GLC, one of Mercedes' global bestsellers, was all-new in 2023, and hasn't changed much over the past two years. The 350e is new, but it carries much of the GLC family look and feel. Features, such as a Chrome star grille, body colour wheel arches and 20-inch wheels are available on other GLC models. The latter two are AMG touches that have been attached as an option to my Spectral Blue Metallic test vehicle.
Inside, the synthetic leather seating material (which Mercedes calls ARTICO) is comfortable, and I like that the driver's seat can be articulated in lots of different ways. The feel of the thick-rimmed sport steering wheel is also pleasing, but it's not standard. Mercedes stuffed it into a $3,900 AMG Line package which comes with a bunch of other stuff. Some may like these giant packages, but I don't. I wish popular items, such as sport steering wheels, could be ordered individually. Oh well.
Overall, the cabin is quite pretty. However you may feel about big screens in new cars these days, it would be wrong to say Mercedes hasn't done a good job with theirs. The giant 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen is easy to use and has excellent resolution and colour range. And it's quick to respond, which is important given how much functionality it contains. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster display is equally impressive. Its graphical display is sharp and highly customizable.
Turbine-style air vents, rich ambient lighting, and no-nonsense wireless Apple CarPlay are big hits for me in the GLC 350e's cabin. Things that thrilled me less include a very sensitive MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) virtual assistant that would randomly intrude on a consistent basis. A few times it gave me a real jolt, which I didn't appreciate. I'm sure it can be adjusted somehow, but the default is very sensitive. Too sensitive. And too chatty. This car needs a friend, I think to myself.
I'll also ding Mercedes for the lack of a volume knob in favour of a haptic slider that may look nice in a marketing presentation but is needlessly fussy to use. Knobs are just better. I wish automakers would just concede this point and leave them be.
But these things annoy me less as my week with the GLC 350e rolls on. This Mercedes SUV is handsome, well-equipped and offers electrification that is a good alternative to gas-only propulsion. Sure, 87 km isn't 400 km, but if you charge at home you won't need to use much gas during your daily routines. And being able to tap into fast charging is a huge plus for a plug-in hybrid. If you're not ready to go full EV, the GLC 350e is worth considering.
But that virtual assistant sure takes some getting used to.
Type:
Mid-size premium SUV, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Motor:
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, electric motor and 24.8 kWh battery; 313 horsepower; 406 pounds-feet of torque (motive force), combined
Transmission:
Nine-speed automatic
Fuel
(Premium 91+): 10.2 litres/100 km in the city; 8.5l/100 km on the highway; 9.4l/100 km combined
Range:
87 km
Cargo:
470 litres, or 16.6 cubic feet; 1,530l, or 54 cu. ft. in total
Price:
$64,900; $81,250, as tested, plus $3,995 freight
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