The Mercedes-Benz GLC checks most of the boxes when it comes to justifying spending extra bucks on a compact luxury SUV: It has well-honed handling, a quiet and finely crafted cabin, and comfortable seats. Now, the GLC is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), dubbed GLC 350e. In addition to being able to drive on electric power part-time, it also rides more comfortably and is quieter than the regular version.
Keep in mind that opting for the plug-in version brings a $10,000 premium over the standard GLC.
For consumers new to PHEVs, they have both a larger electric motor and larger batteries than regular hybrids. PHEVs can be recharged by plugging into a standard 120-volt household outlet or a 240-volt EV charger. This gives PHEVs a dedicated electric-only driving range (typically for about 20 to 50 miles, depending on the model) for commuting and running errands, which is something that regular hybrids can’t do. In the case of the GLC 350e, it has the benefit of an unusually long EPA-estimated 54 miles of electric-only range.
Once the battery is drained, a PHEV switches to regular hybrid operation. This also means that, unlike a full battery-electric vehicle, there is no need to find a public charger on a long trip because the gas engine takes over once the electric range is used up.
For buyers who are nervous about going all-in for an EV, a plug-in hybrid could be a logical and cautious step toward electrification. PHEVs make especially good sense if you have a short commute to work, rarely drive long distances, and have the ability and willingness to plug in your vehicle at home to charge overnight—it’s bound to save you money at the gas pump.
Unfortunately, regardless of which GLC model you choose, the driving experience is marred by hard-to-master touch-sensitive controls. Even once drivers get used to them, making adjustments to the radio, climate, or cruise control still requires more attention than simply pressing a button or turning a knob.
Once testing of the GLC 350e was complete, our testers were mixed on whether paying extra for the all-electric range was worth it. “It’s similar to the GLC 300, but the EV experience elevates it to a better overall package. It’s fairly smooth and really quiet in EV mode, and the electric-only range is impressive,” said one.
Another tester also voted yes: “In most ways this is a better GLC, if for nothing else than the reduction of the low-speed delays we saw in the regular model. It's also quite luxurious to be able to drive so far on just EV power, and even when it's operating as a hybrid, it's still a darn nice car, thanks to a smooth-shifting transmission.”
Others dissented, with one saying, “If you're simply looking for luxury, there are better and cheaper options. If you're looking for a greener approach to vehicle ownership, there are much better and cheaper options.”
“The GLC 350e is too expensive—I would go get a Lexus hybrid and call it a day,” remarked another tester.
We bought a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4Matic for $68,750—anonymously from an area dealer, as we do with every vehicle we test—for the purpose of this road test review. The GLC 350e is assembled in Bremen, Germany.
Driving experience
One of the principal benefits of going with the plug-in GLC is that its electric drive smooths out the low-speed drivability issues that we experienced in the regular version. The initial shove of EV power from a stop eliminates the GLC 300’s hesitation and the shudder we felt from the gas engine’s stop/start system. The GLC 350e’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, combined with the electric drive, supplies a healthy 313-horsepower punch—good enough for a 0-to-60-mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, which is nearly identical to the regular GLC 300. The nine-speed automatic transmission mostly goes about its business unobtrusively, with super-smooth upshifts and fairly seamless downshifts, too. We did notice an occasional delayed downshift when dipping deeper into the power supply.
The GLC 350e has an impressive 54-mile EPA-estimated all-electric driving range. Helpfully, the driver can save the electric miles for later use, say, stop-and-go urban driving when electric operation is more efficient. But Mercedes’ confusing controls don’t make it easy to find and choose that option. The downside of the GLC 350e’s lengthy electric range is its large and heavy 24.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack that it needs to achieve that, which adds over 850 pounds to the vehicle’s overall weight. As such, its fuel economy takes a hit. Once the electric range is depleted and the GLC 350e reverts to regular gas/electric hybrid operation, it only managed 24 mpg, compared to the 26 mpg overall of the regular GLC we tested.
The 11-kW onboard charger means the battery can be fully charged in just over two hours with a capable 240-volt EV home-charging system. Using a standard household 120-volt connection took us almost 24 hours. Unlike nearly all other PHEVs, the GLC 350e’s battery can be juiced up at public DC fast-charging stations, and it took us only 30 minutes to do so from empty to fully charged. Just make sure to toggle on the “Fast Charging” setting within the charging menu, as it’s off by default.
“The EV-only range is one of the highest out there, and it makes for a great experience,” said one tester. “I tend to hyperfocus on the range when it’s between 30-40 miles, but it seemed less necessary at 50-plus. I was also impressed with the handling, despite its weight gain.”
The PHEV carries its extra weight pretty well, providing capable and enjoyable handling that feels pretty similar to the regular model. This extended to the balanced way it behaved around our track. When pushed to its limits, the GLC 350e proved sporty and engaging to drive, feeling eager to tackle turns while filling our test drivers with confidence.
We also found that ride comfort was better than that of the regular GLC, with improved bump absorption and more relaxed body motions, likely due to the rear adaptive air suspension system.
Although braking distances on both dry and wet surfaces were more than competitive, the brake pedal itself took some time to get used to, as the initial bite comes on a bit later than you’d expect, compounded by an uneven, nonlinear feel from the regenerative braking system as you get further into its stroke and closer to your stopping point.
Cabin comfort
The GLC 350e’s cabin is a cocoon of comfort, with accommodating seating for both front and rear passengers. Having four-way lumbar adjustments for both the driver and front passenger is a treat. The cabin also remains very quiet—especially when driven in EV mode—with barely a trace of wind or road noise. The serene cabin makes it even more enjoyable to listen to the excellent Burmester audio system.
The only disappointing auditory experience comes when you put the SUV in Reverse or drive at low speeds, which initiates a rather crude-sounding cover for the GLC 350e’s backup camera. It literally “thunks” every time it opens and closes. This kind of camera should have less acoustic exposure.
At least Mercedes didn’t skimp on luxury and interior quality; glossy wood and brushed aluminum trim, smooth acting turbine-shaped air vents, and piano-black surfaces all contribute to a high-tech and coddling ambience. Your passengers will have no doubt that they are, indeed, riding in luxury.
The driving position feels nicely elevated with lots of headroom, well-placed armrests, and plenty of adjustment from the steering column. However, as with other Mercedes models, the steering wheel blocks large chunks of information toward the top of the driver’s instrument screen, which is annoying.
Of note, the GLC 350e’s cargo area is slightly diminished compared to the regular model, as the PHEV batteries usurp some luggage space.
Controls and usability
The GLC 350e’s approach to day-to-day controls and interacting with the infotainment system gives you a sense of tech overload. And it’s maddeningly frustrating. The infotainment system has a large and vivid display with a wide range of abilities, but it’s super annoying that just about every media and climate function runs through the center touchscreen. Plus, the finger-sliding, capacitive-touch controls on the steering wheel—to adjust the audio volume or cruise-control speed—require too much dexterity while driving. We also found the capacitive-touch seat controls on the doors awkward to use. Overall, Mercedes’ complicated interior setup puts a big damper on the GLC 350e’s generally graceful driving experience.
Active safety & driver assistance
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking that operates at highway speeds, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, reverse automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams come standard. Surprisingly, given the steep price, lane centering assistance, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control are all optional, instead of standard. One of the optional driver assistance features, “Auto Lane Change Assist,” gives the GLC 350e the ability to change lanes on its own during highway driving.
The GLC comes with a standard rear occupant alert system, which is designed to remind the driver, based on rear-door logic, to check the rear seat at the end of a trip to help prevent children and pets from suffering heatstroke or hypothermia if unintentionally left behind in the vehicle. We’re also pleased to see a standard rear belt minder, which reminds rear passengers to buckle their seat belt, and alerts the driver if a rear passenger unbuckles during the trip. The GLC 350e also has advanced seat belt technology (such as seat belt pretensioners and load-limiters) to help keep rear passengers safer.