SUVs and crossovers proceed to be extra well-liked than ever as of late, and that is just about the case for a model like Mercedes-Benz as effectively. While the core sedans just like the C-Class proceed to promote comparatively effectively, its vary of SUVs is the place the cash’s at proper now. Fresh out of the oven is the all-new GLC, which has obtained a full redesign for this mannequin yr.

In the North American market, the GLC at present sells because the GLC 300, which has a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. For now, that is as a lot electrification as you would get in a GLC, however in case you wait somewhat longer–and your persistence lasts you thru the second half of 2024, you will have the added selection of a plug-in hybrid as effectively.

In order to provide the newest and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Mercedes-Benz, Cox Automotive, Edmunds, and CarBuzz.

The GLC PHEV Will Arrive This Year

The Mercedes-Benz GLC has develop into the model’s second-best-selling mannequin. With 40,253 units sold last year, it is solely second to the bigger GLE with 57,696 models offered. There’s no room for Mercedes-Benz to screw up the GLC, however with the supply of a plug-in hybrid, the GLC’s attraction will solely get stronger as time passes by.

Increased Efficiency, More Power

Dubbed the GLC 350e 4Matic, which will be a 2025 model year, this plug-in hybrid variant of the GLC will make the most of the identical 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine because the GLC 300. Only for this mannequin, that very same engine is augmented with an electrical motor that produces 134 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.

This electrical motor will get its power from a 24.8 kWh battery, which is sufficient for a pure electrical vary of 81 miles (WLTP rated). The GLC 350e 4Matic, nevertheless, has not but been rated by the EPA in each gasoline financial system and electrical vary, however as a PHEV, it is secure to imagine will probably be much more efficient than the GLC 300.

When mixed with the two.0-liter turbo fuel engine, the entire system output of the GLC 350e is 313 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, which is way more than the 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

However, in case you have been anticipating that added efficiency to make for a sooner GLC, then that is the place you are (in all probability) improper. The 24.8 kWh battery, in any case, contributed to its yet-to-be-specified curb weight. We’re but to get the 0-60 mph figures for the GLC 350e, however to your reference, the 0-60 mph in the GLC 300 happens in 6.2 seconds.

Let’s Talk Charging

A 24.8 kWh battery is sort of massive for a plug-in hybrid, which is why the GLC comes with DC fast charging capabilities–something that is not that frequent amongst plug-in hybrids. In the case of the GLC 350e, the car accepts as much as 60 kW of DC quick charging, which is sufficient to cost the batteries from 10 to 80 p.c in simply half-hour.

Of course, you’ll be able to anticipate triple-digit DC quick charging speeds in a plug-in hybrid since that is just about overkill for a battery that is about one-fourth or one-third of what a pure electrical car (EV) has. Now, if you are using AC charging, the GLC 350e can help as much as 11 kW, which is sweet sufficient for a zero to 100% cost in round two hours and 20 minutes. Still fairly quick for a plug-in hybrid.

Mercedes-Benz GLC PHEV Specs

(Data sourced from Mercedes)

Everything Else That’s Offered In The GLC 350e

Apart from the plug-in hybrid powertrain that is extra highly effective than the GLC 300, this variant may also include just a few added options to justify its value and existence subsequent to the GLC 300. From the phrases of Mercedes-Benz’s press launch, they are saying that the “extensive standard offerings of the GLC 300 4MATIC SUV will carry over to the plug-in hybrid while adding more new standard features to further enhance the electric experience”.

Elegance Is Standard, Sportiness Is Optional

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is characterised by a clear and curvaceous sheet metallic that completely combines magnificence and class. Exterior LED lighting comes as customary, and with each luxurious automotive, there are many methods to make your GLC really yours. The GLC’s attractiveness additionally will depend on how a lot cash you’ll be able to splurge, as a result of as you cherry-pick nicer colours or larger wheels, anticipate the ultimate value to be a lot increased than the bottom retail value. Oh, and talking of retail costs, these haven’t but been introduced for the time being.

Like the GLC 300, the GLC 350e will observe an identical trim construction which consists of three variants: Standard (Premium), Exclusive, and Pinnacle. At the very least, you get 18-inch wheels, that are upgradable to 19s or 20s. You additionally get LED headlights with automated high-beam.

At the identical time, adaptive Digital Light matrix LED lights are provided within the Pinnacle variant. 11 paint choices and 13 upholstery choices are additionally provided, whatever the three trims. The AMG Line or AMG Line with Night package deal that offers the GLC a sportier look is an non-obligatory further no matter which of the three trims you go for.

An Interior That’s Tech-Focused Yet Traditional

One factor that we nonetheless admire concerning the GLC is that Mercedes-Benz has not but gone overboard with screens for its inside. The EQS, for instance, is a scorching mess of unnecessarily massive screens that solely make the inside look cheesy versus elegant. With only a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch primary infotainment display screen that is each powered by the MBUX infotainment, which means you will not simply be beginning at a big glass piece, but in addition an precise sprint with room for good supplies and a big expanse of ornamental inlay that may vary from aluminum and/or wooden.

Thankfully, proper off the bat, the GLC 350e comes with loads of inside luxurious options as customary. Apart from the aforementioned MBUX screens, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, entrance seats with 16-way energy adjustment and heating, a Digital Key, 64-color ambient lighting, and MB-tex fake leather-based upholstery. As you step as much as increased trims, options resembling a Burmester 3D encompass sound system is added, together with enhanced ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, and even stuff like a windshield-projected head-up show.

Mercedes-Benz GLC PHEV Trim-wise Specs

(Data sourced from Mercedes)

Mercedes Is Offering A Vehicle That’s Right For The Moment

While Mercedes-Benz already has a broad vary of EQ-branded EVs, the arrival of the GLC 350e could not have come at a greater time. Yes, we’re on a path in the direction of electrification, however present market desires and desires have spoken. Hybrids are what Americans at present want–not EVs.

EV Sales Growth Has Slowed, Hybrids Are On Demand

As we have written quite a few instances in latest months, whereas EV gross sales proceed to develop, that rate of growth has slowed down over the past few months. This implies that there can be manufacturers that can expertise progress greater than others, whereas some will even expertise gross sales declines.

In the case of Mercedes-Benz, whereas full-year 2023 gross sales of its EQ autos have grown in comparison with 2022, quarter-on-quarter outcomes from Q3 to This fall of 2023 noticed gross sales of the EQS sedan and EQS SUV lower by 40.8 p.c and 25.9 p.c, respectively.

While we do not know what number of plug-in hybrids Mercedes-Benz has offered from 2023 versus 2022, the transfer to supply a plug-in hybrid GLC will put the model in an excellent place to expertise stable progress as hybrid gross sales progress outpace EV gross sales progress. More than 1.2 million EVs were sold in the United States last year, which represents a 46 p.c progress and seven.6 p.c market share.

How about hybrid gross sales? Well, that rose by 65 percent to more than 1.2 million sold (the bulk of which comes from Toyota), which represents an eight p.c market share. Combine it with plug-in hybrids just like the GLC 350e, and almost 1 in 10 automobiles offered in 2023 are a hybrid.

Why You’ll Also Love The GLC 350e

If you have determined to hitch the quite a few completely happy Americans who’ve chosen hybrids as their path in the direction of electrification, then you definately’ll benefit from the GLC 350e’s functionality of being an EV to your every day driving must work or the grocery, while having the peace of thoughts and reassurance of an inside combustion engine (ICE).

At the identical time, you will benefit from the supple and comfort-oriented demeanor that our associates from CarBuzz experienced with the GLC 300. Just do not anticipate it to have the sportiness of a BMW X3, but when consolation and rest are all you want, then that is what the GLC 350e is ready to supply in spades.