Is it worth choosing a premium hybrid SUV?

Versatility is provided by the drive. Under the hood of the GLC 300e we have a 2-liter petrol engine with a power of 204 HP, but it is supported by a 156 HP electric motor. A total of 313 HP and as much as 550 Nm of torque are available, which are sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. Effect? Using all power sources, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

What is important, however, is that there is also a high-capacity battery on board: 25.3 kWh net. According to official WLTP data, this is enough to travel up to 130 km without charging. However, this result can only be achieved in ideal conditions and at optimal air temperature. Realistically, however, you can achieve a range of about 100 km, which is enough to drive freely around the city on a daily basis.

It is also worth making sure to charge the battery from a home socket before setting out on a several hundred kilometer long route. There is no point in topping up electricity on the route because it is expensive, but starting with a full battery will save a lot of gasoline in the first hundred kilometers. Theoretically – at about 120 km/h – it is possible to achieve a result of 1-2 l/100 km. Then, of course, the electricity runs out and the combustion engine is responsible for the drive, supported only by the electric drive in critical moments. The GLC 300e then starts to act like a regular hybrid.

Then gasoline consumption increases, and the fuel tank is not very large – it has a capacity of 49 liters. However, when we drive around the city, fuel consumption is approximately 6.5 l/100 km, which still translates into a range of over 700 km. However, in the city it will be more pleasant and cheaper to drive using the fully electric mode. On suburban roads, the hybrid GLC will be even more economical, because when driving calmly you can get down to even 5.5 l/100 km. What about expressways? At 120 km/h we will reach about 8 l/100 km, and at 140 km we will exceed 10 l/100 km (but not much). These are very good results for a car weighing over 2 tons with a 313-horsepower drive.

Mercedes GLC 300e – comfort worthy of the premium class

On a long route, you do not need to refuel too often, despite the small fuel tank. That's a plus. Another advantage of the GLC is the convenience of traveling. First of all, I appreciate the good performance – there is no problem with overtaking trucks quickly and safely. The suspension is also great, effectively absorbing any bumps. You can select a driving mode that suits your current needs, opting for more comfort or a sporty setting. Interestingly, there is also an “off-road” mode in which the ground clearance increases, so we don't have to worry too much about ruts on the dirt road or stones sticking out of it. Of course, within reasonable limits, because the GLC 300e is definitely not an off-road vehicle.

Great seats with very good lateral support and electric adjustment also have a positive impact on the comfort of traveling. We also have heating and ventilation, so in the tested GLC version it is ready for any season. An additional attraction is automatic kinetics, which minimally changes the seat settings while driving, so that you do not constantly have to sit in exactly the same position on long journeys.

The rear seat is also very comfortable, and there is plenty of space, also above the heads of passengers, who also have a panel in front of them to set the air vent temperature. There is also an armrest with phone holders and space for cups with drinks. People riding in the rear have, of course, USB-C ports at their disposal to charge their phones or other mobile devices.

The downside of the hybrid version of the Mercedes GLC is its trunk. It has a volume of 470 liters, which is not an impressive value for an SUV of this size. The reason, of course, is the batteries, which take up a lot of space. Regular GLC variants offer as much as 620 liters of trunk space. Well, we choose eco-driving over packing space. In the case of a plug-in, you must also remember that part of the reduced trunk is taken up by battery charging cables. If we intend to do it during the trip, we must have them with us. On the plus side – the trunk is very practical because it can have nets for attaching small items or hooks for bags. There is also a 12 V socket, e.g. for a portable refrigerator.

Mercedes GLC 300e – cockpit like a smartphone

Like other Mercedes, the GLC's cockpit makes full use of electronics. Its central element is the 11.9-inch multimedia system screen, but an even larger one is located in front of the driver: it is 12.3 inches and replaces traditional gauges. The options also include a color display showing selected information on the windshield, in the driver's line of sight (so-called HUD). The downside is that getting to the most important functions is not always intuitive. Sometimes you need to spend some time to figure out how to, for example, change the settings of one of the driver assistance systems, the color of the cabin illumination, or the sound settings. Some manufacturers have simpler systems.

I don't really like the comprehensive use of touch buttons, which don't give us the feeling that we've selected an option. They are located both on the steering wheel and on the central tunnel. I think I prefer traditional solutions. I would also focus on more analog air conditioning control, because although we have separate virtual buttons for changing the temperature or airflow location, using them while driving is not very convenient. The advantage of the tested version is the Burmester audio system – with a very good sound system. It requires an additional fee. As standard, we have connectivity with smartphones via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Also wireless.

Mercedes GLC 300e – is it worth buying?

The competition among premium SUVs is very high, because the GLC's rivals include the Audi Q5 or Lexus RX. Both are available in fuel-efficient versions, and both can be richly equipped. However, Mercedes is synonymous with comfort, and in the plug-in version it allows for very comfortable and economical driving around the city, while also being excellent on the road. If someone has the right money and needs a spacious, comfortable SUV, the GLC will be a very good choice. However, if “eco” is not a priority, it is worth considering much cheaper variants without electric support.

Mercedes GLC 300e, technical data:

R4 petrol engine, 2.0T, 204 HP, 320 Nm (combustion), 156 HP, 440 Nm (electric), 313 HP (total). Automatic gearbox, 9-speed. Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. Maximum speed – 218 km/h. Average fuel consumption: 2.1 l/100 km (WLTP). Price: from PLN 327,700.

The car was loaned by the brand's importer and returned after the test.