Mercedes-Benz GLC 2024 Review

As competition in Malaysia's D-segment luxury SUV market becomes increasingly fierce, consumers are showing a growing demand for a balanced combination of "luxury, fuel efficiency, and practicality" — they want the prestigious tri-star brand identity, while also wishing to save on fuel costs during daily commuting and have sufficient space and capability for weekend family outings. The newly launched Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4Matic targets this specific market segment. Featuring plug-in hybrid power as its core selling point, it offers a pure electric range of 131 km, covering most users' daily commuting needs, along with a combined system torque of 550 N·m to fulfill expectations for power. At the same time, it upholds the luxurious configurations typical of the GLC series. In this test drive, we focus on evaluating the actual performance of its plug-in hybrid system, practicality of its interior space, and whether its sense of luxury meets expectations to see if it can secure a foothold among competitors in its price range.

From the exterior, the GLC 350e 4Matic carries forward the latest design language of the family, featuring an overall style that is inclined toward being composed and refined. The front end sports a large, shield-shaped grille adorned with chrome accents, complemented by a three-section air intake below, making it highly distinguishable. The sharp LED headlamp units are connected to the edges of the grille, expanding the sense of visual width. The side profile is sleek, with 20-inch dual-tone wheels paired with wide 255/45R20 and 285/40R20 tires on the front and rear, respectively, offering both dynamism and enhanced grip. The roof rails match the body color, and the triangular window design after the C-pillar retains the rugged feel typical of SUVs. At the rear, the LED taillights feature a smoked finish, and the internal horizontal light strips provide high recognition when illuminated. The chrome accents on the rear bumper and the dual fake exhaust outlets enhance the sense of sophistication, ensuring the overall design aligns with the positioning of a luxury SUV while avoiding being overly ostentatious.

Opening the door reveals an overwhelming sense of luxury. The dashboard features an 11.9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. Both screens boast excellent resolution and responsiveness. Below the central touchscreen, several physical buttons are retained for convenient control of frequently used features like air conditioning temperature. The interior materials primarily include soft leather and wood grain trim, which feel refined to the touch. Parts like door armrests and seat side bolsters are wrapped in perforated leather to enhance breathability. In terms of features, the front seats offer power adjustment and heating. The rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 configuration, and the center armrest includes cup holders, maximizing practicality. The Burmester 3D sound system is equipped with 15 speakers and delivers excellent sound quality. The standard fixed panoramic sunroof with a sunshade enhances the sense of spaciousness for rear passengers.

In terms of space, its overall length of 4716mm and wheelbase of 2888mm place it at the mainstream level for its segment. When the front seat is adjusted to a suitable position, a 175cm-tall passenger has one fist and two fingers of headroom, along with sufficient legroom. In the rear, a passenger of the same height enjoys two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. Even with the middle seat occupied, the floor hump is not particularly high, which ensures comfort for long journeys. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 470 liters, which can easily fit two 28-inch suitcases with room to spare. Folding the rear seats expands the space further, accommodating larger items for family camping trips or moving needs. In terms of storage, the door panels have storage pockets large enough to hold two 500ml water bottles, the center armrest compartment is quite deep, and the front cup holders come with limiters, showcasing thoughtful design details.

In terms of dynamic driving, the GLC 350e 4Matic is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine + a single-motor plug-in hybrid system, delivering a combined power output of 313PS and a maximum torque of 550N·m, paired with a 9AT transmission and all-wheel drive. In pure electric mode, the motor provides smooth output with quick acceleration from a standstill, and the top speed can reach 140km/h, making it perfectly adequate for daily city commuting. When switched to hybrid mode, both the engine and motor work together under hard acceleration, achieving a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds, providing great confidence for overtaking. The 9AT transmission has a clear shifting logic, and gear changes are almost imperceptible.

As for the chassis, the combination of a front multi-link independent suspension and rear air suspension performs excellently. During daily driving, the suspension effectively filters out most road imperfections, and the impact when passing speed bumps is minimal. While cornering at high speeds, the body roll is well-controlled, and the chassis feels solid. The all-wheel-drive system enhances traction on rainy or slippery roads, and when occasionally driving on unpaved roads, the rear suspension’s shock absorption ensures a comfortable ride. The steering feel is on the heavier side, with precise feedback, aligning with the tuning style of a luxury SUV.

Energy consumption and range performance meet expectations. In our urban congestion tests in pure electric mode, the power consumption was approximately 18kWh/100km, with an actual pure electric range of about 110km, achieving 84% of the rated range. In hybrid mode, with the air conditioning on throughout, covering a combined 100km (half urban, half highway), the fuel consumption was around 5.2L/100km, significantly lower than the official 7.7L combined fuel consumption. Slow charging takes 2 hours to fully charge, which is perfectly compatible with home charging stations.

Details of driving comfort are well-executed. At high speeds, wind and tire noise are well-controlled, and with the Burmester sound system on, external noise is almost completely masked. The seats are soft yet supportive, ensuring no discomfort even after two hours of continuous driving. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels. The highest level creates a noticeable drag effect when releasing the accelerator, resembling a one-pedal driving mode. The lowest level, however, provides a driving experience similar to a traditional fuel vehicle, with a low adaptation threshold.

Overall, the GLC 350e 4Matic has clear core advantages: its plug-in hybrid system balances the economical benefits of pure electric commuting with the power of hybrid mode; the rear air suspension enhances ride comfort; and its rich luxury features (such as the Burmester audio system and HUD head-up display) are competitively strong in the same class. Compared to the similarly priced BMW X3 xDrive30e, it has a longer pure electric range and higher-spec rear suspension. When compared to the Audi Q5L Sportback e-tron, its interior offers a more pronounced sense of luxury.

The target audience for this car is very clear: families who value brand image, have a daily commuting distance within 100km, want the low-cost benefits of pure electric driving but are not worried about range anxiety on long trips, and at the same time, require rear-seat comfort and occasionally need to take family members on long journeys. Its shortcoming is that the pure electric range is significantly affected by weather conditions and may decrease during winter, though this does not impact the core use cases overall.

Overall, the GLC 350e 4Matic is a "well-balanced with no shortcomings" luxury plug-in hybrid SUV. It perfectly combines Mercedes-Benz's brand strength, the energy efficiency of a plug-in hybrid, and the practicality for family use, making it a top choice in its class.