Review: Mercedes-Benz GLC300e Coupe – Sporty and posh SUV, refined through partial-electrification

Since its introduction in 2016, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has stood as a standard-bearer for any coupe SUV as such. This sportier version of the mid-sized GLC SUV has even been bestowed with few AMG-badged performance variants like GLC 43 and the GLC 63 S Coupe.

Unfortunately, in this age of electrification and carbon-neutrality, the folks at Mercedes-Benz reckon that its venerable 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged mill might be not clean enough to pass the ever-tightening emission regulations, especially in Europe where the marque is based.

Refusing to sacrifice any performance advantage, Mercedes-Benz decided that the best compromise is to electrify said mill, thus resulting in the birth of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of this beloved coupe crossover.

Having spent a full weekend piloting it, it is safe to declare that this sporty SUV not only retains its nameplate’s performance pedigree, it also upholds the famed three-point star’s renowned standard for luxury thanks to said partial electrification. Allow us to digress…

OVERVIEW

In terms of styling, this Pekan-built (CKD) GLC300e Coupe possesses a similar look as its pure-combustible predecessor, the 2019-facelift GLC300 Coupe. Key design cues such as the sexy slanting roofline, as well as sharp front fascia with the big diamond pin front grille are still present in this plug-in iteration.

A sportier stance comes from the addition of the AMG Line styling package. Coupled with the Night Package that adds gloss black finished parts, the result is a rather suave-looking vehicle that’s also somewhat classy.

Flanking on either side of the grille is a pair of MultiBeam LED headlights with a smart adaptive high beam function that’s helpful for night-time driving. Moving to the side, the GLC300e Coupe rides on a set of massive yet tasty 20-inch AMG alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin high-performance tyres.

Albeit how stylish or sporty the GLC300e Coupe tries to be, it can’t escape from essential SUV crossover amenities such as the blacked-out body cladding on the slightly flared wheel arches, as well as the metal-finished side steps, though we opine the latter is very practical addition.

At the rear, the GLC300e Coupe has a few design cues differentiates it from un-electrified GLC300 Coupe, those being the model badging and the PHEV charging port. The addition of the AMG Line styling package also sees it donned with a faux diffuser, flanked by twin tailpipes finished in chrome.

As far as styling goes, this mix of key utilitarian elements with the marque’s renowned sporty and luxurious design ethos all blend well indeed.

ON THE INSIDE

Similar to its predecessor and the rest of Merc’s SUV offerings, the GLC300e Coupe’s cabin is furnished with a plethora of plush materials ranging from supple Nappa leather to real wood veneers. Current Mercedes-Benz owners need not study the manual as the GLC300e Coupe’s cockpit layout is pretty much the same as any other current-gen Merc.

Thanks to the addition of the AMG Line package, this cabin now is donned with Artico faux leather on the dash and door cards, along with a few aluminium trims that add a sporty touch to this rather ‘boujee’ cabin space. Should you think the cabin space is a tad bit gloomy to your liking, there’s an ambient lighting system that spices things up, as well as a panoramic sunroof.

Crowning the centre of the dash is a 10.25-inch infotainment display, powered by the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) operating software, with standard mobile connectivity like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Notable feature on said display is the EQ-specific display layouts, which is only present in electrified Mercedes models, be it PHEV or full-blown EQ EVs.

Drivers, on the other hand, are greeted with a larger 12.3-inch instrument display, as well as a sporty AMG steering wheel wrapped in sublime Nappa leather.

The ash wood-finished central console area houses the car’s four-zone climate controls and the three central air-cond vents, plus the infotainment control pads with few specific driving controls, such as the driving mode selectors, and parking camera switch.

Drivers and passengers alike will find the brown-tinged Nappa leather seats pleasant to say the least, with both front seats sporting four-way lumbar support plus 8-way power adjustments and memory function.

With all the comfort amenities remaining pretty much the same (or slightly improved), one can only wonder where or when the PHEV implementation comes to play…

DRIVING

Though it harnesses a respectably peppy 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mill to begin with that offers 208 HP and 350 NM, the start-up experience for the GLC300e Coupe is rather anti-climactic, and this stems from its preference towards full-electric power – typical of any PHEV.

For first-time EV or PHEV drivers, driving in full-electric mode can be a novel experience, as the car moves in almost absolute silence. On that note, the GLC300e Coupe’s stellar NVH suppression lining the cabin deserves high praises too, with wind, road and tyre roars being suppressed rather well here, even at highway speeds.

The silence is finally broken once you floor the pedal to engage both petrol- and electric-power combined. Do this and there’s now 315 HP and 700 NM available, thus granting the GLC 300e Coupe with the ability to despatch 0-100 KM/H in just 5.7 seconds.

Supplementing that performance is both the 9G-Tronic auto box and 4Matic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system the mill is paired with. The latter is seamless with each and every shift, whilst the latter ensures loads of traction, thus granting a lot of driving confidence especially in the wet.

Combined power thrills aside, the full-electric system is quite the sensation in its own right too. Juiced by a 13.5 kWh battery pack, it offers 120 HP and a rather meaty 400 NM of twist. It’s also good for up to 43 KM of travel on a full charge, thus making it perfect for short commutes or milk runs in the neighbourhood.

Despite what the sporty base design and AMG Line package suggests, one can argue that it lacks that little bit of sharpness as what the rivalling BMW X4 offers. However, we’ll also argue that said Bimmer still pales in comparison to this Merc in terms of refinement.

Simply put, not only does the GLC300e Coupe look like a proper Merc, it drives and behaves like one, too.

SAFETY

Typical of luxury SUVs at this price, the GLC300e Coupe is primed with comprehensive safety features, both active and passive. In the active front, it sports  staple Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Active Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist and more.

Should any of you find difficulties in parking this midsize SUV coupe, perhaps the 360-degree Parking Camera, as well as the Active Parking Assist with Parktronic might be helpful in your future parking endeavours.

Aside from that, the GLC300e Coupe also comes with the usual basics expected. Included are ABS, ISOFIX child seat anchors, traction and stability control systems, as well as seven airbags lining the cabin, all for good measure.

Simply put, the GLC300e Coupe is well-endowed with all the top-notch safety systems typically expected of any current-gen Merc, perhaps helping to justify its somewhat princely price tag.

RUNNING COST & RELIABILITY

Apart from the electrifying performance, this PHEV coupe SUV also shines most on the fuel economy front – Merc claims a combined fuel economy rate of 2.6 litres/100 KM. For reference, the larger BMW X5 PHEV from a segment up boasts sips as low as 2.5 litres/100 KM, thus putting this Merc in the same ballpark as said electrified but larger Bavarian-badged alternative.

Pitting the GLC300e Coupe against its segment rivals on the fuel economy front feels somewhat unjust as neither the BMW X4 nor the Audi Q5 are electrified. For comparison's sake though, the former sips between 7.5 to 8.5 litres/100 KM, while the latter does 8.0 litres/100 KM.

If anything, for anyone with the means who are sizing up premium SUVs as such at this price, fuel economy should be the least of their worries. If that’s the case, perhaps the addition of a clean emissions rating might alleviate some environmental guilt these prospects might be facing.

Above all else though, there is the stellar after-sales service that Mercedes-Benz is renowned for. This is especially true should you opt to buy yours from key dealers such as Hap Seng Star and Cycle & Carriage Bintang.

Beyond that, there’s also the standard 2+2 years, unlimited mileage warranty coverage MBM includes with each purchase, which should ease minds for those looking at long-term ownership.

SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

One can be forgiven for thinking that the electrified powertrain swap allows the GLC300e Coupe to command a stiffer price. On the contrary, this PHEV version actually comes in at a slightly lower price of RM398,888 – RM28,000 less than said combustion-powered predecessor’s RM426,888 sum.

Compared to its fellow German-badged rivals, the GLC300e Coupe’s price slots exactly in the between the X4 and Q5, which are priced at RM379,950 and RM404,878 respectively. Another contender worth considering here would be the Porsche Macan, though that commands a higher RM433,154 number, likely justified by its badge and the sporty magic that comes with it.

Surely, the presence of a partially-electrified powertrain might not be the prime reason  for prospects to elect for the GLC300e Coupe. However, we’d argue that the heightened performance and refinement stemming from it should be enough to at least convince them into this hybrid Merc’s favour. We definitely are…

SPECIFICATIONS