2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e PHEV lands in Australia with over 100km of electric range

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e 4MATIC has landed in local showrooms from $99,900 before on-road costs with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain offering a claimed 112km of electric driving range under the WLTP cycle.

The current-generation GLC SUV is the most popular model in Mercedes-Benz Australia showrooms, and the GLC350e gives the popular SUV its first non-AMG plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Not only is it a belated replacement for the previous-generation GLC300e, but it also gives Mercedes-Benz a direct rival to the BMW X3 30e xDrive – priced at $104,800 before on-roads – and the soon-to-be-replaced Audi Q5 TFSIe, which was priced at $113,984 plus on-roads.

It’s also the third non-AMG PHEV launched by the German automaker here this year. 

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The GLA250e PHEV SUV was launched in July with the C350e PHEV sedan two months earlier as the brand moved back towards plug-in hybrids – having previously prioritised electric vehicles (EVs) – given their increasing popularity both here and overseas. 

The GLC350e’s $99,900 before-on-roads price is $1700 above the C350e sedan, which uses the same 150kW 2.0-litre engine and nine-speed automatic combo, but the GLC adds a bigger, 25.28kWh battery and more powerful 115kW electric motor.

Despite the more powerful electric motor, Mercedes-Benz says the GLC has the same combined 230kW/550Nm outputs as the C350e sedan, 10kW and 100Nm above the X3 30e, and while short of the Q5 55 TFSI’s 270kW it has more torque than the Audi’s 500Nm. 

Mercedes-Benz Australia claims an electric-only driving range of 132km – 28km more than the PHEV C-Class sedan – using the NEDC measure.

Under electric power – prioritised in urban driving conditions – the GLC350e can reach 100km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds before a top speed of 140km/h. 

The GLC350e comes with a pair of charging cables – one for public charging, the other for home – and can be charged at up to 11kW using AC power, enabling a full battery in around two hours.

An optional charging package brings DC charging at up to 55kW, for an 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes. 

Standard equipment on the GLC350e includes an Avantgarde exterior package, which includes 19-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels, LED headlights, metallic paint, and privacy glass. 

Aluminum-look side-steps and trim contrast with gloss black details to complete the exterior look.

Other standard equipment includes:

• Keyless entry and start
• Panoramic sunroof
• Artico leatherette upholstery
• Power-adjustable front seats with memory and lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Head-up display
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• Ambient lighting

At the rear, standard-fit self-levelling suspension maintains the same ride height regardless of load. 

Three option packages are also available for the GLC 350e. 

The Sport Package costs $6000 and adds an AMG Line exterior, including AMG 20-inch alloys with larger front brake discs, body-colour wheel arch liners, sports seats and a multifunction sports steering wheel in Nappa leather.

With the Sport Package optioned, buyers can also add the Night Package for an additional $1300. This brings high-gloss black trim, including high-gloss black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels. 

Buyers can also add the Plus Package for $7600, which bundles the Driving Assistance Plus Package with MBUX Augmented Reality, a Burmester sound system, Digital Light with adaptive high-beam, as well as acoustic window glass and Guard 360-degree vehicle monitoring.

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