Mercedes GLC 350E test bench | Looking for the right balance

Electric vehicles are sold pretty well, but not those of Mercedes. Faced with this rout, the star firm adjusts its shot and multiplies the variants with a hybrid mechanics (rechargeable). GLC is one of them.

For Mercedes-Benz, adding a rechargeable hybrid version to the GLC catalog can only be beneficial. For its cash flow of course, but also to fight on equal arms with its competitors. These, for the most part, already offer two-headed mechanics under their hood. And an electrical outlet embedded in one of their wings.

As if it were to apologize for its delay, the star firm overlaps its rivals with an electrical autonomy of 87 km, according to the data of Natural Resources Canada.

It is more than its closest competitors: the Audi Q5 (39 km), the RX400H+ from Lexus (60 km) or the XC60 T8 of Volvo. To accomplish this performance, the GLC 350th does not skimp on the power with a 23.3 kWh battery. For comparison, the Mazda MX-30, a pure electric electric, feeds with a 35.5 kWh accumulator. Naturally, this power has an impact on the weight and configuration of the vehicle. On this last point, the incidence of electrification is less.

The loading threshold of the GLC 350th is slightly raised compared to the other models in the range. And once folded down, the bench files do not also fall flat. It should be noted that the GLC 350th is limited to its towing capacity compared to other models in the range. However, the prospect of traveling almost 90 km in electric mode makes us forget these annoyances, as well as its price. Between a GLC 300 (petrol) and a GLC 350th (rechargeable hybrid), there is only $ 5,400 in difference. A difference that we will put (on average) just under four years to fill thanks to the fuel savings made.

This trial, carried out in two stages, made it possible to establish that the GLC 350th holds a promise. As long as the conditions were mild, we were allowed to travel 99 km without smoking its exhausts. On the other hand, when the mercury dropped to -12 degrees, our best score was 61 km.

The supply of the electric motor, as beneficial as it is, does not make GLC 350th a bomb. Indeed, because of its overweight, it is less swarming than the GLC 300. In addition, the electric motor fails to stop-any more than the soundproofing materials-the rise of decibels of the four-cylinder of 2 liters which accompanies it at the time of acceleration. Everything goes to order once the cruising speed has been reached, and the GLC 350th then becomes a Mercedes pure juice. Felted, a bit nonchalant, but solid like a rock.

This vehicle prefers peaceful driving and is nothing sporty. Far from it. Its pneumatic suspension at the rear helps to massage, not without certain firmness, the ripples of the road. As for management, it offers a correct feeling, but nothing more.

Criticism is more virulent about the brakes which are rather difficult to adjust. We press the pedal, we can feel the calipers bite the discs with greedy and then release a fraction of a second before caught them again. Hello confidence! Finally, we are sorry to find several driving aids (the sensors of dead angles for example) as an option… The German manufacturer claims $ 2500 to hold their services.

Still dysfunctions

Although not very happy, the presentation is serious. The driving position is pleasant, the front seats tighten you like a warm handshake. Less spectacular (but certainly less expensive to replace) than the infotainment screen offered on the most opulent Mercedes vehicles, that of GLC is functional and relatively easy navigation. The instrumentation block, on the other hand, is largely obstructed by the steering wheel.

In addition, on our test model, the failure of the electric ice cream before and the prestidigitation numbers of the computer system which revealed and disappear Carplay and Android Auto are rather tiresome in the long run. In addition, more than once, the vocal recognition system interfered in the occupants' conversations on board recalling that the order had to be launched by “Hey Mercedes”. We only want to answer: “But what are you getting involved?” »»