For 2023 there is a new version of the Mercedes GLC coming onto the market, and two versions are going to be offered as Plug-In Hybrids. These PHEVs have got a significantly longer range than their GLC PHEV predecessors. The reason being the new GLC PHEV models get a much larger 31.2kWh battery. Importantly, these PHEV models are still able to tow up to 2,000kg.
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Mercedes GLC PHEV Key Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 2,000 kg
- Availability – Now
- Price – Starting £62,210 (300e) > £64,460 (300de)
- Official EV Range – up to 80 miles
- Real-World EV Range – 56 miles (70% of Official)
- Maximum Charge Rate/Time – 7kW/5 Hours, 11kW/2.5 Hours
Mercedes GLC PHEV HP & Torque
- 300e AWD 4MATIC: Combined output of 313 HP and 550 lb-ft of torque
- 2L Turbo Petrol Engine: 204 HP
- Electric Motor: 136 HP
- 300de AWD 4MATIC: Combined output of 335 HP and 750 lb-ft of torque
- 2L Turbo Diesel Engine: 197 HP
- Electric Motor: 136 HP
Mercedes GLC PHEV Towing Capabilities
The new Mercedes GLC comes in two PHEV variants, a petrol PHEV called the 300e, and a diesel PHEV called the 300de. Both have the same 31.2 kWh battery in the back.
In terms of power figures, based on the engine HP figures, the 300e should really have a higher total output figure than the 300de, but there appears to be a glitch in the Matrix from the figures Mercedes provide.
Anyway, the 300de does have a significantly higher total system output of 750 lb-ft of torque compared to the 300e, which provides 550 lb-ft of torque.
But let’s be clear here, even 550 lb-ft of torque is way more than most tow cars on the road today have, and it will easily be sufficient for good towing performance.
On that topic, I’m happy to report that both the GLC 300e and 300de get a very practical 2,000kg towing capacity, making them both viable electric tow car options.
Save your time, and don’t watch the video above. It appears Mercedes getting very odd in its old age, where it barely talks about the capabilities of its cars while trying to market them.
Anyway, besides the fact that the GLC can tow, its obviously the pure electric range, which is the key thing to take away here of up to 80 miles.
Now, that 80 miles is a WLPT figure which is not realistic. Therefore, I give a real-world figure of around 56 miles, but in clement weather, on the flat at low speeds, you could get into the 70-mile range, I’m sure.
Not towing, of course, but that’s not the point of a PHEV electric tow car. As I have discussed in my article on PHEVs vs BEVs for towing.
The point with a PHEV is with a sufficient range, you could drive around on electricity alone most of the time, maybe only using the engine when you need to tow.
No DC Rapid Charging Is A Good Thing
Ok, hear me out with this one, I know a person purchasing a GLC PHEV may be disappointed with its lack of DC rapid charging, but I actually think its a good thing.
If a PHEV owner charges via DC rapid charging while they are sitting in the car and would give up that space to a pure electric car, sure, charge a PHEV with a DC rapid charger.
However, we are now entering a point where the DC rapid charging network is not growing as fast as the number of pure electric cars that are being sold.
I don’t think range anxiety per se is going to be a problem over the coming years. Though I do think rapid charging anxiety is going to be a real problem unless the government pulls their finger out.
Hence, I don’t think PHEVs, which are not dependent on the rapid charging network during a long journey, should be sat at rapid chargers unattended, taking up stalls, its just asking for trouble.
Mercedes GLC PHEV Review
Below I’ve included a review of the new Mercedes GLC, which focuses heavily on the new PHEV models, and for good reason, its likely these are going to be the best sellers for Mercedes.
Now, the long real-world range is a good thing. However, compromises have been made in practicality. The boot space on the PHEV models is reduced by 200 litres compared to the non-PHEV versions.
My Thoughts On The Mercedes GLC PHEVs…
I’ve not been overly positive of Mercedes’s full electric vehicles of late. I think the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV and the EQE saloon are all over-priced for their specifications.
However, with these new GLC PHEVs, I think they are currently offering some of the best electric tow car options you could go for at this moment in time, provided you can afford them, of course.
They have taken the electric motors of its smaller sibling, the Mercedes c300e and grabbed the larger battery from the larger Mercedes GLE 350de and combined them to produce these GLC PHEVs.
At the moment, rapid charging while towing is a significant issue to overcome. Hence, if you want to tow more than 100 miles in one go, with a BEV, its probably going to be tricky.
However, if you only occasionally tow, or you only occasionally drive long distances, then a PHEV such as these Mercedes GLC options can make sense. Provided, of course, you actually charge them.