Mercedes C350e
OUR PICK Sport (2016/66, 59k m
THE C-Class has been a multiple winner in our annual New Car Awards, and now it’s scooped a prize in our used ceremony. Comfort, refinement and quality are the Mercedes’ main calling cards, but with the plug-in hybrid you can add extremely low running costs to the mix.
Combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an 81bhp electric motor and a 6.4kWh lithium-ion battery, it can deliver an EV range of just under 20 miles. That’s around five miles less than a BMW 330e, but it should be enough for most daily commutes, especially if you frequently plug it in to charge. While the C-Class can’t travel as far on electricity as its arch-rival, its combined power output of 275bhp is higher, and the C 350 e needs just 5.9 seconds for the 0-62mph dash – quick enough to leave some sports car drivers looking a little red-faced.
But the C-Class is more concerned with keeping its driver and occupants relaxed than getting their hearts racing. In pure electric mode the Mercedes serves up smooth and near-silent acceleration around town, while the standard air suspension smothers bumps and shrugs off potholes. Head out on to the open road and the petrol engine fires quietly into life, while even at motorway speeds wind and road noise are kept to a minimum. That said, find a series of corners and you’ll discover accurate steering and composed handling.
As in the standard C-Class, it’s the interior of the plug-in hybrid version that’s the real star of the show. Elegantly styled and beautifully finished from high-grade materials, it feels almost as special as the company’s S-Class limousine flagship. Those sitting in the back get plenty of leg and headroom, and while there’s loads of useful storage, the need to accommodate the battery under the boot floor means carrying capacity is reduced to a disappointing 335 litres. That’s more than 100 litres less than the standard diesel and petrol models. But if you need more space, the C 350 e is also available as an estate.
There are also loads of gadgets and gizmos to play with, while the easy-to-use infotainment system allows you to stay connected on the move. And of course, many examples are fitted with Mercedes’ cutting-edge driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, helping make the C 350 e one of the safest PHEVs you can buy.