Has the Mercedes-Benz C300e PHEV already got prices: is it worth it?

Prices have now been announced for the Mercedes-Benz C300e, the PHEV version of the German saloon that promises to be the most efficient in the range.

The fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class reached the market in 2014, adopting the brand’s new design lines and gaining ground in terms of technology. After five years on sale, during which it underwent a facelift to stay fresh, the plug-in hybrid version now arrives. It is called Mercedes-Benz C300e and is the most efficient option in the brand’s saloon line-up.

The new Mercedes-Benz C300e is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) capable of running in 100% electric mode for almost 60 kilometres thanks to the range provided by its lithium-ion battery. It could therefore be included in our ranking of the 10 best plug-in hybrids on the market.

Two engines delivering 320 horsepower

Under the bonnet of the new version we find a 2-litre petrol engine producing 211 CV, paired with an electric motor that adds another 122 CV to the total. In practice, when both engines work together, they deliver 320 CV combined, managed by the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox. For now, this configuration is only offered with rear-wheel drive, although the brand has stated that a 4Matic all-wheel-drive version will follow in the future.

The new Mercedes-Benz C300e offers outstanding performance: it reaches a top speed of 250 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. As for consumption, if the batteries remain charged, the German manufacturer promises consumption of 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres. However, once the batteries are depleted, its consumption will be the same as that of the Mercedes-Benz C250, which shares the same engine, i.e. around 7.5 litres per 100 km.

The standard equipment of the new Mercedes-Benz C300e is genuinely comprehensive, including features such as automatic two-zone climate control, LED headlights, the MBUX infotainment system, automatic light and rain sensors, and more.

The new Mercedes-Benz C300e, meaning the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of the range, is offered in two body styles: the saloon and the more practical Estate. The price of the Mercedes-Benz C300e 9G-Tronic is 52,900 euros, while the Estate version costs 54,325 euros.

The question is clear when facing the purchase of a plug-in hybrid car: is it worth it? The answer basically depends on your needs and your journeys. If you have a charging point at home or at work and your daily journeys do not exceed 40 kilometres, the car can cover them in 100% electric mode, with the resulting savings.

If that is not your case, buying it is not recommended, since once the batteries run out the car operates as a conventional combustion vehicle, so its consumption will be equal to or higher than that of its diesel counterpart.

Within the model range there is also the Mercedes-Benz 300 with EQ Boost technology at 48 volts, i.e. the mild hybrid version. If you do not know what that is, do not miss our feature on Mild Hybrids, those hybrids that really are not hybrids.

The price difference between this version and the Mercedes-Benz C300e is more than 5,000 euros, so it may be more worthwhile for you if you do not have a charging point nearby or if your daily journeys exceed 50 kilometres. We have already done a comparison of both versions to see their differences, so we recommend reading it if you are not sure which of the two to choose.