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Mercedes-BenzC-Class Estate Plug-in hybrid (2021-)

Large estate
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Available new

£47,720Typical price

Test score

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The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate was launched in 2021, followed in 2022 by the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, badged C300 e. Its claimed range of 65 miles in electric-only mode is class-leading, but how did it fare in our independent range test? And can the car beat rivals like the BMW 330e Touring and Volvo V60 Recharge in other areas? Find out in our full Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate plug-in hybrid review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are Mercedes-Benz's plug-in hybrid cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Nov 2024Last checked by Which?
Jun 2023First reviewed by Which?
Sept 2022Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large estate
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£47,720 - £56,220
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	177.7mpg
Length	4,751mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,820mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,040mm
Height	1,454mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.05 m
On sale date	01 September 2022
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£14.37

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	C300 e T-Modell Avantgarde 9G-TRONIC
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	2-litre (313hp)
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	14.37p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£67
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	38
Tested electric-only range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	470.8
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1800kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	17 April 2023
Test programme	2017

Suggested Alternatives

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Large estate
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Superb Estate Plug-in Hybrid (2020-2023)

Large estate
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Used only

£12,149Typical price

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Volkswagen

Arteon Shooting Brake PHEV (2020-2024)

Large estate
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Used only

£21,240Typical price

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Mercedes-BenzC-Class Estate Plug-in hybrid (2021-)

where to buy or sell