Plug-in hybrid is back! 2025 Mercedes-Benz C 350e arrives in Australia with 104km of electric range to rival the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will reintroduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in Australia, starting with the new C 350e.

As Mercedes' first non-AMG PHEV model since 2022, the C 350e will start at $98,200 before on-road costs, a mere $100 premium over the mild-hybrid C 300 with which it shares much of the same equipment.

That includes LED lighting, leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, an 11.9-inch central multimedia display, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, heated and memory front seats, ambient lighting and a surround-view camera.

In addition, the C 350e adds augmented reality for head-up navigation, adaptive high-beam assist, a 3D Burmester surround sound system and comfort suspension, among other features.

Where it differs, however, is under the skin. The C 350e pairs the C 300’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine (150kW/320Nm) with a single electric motor (95kW/440Nm), the latter situated in the car's nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Maximum power and torque peak come in at 230kW/550Nm for the C 350e, up from the C 300’s 190kW/440Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km takes 6.1 seconds, which is 0.1 seconds slower than the C 300.

Power is sourced, in part, from a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack Mercedes claims will deliver 104km of electric range under the NEDC cycle.

AC charging of up to 11kW will deliver a full charge in approximately two hours, while DC charging (as a $1500 option) allows the vehicle to be charged at 55kW, with a 0-80 per cent charge taking 20 minutes.

Mercedes-Benz has sold 460 examples of the C-Class to April this year, which is a decline of 26.0 per cent compared to the same period last year. It has been outpaced by the petrol-only BMW 3 Series with 566 sales.

The C 350e is available to order from Mercedes-Benz dealers across the country now.