NEW Mercedes C-Class C 300 e (313 hp) | the best plug-in hybrid you can buy?

POV review of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 e, a brilliant plug-in hybrid that can do over 100 km in EV mode! But is it all good?
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It combines a usable EV range with a sporty drive and the luxury we know Mercedes-Benz for. Is this the best plug-in hybrid you can buy today?
The electric driving mode is activated automatically. In D Auto mode, the sensors of the car take into account the navigation data, topography, traffic conditions, and speed limits along the planned route to optimise range.
One-pedal driving is available by selecting the D- mode with the steering wheel shift paddles.
Top speed Electric mode is 140 km/h (87 mph).
With a fully charged battery, average fuel consumption is 0.8-0.6 l/100 km (294-392 mpg US) WLTP.
With ‪@MercedesBenz‬ & ‪@MercedesBenzBelgiumTV‬
SPECS
------------------
- Color: Cavansite Blue
- AMG Line exterior
- 18" 5 spoke rims
- engine: turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder gasoline engine
- transmission: 9-speed automatic
- EV range: 110 km
- charging: 60 kW DC charging (with optional DC charger)
- power petrol engine: 201 hp / 320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
- power electric motor: 127 hp / 440 Nm (325 lb-ft)
- power combined: 313 hp / 550 Nm (406 lb-ft)
- fuel consumption: 0.8 liter / 100 km (WLTP)
- 0 to 100 km/h / 0 to 62 mph: 6.1 seconds
- top speed: 245 kph / 152 mph
PRICE
------------------
2022 Mercedes C 300 e price (Europe): from € 56,168 - $65,305
CHAPTERS
----------------
00:00 introduction
00:16 startup & interior
01:04 walkaround
01:52 a depressing fuel tank
02:15 under the hood
02:37 in the trunk
03:39 driving
06:22 talking to Mercedes
08:06 kinetic seats
08:26 rear seats
Check out my other videos:
EV & hybrid: • EV & hybrid cars
Sports cars: • Sports cars - Johnny POV
#mercedesc300e #c300e #cclass

[@johnnypovdrives]

Is this the best plug-in hybrid you can buy at the moment? Let me know in the comments!

[@Biiggles]

No, Audi A6.

[@Aurevo.]

It's EQS😏

[@adrianocortijo7258]

An eqs is fully electric

[@stakon84]

In the same category, BMW 330e. A bit faster, great quality, sportier and with normal balance between batteries/electric range and boot space.

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@stakon84 haven't driven it yet, but I can imagine it's a great car and a serious competitor for the C300e. Thanks for watching!

[@S4IF15]

Love the review dude, ASMR hitting

[@bugraaltun9290]

You are definitely the best Car review channel in youtube, looking forward to your new videos :)

[@johnnypovdrives]

Wow, thanks! Much appreciated. More drives coming soon! 🙏

[@Kryan87]

I have bought the T Model (Stationwagon = more boot space). It's week 1, but we are LOVING it so far. We got the massage seats too, and they are a GAME changer.

[@joelsilva2496]

The intro sound is so good, it reminded me of Dolby Atmos

[@VincentDP]

A superb presentation video. Well done.

[@johnnypovdrives]

Thank you! ✨🙏✨

[@macboy2814]

Just got my c300e estate for a week now and indeed an amazing car! Yesterday I drove from Antwerp to Zeebrugge, all electric, the full 97km (highway at 14 dg celcius and 115km/h). 2 downsides: trunk space is very limited and you feel this is a heavy car. If you look for amazing comfort, this is what you need. If you look for +300 HP to have fun, look further.

[@johnnypovdrives]

Congrats, it is a great car! Thanks for sharing your experience with it. One question, does it also have the decompression issue when you want to fuel it up?

[@macboy2814]

@@johnnypovdrives it has that same issue (only filled it once so far). But I have a company fuell card and takes some time to insert my code, select type of gas, enter milage,… when I got back to my car the cap was open 😄. Put 1.000km on the car in a week and only used 20% fuell so not realy an issue for me to experience this every 6 weeks.

[@Slow.S55]

How's the depressurizing system still holding up to? I'm really interested in this model but the reliability of that system is questionable.

[@macboy2814]

@@Slow.S55 taking about 15 - 20 sec to depress and open cap. About 8000 km now and best car I ever had. Only downside is the weight and thereby less sporty feeling while driving. But on highway (wher i use it 80% of my time) it’s very comfortabel

[@viperhd70]

I've been a long time C Estate driver myself, but the trunk space was the deal breaker for me. It's ridiculous to put such a huge battery in a PHEV. If you want that much electric range, you might as well go full EV, which is what I did with an EQB. It may be a class down from the C, but it has a whopping 300 liters extra trunk space with rear seats up.

[@Rzayev7771]

Xeyirli olsun İnşAllah

[@johnnypovdrives]

Və siz də

[@JohnJones-ri7pi]

Nice review, ordered one in March but delivery expected in January, can’t wait!

[@customsneakergb2451]

Have you got the car yet ?

[@jemptus3031]

Hi I bought the same in Break version - new from the offcial dealer in Brussels and already had a Battery replaced after 2000 km. Can you share what the effective autonomy of the electrical battery is during winter? Mine only shows 67km outside weather is obviously nearby 0C but still this worries me… Thanks for the info

[@Endorion_YTC]

I just wish we have plug-in hybrid Mercedes models for the U.S. market. Same especially for the new S-Class..

[@danlepluheureux]

Merci pour les sous-titres en français 👍. Mais cette propulsion ça donne quoi avec la neige et la glace ? Si tu démarres dans une pente, tu restes coincé même avec des pneus hiver ? La berline 4 portes est plus jolie que le break et moins cher que le GLC. J'ai actuellement une Classe C 200 Coupé 4Matic et une Honda e et cette C300 e pourrais remplacer mes 2 voitures actuelles.

[@callmeasuka5849]

great review, are you going to take a look at the nissan ariya?

[@johnnypovdrives]

thanks! Well actually that's a good idea, I put it on my list!

[@thearousedeunuch]

7:08 The real joke is the amount of time it took for the gas tank to depressurize. :) Great POV, by the way.

[@jonasautovlog]

Yes it took a while… 😂 Thanks!

[@theimpossible0815]

Why does it have to be pressurized?

[@oli6565]

They vacuum fuel vapor to avoid contact with the high voltage battery/components.

[@timifie7868]

Cool video! The grill with the Mercedes logo is a very cool detail. But still fake exaust and air vents, to bad. When the decompression is fixed, does it just go faster or is not even a thing ? Do you know that?

[@johnnypovdrives]

thanks! Yeah that grille is just lovely. As for the normal depressurising time, I have no idea... hope someone here knows & shares! 🤞😄

[@oyunsecimi]

nice car, great

[@johnnypovdrives]

I agree :)!

[@vgspotting5331]

I own an C300e put 5k miles on it and its amazing car enough power to overtake people and very comfortabel with the airsupsension on the rear axle

[@markissac]

what's the reliability. I heard that the hybird system are very easily malfunction

[@arijeanz]

oh i really hate that fuel tank decompression!! is that normal for hybrids? why is it like that? can you at least decompress while on the road, for example on the way to the gas station?

[@johnnypovdrives]

Well, I've heard from someone working at MB that they've had several cars returned to get that 'decompression issue' fixed, so I guess it's not normal and my test car was one of the cars that had it. I would go crazy if I needed to wait that long every time I need to fill er up...

[@gamingincde]

The decompression by itself is normal for hybrids as it allows the car to be fully operated without emissions.

[@markgeller5900]

@@gamingincde That sounds insane. I have a PHEV without this. "operated without emissions" ? That is B.S.

[@mimidotcat]

@@markgeller5900 in a few hybrids the fuel tank is sealed and they decompress the system to avoid over-pressurization when you don't use any fuel for a long period of time

[@adrianocortijo7258]

The tank descompressing it’s normal in all the petrol mercedes that I had. The difference I see in that car is in the others, the vapors or fumes produced by the petrol are not dumped to the street like the other cars. This one seems to process that vapors

[@GDetox-ck5xb]

Dag landgenoot! Wat is je range gecombineerd? Vermoed dat het een 50l tank is en 100 km elektrisch? Als je 1x laad en dan rijdt tot de tank leeg is hoeveel km's zou je kunnen doen?

[@TerraMp]

Does the ambient light and the reflection of instruments on the windscreen bother you when driving at night?

[@stevyop99]

btw do a pov of the glc400e also when it releases :D:D:D

[@johnnypovdrives]

that should be an even better phev. I might drive it some day, first have to get through all the drives I already recorded and still need to edit (I recorded this C300e in May 2022... 😅)

[@Aurevo.]

Hey brother, I know you love hatchback cars, and I found EQS that's actually insane and the screen is beautiful and > BIG

[@johnnypovdrives]

EQS is on my list :)

[@Aurevo.]

If you drive next you will drive it every day and keep that car on the garage it's insane😱💎

[@detleffegers3780]

Nice speeding in the forest. Thank God I live in Germany where I can really drive that car...

[@johnnypovdrives]

Don't believe what the traffic sign indicator says... in most of the Mercedes I've driven it can both indicate 90 max speed in a town center and a 50 km speed limit on the Autobahn. And yes, you have the best roads! 👌

[@FOREST-9351]

Brother C300e is available in which country??

[@makatron]

This is just perfect for urban use and maybe filling up the tank every 4 months. My avg daily driving it's around 30km so this would be an easy 3 day electric car and of course home charging so you're always full.

[@bloomvikung]

At 0:20 radio sound sooo nice, is it standard stereo system or any additional stereo package?

[@SelhatinDeniz]

It is the standard sound system, because this one doesn't have the burmester.

[@bloomvikung]

@@SelhatinDeniz Ohh I see. Thanks. I’m impressed, standard system sounds this good!

[@mikasmercedes-benz-welt]

Really nice video! But what hurts me very much is, that you clearly didn't drive the engine warm! When you giv full throttle at 4:42 you can see that in the engine data menu! Also with the modern combustion engines it's always better/needed to drive the engine warm!

[@johnnypovdrives]

Well I assumed at that time that modern engines - and especially those part of a hybrid system, would have a software safety built in that prevents them from going too high in revs etc. But in the meanwhile I have asked several people and apparently you can still abuse an engine because the software doesn’t do enough to limit engine power / revs when cold… I was disappointed but now I know to be nice and gentle just like I do with an older car. 👌🤓

[@avalanche9142]

Are these hybrid engines more costly to service and maintain? Also it seems the battery needs to be replaced after around 100k km, which would be very costly, right?

[@ronaldoquintos1675]

I got one in my shop that I’m working on. Someone left the window open and got rained on which is a big no no specially for hybrid vehicles.

[@Thulebeez]

WOW PHEV ev range are improving can do 100km range impressive

[@stakon84]

with 310 liters of boot. Any car in this category could do same or better if they decided to lose other 80-110 liters of space. And we are talking for family cars

[@user-lg8hc7mx5y]

4:43 damn the engine was cold and you rev the shit out of it 😂😂

[@johnnypovdrives]

We live in times software keeps our engine revs safe (I hope) 🤞😅

[@user-lg8hc7mx5y]

@@johnnypovdrivesat least it didn’t touch 8000 rpms

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@user-lg8hc7mx5ythere you go, totally safe! 👌😄

[@pierrequiroule2231]

I drove one of these break, full options, for a week. It’s a really beautiful car, very nice to drive, but even for a break the trunk and the rear seats are really too small regarding the length of this car.It’s just fine for a couple, but forget it with kids. For almost 90k€ full options it’s for me a deal breaker.

[@blazinmark1]

Ok, not a POS. Didn’t realize it’s 60 miles on ev mode. (Also, I’m a 2021 M550i driver) so I’m lucky if I get 18mpg’s. But I LOVE my N63tu V8 growl. Congrats nice car!

[@claycc79]

I cannot find this on the MBUSA site, is it sold in the US?

[@johnnypovdrives]

It's not... apparently the US doesn't get the hybrid C300 for some reason.

[@Vellfire_GG]

Could you please review the Peugeot 308 GT one day? Please 🙏?

[@johnnypovdrives]

Have you checked this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fprCd5eFbNOShMk

[@Ramzes945]

I have never heared about decompressing a fuel tank before. Is this relating to plug-in hybrids only or to petrol ones too? Why is this happening?

[@johnnypovdrives]

It’s a safety measure in plug-in hybrids because of the combination of a battery and fuel system. I learned that normally it shouldn’t take take long to decompress :)

[@wollotv]

Wait did your model have Burmester sound system? Cause it didn’t seem to sound really well😮

[@johnnypovdrives]

Yes, the basic Burmester system, nothing fancy. 😄 Well the sound was ok, it's difficult to translate hifi sound to KZbin anyways I guess.

[@tf2694]

How do Hybrids manage the engine warm up. Surely it's not making the engine produce full power when It's only just started from cold if it's in EV mode?

[@johnnypovdrives]

I've been asking myself that same question...

[@Seeyan86]

is it really that quiet in the cabin while driving in real life?

[@Sebastiaopachecodacu]

what's the average l/km you achieve?

[@Slyze33]

why is there pressurized fuel tank? Just for the plug in hybrid?

[@johnnypovdrives]

I guess because the battery and the gas tank are nearly at the same location and it could burst into a giant electric fireball. But that is just my guess.

[@Slyze33]

@@johnnypovdrives makes sense. maybe with a new platform where the batteries are located on the center,, that would not happend

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@Slyze33 Exactly, won't be a problem when you buy an EV or hybrid on a dedicated platform. Hey, but at least there isn't a hump in the trunk anymore like in the first generation EQ hybrids. ✌😄

[@Slyze33]

@@johnnypovdrives True ^^

[@soha150]

How much this particular C class ?

[@Artekk83]

I think around 55-65 thousands euro.

[@philippsesar5276]

Never heard of a decompressing tank? What’s that about?

[@johnnypovdrives]

it's when they put in a high power lithium battery and a tank of flammable liquid together. Compressing the fuel tank should make it safer. And that's what I know about it. 😅

[@SDav21]

@@johnnypovdrives Doesn't it have to do with the fact that it's a plug in hybrid and the fuel isn't used much so it is pressurised to make sure it doesn't go stale. In some cases the fuel will never get used since some owners will drive mostly electric only.

[@Sparkpluggy]

I honestly can't stand that interior. Having to use haptic controls even to use the cruise control is dumb. It's also going to look awful in a few days due to all the fingerprints. The absolute worst thing however is that you cannot get the star hood ornament any longer. WTF? That is what made a Mercedes a Mercedes. I would honestly take the 3-series or the A4 over the new C-class, even though I am a huge Mercedes fanboy.

[@johnnypovdrives]

personally I quite like the UI controls with the haptics, but you're absolutely right about the fingerprints. The hood star is disappearing model by model it seems. Because of aero? Cost? Fragile? I have no idea tbh. Thanks for watching!

[@sergeibatiuk3468]

How can it be the best if it does not have the proper physical buttons for important stuff

[@johnnypovdrives]

Best in e-range and overall bang for buck

[@sergeibatiuk3468]

@@johnnypovdrives ic

[@kpv123]

Hey Mercedes. we want this in the United States- now! Why isn't this available to order?!? Do not give up on the plug in Hybrid engine; it is the answer to electrification for the next 10 years! Electrical grids do not have enough power and we don't have enough rare Earth chemicals to make batteries to Electrify everything. hybridization alone is not good enough we need the plug-in hybrids that solve all the problems, including lack of range for EVS and lack of charging stations. bring on the plug-in hybrids. How is it that people, even car manufacturers, don't have the foresight to see these things?

[@stevyop99]

7:30 mental breakdown xD

[@johnnypovdrives]

not the first time that happened while in a conversation with a Mercedes 😄

[@AkiffHssn]

Lexus please 😁

[@NOSPowerxxxl]

It can only tell you a joke or check the whether if you connect it to the mercedes me service but it seems that this was not the case

[@Omega_Editz08]

Do you own a car? If you do what is it? Just curious

[@johnnypovdrives]

Hey no problem, I'm planning to do a POV drive of it some day :). I drive a 2021 Mercedes V300d. ✌️

[@Omega_Editz08]

@@johnnypovdrives Thanks

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@Omega_Editz08 thank you for watching! 👊

[@imjustinjong3939]

Gosh Manual boot.. c300 should have e electric boot opening.

[@johnnypovdrives]

They keep that for the e class 😄. I’ve seen automatic boots on c class before, guess it’s an option

[@imjustinjong3939]

@@johnnypovdrives I’m driving the older model W205 c300 with power boot. As I recall. The lower spec c200 doesn’t come with the power boot. Yours is c300 technically should come with that function. Or maybe it’s still optional or depending of country.

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@imjustinjong3939 I guess both, I've seen different specs according to location and different option lists :).

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

I thought it was 333hp combined. It is the best PHEV you can buy--but, Where? Is it available in the USA? I see this is a left hand drive but, where is this? From the accent, it's not anywhere near the USA. We don't care about MPG unfortunately, and "Hey" Mercedes knows this. What is the "Wetter" like? Germans aren't all jokes, humor amd sunshine. ;)

[@johnnypovdrives]

Well, I found out afterwards that it is NOT sold like this in the USA... this car was filmed in Belgium, Europe. Und jawohl, the Vetter ist fine, thanks for watching! ✌️😄

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

@johnnypovdrives I figured. I have been in Belgium. PHEVs are the best technology currently. The under-educated USA public, won't adopt. It is rising slowly though. I won't comment on that new 4 cylinder C63 S. That's is a 4,000lb joke of a car. Let's hybrid a 4 cylinder, and turbo charge and put a 200hp electric laggy motor in it. It's a PHEV. A sad 671hp overly expensive with the weight of an S Class PHEV. ;) My point is, I'd buy a C300e, if it was brought to the USA. Great video.

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO thanks! Yeah can't wait to drive the C63s :). BTW, the Belgian government has just announced that PHEVs will be more expensive starting from June 2023 (taxes etc.) in favour of EVs...

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

@johnnypovdrives interesting. I guess PHEVs don't qualify. Horrid technology as of now. Maybe 5-10 years. Charging in a urban environment and the grid can't handle it. That electricity comes from some fossil fuels. The battery is filthy business in manufacturing and disposal. Still 3 times less polluting than a petrol vehicle over 10 years. Convenience and cost is all what the human animal cares about. -Enjoy. I don't think I'd buy a 4 cylinder C63 S.

[@neunglaan4579]

annoying fisheye lens... cannot see the silhouette of the car... oh man..Nice car but way too expensive for a normal C class

[@johnnypovdrives]

Without the fisheye it doesn't fit my driveway 😅

[@albertoalsa4522]

1:03 I forgot

[@_BrahmaHun]

you're really mad at the assistant mercedes 😹😹😹😹

[@johnnypovdrives]

I got carried away 😅

[@_BrahmaHun]

Are all the cars you show yours? I have this car I didn't know about the assistance 😂😅

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@_BrahmaHun no, the cars are not mine, I get them from the brands to test drive them. Glad I could teach you something about your car! 👌😄

[@_BrahmaHun]

yes thank you

[@shuzzeh]

Hello, why not have an electric trunk for such an expensive car? it's horrible :(

[@johnnypovdrives]

I have no idea, it also didn’t have the DC charging option, guess it’s just not a full option except for the AMG Line

[@Artekk83]

​@@johnnypovdrives With charging by DC trip is better. Don't need to refuel and decompress fuel tank.

[@conradmilson6654]

Seems like a lot of road / tyre noise??

[@johnnypovdrives]

I think it's the audio levels being higher because of automatic mic adjustment, there wasn't any abnormal road or tire noise

[@DigitalJunior2003]

It does sound plasticky and cheap inside

[@p.k.7111]

Great review, disappointing car (mostly interior build quality, UI incl capacitive buttons everywhere, but also medicore performance).

[@johnnypovdrives]

Thanks for watching! I actually quite like the interior and the UI. And I was surprised by the performance combined with a great EV range. 😄

[@user-xy8mu5yj5j]

C300e mercedes

[@jonchicoine]

but that acceleration is abysmal

[@johnnypovdrives]

Is it? Had to look up the word 😅

[@e30tomas54]

4:43 So this is a first time an engine starts up, and you instantly floor it?? If most of the user does that then this engines will be a pice of garbage in no time... Cold engine, cold oil, cold coolant and full power output... wtf?

[@johnnypovdrives]

Well, that is a genuine question I have with these plug-in hybrids… at that moment in the video I’ve been driving for maybe half an hour in E Mode, does the petrol engine do any preconditioning, preheating in that period? Because you and I might be aware of this, but the majority of drivers are not. And won’t even notice when it’s the engine and when it’s the electric motor powering the car.

[@e30tomas54]

@@johnnypovdrives i don't think it does. Because it would make electric consumption waaaay higher. It would have to take at least 3kW of energy to be able to heat engine. And in slow city driving 3kW can translate to easily to 6kWh/100km. So it would have much worse electric range. It is all focused about co2 and emisions, not about longevity of engine. Go buy some cheap 10e Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, some basic android app and check temperatures. We will know for sure.

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@e30tomas54yeah, makes sense, thanks for the input! 👊 I don’t have the c300e anymore, so I can’t read it out, but I like the suggestion!

[@e30tomas54]

@@johnnypovdrives oh, why not? It was rented or you sold it already ?

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@e30tomas54 UPDATE: I heard someone that's in car tech and he states that the engine has software limits built in so that it can't over-rev at low temperatures. That kinda makes sense to me. So even if you floor it, the engine doesn't give you full power or revs when it is too cold. BTW, it was a test car from Mercedes, had to give it back! ✌😄

[@markgeller5900]

O.K. Let's talk. I know you tried to be thorough, but: A POV with a foggy or sunlite front window is not fun to look at. Seating in the rear with a thumbs up is worthless without your height so we know packaging. Last, what is the purpose of the decompression of the fuel tank? I have a PHEV and don't have that?? Is the engine a hybrid after you exhaust the electric? With what mileage if hybrid gas only after electric done? You could do a lot better. All those bags in the rear is such a turn-off, you would need the estate just to carry them around, lol.

[@essentials1016]

Instant dislike when i saw that the engine just started and you revved it out.

[@johnnypovdrives]

That’s too bad, sorry to read that. But I hope you realize that there is a difference between the edited story and the actual drive? No cars were harmed in the making of this video.

[@berfus7823]

now this a review. everything can be put in small captions, no need to be talking nonsense the entire video.

[@johnnypovdrives]

This is KZbin, no need to watch this channel if the nonsense bothers you. 👋

[@rudivangiel3575]

@@johnnypovdrives ‘this is a review’… guess dude’s at the wrong channel 😂 keep up the great work Johnny

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@rudivangiel3575 thanks, will do ✌️😄

[@berfus7823]

@@johnnypovdrives you did not understand what i was trying to say. this is what a review is supposed to look like. i hate when peoeple talk nonsense when all the info can be given with small captions like you did.

[@johnnypovdrives]

@@berfus7823 omg, I read it like you didn’t like the concept and has the urge to share that in a comment. Thanks for watching & clearing this out! 👌😄

[@takatoekoe]

This car is a no for me

[@johnnypovdrives]

and I respect you for that. Thanks for watching! ✌️😁

[@Joel._.Le0n]

Best one would be Lincoln aviator GT, V6 twin turbo and a hybrid

[@iLL3571]

Handy ski hatch, lol going with a rwd car to ski resorts, funny

[@johnnypovdrives]

I like to go to ski resorts with a rwd car, a lot more fun on the road :)

[@iLL3571]

The combo on this car is really shit, 2L hybrid with only 300hp while their cla 45 puts out 420 hp from only 2l ice?

[@johnnypovdrives]

but the cla 45 can't do + 100 km in Electric mode, that's the niche of this car. If I want performance, I'd go for the c63! 😎

[@flybeep1661]

Those wheels are not the best looking wheels I've seen imho, not pretty at all.

[@johnnypovdrives]

No I know, that’s the aero line rims