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BMW’s 330e Touring and Mercedes-Benz’s C300e Estate line up as the latest plug-in hybrids to blend low-emission commuting with the cargo space of a traditional long-roof. Both wrap a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine around an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, yet each interprets the brief differently: the BMW chasing driver involvement, the Mercedes leaning into lounge-like comfort.
Recent updates give the 330e a larger 22.3 kWh battery, trimming official CO? figures to around 20 g/km and stretching electric range well beyond the daily grind. Despite the extra mass, its chassis still feels eager; steering is crisp, body control is taut, and the adaptive dampers smooth away broken surfaces without blurring feedback. Practical touches remain, such as the separately opening tailgate glass that slips shopping into the boot when traffic-hemmed-in parking makes a full lift impossible.
The C300e counters with a slightly smaller 19.5 kWh pack but ekes out a longer claimed electric range, helped by slick aerodynamics and a gentle throttle map. Its cabin majors on serenity, with soft seats, hushed road noise and a voice-activated MBUX interface that responds to “Hey Mercedes” requests. A brake-by-wire system adds mild regeneration and adaptive distance control, though newcomers may find the automatically modulating pedal takes a few junctions to trust. Boot depth, meanwhile, is trimmed by the battery’s bulk, and the high floor can make heavy luggage a mindful lift.
Driven back-to-back, the BMW edges the honours. It turns in keenly, carries speed through bends with confidence and serves up a more intuitive infotainment experience via its iDrive rotary controller and expansive curved display. Factor in the larger load bay and the Touring feels more rounded family workhorse. The Mercedes remains an accomplished cruiser, delivering class-leading electric mileage and a cabin that cossets on long motorway hauls, yet the compromises in luggage capacity and pedal feel nudge it into second place. For those seeking an estate that mixes spirited road manners with genuine plug-in versatility, the 330e makes a stronger all-around case.
