A Car That Smells Like a Chic Hotel or an Elite Boutique? Meet the In-Car Fragrance Diffuser
I have a confession to make: The moment I discovered the in-car fragrance diffuser in my Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 test model, I was smitten.
Nothing leaves an impression of an experience or reminds me of a great time like a fabulous fragrance. It might be bayberry and coconut from a day at the beach, or the white tea and cedar of an elegant soiree, or the jasmine and bamboo of an dressing room.
Or it might be the essence of a new car, its unfouled leather, fresh carpets and cool, crisp ventilation that makes a girl feel privileged and refined. But alas, a few spilled coffees and sweaty spin classes later, that new smell is gone.
Until now. I’ve met the in-car diffuser.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Yes, this Mercedes-Benz Has an In-Car Fragrance Diffuser, and the Possibilities are Heavenly
I discovered the built-in fragrance diffuser when I test drove the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic Coupe. It was exciting to check out this four-door hatchback crossover coupe, a smallish car that is roomy, sexy and capable, and outfitted with some of the best features Mercedes-Benz has to offer. I expected that.
What I didn’t expect was a fragrance diffuser.
When I picked up the car and drove home, I noticed the scent. At first I thought the person who last drove it was wearing too much cologne.
The next day I wondered if he’d sprayed himself in the car; the interior still smelled pretty strongly—a little masculine with citrus and wood notes, but nice. But I quickly became enthralled with other features of the GLC and forgot about the fragrance. Until the third day. That was when I went digging around in the glove box for the Monroney and found the diffuser. A base designed to hold and absorb fragrance from a jar, then disperse it into the HVAC system. In the diffuser was a small glass jar with a label that said “Freeside Mood.”
The diffuser and the fragrances available are created by a woman named Sabine Engelhardt, the Mercedes-Benz in-house futurist who led the automaker to create an olfactory experience, recognizing that fragrance is a key part of how we value and remember experiences.
Mercedes has several other fragrances, each capturing a slice of life, from sporty to hipster to nightlife.
Related: Art and Diffused Fragrance Tell the Story of Lincoln’s Evolution
Lincoln, Genesis and BMW Are In on the Trend, Too
While Mercedes-Benz was the first to add a diffuser to its models, it’s not the only one that offers them. Lincoln has added “digital fragrance” to the Nautilus and Navigator. This system allows owners to add one of seven fragrances to a small clip under the center arm rest; the fragrance is dispersed not through the HVAC system but through the arm rest.
Genesis added a diffuser to the Genesis GV80 SUV, where the dispenser is behind the glove box, and to the GV60, where the dispenser is hidden under what looks like a small speaker cover on the front passenger’s side door. BMW hasn’t rolled out its diffusers yet but it’s promised the technology for future models.
This is the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 that delighted us with the fragrance diffuser
Wouldn’t a Fragrance Bar Be the Perfect Complement to a Dealership Visit?
I was curious to test out the other fragrances from Mercedes-Benz, but was disappointed to find that I’d have to buy them first, at least from my local Mercedes-Benz dealer.
I went by to see if they had testers of the other fragrances (there are about 14 in all) and found probably the biggest missed opportunity in auto sales: They did not. But then it got worse: The sales greeters sent me to the service department, who sent me to the parts department where I could buy one of the fragrances for $142. The gentleman working in parts offered to open them first before I bought one, but I declined. I was just shopping, not buying.
I’m used to (and really like) the try-before-you-buy process at Saks Fifth Avenue or Sephora, where I can test out fragrances and take home a sample tab to see if I still like it a few hours later. That’s what I was hoping to experience at the Mercedes-Benz dealership, though I did get a free carwash.
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Can You Customize the In-Car Fragrance? Maybe
I have to admit, I didn’t love the scent of Freeside Mood. It’s a little masculine for me and a bit stronger than I like. However, I appreciate a crisp, clean fragrance for the car. I don’t want a heavy or musky scent in the closed environment of my car.
I’d really love to pick my own fragrance though. I already regularly add a few drops of Nest’s Bamboo room fragrance to a cotton ball and place it under the front seat for a subtle bit of heaven in the car, though it would be nicer if it were part of the ventilation system.
I tried opening the bottle of Freeside Mood to see if I could replace the oil with my own. While there is a seal on the side of the bottle, it did not easily open. I’m sure I’d be able to figure out how to open the bottle and replace the oil.
Need more than a diffuser in your car? Here are 18 fun car accessories under $20
Or, DIY Your Own Fragrance Diffuser
You can buy a fragrance diffuser for the car, a bit of jewelry for about $10, a lot less than the $350 Air Balance Package on the Mercedes-Benz, which also includes an air purification system. But, I don’t like extra stuff in my car; I like my car to come with all the necessities already installed.
And, I like that the Mercedes-Benz diffuser is hidden away in the glove compartment, sublimely infusing the cabin with eau de belle vie. Dang, this car smells good.
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