The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3 are two of the most well-liked luxurious SUVs, not to mention the compact SUV section particularly. Hailing from two of essentially the most recognizable and revered luxurious manufacturers, it’s not shocking that automotive buyers so often flip to the GLC and X3 when searching for a extra premium small SUV. That doesn’t imply you need to solely take a look at this pair (search for alternate options on the backside of this comparability rundown), however they’re unquestionably stable decisions.
Of all of the variations between them, although, maybe the one most necessary to deliver to the forefront is that the Mercedes GLC was redesigned for the 2023 mannequin 12 months whereas the X3 dates again to 2018 with a major replace for 2022. Meaning one is among the many latest within the section, whereas the opposite is among the many oldest (the Audi Q5 is of an equal classic). We’re undecided how a lot this actually impacts the comparability beneath for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, however by way of the X3 at the very least, it’s in all probability good to know that you just’ll be lacking out on an all-new mannequin in a single or two mannequin years.
Beneath you’ll discover our solutions to a wide range of questions asking which of the X3 and GLC are higher in sure respects. Total, we’d select the GLC, however the beneath classes ought to spotlight the place one may be superior to your explicit priorities.
Which has a nicer inside?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
We’d say the GLC’s newer redesign advantages right here, however the last-generation GLC had a nicer inside than the X3, too. The brand new one, nonetheless, manages to face out by way of each know-how and conventional luxurious. The broad swath of wooden or different trim throughout the sprint, the clicky round air vents and touchscreen rising out of the middle console are equal elements elegant and funky. If you happen to’re searching for a compact SUV that appears and feels deserving of the time period “luxurious automobile,” it’s laborious to consider a extra convincing entry.
Against this, the X3 has a extra old-school BMW aesthetic that’s slightly technical in look. The standard is excessive, in look and supplies, however in a far more indicative of high-end electronics. It definitely does have the type or polish of BMW’s newer efforts, together with the X1 beneath it (in actual fact, that’s not a nasty selection to think about as a substitute of the X3).
Which has higher infotainment know-how?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
If we’re speaking display dimension, that is no contest: the GLC’s commonplace touchscreen measures 12.3 inches to the BMW’s 10.3-inch unit, which can also be positioned farther away. The Mercedes digital instrument panel is larger, too, with a number of vibrant designs in comparison with the odd, underutilized one-look-fits the entire BMW. When it comes to the performance, the X3 at the very least has the older iDrive7 contact interface that was significantly superior to the iDrive8 that might come after it (although inferior to iDrive9 within the new X1). This implies if could also be a bit simpler to make use of than the Mercedes MBUX system, however each have slightly steep studying curves, and we’ve develop into acclimated to MBUX with time and recognize its varied distinctive options.
Which is safer?
Winner: Tie
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named each SUVs a High Security Decide+ for his or her best-possible crash take a look at scores, plus sufficiently excessive scores for its headlights and frontal crash prevention system (the GLC’s Driver Help bundle upgrades get a barely increased rating than the usual techniques).
Which has the larger again seat?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The GLC is mainly the identical size total in comparison with the X3, however having an additional inch of wheelbase helps it have an additional inch of again seat legroom. Neither is among the many roomiest within the section, although. If that’s necessary, look to the Acura RDX, Volvo XC60 or stepping as much as a Lexus RX or Jaguar F-Tempo.
Which has extra cargo capability and performance?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The reply to this query is much extra difficult than it ought to be.
If you happen to simply appeared on the specs, you’d see the X3 has 28.7 cubic-feet whereas the GLC has 21.9. Straightforward conclusion, proper? Improper. Mercedes measures its cargo areas otherwise, with the consequence being it really has more room than its slightly paltry determine would recommend. Our baggage take a look at of the GLC revealed it may seven suitcases with room to spare, or greater than every little thing within the section besides the RDX and XC60.
The X3 is difficult in its personal means. That 28.7 cubic-feet is for an X3 with no spare tire. If you happen to go for a spare tire, it has to go someplace, so the cargo ground is awkwardly raised a number of inches to accommodate the tire beneath. Our X3 baggage take a look at (with spare tire) confirmed it may simply barely match 5 suitcases plus an in a single day bag. We’re not fairly positive what the outcomes could be with the decrease ground, nevertheless it definitely wouldn’t be considerably higher than the GLC.
Which will get higher gas financial system?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The GLC’s mild-hybrid powertrain is probably going helpful right here because it’s significantly extra environment friendly. The rear-drive GLC 300 returns a superb (for a luxurious SUV) 29 mpg mixed, whereas the all-wheel-drive GLC 300 4Matic returns 27. The comparable X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i return 25 and 24 mpg mixed, respectively.
Gas financial system for the high-performance AMG GLC 43 is 21 mpg mixed. The X3 M40i returns 23 mpg mixed, so there’s one within the MPG Win Column for BMW.
Lastly, in the event you care about gas financial system, don’t even hassle with the GLC 63 or X3 M.
Which is extra highly effective?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
Each are supplied in three fashions that correspond with a unique engine. The GLC wins each time.
The amount-selling GLC 300 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with a mild-hybrid system that each one collectively produce 258 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The comparable BMW sDrive30i and xDrive30i (the s and x consult with rear- versus all-wheel drive) have a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four good for 248 hp and 258 lb-ft.
The AMG GLC 43 will get a very completely different 2.0-liter turbo-four that pumps out a wild 416 hp and 369 lb-ft. The BMW X3 M40i has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with its personal mild-hybrid system. It produces 382 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. That’s clearly lower than the AMG, however manufacturer-estimated 0-60-mph occasions point out the BMW getting there in 4.4 seconds versus 4.7 for the Benz.
Lastly, the AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency has that very same bonkers 2.0-liter turbo-four, however with a “efficiency” hybrid system that upgrades “bonkers” to an “absurd” 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. In a compact SUV! AMG says it’ll hit 60 in 3.4 seconds. The X3 M has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six accessible in two flavors. The usual model produces 473 hp and 457 lb-ft, and hits 60 in 3.9 seconds. The X3 M Competitors has 503 hp, 479 lb-ft and a 3.7-second 0-60 time.
Which is healthier to drive?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
We’ve got not pushed the brand new AMG fashions and have minimal expertise with the X3 M40i, so let’s follow the volume-selling fashions of every. Now, standard knowledge could be that the BMW could be the sharper, driver-oriented selection whereas the Mercedes would be the extra comfort-tuned luxurious cruiser. Not so. If you happen to’re searching for a sporty compact SUV, the common GLC 300 is an incredibly adept and even enjoyable handler. It actually impressed on our mountain highway take a look at route, flicking between tight corners with poise and agility. The steering is lighter in effort (although does tighten up a bit in Sport), however suggestions is enough for the duty given this section of car. If something, the GLC’s dealing with functionality is overkill contemplating it virtually definitely contributes to a continuously busy trip high quality. The suspension simply would not really feel like there’s sufficient journey, versus some automobiles that merely may use smaller wheels. On this means, the GLC is definitely quite a bit just like the BMW X3, which equally prioritizes dealing with over trip consolation – it simply doesn’t do nearly as good of a job of it. We additionally discover its sport-tuned suspension to be unnecessarily agency.
Which is extra comfy?
Winner: Tie
So long as you keep away from the X3’s sport suspension possibility, neither of those decisions that put the S in SUV are going to supply a supple driving expertise indicative of their greater, dearer model mates. We usually choose BMW’s seats and driving place to that of Mercedes, however that’s additionally an awfully subjective criterion.
GLC 63 S E Efficiency Coupe and X3 M Competitors
Are there variations that stand out greater than others?
Winner: Tie
Do not forget that complete factor in regards to the AMG GLC 63 producing over 600 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque? Yeah, that might be fairly particular. But, the X3 M Competitors is particular in its personal proper. Each additionally provide “coupe” physique kinds with a chopped roofline on the rear, though the X3’s is formally often known as the X4.
When was the final time they had been redesigned?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The GLC was redesigned for 2023, though it ought to be famous that its underlying platform is shared with the previous-generation GLC. The X3 stretches again to 2018 with a considerable replace made for 2022.
Are there different rivals to think about?
Given what number of occasions you learn “Mercedes GLC” written subsequent to “Winner” above, it in all probability shouldn’t come as a shock that we choose it total to the X3. Moreover, we contemplate the GLC to be one of many high decisions within the section, however not so the X3. Different high decisions embrace the Genesis GV70 and Volvo XC60, whereas these with the next finances searching for a sportier drive, the Porsche Macan and Jaguar F-Tempo are intriguing decisions.