The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3 are two of the preferred 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 customers so ceaselessly flip to the GLC and X3 when searching for a extra premium small SUV. That doesn’t imply you must solely have 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 vital 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 big 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 under for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, however when it comes to the X3 not less than, 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. General, we’d select the GLC, however the under classes ought to spotlight the place one is likely to be superior on your specific priorities.
Which has a nicer inside?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
We’d say the GLC’s more moderen 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 when it comes to each expertise 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 components elegant and funky. In case you’re on the lookout for a compact SUV that appears and feels deserving of the time period “luxurious automobile,” it’s laborious to think about a extra convincing entry.
In contrast, the X3 has a extra old-school BMW aesthetic that’s moderately 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 more moderen efforts, together with the X1 under it (in truth, that’s not a foul selection to think about as an alternative of the X3).
Which has higher infotainment expertise?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
If we’re speaking display screen measurement, that is no contest: the GLC’s customary touchscreen measures 12.3 inches to the BMW’s 10.3-inch unit, which can be positioned farther away. The Mercedes digital instrument panel is greater, too, with a number of vibrant designs in comparison with the odd, underutilized one-look-fits all the BMW. When it comes to the performance, the X3 not less than has the older iDrive7 contact interface that was tremendously superior to the iDrive8 that will come after it (although not so good as 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 moderately steep studying curves, and we’ve grow to be 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 Choose+ for his or her best-possible crash check scores, plus sufficiently excessive scores for its headlights and frontal crash prevention system (the GLC’s Driver Help package deal upgrades get a barely larger rating than the usual programs).
Which has the larger again seat?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The GLC is mainly the identical size general 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 vital, 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 way extra difficult than it needs to be.
In case you simply appeared on the specs, you’d see the X3 has 28.7 cubic-feet whereas the GLC has 21.9. Straightforward conclusion, proper? Incorrect. Mercedes measures its cargo areas otherwise, with the consequence being it really has extra space than its moderately paltry determine would counsel. Our baggage check of the GLC revealed it might 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 and not using a spare tire. In case you go for a spare tire, it has to go someplace, so the cargo flooring is awkwardly raised a number of inches to accommodate the tire under. Our X3 baggage check (with spare tire) confirmed it might simply barely match 5 suitcases plus an in a single day bag. We’re not fairly certain what the outcomes could be with the decrease flooring, but it surely 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 wonderful (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.
Gasoline 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 case you care about gas financial system, don’t even trouble with the GLC 63 or X3 M.
Which is extra highly effective?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
Each are provided 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 discuss 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 totally 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 obtainable 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 have now 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, typical 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. In case you’re on the lookout for a sporty compact SUV, the common GLC 300 is an incredibly adept and even enjoyable handler. It really impressed on our mountain street check 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 auto. If something, the GLC’s dealing with functionality is overkill contemplating it nearly definitely contributes to a continually busy trip high quality. The suspension simply does not really feel like there’s sufficient journey, versus some autos that merely might use smaller wheels. On this means, the GLC is definitely lots 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 choice, neither of those decisions that put the S in SUV are going to offer a supple driving expertise indicative of their greater, dearer model mates. We typically 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
Keep in mind that entire factor concerning the AMG GLC 63 producing over 600 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque? Yeah, that will be fairly particular. But, the X3 M Competitors is particular in its personal proper. Each additionally provide “coupe” physique types with a chopped roofline on the rear, though the X3’s is formally often called the X4.
When was the final time they had been redesigned?
Winner: Mercedes GLC
The GLC was redesigned for 2023, though it needs 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 general to the X3. Moreover, we take into account 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.
