BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC: premium SUVs compared
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
BMW · 2024–present
X3 G45
- Power
- 293 kW398 PS
- Kerb mass
- 2,055 kg
Mercedes-Benz · 2022–present
GLC X254
- Power
- 147 kW200 PS
- Kerb mass
- 1,925 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: X3 G45 2 GLC X254 2
- City GLC X254 Width: 1,890 mm vs 1,920 mm; Consumption: 0.6 l/100 km vs 7.9 l/100 km
- Performance X3 G45 Power per tonne: 143 kW/t vs 76 kW/t
- Running costs GLC X254 Fuel per year: €150 vs €2,070 (estimated)
- Off-road X3 G45 Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The X3 is the better choice for drivers who care about the way the car drives and want a six-cylinder engine, which Mercedes no longer offers in the GLC. Its plug-in hybrid also has a usefully long electric range.
The GLC wins on comfort, interior ambience and boot space with the seats up, and its plug-in hybrids are the more powerful pair. For a quiet, refined family SUV that covers long distances, many buyers will prefer the Mercedes.
- Felix Hartmann
The BMW X3 created this class. When the X3 was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2003, it was the first premium SUV of its size. The first generation (E83) was engineered with and built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Mercedes-Benz answered first with the boxy GLK and then, in 2015, with the GLC, which has since become one of the brand's most important models.
Today the fourth X3 (G45, unveiled on 19 June 2024) faces the second GLC (X254, unveiled in June 2022). Both are built for the world in several countries; the X3 mainly at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the United States, the GLC in Bremen, Germany. Our catalogue pages focus on the second-generation X3 (F25, 2010–2017) and the first GLC (X253), but the comparison below covers the current cars too.
BMW X3 vs Mercedes GLC: size, engines and plug-ins
Size and boot
The new X3 is 4,755 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall, on a 2,865 mm wheelbase. With the rear seats folded it holds up to 1,700 litres, or 1,600 litres in the plug-in 30e because of the battery under the rear axle. The X254 GLC grew by six centimetres over its predecessor and gained 50 litres of luggage space, to 600 litres with the seats up.
Four cylinders against six
Every current GLC uses a four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system: the GLC 200 has 150 kW (204 PS) and the GLC 220 d 147 kW (200 PS). BMW still offers six cylinders. The X3 20 xDrive petrol has a system output of 153 kW (208 PS) and the 20d xDrive 145 kW (197 PS). The M50 uses a 3.0-litre straight-six with 280 kW (380 PS) in Europe, and a six-cylinder diesel is also part of the range.
Plug-in hybrids
Here Mercedes offers more power. The GLC 300 e has 230 kW (313 PS) and the GLC 400 e 284 kW (386 PS). The X3 30e has 220 kW (299 PS) and a usable battery of 19.7 kWh, good for a claimed electric range of up to 90 km under WLTP. On an 11 kW charger it fills from empty in about two hours and a quarter.
Electric versions
The first electric iX3 was derived from the third-generation X3 (G01). With the G45 that link has gone: the new iX3 uses BMW's separate Neue Klasse platform. Mercedes has taken a similar route and presented a battery-electric GLC on its own dedicated platform.
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the X254 GLC five stars in late 2022, with 92% for adult occupant protection. The new X3 scored 88% in the same category in its 2025 test.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | X3 G45 | GLC X254 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | A · 632 | C · 489 |
| Power | 61 | 42 |
| Grip | 58 | 43 |
| Handling | 43 | 46 |
| Top speed | 63 | 42 |
| Launch | 70 | 44 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 X3 G45X3 G45 · M50 xDrive · petrol · 293 kW (398 PS) 12.95 sat 171 km/h
- 2 GLC X254GLC X254 · 220 d 4MATIC · diesel · 147 kW (200 PS) 15.54 sat 138 km/h · +2.59 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| X3 G45 | GLC X254 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,755 mm187.2 in | 4,716 mm185.7 in −39 mm −1.5 in −0.8% |
| Width | 1,920 mm75.6 in | 1,890 mm74.4 in −30 mm −1.2 in −1.6% |
| Height | 1,660 mm65.4 in | 1,640 mm64.6 in −20 mm −0.8 in −1.2% |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm112.8 in | 2,888 mm113.7 in +23 mm +0.9 in +0.8% |
| Kerb weight | 2,055 kg4,531 lb | 1,925 kg4,244 lb −130 kg −287 lb −6.3% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Tight |
Difference vs X3 G45 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| BMW X3 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | X3 G45 · M50 xDrive · petrol · 293 kW (398 PS) | GLC X254 · 220 d 4MATIC · diesel · 147 kW (200 PS) |
| Production years | 2024–present | 2022–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 293 kW (398 PS) 393 hp Better | 147 kW (200 PS) 197 hp |
| Power, all versions | 105–293 kW (143–398 PS) 141–393 hp | 120–375 kW (163–510 PS) 161–503 hp |
| Power per tonne | 143 kW/t 173 hp/ton calculated Better | 76 kW/t 93 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,998 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l | 1,993 cc · 4 cyl 2.0 l |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm 187.2 in | 4,716 mm 185.7 in |
| Width | 1,920 mm 75.6 in | 1,890 mm 74.4 in |
| Height | 1,660 mm 65.4 in | 1,640 mm 64.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm 112.8 in | 2,888 mm 113.7 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,055 kg 4,531 lb | 1,925 kg 4,244 lb Better |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | No data | 600 l 21.2 cu ft |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 7.9 l/100 km 29.8 mpg US | 0.6 l/100 km 392.0 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 311 g/km | 155 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €2,070/year estimated | €150/year estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2022) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Class, Country, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol, €1.65/l diesel.
In plain words
BMW X3 has more power: 293 kW (398 PS) against 147 kW (200 PS) for Mercedes-Benz GLC. BMW X3 is 39 mm longer than Mercedes-Benz GLC (4,755 mm vs 4,716 mm). Mercedes-Benz GLC is lighter by 130 kg (1,925 kg vs 2,055 kg). At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €2,070 (BMW X3), €150 (Mercedes-Benz GLC) (estimated). BMW X3 is the older design (from 2003); Mercedes-Benz GLC arrived in 2015. On the catalog figures, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is the pick for city and running costs; the BMW X3 is the pick for performance and off-road.
Which one to choose
Choose the BMW X3 if you want a straight-six petrol or diesel, sharper handling or the performance of the M50.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if comfort, a calm cabin and a large boot come first, or if you want the most powerful plug-in hybrid in this pair.
When buying a used first-generation GLC (2015–2022) or an X3 G01 (2017–2024), check the service history and the condition of the air suspension or adaptive dampers where fitted.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, the X3 or the GLC?
They are very close. The current X3 measures 4,755 mm, with a 2,865 mm wheelbase; the X254 GLC is six centimetres longer than the previous GLC and offers 600 litres of boot space with the seats up.
Does the GLC have a six-cylinder engine?
Not in the current generation. The X254 GLC is offered only with four-cylinder engines, each paired with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. The BMW X3 still offers six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Which plug-in hybrid goes further on electricity?
BMW quotes up to 90 km (WLTP) for the X3 30e with a 19.7 kWh usable battery. The GLC plug-ins are more powerful, with 230 kW (313 PS) or 284 kW (386 PS).
Where are the X3 and GLC built?
The X3 has been built mainly at Spartanburg, South Carolina, since the second generation; the first X3 came from Magna Steyr in Graz. The GLC is built in Bremen, among other plants.