Compare the2022 BMW X5 MVS 2021 Mercedes AMG GLC

The BMW X5 M has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X5 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 M has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5 M’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X5 M’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLC.

Both the X5 M and the AMG GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW X5 M weighs 909 to 1264 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLC. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLC has not been tested, yet.

The X5 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 20th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 215 more horsepower (600 vs. 385) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC 43’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 131 more horsepower (600 vs. 469) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 479) than the AMG GLC 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 148 more horsepower (617 vs. 469) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 479) than the AMG GLC 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

Regenerative brakes improve the X5 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 M has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC (21.9 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X5 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLC:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the AMG GLC (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20). The X5 M’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG GLC (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLC 43’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the AMG GLC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLC 43. The X5 M’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the AMG GLC.

The X5 M has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the AMG GLC.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the AMG GLC (117 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG GLC.

The X5 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the AMG GLC’s (54% to 46%). This gives the X5 M more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X5 M has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLC 63 (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the X5 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 M Competition’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the AMG GLC 43 (8.4 vs. 6.7 inches).

The front grille of the X5 M uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 M has 3 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLC.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s cargo area is larger than the AMG GLC’s in every dimension:

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The AMG GLC’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 M’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The AMG GLC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X5 M has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG GLC.

The X5 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG GLC.

The BMW X5 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 6% during the 2021 model year.