Compare the2022 BMW X3 M VS 2021 Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe

The BMW X3 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 Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 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 Coupe 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3 M’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3 M’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLC Coupe.

Both the X3 M and the AMG GLC Coupe 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X3 M its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 Coupe.

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 X3 M has more powerful engines than the AMG GLC Coupe:

	Horsepower	Torque
X3 M 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	457 lbs.-ft.
X3 M Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	503 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
AMG GLC 43 Coupe 3.0 turbo V6	385 HP	384 lbs.-ft.
AMG GLC 63 Coupe 4.0 turbo V8	469 HP	479 lbs.-ft.

Regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the X3 M’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLC Coupe:

	X3 M	AMG GLC Coupe
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	12.6 inches

The X3 M stops shorter than the AMG GLC Coupe:

	X3 M	AMG GLC Coupe
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

The X3 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the AMG GLC Coupe’s (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the X3 M more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the AMG GLC 43 Coupe (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLC 63 Coupe (8.1 vs. 6.2 inches), allowing the X3 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 M’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the AMG GLC 63 S Coupe (8.1 vs. 6.4 inches).

The X3 M has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLC Coupe.

The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 36.1 cubic feet).

The X3 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 Coupe’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X3 M has a standard rear wiper. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 37% during the 2021 model year.