Compare the2022 Mercedes GLCVS 2022 BMW X1

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The GLC’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X1 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The GLC has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The X1 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 5 points, IIHS rates the Active Brake Assist optional in the GLC as “Superior.” The X1 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The GLC offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The GLC’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLC’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X1 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the GLC and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the BMW X1:

	GLC	X1
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	120	328
Neck Injury Risk	23%	32%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	360 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	113	187
Neck Injury Risk	24%	31%
Neck Stress	116 lbs.	175 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/68 lbs.	309/268 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the BMW X1:

	GLC	X1
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	69	143
Abdominal Force	117 lbs.	154 lbs.
Hip Force	409 lbs.	486 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	193
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	206	278
Hip Force	787 lbs.	815 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLC the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X1 last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2019.

Warranty

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLC’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GLC’s reliability 21 points higher than the X1.

Engine

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLC is faster than the BMW X1:

	GLC	X1
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.6 MPH	92.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLC has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (17.4 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X1.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

	GLC	X1
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

The GLC stops much shorter than the X1:

	GLC	X1
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18). The GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (255/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC offers optional 20-inch wheels. The X1’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The GLC’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The X1 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 8 inches longer than on the X1 (113.1 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

The GLC’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the X1’s (56.6% to 43.4%). This gives the GLC more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The front grille of the GLC uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X1 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The GLC has .4 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GLC has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLC uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X1 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X1. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The GLC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X1 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X1, the GLC offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the GLC to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X1 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLC’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X1’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The X1’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLC’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The GLC has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. The GLC also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GLC keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The GLC offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X1 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The X1’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Model Availability

and e Mercedes GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the BMW X1 isn’t available as a .

Economic Advantages

The GLC will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLC will retain 51.03% to 51.13% of its original price after five years, while the X1 only retains 47.15% to 47.35%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC is less expensive to operate than the X1 because typical repairs cost much less on the GLC than the X1, including $225 less for a muffler, $32 less for a starter, $105 less for a fuel pump and $934 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mercedes GLC, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X1 isn't recommended.

Consumer Reports performed a comparison test in its July 2016 issue and they ranked the Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC higher than the BMW X1 xDrive28i.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The X1 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the BMW X1 by over three to one during the 2021 model year.