Compare the2022 Mercedes GLCVS 2022 BMW X3

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 X3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

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 X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the GLC and the X3 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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 X3:

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 X3:

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 X3 has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

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 16 points higher than the X3.

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (255 vs. 248) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLC is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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 X3.

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

The GLC stops much shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

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 X3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .85 G’s, while the X3 xDrive30i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the X3 xDrive30i (26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLC’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the X3’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The GLC has .5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The GLC’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

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 X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, 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 X3 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 X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the GLC’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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 X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

and e Mercedes GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the BMW X3 isn’t available as a .

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 X3 only retains 48.8% to 50.86%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $181 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLC than the X3, including $20 less for a water pump, $353 less for a muffler, $55 less for a starter, $70 less for a fuel pump, $31 less for front struts, $706 less for a timing belt/chain and $309 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mercedes GLC and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The X3 has never been chosen.