Compare the2022 Mercedes GLCVS 2022 BMW X5

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 X5 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 X5 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 X5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the GLC and the X5 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 X5:

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 X5:

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

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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the GLC produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

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 X5.

The GLC stops much shorter than the X5:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GLC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the X5.

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 X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .85 G’s, while the X5 xDrive40i 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 quicker than the X5 xDrive40i (26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLC’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the X5’s (38.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Mercedes GLC may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1350 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The GLC is 11 inches shorter than the X5, making the GLC easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes GLC amounts to more than styling. The GLC has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the X5 (.36 to .38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC get better fuel mileage.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLC’s rear seats recline. The X5’s middle row seats don’t recline.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLC easier. The GLC’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.8 inches, while the X5’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The GLC’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

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 X5 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.

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 X5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the GLC’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X5 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

and e Mercedes GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the BMW X5 isn’t available as a .

Insurance will cost less for the GLC owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLC will cost $2205 to $4320 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

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 X5 only retains 46.6% to 48.41%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC is less expensive to operate than the X5 because typical repairs cost much less on the GLC than the X5, including $1300 less for a muffler, $17 less for a starter, $110 less for a fuel pump, $85 less for front struts, $1466 less for a timing belt/chain and $886 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLC will be $15216 to $35406 less than for the BMW X5.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mercedes GLC and the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The X5 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the BMW X5 by 1984 units during 2020.