Compare the2022 BMW X1VS 2022 Mercedes GLC Coupe

The BMW X1 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X1’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X1’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 GLC Coupe.

Both the X1 and the 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X1 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 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. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the GLC Coupe:

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLC Coupe (6). This means the X1 produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLC Coupe every 15,000 miles.

The X1’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

The X1 stops much shorter than the GLC Coupe:

The X1’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC Coupe’s standard 55 series tires.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .85 G’s, while the GLC 300 Coupe pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLC 300 Coupe (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X1’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GLC 300 Coupe’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The BMW X1 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC Coupe.

The X1 is 7.8 inches shorter than the GLC Coupe, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X1 has 3 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the GLC Coupe.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (27.1 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (58.7 vs. 49.4 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X1 has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The X1 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X1 will cost $1045 to $1250 less than the GLC Coupe over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X1 is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because it costs $282 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the X1 than the GLC Coupe, including $70 less for a water pump, $101 less for front brake pads, $2 less for fuel injection, $60 less for front struts and $46 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X1 will be $9296 to $11272 less than for the Mercedes GLC Coupe.

The X1 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The GLC Coupe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.