Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Mercedes GLC Coupe

The BMW X5 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.

The X5 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 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the X5 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 860 to 1292 pounds more than the Mercedes GLC Coupe. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 151 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 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 rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The GLC Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

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.

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (335 vs. 255) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 268 more horsepower (523 vs. 255) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mercedes GLC Coupe:

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC Coupe (21.9 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5’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.

For better stopping power the X5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC Coupe:

The X5 stops much shorter than the GLC Coupe:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the GLC Coupe (265/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC Coupe (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The X5’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 X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the GLC Coupe’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The GLC Coupe’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the GLC Coupe.

The X5 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the GLC Coupe (117.1 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GLC Coupe.

The X5 xDrive handles at .84 G’s, while the GLC 300 Coupe pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the GLC 300 Coupe (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the GLC Coupe can only carry 5.

The X5 has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC Coupe.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 49.4 cubic feet).

The X5’s cargo area is larger than the GLC Coupe’s in every dimension:

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLC Coupe’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC Coupe’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes GLC Coupe is only 3500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

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 X5 has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GLC Coupe.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the GLC Coupe is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X5 is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because it costs $9 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the X5 than the GLC Coupe, including $91 less for a water pump, $27 less for front brake pads and $11 less for fuel injection.

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

The BMW X5 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 6% during the 2021 model year.