Compare the2023 Mercedes GLC CoupeVS 2023 BMW X1

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC Coupe 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 its rear seat belts.

The GLC Coupe’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 Coupe 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 Coupe 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.

Both the GLC Coupe 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, all wheel drive, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 Coupe’s warranty.

Engine

The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (255 vs. 241) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLC Coupe has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (17.4 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC Coupe has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18). The GLC Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 245/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X1.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GLC Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The X1 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLC Coupe’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 Coupe’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the X1 (113.1 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC Coupe is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

Passenger Space

The GLC Coupe has .4 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the GLC Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLC Coupe 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.

Ergonomics

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

The GLC Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The X1’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GLC Coupe 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 X1’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLC Coupe’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 Coupe’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLC Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X1 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLC Coupe has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. The GLC Coupe 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 Coupe 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the GLC Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The X1 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The GLC Coupe 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.

Recommendations

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

The Mercedes GLC outsold the BMW X1 by over 9 to one during 2022.