Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2023 Mercedes GLC Coupe

The BMW X3 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 X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3’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 X3 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 X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The GLC Coupe has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLC Coupe.

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 X3’s reliability 43 points higher than the GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 9 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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 127 more horsepower (382 vs. 255) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the GLC Coupe:

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 M40i’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 X3 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC Coupe:

The X3 stops much shorter than the GLC Coupe:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the GLC Coupe (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The X3’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 X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 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 X3 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The GLC Coupe’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The X3 offers an optional 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.

The X3 M40i xDrive 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 X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the GLC 300 Coupe (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The front grille of the X3 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 X3 has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear headroom than the GLC Coupe.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 49.4 cubic feet).

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC Coupe’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

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 X3 has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The X3 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 X3 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X3 with a number “5” insurance rate while the GLC Coupe is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X3 is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because typical repairs cost less on the X3 than the GLC Coupe, including $98 less for front brake pads and $7 less for fuel injection.

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

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 57% during 2023.