Compare the2024 Mercedes GLCVS 2024 BMW X1

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

Safety

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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 X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GLC’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 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 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The X1 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC 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, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the X1:

	GLC	X1
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Peak Forces	no contact	48 G’s
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.1 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	67 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.14 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	558 lbs.	959 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLC’s warranty.

Engine

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (255 vs. 241) than the X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLC is faster than the X1 xDrive28i:

	GLC	X1
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
GLC
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/32 hwy
X1
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The GLC 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, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLC’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

	GLC	X1
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	13.2 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

The GLC stops shorter than the X1:

	GLC	X1
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	167 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	115 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18). The GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 245/45R19).

Suspension and Handling

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 X1 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’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 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X1.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the X1 xDrive28i pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The GLC has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

The GLC has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GLC’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X1’s (5291 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLC 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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X1, the GLC has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC’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’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.

The GLC’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X1 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The X1’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLC’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’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 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X1 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X1.

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 X1 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

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

The Mercedes GLC outsold the BMW X1 by almost two to one during 2023.