Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 Mercedes GLB

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 GLB doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLB doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 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 GLB 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 X3 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLB doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 GLB.

Both the X3 and the GLB 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 GLB has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLB’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 GLB.

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 50 points higher than the GLB.

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 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (248 vs. 221) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (382 vs. 221) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

The X3 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (17.2 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 GLB doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X3 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLB:

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the GLB are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the GLB:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the GLB (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLB (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/55R18).

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 GLB’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 GLB’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLB. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLB.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the GLB.

The X3 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLB; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLB don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the GLB (112.8 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the GLB’s (57% to 43%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .85 G’s, while the GLB 250 4MATIC pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the GLB 250 4MATIC (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLB (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 GLB doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X3 has 1.7 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLB.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLB with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 5.1 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLB with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 62 cubic feet).

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the GLB’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The GLB doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3 has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no towing capacity.

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GLB. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The GLB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GLB doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the X3 and the GLB offer available heated front seats. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the GLB.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GLB doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLB isn't recommended.

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLB by almost four to one during 2023.