Compare the2026 Mercedes GLCVS 2026 BMW X3

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 X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 X3 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

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’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLC first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The X3 isn’t in the top three.

The GLC 350e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 58 more horsepower (313 vs. 255) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 295) than the X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLC 300 is faster than the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC running on electricity gets better mileage than the X3:

The GLC 350e can travel with zero emissions for 54 miles. The X3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X3.

For better stopping power the GLC’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The GLC stops shorter than the X3:

The GLC has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 X3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .87 G’s, while the X3 M50 xDrive pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GLC’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the X3’s (38.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

The GLC has .8 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, 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 X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLC to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLC’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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

The GLC has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the X3.

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The X3 has never been chosen.