American’s love SUVs and as such it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the most popular luxury segment is the compact crossover. For years, BMW and Mercedes have fought out for the top spot in this hot segment and things are only getting more intense with the introduction of the all-new 2025 BMW X3 this year! So, who wins in a 2025 BMW X3 vs. 2025 Mercedes GLC? Let’s go ahead and find out!
Pricing and Equipment
So, before we really get started here, we will establish things with the pricing for these two.
Starting with the BMW, we have a very nicely equipped X3 30 xDrive with all the options people usually select, for a total price of $60,875.
BMW X3 30 xDrive: $49,500 | Options: +$10,200 | Destination: $1,175 | Total: $60,875
Moving to the Mercedes, this is the GLC 300 4Matic with the same kind of options as the BMW. All told, after destination, we are sitting a bit richer than the X3 at about $63,000.
GLC 300 4MATIC: $51,250 | Options: +$10,670 | Destination: $1,150 | Total: $63,070
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
Now taking a look at the exterior designs, we have a very different approach despite them both having their respective AMG and M-Sport design groups. Mercedes went with an evolutionary and classy approach for this new generation, while BMW certainly took a bold turn with this new X3. It has the latest BMW design language, and while we won’t be awarding points based on design, we will award points for the lighting differences.
X3 has projector LED headlights as standard equipment, while our GLC has regular reflector LED headlights unless you upgrade to the expensive Digital Light system.
Continuing to the side, both come in around the same length, and you’ll find nice-looking contrast alloy wheels as well. The BMW has glitzier 21-inch alloys as equipped compared to the Mercedes’ 19 inchers.
Length: 187.2-inches (X3) | 185.7-inches (GLC)
Ride quality will be discussed later, and as we move around back, we once again see very different approaches to the design. As equipped, they have rear spoilers, fully LED taillights and exposed exhaust outlets in the case of the Mercedes.
If you want to tow, BMW has about a 13% advantage at 4,000 pounds as a maximum.
Towing (max): X3: 4,000 lbs | GLC: 3,500 lbs
Additional Features
Now checking out some of the individual features, both of their mirrors are loaded and have heating, power folding, auto-dimming and blind spot monitoring.
As far as the other safety systems, both models have all the regular systems plus some extra fancy ones via their respective, advanced safety packages.
Speaking of extra, the BMW includes an extra 3 years of complimentary maintenance compared to none on the Mercedes.
Warranties (both): Basic and Powertrain: 4yr/50,000 miles | 3yr/36k mi Comp. Main. (BMW)
But the interiors are the more important places, so let’s move on to those.
Interior Design
As we walk up to the two crossovers, and pull out the keys, you’ll find smart entry systems and nice key fobs. BMW includes remote start on the fob itself free for life.
After opening up the doors, we have very modern-looking interiors. Both are available in a wide variety of colors, and both of their seats are upholstered in faux leather as equipped.
Most people would never realize that these aren’t real-leather because they feel and look very nice, but as far as actually adjustments, the GLC will have the advantage with 16-ways of movement.
Both also have memory functions, heating and ventilation.
Once inside the cabins, we can check out the overall material quality. Since the new X3 went for a more tech-forward approach, they did skimp out on some of the premium materials GLC has gone for, and the previous generation used to have. The Mercedes uses extra leather trim across the upper part of the dash with stitching, real metal vents, and a very large amount of wood trim that waterfalls down the console. Overall, it pampers more than the X3.
Taking a look at the gauges, both have giant 12.3-inch reconfigurable ones with great resolution. The Mercedes also has an available HUD but only the X3 will include that feature on most models.
Coming back to the steering wheels, these two both have high-end leather-wrapped wheels. Feel in the hand is excellent, especially when the heating function is on, but only the GLC has power tilt/telescoping.
Storage and Technology
Now let’s move on to interior storage. This is an area that is improved for the X3 this year and starting with the center consoles, they both have a good amount of space. We measure console volume with donuts and both can handle the same 10 donuts. The other interior cubbies also have roughly equal amounts of space, as well as wireless phone charging pads, so no points will be awarded.
Both models have electronic shifters, just in different locations, and when in reverse, they have 360-degree camera systems with the fan-favorite 3D surround views.
And now that brings us to the volume controls. Besides for the different ways to turn the volume up and down, the overall audio quality is excellent in both. However, only Mercedes includes metal speaker grilles.
X3: 600-watt, 16-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system
GLC: 710-watt, 15-speaker, Burmester Surround Sound System
But now it’s time to dive into climate. Here, those of you who prefer simple controls will be disappointed in both, but even more so in the BMW this year. It has gone to a fully digitized climate adjustment even for controlling fan speed. Additionally, adjusting the vents is done with a tiny roller that is way harder to point while driving than the Mercedes, awarding it a half point.
These are both are dual-zone automatic climate systems, by the way. Outside of the climate controls, we have a lot of other functions living inside the large displays. BMW takes the significant lead here with a 22% size advantage, 14.9 compared to 11.9 inches.
Functionally, they have the same main features including navigation, wireless AA and wireless ACP, all rendered with high-end graphics and high-end resolution.
Finally, to wrap up front of the interiors, both have auto-dimming mirrors and panoramic sunroofs. However, for the new generation, BMW moved to a fixed glass setup so only the Benz’s sunroof will open up.
Rear Seats and Cargo
Now it’s time to head for the rear seats. These crossovers are often used as small family vehicles, and all occupants will be happy with plenty of leg and headroom in both models. Dimensionally speaking, they are nearly identical to each other.
X3: Legroom: 36.3-inches | Headroom: 38.2-inches
GLC: Legroom: 37.4-inches | Headroom: 39.6-inches
And as far as the features back here, both have rear air vents and in the BMW’s case we have charging USB ports.
Moving out back, both have hands-free power tailgates, and once they open up, the X3 claims the lead here. It was already bigger than GLC last year and gets larger for 2025, so in both seating configurations it has a significant advantage.
X3: Seats up: 31.5 cu.ft | Seats folded: 67.1 cu.ft
GLC: Seats up: 21.9-cu.ft | Seats folded: 56.3-cu.ft
The seats can be folded 40/20/40 split in both, but easily folded on the GLC since it has handles in the cargo area. There are spare tires below the floor.
But as you can see it’s still a very tight race, so now let’s take them out on a spin and see who’s going to come out on top!
Powertrains
So, heading out on the road with these two crossovers, Mercedes and BMW try to match each other tit-for-tat, which is typical for German automakers not allowing the other to get a significant advantage. As such, both are using 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engines and have added mild hybrid systems as well. Hilariously enough, both have the exact same horsepower and torque figures and perform nearly identically out on the road.
X3 30: 2.0L Turbo I-4 w/48v Mild Hybrid: 255 hp | 295 lb. ft | 6.0s 0-60
GLC 300: 2.0L Turbo I-4 w/ 48v Mild Hybrid: 255 hp | 295 lb.ft | 6.2s 0-60
As far as the rest of the powertrains, the X3 has an 8-speed automatic transmission compared to a 9-speed automatic in the GLC. Both of them operate smoothly as they route power to the AWD systems.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
Now let’s talk about the ride and handling. Overall, both are more luxury-oriented than they are sporty which does mean that they both ride very comfortably. As you might expect, the Mercedes is going to be dampened a little bit better for a few percent better ride comfort, but the BMW is going to prioritize handling more than the Merc, with better steering and body control while cornering.
Now while you’re cruising down the highway, it’s also very important for your luxury SUV to be serene, so let’s check the sound level readings as we always do here at Car Confections. The GLC comes in at an impressively quiet 52.1 dB, but the X3 was tested out of state in South Carolina. Because of the potential differences in variables, we won’t award points, but here is its score for your reference until we test it back home in Kentucky.
X3: 56.4 dB @ 55 MPH
GLC: 52.1 dB @ 55 MPH
And lastly, for fuel economy, both are equipped with auto start/stop and the mild hybrid systems which make them incredibly smooth. This also is part of what’s responsible for the fuel economy benefits, and while both are impressive, BMW takes the lead getting 3 MPG better combined.
X3 AWD: 27/33/29 MPG
GLC AWD: 23/31/26 mpg
Resale and Reliability
In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP.
Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. In this respect, the BMW pulls ahead: BMW is rated at exactly industry average. Mercedes is lower at 4 spots below average.
We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, they both are on the lower side for resale value. Surprisingly enough, both come in at the exact same predicted resale percent of 41.19% after 5 years and 60,000 miles.
Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. There is a $2,195 difference between the two of them.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2025 BMW X3 vs. 2025 Mercedes GLC Winner!
So that’s it for another exciting comparison, between these two German luxury SUVs! Let’s quickly recap here and discuss who should be “your” personal winner.
BMW:
- Best fuel economy
- More space in cargo area
- Best technology
Mercedes:
- More luxury on the inside
- More comfortable ride
- Traditional feel in cabin (less tech forward)
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
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