BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
Figures updated
The BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC are two of the UK's most popular large SUVs. We compare the G45 (2024–) X3 and the X254 (2022–) GLC on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 176,826 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the BMW X3 for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the Mercedes-Benz GLC for the bigger boot and the better MOT record.
- The BMW X3 is the cheapest to buy new: from £53,620, £1,350 less than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the biggest boot: 620 litres, 50 more than the BMW X3.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the BMW X3 fails its MOT about 7% more often.
- The BMW X3 is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £561 a year less than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | BMW X3G45 (2024–), 5-door SUV | Mercedes-Benz GLCX254 (2022–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £53,620 to £64,640July 2026 price list | £54,970 to £77,475September 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 570 litres / 1,700 | 620 litres / 1,680 (best) |
| Length | 4,755mm | 4,721mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,920mm | 1,918mm |
| Height | 1,660mm | 1,631mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 197–299 PS (best) | 197–269 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.2–7.8 sec | 6.2–8.0 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2022) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 35.3–46.3 mpg | 22.2–56.5 mpg |
| CO2 | 64–175 g/km | 41–287 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | £1,494 (39.2 mpg) (best) | £2,055 (28.5 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,461 (46.3 mpg) | £1,221 (55.4 mpg) (best) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,461 (diesel) | £1,221 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 130Well above average | 139Well above average (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 20.5% | 13.1% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.0% | 9.2% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 12.2% | 12.4% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 26.7% | – |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (2.3% of tests) | Ball joint (2.7% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 100,997 | 75,829 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Large SUV | Large SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 9,100 | 9,400 |
| On sale | 2024 on | 2022 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC more reliable?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC. Like for like on age and mileage, the BMW X3 fails its MOT about 7% more often (reliability scores 139 and 130, where 100 is average). 13.1% of Mercedes-Benz GLCs and 20.5% of BMW X3s failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The BMW X3 is 34mm longer (4,755mm against 4,721mm). The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the bigger boot: 620 litres against 570.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The BMW X3: new prices start at £53,620, £1,350 less than the Mercedes-Benz GLC (from £54,970). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Comparing petrol versions, the BMW X3 costs about £561 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,494 against £2,055), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW X3 5 stars (2025) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 5 stars (2022). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Pick the BMW X3 for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the Mercedes-Benz GLC for the bigger boot and the better MOT record. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.