Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 costs RM34,912 more than the RM290,888 Mercedes-Benz GLB, but that gap brings 188 hp, 310 Nm, all-wheel drive and an 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The GLB counters with seven seats and a lower RM100 annual road tax against RM439. For a Malaysian buyer carrying five and luggage, the X3’s 570-litre boot is vastly more useful than the GLB’s 130 litres; the Mercedes makes sense when the third row matters.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want the quicker 188 hp all-wheel-drive SUV, a 570-litre boot and stronger driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if seven seats, a RM34,912 lower purchase price and RM100 yearly road tax matter more than outright performance and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888.
- Performance: BMW X3 188 hp, 310 Nm and 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLB 161 hp, 270 Nm and 9.3 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW X3 all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz GLB front-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: BMW X3 five seats and 570 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLB seven seats and 130 litres.
- Road tax: BMW X3 RM439 per year; Mercedes-Benz GLB RM100 per year.
- Driver assistance: BMW X3 has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction, auto parking and a head-up display; Mercedes-Benz GLB has passive…
X3
- 188 hp and 310 Nm, with all-wheel drive
- 570-litre boot for five-seat family use
- Adaptive cruise, lane-keeping steering correction, auto parking and head-up display
- RM34,912 pricier to buy
- Five seats versus the GLB’s seven
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM100
GLB
- Seven seats with a sliding second row and folding third row
- RM34,912 lower purchase price and RM100 annual road tax
- More extensive airbag coverage, including driver’s knee and rear side airbags
- 161 hp and 270 Nm trail the X3’s 188 hp and 310 Nm
- 130-litre boot is far smaller than the X3’s 570 litres
- Front-wheel drive and a 9.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus all-wheel drive and 8.5 seconds
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM290,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 270 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 207 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,634 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,663 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,829 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,555 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Mexico (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X3 & GLB for sale
X3 vs GLB FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLB better?
The BMW X3 is better for performance, boot space and driver assistance, with 188 hp, all-wheel drive and a 570-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz GLB is the better choice only if you need seven seats and lower running costs.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM34,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLB. That extra spend brings 27 hp, 40 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 0.8-second faster 0-100 km/h time and much more luggage space.
Which has more practical seating, the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is more flexible for passengers because it has seven seats, a sliding 40:20:40 second row and a 50:50 folding third row. The BMW X3 has five seats, but its 570-litre boot is far larger than the GLB’s 130 litres.