Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 undercuts the RM329,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC by RM4,088, yet brings adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and contactless boot opening. The GLC is quicker, with 201 hp and 320 Nm for 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds versus the X3’s 188 hp, 310 Nm and 8.5 seconds. Its 620-litre boot also beats 570 litres, while its four-year warranty doubles BMW’s two years. For the small extra outlay, the GLC is the more rounded buy; the X3’s driver aids make it the equipment-led alternative.
Pick the BMW X3 if adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and a RM4,088 lower purchase price matter more than outright pace and boot capacity.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want 201 hp, a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time, a 620-litre boot and four years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Performance: BMW X3 188 hp, 310 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.8 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Warranty: BMW X3 two years; Mercedes-Benz GLC four years.
- Cruise control: BMW X3 adaptive; Mercedes-Benz GLC passive.
- Wheels: BMW X3 19-inch alloys with 245/50R19 tyres front and rear; Mercedes-Benz GLC 20-inch alloys with 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tyres.
X3
- RM4,088 cheaper to buy.
- Adaptive cruise control and head-up display.
- Contactless powered boot opening.
- Slower 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.8 seconds.
- 570-litre boot trails the GLC’s 620 litres.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
GLC
- 201 hp and 320 Nm, with a 7.8-second century sprint.
- 620-litre boot and 2,888-mm wheelbase.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty, plus memory and heated front seats.
- Costs RM4,088 more.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control.
- No head-up display or contactless boot opening.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800✓ | RM329,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 7.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" 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 Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | 4 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 & GLC for sale
X3 vs GLC FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the stronger all-round choice: it is quicker, has 50 litres more boot space and a four-year warranty. Choose the BMW X3 for its lower price, adaptive cruise control and head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM4,088 more than the BMW X3. The gap is small beside the GLC’s extra 13 hp, 10 Nm, 50 litres of boot space and two additional years of manufacturer warranty.
Which has the bigger boot, BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the bigger boot at 620 litres, compared with 570 litres in the BMW X3. That is a 50-litre advantage for the GLC.