Verdict
At RM406,800, the BMW X4 costs RM76,912 more than the RM329,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC, and that money buys materially stronger pace: 249 hp, 350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds versus 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.8 seconds. The X4 also gets adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system. But the GLC is the more rational Malaysian family SUV, with a 620-litre boot against 525 litres, a 2,888-mm wheelbase and a four-year warranty. Its 360-degree camera is useful in tight car parks too.
Pick the BMW X4 if you want the quicker 6.3-second SUV, adaptive suspension and richer 16-speaker audio, and can justify the RM76,912 premium.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want to spend less, carry more in its 620-litre boot and get a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X4 RM406,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Performance: BMW X4 249 hp, 350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.8 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW X4 525 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW X4 2,864 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLC 2,888 mm.
- Warranty: BMW X4 two years; Mercedes-Benz GLC four years.
- Wheels: BMW X4 21-inch alloys with 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tyres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 20-inch alloys with 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tyres.
X4
- 249 hp and 350 Nm, with a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive suspension, adaptive LED projector headlamps and head-up display.
- 16-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon audio and panoramic sunroof.
- RM76,912 pricier than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
- 525-litre boot is 95 litres smaller.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is half the GLC's four years.
GLC
- RM329,888 price and four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- 620-litre boot and 2,888-mm wheelbase.
- 360-degree reverse camera, front-seat heating and electric steering adjustment.
- 48 hp and 30 Nm down on the BMW X4, taking 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h.
- No adaptive suspension, head-up display or panoramic sunroof.
- Eight-speaker audio versus the X4's 16-speaker Harman Kardon system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM406,800 | 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 with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 350 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 221 km/h |
| Co2 | 192 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,918 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,621 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,864 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,890 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | 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 |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) | 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Auto-dimming Mirrors | — |
| 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 X4 & GLC for sale
X4 vs GLC FAQ
Is the BMW X4 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The GLC is the better practical buy with its lower price, larger 620-litre boot, longer wheelbase and four-year warranty. Choose the X4 for its 249 hp output, 6.3-second sprint, adaptive suspension and more extensive cabin equipment.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM76,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC. That is a substantial gap, so the X4's stronger performance, adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels and 16-speaker audio need to matter to you.
Which has the bigger boot, BMW X4 or Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the bigger boot at 620 litres, 95 litres more than the BMW X4's 525 litres. Both have 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.