BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 13 Nov 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 72
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
24 of 27 standard · no option data · 3 no dataFrom
$111,400
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 190kW
- Economy
- 7.7 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$86,100RRP
- no option data for this car
$111,400RRP
- with the BMW X3's standard kit: $111,400 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Fuel figures here come from different test cycles (BMW X3: WLTP; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe: ADR 81/02), so they are not compared like-for-like and no fuel winner is shown.
Price and cost per week
BMW X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe GLC300 4MATIC
$111,400
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $492 a week in repayments ($111,400 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW X3 starts $25,300 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW X3 at 5 stars (2025) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BMW X3 and 92% for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X3 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 and 7 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006414 · published 29 Aug 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering coupling bolts may not meet specifications and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-005747 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel delivery unit may fail causing the fuel pump to switch off.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- 21 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X3 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X3 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 570L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
For towing, the BMW X3 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 11.9 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe about $2,195 a year (7.7 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: the lower starting price ($86,100 against $111,400) and the higher braked towing limit (2,400kg against 2,000kg).
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe: more power (190kW against 140kW).
The Verdict
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
The BMW X3 scores 73 to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe ahead by 14 points), value (BMW X3 ahead by 9 points), safety (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe ahead by 6 points).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe?
The BMW X3 is the cheapest at $86,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe by $25,300.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe makes the most power at 190kW. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
Track the BMW X3 & Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
