BMW XM vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Level: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 9 Nov 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW XM
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Engine
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Power
- 550kW
- Economy
- 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 527L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
6 of 27 standard · no option data · 21 no dataFrom
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 150kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 600L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BMW XM: we're still completing kerb weight, electric range and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$309,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
A plug-in hybrid is compared on its fuel use as a hybrid (battery depleted), the figure that is like for like with the other car; its certified combined figure, which assumes every trip starts with a full battery, is printed under it. Electric range is how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price and cost per week
BMW XM Label
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $1,410 a week in repayments ($309,900 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 GLC200 4MATIC
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $393 a week in repayments ($89,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC starts $220,000 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.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$393/wk(≈$1,701/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLC at $89,900 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 XMDriva 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's published ratings include no record for the BMW XM. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW XM and 0 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
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 XM
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 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-006318 · published 28 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the high-voltage starter generator may experience an intermittent overload, which could deactivate functions of the system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- 26 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.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
25.7kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW XM features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The BMW XM stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW XM gets merino leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW XM and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW XM uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 550kW and 1000Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The BMW XM has the clear power advantage at 550kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW XM is 4.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW XM measures 5,110mm long on a 3,105mm wheelbase, 394mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 4,716mm (2,888mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW XM generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 527L in the BMW XM and 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLC a 73L advantage.
For towing, the BMW XM leads with a 2,700kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 700kg 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 BMW XM's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.4 m against 11.9 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 XM costs about $3,648 a year (12.8 L/100km as a hybrid) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLC about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $1,510 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW XM) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLC).
Where each one leads
The BMW XM: more power (550kW against 150kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,700kg against 2,000kg).
The Mercedes-Benz GLC: the lower starting price ($89,900 against $309,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (600L against 527L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,138 a year against $3,648).
The Verdict
Level: here's what splits them
The BMW XM (58) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (62) are too close to call on the figures we hold. What splits them: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz GLC ahead by 48 points), performance (BMW XM ahead by 46 points), value (Mercedes-Benz GLC ahead by 24 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLC costs about $1,510 less (7.5 L/100km against 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 527L in the BMW XM, 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$393/wk(≈$1,701/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLC at $89,900 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 XMDriva 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 XM and Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the cheapest at $89,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW XM by $220,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC uses the least fuel at 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mercedes-Benz GLC holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP's published ratings include no record for BMW XM, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the largest boot at 600L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW XM has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,700kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW XM makes the most power at 550kW. The BMW XM is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
Track the BMW XM & Mercedes-Benz GLC
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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.
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