BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
Luxury compact SUVs · head to head, 2016–2026
The BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC were both sold for 11 model years (2016–2026). Among the X3's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2010; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the GLC's own years, its best bet is 2019; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
BMW X3
SUV · 2010–2026
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2010
- Be careful 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2025
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Wagon · 2016–2027
- Best bet 2019
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2016, 2023
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy X3 year says nothing about whether it beats a GLC. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | BMW X3 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and structure | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2026 BMW X3 | 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $50,900 to $65,900 base price by trim, 2 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 255 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 393 hp | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–469 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 27–29 mpg | 22–27 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 4 of 5 stars | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 2 · 17 | 0 · 9 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| X3 30 lowest price, $50,900 | X3 M50 highest price, $65,900 | GLC AMG GLC43 only trim | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | — | Standard |
| Remote start | — | — | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (X3, GLC).
Known fixes and extended coverage
BMW X3
35 manufacturer programs on file: 17 extended coverage, 18 repair programs.
- Extended coverage For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Leak Diagnosis Module with hose assembly (NVLD, shown) to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original… (SIB010921, 2010–2012, 2014–2022 models)
- Extended coverage A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited… (SIB011219, 2010–2018, 2021–2022 models)
- Extended coverage For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the… (B010324, 2018–2025 models)
- Extended coverage Component specific limited warranty extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor(s) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the… (SIB011918, 2011–2012, 2014–2017 models)
Mercedes-Benz GLC
18 manufacturer programs on file: 10 extended coverage, 8 repair programs.
- Extended coverage On certain Model Year 2015 - 2020 C/E/GLC/SLC and SLK vehicles, under certain circumstances, the partial-load ventilation valve (a part of the intake line assembly) may not work as intended, resulting in the illumination of the check… (2016, 2019 models)
- Extended coverage Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (âMBUSAâ) is extending the warranty coverage on the intake line assembly in certain Model Year (âMYâ) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 15… (2016, 2019 models)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension applies to the electrical wiring and plug connection on the accelerator pedal, as it may not meet current production specifications. Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has… (2016, 2019 models)
- Extended coverage This is not an issue that affects drivability or performance and is not a safety concern. Use VMI to check for Emission Extended Warranty – Engine Thermostat (incl. software update) MY19-23, Various Models and Platforms (167, 190, 205,… (LI20.10-P-072886, 2021 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2017–2018, 2020–2022, 2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2023: the X3 is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.3× usual), while the GLC is rated careful (serious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2019: the GLC is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.5× usual), while the X3 is rated careful (serious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and structure). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: X3 2010.
- Newest year rated a good buy: X3 2024; GLC 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: X3 at 29 mpg (GLC: 27), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.