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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes GLS comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 634 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 96,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Mercedes GLS?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes GLS: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • substantially cheaper
  • considerably more efficient
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • significantly lighter
  • noticeably more trunk space

Mercedes GLS

  • slightly more power

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

BMW 3 Series Saloon is substantially cheaper – starting at 39,900 £ , while the Mercedes GLS costs 96,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 56,178 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Mercedes GLS with 7.8 L/100km. The difference is about 5.4 L/100km.

GLS

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLS offers slightly more power – delivering 634 HP compared to 530 HP. That’s roughly 104 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Mercedes GLS takes 4.2 s. That’s about 0.7 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Mercedes GLS is somewhat faster – reaching 280 km/h, while the BMW 3 Series Saloon tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 30 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLS delivers slightly more torque with 850 Nm compared to 700 Nm. That’s about 150 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Seats: Mercedes GLS offers more seats – 7 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 3 Series Saloon is significantly lighter – 1,575 kg compared to 2,550 kg. The difference is around 975 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers noticeably more boot space – 480 L compared to 355 L. That’s a difference of about 125 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLS carries markedly more – 695 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 200 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,900
3 Series Saloon

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type : Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 96 - 101 km
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes GLS

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

details

Mercedes GLS

The GLS — usually just called the GLS — is Mercedes' flagship SUV, wrapping limousine-like comfort and commanding road presence into a smart, family-ready package. It pampers occupants with a hushed cabin, premium materials and intuitive tech, while still managing to feel confident and a little indulgent on the daily commute.

details
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes GLS

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Price
96,100 - 208,500 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
7.8 - 13.7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.5 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
204 - 310 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
Fuel tank capacity
90 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
7
Doors
4
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
2,550 - 2,825 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
355 L
Length
4,713 mm
Length
5,208 - 5,233 mm
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,956 mm
Height
1,440 - 1,446 mm
Height
1,782 - 1,838 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
2,400 L
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
445 - 695 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
333 - 634 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 6.7 s
Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
238 - 280 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
500 - 850 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
245 - 466 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.