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Mercedes GLS vs BMW X3 comparison

Compare performance (634 HP vs 398 HP), boot space and price (96,100 £ vs 51,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLS or BMW X3?

Mercedes GLS vs BMW X3: Key differences

Mercedes GLS

  • noticeably more power
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h

BMW X3

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • clearly more efficient
  • clearly lighter
  • noticeably more trunk space

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

GLS

Costs and Efficiency:

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

BMW X3 is substantially cheaper – starting at 51,300 £ , while the Mercedes GLS costs 96,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 44,863 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW X3 uses 2.8 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Mercedes GLS with 7.8 L/100km. The difference is about 5 L/100km.

X3

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLS offers noticeably more power – delivering 634 HP compared to 398 HP. That’s roughly 236 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLS is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 4.2 s, while the BMW X3 takes 4.6 s. That’s about 0.4 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Mercedes GLS is somewhat faster – reaching 280 km/h, while the BMW X3 tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 30 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLS delivers clearly more torque with 850 Nm compared to 670 Nm. That’s about 180 Nm more.

GLS

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

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

In terms of curb weight, BMW X3 is clearly lighter – 1,930 kg compared to 2,550 kg. The difference is around 620 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW X3 offers noticeably more boot space – 570 L compared to 355 L. That’s a difference of about 215 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Mercedes GLS offers visibly more capacity – up to 2,400 L, about 700 L more than the BMW X3.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLS carries a bit more – 695 kg compared to 570 kg. That’s a difference of about 125 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW X3 is far ahead 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 £51,300
X3

BMW X3

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 197 - 398 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.8 - 7.7 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 88 km
Mercedes GLS
BMW X3

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

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 X3

The BMW X3 mixes Bavarian poise with everyday practicality, delivering a composed ride and a cabin that feels both premium and lived-in. It’s the sort of SUV that lets you enjoy sporty handling without sacrificing family-friendly space, so you get fun and sense in one neat package.

details
Mercedes GLS
BMW X3

Costs and Consumption

Price
96,100 - 208,500 £
Price
51,300 - 72,400 £
Consumption L/100km
7.8 - 13.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.8 - 7.7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
88 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
204 - 310 g/km
co2
64 - 175 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
90 L
Fuel tank capacity
60 - 65 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
7
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
2,550 - 2,825 kg
Curb weight
1,930 - 2,140 kg
Trunk capacity
355 L
Trunk capacity
460 - 570 L
Length
5,208 - 5,233 mm
Length
4,755 mm
Width
1,956 mm
Width
1,920 mm
Height
1,782 - 1,838 mm
Height
1,660 mm
Max trunk capacity
2,400 L
Max trunk capacity
1,700 L
Payload
445 - 695 kg
Payload
570 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
333 - 634 HP
Power HP
197 - 398 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 6.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.8 s
Max Speed
238 - 280 km/h
Max Speed
215 - 250 km/h
Torque
500 - 850 Nm
Torque
330 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
245 - 466 kW
Power kW
145 - 293 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, E, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
BMW
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.