Mercedes-Benz GLC EV vs BMW iX3: Specifications Compared

At the 2025 IAA Munich, one of the world’s biggest motor shows, two German marques released their electric SUVs that directly rival each other. Mercedes-Benz showcased its GLC with EQ Tech (GLC EV hereon), while BMW debuted the iX3. Both act as catalysts for the new design language that both brands will follow henceforth. 

The ICE versions of both cars – GLC and X3 – are direct rivals too, much like the electric versions. So let’s take a closer look at how the GLC EV and iX3 fare against each other on paper. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC EV vs BMW iX3: Dimensions

In every measurable way, the GLC EV is much larger than the iX3. The Mercedes is 63 mm longer than the BMW, with the wheelbase being 75 mm longer too. It’s also 18 mm wider and 9 mm taller than the iX3. Mercedes-Benz has even managed to give the GLC EV a 50-litre larger boot and a 70-litre larger frunk. But numbers are only a part of the game, and the real deal is how well both manufacturers are able to package their cars. That we’ll know once we get to experience both cars back-to-back. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC EV vs BMW iX3: Powertrains

While Mercedes-Benz uses one kind of electric motor on both axles for the GLC EV, BMW uses two different types for both axles. And Mercedes-Benz hasn’t yet revealed the torque figures for the GLC, it’s evident that it makes 20 bhp more than the iX3. Needless to say, both make healthy amounts of power, which helps them achieve good 0 - 100 kmph time. The GLC EV can do the sprint in 4.3 seconds, making it 0.6 seconds quicker than the iX3 (4.9 seconds). 

The only place where the iX3 beats the GLC EV on paper is the battery capacity and the range it gets from it. The iX3 has a 107.8 kWh battery with a range of up to 805 km (WLTP), while the GLC has a much smaller 94 kWh battery with a 713 km (WLTP). Both have a lithium-ion battery. These are just claimed numbers, and it remains to be seen how close the real-world figures of both will be. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC EV vs BMW iX3: Features

Both cars come with a huge range of features that will trickle down (or up) to other models from their respective brands. The GLC EV has a 39.1 kWh Hyperscreen (as an option) that has 1,000 individual LEDs for illumination. As standard, it comes with Mercedes’ Superscreen setup that includes a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.3-inch virtual cluster and a 14-inch display for the passenger. It also comes with ChatGPT integration with the MBUX Virtual Assistant. The GLC EV also gets an illuminated star pattern in the panoramic glass roof. Other features include Dolby Atmos support with the Burmester audio system, multiple sound modes, ADAS and more. Interestingly, the GLC EV comes with an illuminated grille that lights up with 942 polycarbonate backlit dots, giving it a very unique appeal. Expect this tech to make it onto other Mercedes-Benz models in the future. 

On the other hand, the iX3 brings new technology to the forefront for BMW. It comes with BMW’s Panoramic iDrive that includes a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen (the largest in any BMW), a 3D head-up display and a dashboard-wide screen that BMW calls the Panoramic Vision. This screen basically acts as the instrument cluster and a display for various other information that the driver and passenger may need. Other features include ADAS, panoramic glass roof, Harman Kardon audio system and more.