BMW Neue Klasse IX3 vs Mercedes GLC

Here’s where things stand today for the Neue Klasse BMW iX3 and the electric Mercedes GLC (GLC with EQ Technology / GLC EV).


1. Key hard specs – iX3 vs GLC EV

Launch versions compared:

  • BMW iX3 50 xDrive (NA5) – first SUV on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform
  • Mercedes GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology (X540) – launch spec of the EV GLC

Platform & powertrain

BMW iX3 50 xDriveMercedes GLC 400 4MATIC EQ
EV platformNeue Klasse 800 VMB.EA-M 800 V (Wikipedia)
Drive layoutDual-motor AWDDual-motor AWD (bmwhk.com)
Peak power345 kW (469 hp)360 kW (489 hp) (bmwhk.com)
Peak torque645 Nm800 Nm (bmwhk.com)
0–100 km/h4.9 s4.3 s (bmw.se)
Top speed210 km/h (limited)210 km/h (limited) (bmw.se)

Battery, range & charging

BMW iX3 50 xDriveMercedes GLC 400 4MATIC EQ
Battery (usable)~108.7 kWh NMC Li-ion (cylindrical cells) (bmw.se)~94 kWh Li-ion (usable) (Mercedes-Benz)
System voltage800 V800 V (Wikipedia)
WLTP range (official)676–805 km (up to 805 km for 50 xDrive) (bmw.se)Up to 713 km WLTP (electrive.com)
EV-Database “real range”~610 km combined (MY26) (ev-database.org)~500 km combined (ev-database.org)
DC fast-charge powerUp to 400 kWUp to 330 kW (bmw.se)
DC 10–80 %~21 min~22 min (bmw.se)
Range added in 10 min309–372 km (BMW claim) (bmw.se)~300–305 km (Mercedes claim) (Motor1.com)
AC onboard charger11 kW (22 kW optional in some markets) (bmw.se)11 kW std, 22 kW optional (mercedes-benz-media.co.uk)
BidirectionalV2L + V2H + V2G announced (Wikipedia)V2L/V2H announced (AC) (ev-database.org)

Size, weight, towing, practicality

BMW iX3 50 xDriveMercedes GLC 400 4MATIC EQ
Length4,782 mm4,845 mm (bmw.co.uk)
Width (w/o mirrors)1,895 mm1,913 mm (bmw.co.uk)
Height1,635 mm1,644 mm (bmw.co.uk)
Wheelbase2,897 mm2,972 mm (bmw.co.uk)
Kerb weight~2,360 kg~2,535 kg (EU) (bmw.co.uk)
Boot (rear)520–1,750 L570–1,740 L (bmw.co.uk)
Frunk58 L128 L (bmw.co.uk)
Towing (braked)Up to 2,000 kgUp to 2,400 kg, 100 kg tongue (bmw.co.uk)

2. BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse) – technical deep dive

Platform & architecture

  • First SUV on BMW’s Neue Klasse 800 V EV platform, completely separate from ICE X3.(Wikipedia)
  • Sixth-gen eDrive: cylindrical NMC cells with ~20 % higher energy density vs prior gen, lighter and more efficient pack.(evspecifications.com)
  • 4 “superbrain” computers incl. Heart of Joy that centrally controls dynamics (motors, brakes, suspension) with ~1 ms latency; enables very high regen share (BMW quotes up to ~99 % of braking via regeneration in many situations).(Wikipedia)

Powertrain

  • Motors:
    • Rear: electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM)
    • Front: asynchronous motor (ASM)
    • Both integrated with inverter + single-speed transmission in compact units.(BMW Group PressClub)
  • System output: 345 kW (469 hp), 645 Nm.(bmwhk.com)
  • Drivetrain: AWD (xDrive) via dual motors; 1-speed fixed-ratio gearbox.(bmwhk.com)
  • Performance: 0–100 km/h 4.9 s, top speed 210 km/h electronically limited.(bmw.se)

Battery, efficiency & charging

  • Battery:
    • Capacity: 108.7 kWh (BMW high-voltage battery; effectively ~108 kWh usable according to EV-Database).(bmw.se)
    • Chemistry: NMC Li-ion, cylindrical cells, integrated flat in the floor.(evspecifications.com)
  • Range & consumption:
    • WLTP: 676–805 km depending on spec and wheels.(bmw.se)
    • WLTP energy use: 15.1–17.9 kWh/100 km.(bmw.se)
    • EV-Database real mixed range estimate: ~610 km (MY26).(ev-database.org)
  • Charging:
    • DC: up to 400 kW; 10–80 % in ~21 min.(bmw.se)
    • BMW quotes 309–372 km added in 10 min at a 400 kW HPC.(bmw.se)
    • AC: 11 kW standard; 0–100 % in ~11 h on 3-phase 16 A.(bmw.se)
  • Bidirectional: supports V2L, V2H and V2G in markets where infrastructure & regulation allow.(Wikipedia)

Chassis, aero & dynamics (hard bits)

  • Dimensions: 4,782 mm L, 1,895 mm W, 1,635 mm H, wheelbase 2,897 mm.(bmw.co.uk)
  • Drag coefficient: Cd ≈ 0.24, very low for an SUV.(Auto Data)
  • Curb weight: ~2,360 kg; payload ~540 kg; max roof load 75 kg.(bmw.co.uk)
  • Towing: up to 2,000 kg braked (12 % gradient), tongue 80 kg (towbar option).(bmw.co.uk)
  • Ground clearance ~176 mm, turning circle 12.1 m.(Auto Data)

(Suspension layout specifics – multi-link rear etc. – haven’t been fully detailed officially yet; most sources simply state adaptive dampers and rear-biased AWD, so I’m not inventing extra numbers.)

Cabin, HMI & software tech

  • First BMW with Panoramic iDrive / iDrive X:
    • 43.3″ Panoramic Vision projected across the lower windscreen.
    • 17.9″ central “free-cut” touchscreen.(Wikipedia)
  • Optional 3D HUD; retains a strip of physical climate/volume buttons.(Wikipedia)
  • OTA updates for drivetrain, ADAS, infotainment; high compute throughput via the new “superbrains”.(Wikipedia)
  • Interior volume: 5 seats, 520–1,750 L rear cargo + 58 L frunk.(bmw.co.uk)

3. Mercedes GLC EV (GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology) – technical deep dive

Platform & architecture

  • First EV on the MB.EA-M platform (mid-size Merc EV architecture), 800 V system.(electrive.com)
  • Designed from the ground up as an EV but keeps GLC name and proportions; visually bigger than ICE GLC and EQC.(Autocar)

Powertrain

  • Motors: dual-motor AWD with a two-speed transmission on the rear axle for efficiency at high speed.(Wikipedia)
  • Launch variant GLC 400 4MATIC:
  • Later variant GLC 300+ (RWD) announced with ~369 hp and slower 0–100; detailed numbers still evolving.(AllAboutEVs)

Battery, range & charging

  • Battery:
    • Usable capacity ~94 kWh; NMC chemistry (not officially spelled out everywhere, but consistent with tech briefs).(Mercedes-Benz)
  • Range & consumption:
  • Charging:
  • Bidirectional / energy features:
    • V2L/V2H announced (exact power figures still “TBA” in many sources), with focus on home-backup and load-balancing in some markets.(ev-database.org)

Dimensions, practicality & towing

  • Dimensions: 4,845 mm L, 1,913 mm W, 1,644 mm H; wheelbase 2,972 mm.(ev-database.org)
  • Boot: 570–1,740 L rear; plus 128 L frunk that opens by touching the Mercedes badge on the bonnet.(ev-database.org)
  • Towing: up to 2,400 kg braked; 750 kg unbraked; tongue / drawbar load 100 kg.(ev-database.org)
  • EU kerb weight: ~2,535 kg; payload ~580 kg.(ev-database.org)

Chassis, suspension & aero

  • Aero: Mercedes quotes Cd as low as 0.26 depending on spec.(Wikipedia)
  • Optional Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping; works with road-preview and “Car-to-X” data to pre-adjust damping and ride height for efficiency & comfort.(Wikipedia)
  • Rear-axle steering up to 4.5°, shrinking turning circle under ~11 m and helping with trailer manoeuvring.(TopElectricSUV)

Cabin, HMI & electronics

  • Optional 39.1″ MBUX Hyperscreen spanning the dash (driver + center + passenger), with local-dimming matrix backlight.(Top Gear España)
  • Runs new MB.OS / latest MBUX with integrated AI from Microsoft + Google, native Teams, streaming apps, etc.(Mercedes-Benz)
  • Dual wireless phone chargers; slim strip of physical buttons under the screen.(Wikipedia)
  • ADAS sensor suite up to ~10 cameras, 5 radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors feeding MB.Drive for advanced driving assistance (high-end Level 2 / “2++”).(DIE WELT)

4. How they differ technically (quick reading)

  • Range & efficiency: On paper the iX3 claims a slightly higher maximum WLTP (805 km vs 713 km) and a larger battery, but EV-Database places their “real” ranges fairly close: iX3 ~610 km vs GLC ~500 km, with the BMW having a bit more buffer from the bigger pack.(ev-database.org)
  • Charging: BMW wins on peak power (400 kW vs 330 kW) and slightly faster 10–80 % time (21 vs 22 min), but both are at the absolute top tier and will mostly be HPC-limited in practice.(bmw.se)
  • Performance: GLC 400 is the punchier one (0–100 in 4.3 s vs 4.9 s) thanks to more torque and the two-speed rear transmission.(bmw.se)
  • Practicality: GLC wins on rear boot volume and especially frunk volume (128 L vs 58 L) and also offers higher towing (2.4 t vs 2.0 t). BMW is a touch shorter and lighter.(bmw.co.uk)
  • Cockpit philosophy:
    • BMW: driver-focused, Panoramic Vision HUD-bar + 17.9″ screen, retains more physical controls.(Wikipedia)
    • Mercedes: huge 39.1″ Hyperscreen dominating interior; very “wow-factor” and infotainment-centric.(Top Gear España)

Here are current launch / list prices (base versions) for the Neue Klasse BMW iX3 50 xDrive and Mercedes GLC 400 4MATIC EV in the Nordics + a few key European markets.

All prices are “from” prices incl. VAT, excl. local incentives & campaigns, as of Oct–Nov 2025.

1. BMW iX3 50 xDrive (Neue Klasse) – prices

Nordics

CountryTrim / notePriceSource
SwedeniX3 50 xDrive (base)från 749 900 krBMW Sverige + dealers (bmw.se)
NorwayiX3 50 xDrive (base)fra 699 900 krBMW Norge + Norwegian press (bmw.no)
DenmarkiX3 50 xDrive (base)ca. 649 900 kr list – some newer coverage mentions kampanj ~599 900 krDanish press & dealer sites (bilhandel.dk)
FinlandiX3 50 xDrive (base)alkaen 69 390 €BMW Finland & Finnish press release (Kaasujalka)

Rest of Europe (selected)

CountryTrimPrice
GermanyiX3 50 xDrive68 900 €
NetherlandsiX3 50 xDrive70 501 € (EV-Database RRP) (ev-database.org)
United KingdomiX3 50 xDrivefrom £58 755 (range ~£58.8–62.8k depending on spec) (ev-database.org)
“EU launch price” (BMW statement)iX3 50 xDrive68 900 € (Europe-wide reference price) (Reuters)

2. Mercedes GLC 400 4MATIC EV (GLC with EQ Technology) – prices

Nordics

CountryTrim / notePriceSource
SwedenGLC 400 4MATIC (Standard / Advanced Edition)från 769 000 krMercedes Sverige press + Swedish EV media (Mynewsdesk)
NorwayGLC 400 4MATICfra 699 900 kr (Standard), 739 900 / 789 900 kr for higher packagesOfficial MB Norge post (Facebook)
DenmarkGLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technologyfra 619 900 kr; Long Range Edition fra 662 514 krMB Danmark press & dealer sites (Mynewsdesk)
FinlandGLC 400 4MATIC EVOfficiell prisinfo ej tydligt publicerad ännu – based on German & DK prices you can expect low/mid-70k € region, but that’s an estimate, not an official number.

Rest of Europe (selected)

CountryTrimPriceSource
GermanyGLC 400 4MATIC71 281 € listElectrive, ArenaEV, EV-Database (electrive.com)
NetherlandsGLC 400 4MATIC72 631 €EV-Database (ev-database.org)
United KingdomGLC 400 4MATIC£65 000EV-Database (ev-database.org)

3. Quick read: how they stack up on price (Nordics & EU)

  • Sweden: iX3 from 749 900 kr, GLC 400 from 769 000 kr → Merc is ~19k SEK above BMW at list. (bmw.se)
  • Norway: both launch at 699 900 kr for the “standard” versions – they’re basically head-to-head on base price, with trim levels/fixed spec that differ. (bmw.no)
  • Denmark: iX3 roughly 650k DKK list (some media mention campaigns down to ~600k), GLC 400 around 620k DKK list (≈660k for Long Range) – Mercedes is positioning itself slightly cheaper than BMW in many Danish write-ups. (bilhandel.dk)
  • Germany / “core EU”: iX3 starts at 68 900 €, GLC at 71 281 €, so BMW is ~2.4k € cheaper on paper. (ev-database.org)