Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM48,912 more than the RM329,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC. The extra spend buys a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km claimed EV range, 400-kW DC charging and a far quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against 7.8 seconds. But the GLC carries 100 litres more luggage at 620 litres, has a four-year warranty instead of two, and its RM440 annual road tax is RM325 lower. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the iX3 is the more capable machine; the GLC is the lower-commitment choice.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want 726 km of EV range, 400-kW DC charging and 4.9-second acceleration.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want to spend RM48,912 less, need its 620-litre boot and prefer a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX3 has two motors, a 113.4-kWh battery and 726 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLC has a 1,999-cc turbo mild-hybrid petrol powertrain.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC 7.8 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 520 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX3 RM765; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM440.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW iX3 two years/unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz GLC four years/unlimited mileage.
iX3
- 726 km EV range from a 113.4-kWh battery.
- 400-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging capability.
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, plus a head-up display and panoramic sunroof.
- Costs RM48,912 more.
- 520-litre boot is 100 litres smaller.
- Two-year warranty is two years shorter.
GLC
- RM48,912 lower purchase price and RM325 lower annual road tax.
- 620-litre boot is 100 litres larger.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the iX3 by 2.9 seconds.
- No EV range, battery capacity or DC charging capability.
- Lacks the iX3's head-up display and panoramic sunroof.
What the iX3 has over the GLC
What the GLC has over the iX3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the GLC: 620 litres against 520.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM329,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM440✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,865/mo | RM3,370/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM10,097 | RM8,890✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,388 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.94 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM61,248 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.2 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 20 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 726 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 22 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 22 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED, with High-beam Assistant | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Comfort Access) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used iX3 & GLC for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW iX3
Mercedes-Benz GLC
iX3 vs GLC FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The BMW iX3 is better for drivers with regular charging access, delivering 726 km range and 4.9-second acceleration. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is better if lower upfront cost, a 620-litre boot and a four-year warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM329,888, so the iX3 is RM48,912 more expensive.
How far can the BMW iX3 travel and how quickly can it charge?
The BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery and a claimed 726 km EV range. It supports AC charging at up to 22 kW and DC charging at up to 400 kW.
How long does charging take?
The iX3's 113.4 kWh battery takes about 5.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The GLC is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the iX3 is fully imported (CBU) from Hungary. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
