10:05 11-09-2025

BMW iX3 vs Mercedes GLC EV: specs, range and price compared

The rivalry among premium electric cars is intensifying. At the Munich motor show, BMW unveiled its new iX3, while Mercedes-Benz presented the electric successor to the GLC. Both brands are intent on outdoing each other, rolling out fresh technology and appealing performance figures.

In straight-line metrics, Mercedes-Benz holds the advantage. The electric GLC delivers 483 horsepower and reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The BMW iX3 is a touch less potent at 469 hp, taking about 4.9 seconds to hit 100 km/h; on paper the gap is clear, though in everyday driving it tends to matter more for bragging rights than for real-world use.

Range, however, swings the momentum toward BMW. The iX3 uses a 108.7-kWh battery that enables up to 500 miles on the WLTP cycle (around 400 miles by the EPA standard). Mercedes fits a smaller 94-kWh pack, resulting in a somewhat shorter range. For many buyers, that blend of capacity and distance carries more weight than a few tenths in a sprint.

Charging speeds tell a similar story. The iX3 supports up to 400 kW fast charging, enough to add roughly 231 miles in ten minutes. The Mercedes GLC EV peaks at 330 kW, which would deliver about 160 miles over the same span. Those numbers inspire more confidence on long trips and make planning stops simpler.

Price also favors BMW. The new iX3 is slated to start at about $55,000, with market arrival in the summer of 2026. Mercedes-Benz, by contrast, is targeting a launch closer to the end of 2026, and while official pricing remains unannounced, it is expected to come in higher, true to the brand’s premium positioning.