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BMW iX3 (2021-2025) vs Mercedes-Benz GLB
Selected trimPremier Edition · 2021Change trim279 mi · 80 kWh · £58,850
Selected trim250+ Electric380 mi · 85 kWh · £46,100
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX3 stays competitive across the board, while the Mercedes-Benz GLB leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLB if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Mercedes-Benz GLB wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMercedes-Benz
BMW
4.7
Mercedes-Benz
7
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
BMW
2.2
Mercedes-Benz
6.3
FamilyMercedes-Benz
BMW
7.6
Mercedes-Benz
8.7
ChargingMercedes-Benz
BMW
3.8
Mercedes-Benz
9.1
Cost Per MileMercedes-Benz
BMW
1
Mercedes-Benz
3.5
City DrivingMercedes-Benz
BMW
2.3
Mercedes-Benz
4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
250+ Electric
- £12,750 cheaper
- 101 miles more WLTP range
- 170 kW faster rapid charging
- 14 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 31 Wh/km more efficient
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
- 2 more seats
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £58,850 | £46,100 (better) |
| Official range | 279 miles | 380 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 510 L | 540 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 34 min | 20 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.8 sec (better) | 7.4 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW iX3
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Length
BMW iX34,734mm
Mercedes-Benz GLB4,732mm-2mm
Width
BMW iX31,891mm
Mercedes-Benz GLB1,861mm-30mm
Height
BMW iX31,668mm-19mm
Mercedes-Benz GLB1,687mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,734 mm | 4,732 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,891 mm | 1,861 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,029 mm |
| Height | 1,668 mm | 1,687 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.1 m | 11.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 509 mm spare | 539 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 7 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 510 L | 540 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1560 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 0 L | 127 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 1,500 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
- A 127 L frunk, one of 4 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 127 L or more.
- 380 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 320 kW, faster than 90% of SUVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX3 Premier Edition |  Mercedes-Benz GLB 250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.73m | 4.73m-2mm |
| Width | 1.89m | 1.86m-30mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.67m | 1.69m+19mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.89m+24mm |
| Ground Clearance | 179mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 510L | 540L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1560L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 127L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 7 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.1m | 11.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,260kg (better) | 2,270kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 1,500kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 80kWh | 85kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 279 mi | 380 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 320kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £58,850 | £46,100 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2021 | 2026+ |
* BMW iX3: Euro NCAP applied its 2017 BMW X3 rating to the iX3 after extra checks in 2021. That rating expired on 1 January 2024.
* BMW iX3: WLTP range on 20-inch wheels; the 19-inch M Sport is rated a little higher.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 279 miles | 380 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 196 miles | 268 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 34 min | 20 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 195 Wh/km | 164 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 74 kWh | 85 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.8 sec (better) | 7.4 sec |
| Power | 210 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Torque | 400 Nm (better) | 335 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX3
Premier Edition
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
250+ Electric
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX3 Premier Edition
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist58%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Mercedes-Benz GLB 250+ Electric
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist74%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX3Premier Edition | Mercedes-Benz GLB250+ Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX3
- £29,6632021Car360View
Mercedes-Benz GLB
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX3 worth the extra £12,750 over the Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The BMW iX3 costs £12,750 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLB. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Mercedes-Benz GLB is not just cheaper - it also offers 101 miles more WLTP range, 170 kW faster peak rapid charging and 2 more seats (7 versus 5). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz GLB comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is £12,750 cheaper to buy. The Mercedes-Benz GLB is cheaper to charge, roughly £176 a year versus £216 for the BMW iX3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Mercedes-Benz GLB comes out roughly £12,950 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 196 miles for the BMW iX3 and 268 miles for the Mercedes-Benz GLB - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz GLB goes roughly 72 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 34 minutes in the BMW iX3 and 20 in the Mercedes-Benz GLB, so the Mercedes-Benz GLB loses less time at each stop. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLB the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLB?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 30 mm narrower than the BMW iX3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 539 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz GLB and about 509 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX3. The Mercedes-Benz GLB also turns in a 0.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLB?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX3 and 84% for the Mercedes-Benz GLB. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW iX3 comparisons
More Mercedes-Benz GLB comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .