2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. 2025 BMW X7
If you’re shopping for luxury SUVs in Birmingham, you’ve probably come across the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X7. These two class-leading SUVs have unique character, capability, and the cutting-edge tech you deserve. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are well known for building quality vehicles with sophisticated and refined interiors; these models have many desirable features, but you’ll want to know more as a buyer. So, we asked our SUV experts to compare and contrast these two popular SUVs.
Interior Luxury and Comfort
Mercedes-Benz didn’t hold back when designing the GLC cabin. Premium leather upholstery, natural wood, and metal accents deliver the sophisticated look you’d expect. The heated, contoured seats in a range of colors, from Sienna Brown to AMG® Power Red, enhance comfort and style.
You’ll find similar accommodations in the BMW X7. Heated seats wrapped in leather offer comfort, and BMW adds natural wood and modern metals to elevate the interior’s appearance.
Performance and Engine Options
Mercedes-Benz makes the GLC in three trims. The base-model GLC 300 has rear-wheel drive, while the GLC 300 and GLC 350e feature 4MATIC® all-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter inline turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers all three models. However, the GLC 300 trims have a mild hybrid system that boosts power and torque. A plug-in hybrid powertrain propels the GLC 350e.
The base engine produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque before the 48-volt mild hybrid drive system adds up to 23 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque without burning gasoline. Plug-in hybrid models can travel up to 54 miles on electricity only. Combining the electric motor and gas engine, the GLC 350e puts out 313 horsepower and sprints to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.
BMW makes the X7 in three trims, each with a different engine but all powered with the same eight-speed automatic transmission. A 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo and mild hybrid technology powers the X7 xDrive40i. This powertrain produces 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque.
The X7 M60i uses the BMW M TwinPower Turbo, a 4.4-liter V-8 gas engine with mild hybrid tech to boost power. As a result, this configuration makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
Under the hood of the ALPINA XB7 is the BMW ALPINA Bi-Turbo, a 4.4-liter V-8 gas engine with twin turbochargers. This specially tuned V-8 variant produces an impressive 631 horsepower and races to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Both vehicles have responsive powertrains that deliver the opportunity for spirited driving. The GLC perfectly blends power and efficiency if you prefer economy without sacrificing power.
Cargo Space and Versatility
The Mercedes-Benz GLC offers 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seat flat opens up 56.3 cubic feet of area. BMW X7 models have 12.8 cubic feet of space in the cargo hold. When you fold the rear seat flat, it opens up to 48.6 cubic feet.
Both vehicles offer power liftgates for easy, hands-free access to the cargo hold. While both vehicles offer fold-flat seats, the GLC has almost twice as much space before folding the rear seat, making it a much more versatile option.
Technology and Infotainment
The GLC’s in-vehicle tech runs through an 11.9-inch touch-screen display powered by the MBUX operating system. While mounted in the center stack, Mercedes-Benz canted the screen toward the driver for better visibility; you can store and access your preferences via the fingerprint scanner.
BMW’s X7 provides a 14.9-inch touch screen powered by the BMW OS 8.5. BMW uses a curved screen mounted on the dash and integrated with the digital cluster.
Both vehicles have wireless cellphone synchronization, impressive audio, and helpful navigation systems. However, MBUX offers advanced artificial intelligence that learns your preferences and voice, giving it a slight edge over the BMW tech suite.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Mercedes-Benz and BMW have equipped these SUVs with the most advanced driver-assistance systems such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking that help you avoid or mitigate accidents using radar and optical sensors. Blind-spot monitors, lane-change assist, and more help keep you safe on busy highways.
The GLC has a unique feature: the Mercedes-Benz virtual transparent hood (or bonnet). This system uses cameras to render an image of the ground beneath the GLC’s front. This technology can help you avoid obstacles and navigate tight spaces when driving off-road.
Pricing
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has a starting MSRP of $49,250, making it a desirable SUV in its segment. Opting for the 4MATIC® AWD GLC will cost $51,250 MSRP. The GLC 350e 4MATIC® has a $59,900 price tag, which the plug-in hybrid powertrain’s efficiency may offset.
BMW offers its X7 xDrive40i at an MSRP of $83,500. The cost increases to $110,900 for the X7 M60i model. The top-tier XB7 trim has a starting MSRP of $152,400.
As the numbers show, you’ll pay almost twice as much for a BMW X7 than a Mercedes-Benz GLC. The lower-priced GLC makes sense since both SUVs have premium luxury, advanced tech, and exceptional style.
Test-Drive the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Today
Buyers looking for a luxury SUV inevitably turn to Mercedes-Benz and BMW because of their decades-long reputations for quality craftsmanship and performance. However, the best way to know if a vehicle suits you is to take a test-drive.
We invite you to shop our virtual inventory to gain insight into each model. When you’re ready for a closer look, please visit our showroom and speak with an SUV specialist. They’ll answer all your questions and coordinate a test-drive of the 2025 GLC SUV.