Is the BMW X3 Right for You? Trims, Specs and How It Compares to the Mercedes GLC and Lexus RX
The 2026 BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV sold in the US in two versions: the X3 30 xDrive, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, and the X3 M50 xDrive, with a 393-horsepower inline-six. Both come with xDrive all-wheel drive and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It is the right pick if you want a sporty, efficient daily driver for East Bay commuting with room for a family's weekend gear. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is its closest rival, and the Lexus RX is the choice for buyers who put a full hybrid first.
Short answer: For most commuters around Walnut Creek, Concord and Pleasant Hill, the 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive is the sensible X3. It reaches 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, carries an EPA rating of 29 mpg combined, and has standard all-wheel drive. Choose the X3 M50 xDrive if performance matters more than fuel economy: it reaches 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Choose a Mercedes GLC 300 if you prefer its cabin and brand at identical output, or a Lexus RX 350h if hybrid fuel economy (36 mpg combined, AWD) matters more than driving feel. You can see the X3s BMW Concord has in stock on the new X3 inventory page.
BMW X3 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. Lexus RX
These three get shopped against each other constantly, but they are not identical vehicles. The X3 and GLC are compact luxury SUVs built around turbocharged engines. The RX is a larger two-row midsize SUV that leans on hybrid powertrains. The table compares the base version of each, with the electrified and high-performance options noted.
| Compare | 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive | 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC | 2027 Lexus RX 350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base engine | 2.0-liter turbo four, 48-volt mild hybrid | 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder | 2.4-liter turbo four |
| Output | 255 hp, 295 lb-ft | 255 hp, 295 lb-ft | 275 hp, 317 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6.0 seconds | 6.0 seconds | Not stated in Lexus's 2027 release |
| Drive | All-wheel drive standard on both US versions | 4MATIC all-wheel drive; rear-drive GLC 300 also offered | Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive |
| EPA combined mpg | 29 (27 city, 33 highway) | 26 (23 city, 31 highway) | 24 AWD (21 city, 28 highway); 25 FWD |
| Est. annual fuel cost (EPA) | $2,800, premium gasoline | $3,100, premium gasoline | $3,350 AWD, $3,200 FWD, premium gasoline (RX 350h AWD: $2,250) |
| Electrified option | None in the US lineup; both versions use a 48-volt mild hybrid | GLC 350e plug-in hybrid, 313 hp combined | RX 350h hybrid (246 hp, 36 mpg AWD), RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid (304 hp, 38 miles electric) |
| Performance version | X3 M50 xDrive: 393 hp, 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds | AMG GLC 53: 443 hp, 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds | RX 500h F SPORT Performance: 366 hp combined |
X3 figures: BMW of North America. GLC figures: the 2027 GLC lineup on mbusa.com. RX figures: Lexus USA Newsroom 2027 RX release, which lists the RX 350 in Premium, Premium+, Luxury and F SPORT grades, and lexus.com. Fuel economy, annual fuel cost and the GLC's 2.0-liter displacement: EPA ratings for the 2026 model year on fueleconomy.gov, the latest published for all three; annual cost is the EPA's own estimate and depends on its fuel-price and mileage assumptions.
On paper the X3 30 xDrive and GLC 300 4MATIC are almost a tie: the same 255 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the same 6.0-second sprint to 60 mph. The X3 pulls ahead on EPA fuel economy, 29 mpg combined against 26. The RX trades acceleration for size and choice of hybrids, and the RX 350h is the efficiency leader of the group. If you want to plug in, the GLC 350e and RX 450h+ offer that and the current US X3 does not.
X3 trims: 30 xDrive vs. M50 xDrive
BMW keeps the US X3 lineup simple. Both versions share the body, cabin, eight-speed Steptronic automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive. The difference is the engine and the performance hardware that comes with it.
| Spec | X3 30 xDrive | X3 M50 xDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 48-volt mild hybrid | 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, 48-volt mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 255 hp at 4,700 to 6,500 rpm | 393 hp at 5,200 to 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 428 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6.0 seconds | 4.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 130 mph | 130 mph, or 155 mph with performance tires |
| EPA mpg | 29 combined (27 city, 33 highway) | 27 combined (25 city, 30 highway) |
| Transmission and drive | 8-speed Steptronic, xDrive all-wheel drive | 8-speed Steptronic, xDrive all-wheel drive |
The 30 xDrive is plenty quick for merging onto I-680 or climbing Highway 24 toward the Caldecott Tunnel, and it is the more efficient of the two. The M50 xDrive is for drivers who want near sports-sedan acceleration in an SUV and accept a small fuel-economy penalty for it.
The X3 by the practical numbers
These are the figures that decide whether an X3 fits your garage, your gear and your weekends.
31.5 cu ftCargo behind the rear seats
67.1 cu ftCargo with rear seats folded
4,850 lbMaximum towing with optional hitch, depending on version
187.2 inOverall length, 1.3 in longer than before
The current X3 is also 1.1 inches wider and 1 inch lower than the generation it replaced, on a 112.8-inch wheelbase. Standard equipment includes the BMW Curved Display running BMW Operating System 9 with iDrive QuickSelect, BMW Maps navigation and heated, electrically adjustable sport seats. US-market X3s are assembled at BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina.
Who the X3 suits, and who should look elsewhere
A good fit if you
Commute daily on I-680, Highway 24 or Ygnacio Valley Road and want an SUV that still drives like a BMW. Want standard all-wheel drive for wet winters and trips to the Sierra. Need room for a stroller, sports gear or a dog without moving up to a midsize SUV.
Worth comparing first if you
Want to plug in at home: the GLC 350e and RX 450h+ offer plug-in hybrids and the current US X3 does not. Put fuel economy above everything: the RX 350h's 36 mpg combined beats the X3. Regularly carry five adults: the larger X5 or RX gives more space.
Check the driver-assistance package on any X3 you look at. Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection and Parking Assistant with a rear-view camera are standard. The optional Driving Assistant Professional adds highway lane keeping with side collision protection, distance control and a Traffic Jam Assistant that works up to 40 mph, which is useful in stop-and-go traffic on I-680 at rush hour.
X3 or GLC for commuting around Walnut Creek?
On power alone the two are close to a tie, so for a Walnut Creek commute the decision usually comes down to four things:
- Fuel economy. The EPA rates the X3 30 xDrive at 29 mpg combined and the GLC 300 4MATIC at 26, and the EPA estimates annual fuel costs of $2,800 and $3,100 respectively.
- Drivetrain choice. Every US X3 has xDrive all-wheel drive. With the GLC, you choose between rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC, so check which one the SUV you are pricing actually has.
- Plug-in option. If you can charge at home or at work, the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid is a real advantage the X3 does not currently match in the US.
- How it feels to you. Steering, seat comfort and how the infotainment works are personal. Drive both on the same day over the same roads, including a stretch of freeway, before you decide.
Book that drive through the BMW Concord test drive request page and plan the route around the roads you actually drive every day.
Stepping up, or buying certified
Two other paths deserve a look before you settle on a new X3.
Step up to the X5
If you need more space or want an electrified option, the all-new 2027 X5 launched in the US in October 2026, with the X5 50e plug-in hybrid and iX5 electric due in early 2027. Our guide to what's new on the 2027 BMW X5 covers specs, prices and arrival timing.
Buy Certified Pre-Owned
A BMW Certified Pre-Owned X3 lowers the entry price and still comes with BMW-backed coverage. Our guide to new vs. Certified Pre-Owned BMW explains what certification includes and when each makes sense.
A 2027 X3 update is coming. BMW has announced an update for the 2027 model year in Europe that raises the X3 M50 xDrive to 437 hp and refines the interior across the range, as reported by BMWBlog in September 2026. BMW of North America had not published US-specific details at the time of writing, so ask us which model year a given X3 is before you compare figures.
Drive the X3 in Concord
BMW Concord is at 1967 Market Street, Concord. Sales is open Monday through Saturday 9 to 6 and Sunday 11 to 5, or call 925-682-3577.
Frequently asked questions
What trims does the BMW X3 come in?
In the US, the X3 is offered as the X3 30 xDrive, with a 255 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, and the X3 M50 xDrive, with a 393 horsepower turbocharged inline-six. Both have a 48-volt mild hybrid system, an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive.
Is the BMW X3 faster than the Mercedes GLC?
The base versions are evenly matched. The X3 30 xDrive and GLC 300 4MATIC both make 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft and reach 60 mph in 6.0 seconds. The X3 M50 xDrive does it in 4.4 seconds, while the AMG GLC 53 is quicker at 4.0 seconds.
What gas mileage does the BMW X3 get?
The EPA rates the 2026 X3 30 xDrive at 29 mpg combined (27 city, 33 highway) and the X3 M50 xDrive at 27 mpg combined (25 city, 30 highway).
How much cargo space does the BMW X3 have?
BMW lists 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 67.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Is the BMW X3 or Lexus RX better for fuel economy?
The Lexus RX 350h hybrid is more efficient, at an EPA-rated 36 mpg combined with AWD versus 29 mpg for the X3 30 xDrive. The gasoline RX 350 AWD is rated at 24 mpg combined, below the X3.
Sources: BMW of North America, "The All-New 2025 BMW X3"; Mercedes-Benz USA, GLC SUV; Lexus USA Newsroom, "2027 Lexus RX Hits the Streets This Fall" and lexus.com RX Plug-in Hybrid; US EPA, fueleconomy.gov; BMWBlog, 2027 X3 update report. Specifications are as published at the time of writing and can change.