Spec comparison: Mercedes-Benz GLC Vs Audi Q5 Vs BMW X3

India's premium SUV market has grown significantly. It now has multiple levels and nearly every manufacturer has a vehicle across price ranges. The latest to enter the fray is Mercedes-Benz with its GLC SUV. This is a new part of the Indian market that they are entering as the car’s predecessor; the GLK was never made in RHD format.


It will take the fight to the established players like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 both of which have been in the Indian market for a significant period. Ahead of the GLC’s official launch on June 2, we have decided to dig deeper and give you an idea of what Mercedes-Benz has to offer with the GLC. 

Dimensions
This is a level playing field when you consider dimensions, as all the cars measure pretty much the same across the three major measurements. The X3 is 4.65 metres with a wheelbase of 2.81 metres while the Q5 measures 4.62 metres with a wheelbase of 2.80 metres. Finally the GLC is 4.65 metres and has a wheelbase 2.87 metre. 
The GLC across both petrol and diesel models has a longer wheelbase which ideally should translate into more space within the cabin. In terms of looks the X3 with its old school SUV lines hulks over the others while the Q5 which is a bit behind the others in terms of age looks very urban thanks to the soft lines. The GLC then is a bit of both thanks to the high ground clearance but equally sharp design that has come to define the new range of Merc SUVs.

Equipment
It is as you would expect from vehicles in this price range in terms of features. There is climate control, leather seats, infotainment system, electrically adjustable seats, multiple airbags and a plethora of storage spaces all around. Each of the vehicles in the fight lack a minor feature  which one of the other models has on them,  so it is pretty much a case of give and take when it comes to the equipment list.

Engine and performance
On the diesel front the BMW X3 gets  two diesel engines – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit producing 190bhp and 400Nm as well as a 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit producing 258bhp/560Nm. Both are mated to the ZF eight-speed AT.  The Audi Q5 is offered only with a 2.0-litre unit producing 174bhp/380Nm of torque which comes with a seven-speed AT unit.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC will be the only vehicle to offer a petrol variant which in this case is the GLC300 4MATIC. It produces 245bhp/370Nm of torque and is offered with a nine-speed ZF automatic gearbox. We believe that with petrol gaining favour over diesels Audi and BMW will bring back at least one petrol variant for each of their vehicles.

Price  
The BMW X3 is priced in the range of Rs 47.50 lakh to Rs 60.50 lakh while the Audi Q5 is priced in the range of Rs 49.46 lakh to Rs 56.02 lakh putting them very close to each  other. We believe that the GLC too will be in a similar price range of Rs 47 lakh to Rs 56 lakh. However, the first round of cars for the GLC will be Edition1 model which is likely to be priced at Rs 62 lakh. The locally assembled variants will be priced closer to what we have predicted.