BMW 3 Series vs. Mercedes-Benz GLB
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz GLB contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz GLB's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz GLB has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz GLB's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2024 BMW 3 Series ranges from $42,839 to $64,993 while a used 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB is priced between $44,543 to $54,108. For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $47,938 and $68,399, with the Mercedes-Benz GLB priced between $45,757 and $57,330.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 50.1 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz GLB loses 46.1 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz GLB retains 4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz GLB base engine makes 221 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz GLB, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The BMW 3 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the BMW 3 Series has higher safety ratings than the Mercedes-Benz GLB, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.67 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$47,938 - $68,399
Starting MSRP:
$44,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$45,757 - $57,330
Starting MSRP:
$44,450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$50,139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$22,400 - $79,100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$50,648
Price Range:
$42,839 - $64,993
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,321
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,195
# Good or Great Deals:
181
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$49,690
Price Range:
$44,543 - $54,108
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$57,314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$27,806 - $84,530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,132
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,783
# Good or Great Deals:
300
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$22,483
Depreciation %:
50.5%
Resale Value $:
$22,017
Residual Value %:
49.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$20,648
Depreciation %:
46.5%
Resale Value $:
$23,802
Residual Value %:
53.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
40.4% - 56.6%
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLB Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.3 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
12.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz GLB
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Mercedes-Benz GLB Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 68Ranking
19 out of / 59Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 68Ranking
24 out of / 68Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
28 out of / 29Ranking
37 out of / 68Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Mercedes-Benz GLB Trim Levels
AMG GLB 35, GLB 250, GLB 250 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.67 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
221 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Cargo Space:
12.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
125.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3781 lbs
Width:
79.5 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
182.4 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Gold
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
Starling Blue Metallic
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic
White
Digital White Metallic / Polar White
Gold
Rose Gold Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Bahia Brown / Brown w/ Grey Stitching
Gray
Titanium Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black
