BMW X3 vs Lexus RX vs Mercedes-Benz GLC (2026)
The classic luxury suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the BMW X3 if you want the lowest starting price (₹76.20 Lakh).
- Pick the Lexus RX as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want the most power (415 bhp).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
BMW X3 in short
The new-generation X3 launched in India in January 2025, and per BMW India's own pricing the 30 xDrive M Sport Pro petrol costs ₹76.20 lakh while the xDrive20d diesel costs ₹78.20 lakh — unusually, the diesel is the pricier car. Both are locally assembled with xDrive all-wheel drive standard. A cheaper xDrive20 petrol (around ₹69.90 lakh) exists but our sources conflict on its exact price, so it is held from the table. Rivals are the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5.
Full X3 prices & variants →Lexus RX in short
The RX is Lexus's larger luxury SUV, hybrid across the board: the RX 350h strong hybrid in Exquisite (₹89.99 lakh) and Luxury (₹98.04 lakh) trims, and the RX 500h F SPORT+ at ₹1.10 crore with a 371 hp turbocharged performance hybrid. Prices are from Lexus India's official list. Against the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 — none of which offers a hybrid — the RX is the efficiency-first alternative, with the 500h adding genuine pace to the pitch.
Full RX prices & variants →Mercedes-Benz GLC in short
The GLC is Mercedes-Benz India's best-selling SUV, and its formula is straightforward: petrol and diesel at the same ₹77.00 lakh price, 4MATIC all-wheel drive standard, and a 620-litre boot that beats most SUVs a class above. The AMG GLC 43 Coupé at ₹99.85 lakh adds a 421 PS performance flagship to the range. It fights the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 in the heart of the luxury SUV market.
Full GLC prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
X3 vs RX vs GLC — which should I buy?
Pick the BMW X3 if you want the lowest starting price (₹76.20 Lakh). Pick the Lexus RX as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want the most power (415 bhp). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among X3, RX, GLC?
The BMW X3 starts lowest at ₹76.20 Lakh, against ₹77.00 Lakh for the GLC and ₹89.99 Lakh for the RX (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
BMW X3: not yet NCAP-tested; Lexus RX: not yet NCAP-tested; Mercedes-Benz GLC: not yet NCAP-tested.