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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mercedes-Benz GLC250Volkswagen Golf AlltrackBMW X3
Mandai score
8/10
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 2,750,000
KSh 4,900,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
X3 xDrive20d M Sport / xDrive30i M Sport
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
Standard
Fuel consumption
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 km a tank
16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,401 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,010 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,656 mm
4,578 mm
4,708 mm
Width
1,890 mm
1,799 mm
1,891 mm
Height
1,644 mm
1,515 mm
1,676 mm
Wheelbase
2,873 mm
2,630 mm
2,864 mm
Ground clearance
180 mm
175 mm
204 mm
Boot space
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
550 L (1,600 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,735 kg
1,540 kg
1,750 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol
Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent AWD
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
Intelligent xDrive AWD
0–100 km/h
7.3 sec
7.8 sec
6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)
Top speed
222 km/h
217 km/h
213 km/h – 240 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
13.5 km/L
14.8 km/L
16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)
City
11.0 km/L
12.0 km/L
13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)
Highway
16.0 km/L
17.5 km/L
18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)
Tank size
66 L
55 L
68 L
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
158 g/km
138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)
At a glance
Model
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
BMW X3 (G01 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
5-Door Premium Compact Crossover
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Engine sizes
1,991 cc
1,798 cc / 1,968 cc
1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)
Transmission
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DSG Automatic
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Ground clearance
180 mm
175 mm
204 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
- Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
- Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.
- Raised 175 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps and rough murram roads without scraping.
- 4Motion permanent AWD traction: Haldex coupling transfers power seamlessly across wet bitumen and muddy tracks.
- Vast 605 L boot capacity: Outpaces standard compact crossovers for luggage and upcountry cargo loading.
- High 204 mm ground clearance: Confidently clears deep ruts, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry roads.
- Sub-2,000 cc tax advantage: Both 2.0L diesel and petrol engines qualify for 25% KRA excise tax rate.
- Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
What’s not so good
- Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
- Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.
- DSG dual-clutch fluid maintenance: Demands transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km to protect clutch packs.
- Firm European suspension feel: Transmits road vibrations over broken corrugated gravel roads.
- Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport wheels: Low-profile tires transmit road roughness over corrugated gravel tracks.
- DPF filter maintenance: 2.0L diesel models require periodic long highway runs to clean particulate filters.