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Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Compact luxury crossover with 211 hp turbo power and 4MATIC AWD.

Best value

BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV with xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,000 cc diesel efficiency.

Audi Q5

Benchmark German executive crossover featuring Quattro all-wheel drive, 208 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Highest rated

Mercedes-Benz GLC250BMW X3Audi Q5

Mandai score

8/10

8.5/10

Typical price

KSh 4,800,000

KSh 49,000,008,200,000

KSh 48,000,007,800,000

Years

2017-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

–

Fuel

Petrol

Petrol, Diesel

Transmission

Automatic

Doors

Dimensions

Length

4,656 mm

4,708 mm

4,663 mm

Width

1,890 mm

1,891 mm

1,893 mm

Height

1,644 mm

1,676 mm

1,659 mm

Wheelbase

2,873 mm

2,864 mm

2,819 mm

Ground clearance

180 mm

204 mm

208 mm

Boot space

550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)

550 L (1,600 L folded)

550 L

Kerb weight

1,735 kg

1,750 kg

1,735 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4

2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol

2.0L TFSI Turbo Petrol (45 TFSI)

Power

211 hp @ 5,500 rpm

190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)

252 hp @ 5,000–6,000 rpm

Torque

350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm

400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)

370 Nm @ 1,600–4,500 rpm

Drivetrain

4MATIC Permanent AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive with Ultra Technology

0–100 km/h

7.3 sec

6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)

6.3 sec

Top speed

222 km/h

213 km/h – 240 km/h

237 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

13.5 km/L

16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)

14.0 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 18.2 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

City

11.0 km/L

13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)

11.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 15.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

Highway

16.0 km/L

18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)

16.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 20.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

Tank size

66 L

68 L

70 L

CO₂ emissions

152 g/km

138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)

154 g/km

At a glance

Model

Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Audi Q5 (FY Series)

Production years

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Executive Compact SUV

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

5-Door Executive Crossover SUV

Seating capacity

5 seats

Fuel types

Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)

Clean Diesel, Petrol

Petrol (TFSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)

Engine sizes

1,991 cc

1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)

1,984 cc / 1,968 cc / 2,995 cc

Transmission

9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

7-speed S tronic / 8-speed Tiptronic

Drivetrain

4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive

Ground clearance

180 mm

204 mm

208 mm

Source market

Japan (RHD)

UK / Japan (RHD)

Japan / UK (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.

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.

High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and unpaved estate roads.
Sub-2,500 cc duty advantage: 2.0L engines qualify for KRA's 25% excise duty rate.
Quattro all-wheel drive traction: Instant torque distribution for wet asphalt and murram roads.
Audi Virtual Cockpit & Bang & Olufsen audio: Premium 12.3-inch digital cluster and 3D sound system.

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.

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.

S tronic fluid service requirements: Demands genuine Audi dual-clutch fluid replacement every 60,000 km.
Firm ride on 20-inch S Line wheels: Transmits minor road vibrations on corrugated gravel tracks.