Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mercedes-Benz GLC250Subaru OutbackBMW X3
Mandai score
8/10
8.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 4,150,000
KSh 4,900,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Outback Limited / Touring / X-Break / XT 2.4 Turbo
X3 xDrive20d M Sport / xDrive30i M Sport
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Outback 2.5L / 2.4T
Standard
Fuel consumption
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank
14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 882 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 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 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
4,870 mm
4,708 mm
Width
1,890 mm
1,875 mm
1,891 mm
Height
1,644 mm
1,675 mm
1,676 mm
Wheelbase
2,873 mm
2,745 mm
2,864 mm
Ground clearance
180 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
204 mm
Boot space
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
522 L (1,800 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,735 kg
1,620 kg
1,750 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 2.4L FA24 Turbo
2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol
Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 260 hp (2.4T)
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 376 Nm (2.4T)
400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
0–100 km/h
7.3 sec
8.6 sec (2.5L) / 6.3 sec (2.4T)
6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)
Top speed
222 km/h
210 km/h
213 km/h – 240 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
13.5 km/L
14.0 km/L (2.5L) / 11.8 km/L (2.4T)
16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)
City
11.0 km/L
11.2 km/L (2.5L) / 9.2 km/L (2.4T)
13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)
Highway
16.0 km/L
16.5 km/L (2.5L) / 14.5 km/L (2.4T)
18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)
Tank size
66 L
63 L
68 L
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
161 g/km
138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)
At a glance
Model
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Subaru Outback (BS / BT Series)
BMW X3 (G01 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
Estate Crossover Tourer
5-Door Premium Compact Crossover
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Petrol
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Engine sizes
1,991 cc
2,498 cc (2.5L FB25) / 2,387 cc (2.4T FA24)
1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)
Transmission
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Ground clearance
180 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
204 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (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.
- Exceptional long-distance ride comfort: Plush suspension absorbs upcountry road ripples effortlessly.
- High 213–220 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles unpaved murram roads, ruts, and deep puddles.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: Both 2.5L and 2.4T engines qualify for 25% excise tax bracket.
- 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.
- Long 4.87-meter overall length: Requires care when parallel parking in tight Nairobi streets.
- Lineartronic CVT under towing: Demands auxiliary CVT fluid cooler for heavy trailer towing.
- 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.