Cross-shopping these 3 vehicles. All within 55-60k price range. Would appreciate any feedback, tell me if there are any pros/cons I’m over/underrating, anything else I should be considering, anything I’m completely wrong about. Would be for a family with toddler and two dogs, with in-laws visiting probably once every 3 months. We have a small garage and vehicle length should be less than 190 inches. I’ve test driven the AMG and Model Y so far.
1) Mercedes GLB AMG 35 (lease)
Pros: optional third row, ample cargo capacity for its size, exterior and the wheel options (best looking IMO), AMG engine, fit and finish, 2nd row slides fore and aft, engine sound.
Cons: relatively small fuel tank, not as fuel efficient, no rear occupant alert system.
2) Tesla Model Y (finance)
Pros: instant torque, safety features, dog mode, climate control, higher resell value, lowest long term maintenance costs
Cons: lack of rear cross traffic alert, fit and finish issues, range anxiety, too many controls embedded in touch screen?, 3rd row not as practical or roomy as the GLB (head can touch the curved rear windshield), more expensive to insure.
3) BMW X3 M40i (lease)
Pros: based on YouTube videos smoother acceleration than the GLB, relatively larger cargo space with 2nd row up, iDrive, quieter cabin, complimentary maintenance for 3 years/36k, engine sound.
Cons: no third row, most expensive to insure among these 3, no rear occupant alert.
Thanks!
1) Mercedes GLB AMG 35 (lease)
Pros: optional third row, ample cargo capacity for its size, exterior and the wheel options (best looking IMO), AMG engine, fit and finish, 2nd row slides fore and aft, engine sound.
Cons: relatively small fuel tank, not as fuel efficient, no rear occupant alert system.
2) Tesla Model Y (finance)
Pros: instant torque, safety features, dog mode, climate control, higher resell value, lowest long term maintenance costs
Cons: lack of rear cross traffic alert, fit and finish issues, range anxiety, too many controls embedded in touch screen?, 3rd row not as practical or roomy as the GLB (head can touch the curved rear windshield), more expensive to insure.
3) BMW X3 M40i (lease)
Pros: based on YouTube videos smoother acceleration than the GLB, relatively larger cargo space with 2nd row up, iDrive, quieter cabin, complimentary maintenance for 3 years/36k, engine sound.
Cons: no third row, most expensive to insure among these 3, no rear occupant alert.
Thanks!
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I'm an ICE person so I give no attention to EVs.
The GLB is new and unproven, and has an east-west 4 cylinder powertrain and poorer NVH and handling. All negatives in my view.
The M40i is a north-south inline 6 cylinder on a proven X3 platform. The BMW is outstanding. I have driven an M40i and it's great. My wife has the base xDrive30i and the platform is very good. Of the three, I vote BMW for performance and reliability.
If it makes a difference to you, the BMW is made in the US and the GLB is made in Mexico. Another vote for the BMW.
The GLB is new and unproven, and has an east-west 4 cylinder powertrain and poorer NVH and handling. All negatives in my view.
The M40i is a north-south inline 6 cylinder on a proven X3 platform. The BMW is outstanding. I have driven an M40i and it's great. My wife has the base xDrive30i and the platform is very good. Of the three, I vote BMW for performance and reliability.
If it makes a difference to you, the BMW is made in the US and the GLB is made in Mexico. Another vote for the BMW.
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Why no GLC43? Otherwise I'd go with the X3 or Model Y, personally not a fan of FWD-based crossovers especially if opting for a performance variant.
