BMW i3 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The BMW i3 starts from $109,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class opens at $105,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class the more affordable entry point by $4,000.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $120,890 and $116,490 respectively.

The BMW i3 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as a petrol model, does not qualify.

Both the BMW i3 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the BMW i3.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW i3 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The BMW i3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets a 14.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The BMW i3 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class counters with panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

The BMW i3 uses a Electric producing 250kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds.

The BMW i3 has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW i3 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The BMW i3 measures 4,709mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 240mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class at 4,949mm (2,961mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 260L in the BMW i3 and 540L in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a 280L advantage.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class leads with a 2,100kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz E-Class). Both match on warranty length.