BMW i5 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Mercedes-Benz EQS: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 10 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$155,900RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the BMW i5 & Mercedes-Benz EQS
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz EQS a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
BMW i5
- REC-006556 · published 6 Mar 2026The air conditioning (A/C) wiring harness may become damaged during routine microfilter (cabin air filter) replacement.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005801 · published 23 Oct 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering wheel earth wire may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
Mercedes-Benz EQS
- REC-006348 · published 15 May 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicle management systems connected to the fuse box may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-006004 · published 24 Jun 2024A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause deactivation of the high voltage battery.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005923 · published 18 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicle management systems connected to the fuse box may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
81.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
112kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 330kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 330kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The Mercedes-Benz EQS counters with Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW i5 uses a Electric producing 250kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS counters with its electric setup making 270kW, paired to its gearbox driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 250kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i5 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
DC fast charging peaks at 205kW (BMW i5) vs 330kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS).
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m diameter
Average
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW i5 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQS if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW i5: Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 57
The BMW i5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (70 vs 57), taking 1 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (BMW i5 ahead by 29), energy efficiency (BMW i5 ahead by 25), practicality (BMW i5 ahead by 16). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The BMW i5 is the cheapest at $155,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i5 has the most range at 582km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS accepts the highest DC charging at up to 330kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz EQS, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS makes the most power at 270kW. The BMW i5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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