BMW i5 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Two electric cars 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.
Track the BMW i5 & Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The BMW i5 starts from $155,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV opens at $225,900. That makes the BMW i5 the more affordable entry point by $70,000.
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 $171,490 and $248,490 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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
108.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i5 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i5 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV counters with ventilated seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i5 gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV offers nappa leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW i5 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
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 SUV responds with a Electric making 265kW and 800Nm, paired to a 1 spd auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the clear power advantage at 265kW vs 250kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW i5 is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 81.2kWh (BMW i5) vs 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 557km and 609km. DC fast charging peaks at 205kW (BMW i5) vs 200kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i5 measures 5,060mm long on a 2,995mm wheelbase, 65mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV at 5,125mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW i5 and 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a 155L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m to 12.4m
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW i5 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has a clear edge. 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 SUV?
The BMW i5 is the cheapest at $155,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV by $70,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the most range at 698km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 205kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the largest boot at 645L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV makes the most power at 265kW. The BMW i5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
