BMW iX1 vs Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Level at 70: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Jul 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$134,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 180kW
- Energy use
- 17.9 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 520L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$77,900RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV's standard kit: at least $77,900 (2 options priced only inside packages; 2 with no data, not charged)
2 added options
- Premium Audio: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
- Panoramic Roof: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
$134,900RRP
- with the BMW iX1's standard kit: $134,900 (nothing to add)
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.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV EQE 300 SUV
$134,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $601 a week in repayments ($134,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW iX1 starts $57,000 lower on RRP.
The BMW iX1 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
Matching the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the BMW iX1, and 2 are priced only inside packages whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 and 87% for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW iX1, against 8 on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW iX1 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX1 and 8 on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
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.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- 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-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
None open on our record
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 a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
90.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 170kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX1 stands out with Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV offers artico man-made leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW iX1 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX1 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 494Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV responds with a Electric making 180kW and 550Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 180kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 90.6kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 578km and 586km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 170kW (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 363mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV at 4,863mm (3,030mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV a 30L advantage.
For towing, the BMW iX1 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW iX1's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.9 m against 12.3 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX1 costs about $970 a year (20.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV about $859 a year (17.9 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $111 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV). Capped-price servicing: no data (BMW iX1), 5 years (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: the lower starting price ($77,900 against $134,900), more power (230kW against 180kW) and the higher braked towing limit (1,200kg against 750kg).
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 490L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($859 a year against $970).
The Verdict
Level at 70: here's what splits them
The BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV are level on the CarSorted Score at 70 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: value (BMW iX1 ahead by 18 points), energy efficiency (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 15 points), technology (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs about $111 less (17.9 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV?
The BMW iX1 is the cheapest at $77,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV by $57,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the most range at 586km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV accepts the highest DC charging at up to 170kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the largest boot at 520L with the seats up (1,675L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The BMW iX1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX1 makes the most power at 230kW. The BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the BMW iX1 & Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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