BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 4 Jul 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 70
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.
$86,100RRP
- no option data for this car
$134,900RRP
- with the BMW X3'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 X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 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 X3 starts $48,800 lower on RRP.
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.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva 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 X3 at 5 stars (2025) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BMW X3 and 87% for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, against 7 on the BMW X3.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X3 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 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 X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 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
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 X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-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 X3 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins 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 X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV offers artico man-made leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 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 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the clear power advantage at 180kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 108mm 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 570L in the BMW X3 and 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, giving the BMW X3 a 50L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X3 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,650kg 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 X3's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 12.1 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, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/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.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV). Capped-price servicing: no data (BMW X3), 5 years (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: the lower starting price ($86,100 against $134,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 520L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,400kg against 750kg).
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: more power (180kW against 140kW).
The Verdict
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 70
The BMW X3 scores 73 to the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (BMW X3 ahead by 21 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 16 points), value (BMW X3 ahead by 12 points). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the BMW X3, 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva 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 X3 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV?
The BMW X3 is the cheapest at $86,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV by $48,800.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 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 BMW X3 has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV makes the most power at 180kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is quickest to 100km/h in 7.3s.
Track the BMW X3 & Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
