Kia EV3 vs Mercedes-Benz EQC
Two electric SUVs 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 20 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker 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 EQC: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 7 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.
$47,600RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz EQC's standard kit: $47,600 (nothing to add)
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 Kia EV3 & Mercedes-Benz EQC
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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
Both the Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Kia EV3 and 96% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV3, against 0 on the Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
Recalls on our record
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
Mercedes-Benz EQC
- REC-005807 · published 7 Nov 2023Due to a manufacturing issue, the headlamps may not be adjusted correctly.Year range on the notice: 2022
- REC-005545 · published 27 Oct 2022The vehicle jack provided with certain vehicles may be faulty and also may not meet the requirements of the Australian Consumer Product Safety Standard.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005460 · published 9 Jun 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the headlights may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 5 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
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
80kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 110kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 110kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia EV3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQC. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia EV3 uses a Electric producing 150kW and 283Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC counters with its electric setup making 300kW and 760Nm, paired to a single-speed direct drive driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQC is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.3kWh (Kia EV3) vs 80kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQC), giving WLTP ranges of 436km and 445km.
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 460L in the Kia EV3 and 500L in the Mercedes-Benz EQC, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQC a 40L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m 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.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
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: swings in
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 Kia EV3 if: You or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQC if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (79 vs 50). The Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 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, Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the most range at 445km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC accepts the highest DC charging at up to 110kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the largest boot at 500L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC makes the most power at 300kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is quickest to 100km/h in 5.1s.
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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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