Kia EV3 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 62
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 12.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 62
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
$225,900RRP
- with the Kia EV3's standard kit: $225,900 (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
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $197 a week in repayments ($47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV EQS 450 4MATIC SUV
$225,900
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
The Kia EV3 starts $178,300 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV3 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
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 Kia EV3.
Finance
≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 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 Kia EV3Driva 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
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 6 of 10 key systems on the Kia EV3 and 8 on the Mercedes-Benz EQS 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
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 EQS 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
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
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 Kia EV3 features a 12.3-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 Kia EV3 stands out with V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV3 gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV offers nappa leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV3 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 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 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.3kWh (Kia EV3) vs 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 436km and 609km.
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV3 measures 4,300mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 825mm 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 460L in the Kia EV3 and 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a 185L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 1,500kg 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 Kia EV3's turning circle is 2.0 m tighter, 10.4 m against 12.4 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 Kia EV3 costs about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV about $1,070 a year (22.3 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $470 a year less for the Kia EV3.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $225,900), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($600 a year against $1,070).
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: more power (265kW against 150kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (645L against 460L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 500kg).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 62
The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV's 62 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Kia EV3 ahead by 62 points), value (Kia EV3 ahead by 37 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV ahead by 29 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV3 costs about $470 less (12.5 kWh/100km against 22.3 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 460L in the Kia EV3, 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV3, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Ways to buy
For the Kia EV3.
Finance
≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 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 Kia EV3Driva 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, Kia EV3 and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV by $178,300.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the most range at 698km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). We hold no ANCAP data for Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the largest boot at 645L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV makes the most power at 265kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the Kia EV3 & Mercedes-Benz EQS 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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