Kia EV5 vs Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 9 Nov 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Reference imageKia EV5
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 3 no dataFrom
$56,770
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 18.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 513L
Top CarSorted Score, 71 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.
$56,770RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Head-Up Display, Wireless Phone Charging and 2 more not offered
$134,900RRP
- with the Kia EV5'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
Kia EV5 Air Standard Range FWD
$56,770
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $239 a week in repayments ($56,770 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 Kia EV5 starts $78,130 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV5 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.
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 ≈$239/wk(≈$1,037/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV5 at $56,770 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 EV5Driva 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 Kia EV5 at 5 stars (2024) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 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 Kia EV5 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 Kia EV5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia EV5 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV adds a 360-degree camera that the Kia EV5 misses.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Kia EV5 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
Kia EV5
- 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 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
64.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW 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 Kia EV5 features a 12.3-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 Kia EV5 stands out with V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV5 gets cloth & artificial leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV offers artico man-made leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV5 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Kia EV5 uses a Electric producing 160kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD 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 160kW. 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.
Battery: 64.2kWh (Kia EV5) vs 90.6kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 400km and 586km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (Kia EV5) vs 170kW (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV5 measures 4,615mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 248mm 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 513L in the Kia EV5 and 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV a 7L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1714L vs 1675L.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 300kg. 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 Kia EV5's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.7 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 Kia EV5 costs about $874 a year (18.2 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 $15 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV5), 5 years (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV5: the lower starting price ($56,770 against $134,900) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: more power (180kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 513L), the higher braked towing limit (750kg against 300kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($859 a year against $874).
The Verdict
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 70
The Kia EV5 scores 71 to the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 12 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 31 points), value (Kia EV5 ahead by 26 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 17 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs about $15 less (17.9 kWh/100km against 18.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV5, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$239/wk(≈$1,037/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV5 at $56,770 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 EV5Driva 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 EV5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV?
The Kia EV5 is the cheapest at $56,770 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV by $78,130.
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?
Kia EV5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024) and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 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 has the best warranty?
The Kia EV5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
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 Kia EV5 & 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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