Mercedes-Benz EQS vs BMW i5
Two electric Sedans 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 28 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 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.
$209,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$155,900RRP
- 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 Mercedes-Benz EQS & BMW i5
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz EQS starts from $209,900 before on-road costs, while the BMW i5 opens at $155,900. That makes the BMW i5 the more affordable entry point by $54,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $230,890 and $171,490 respectively.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 96% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS and 89% for the BMW i5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mercedes-Benz EQS, against 7 on the BMW i5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Mercedes-Benz EQS and 6 in the BMW i5.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz EQS
- REC-006348 · published 15 May 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicle management systems connected to the fuse box may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-006004 · published 24 Jun 2024A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause deactivation of the high voltage battery.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005923 · published 18 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicle management systems connected to the fuse box may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
BMW i5
- REC-006556 · published 6 Mar 2026The air conditioning (A/C) wiring harness may become damaged during routine microfilter (cabin air filter) replacement.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- 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-005801 · published 23 Oct 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering wheel earth wire may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
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
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.
How long to charge
81.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz EQS features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW i5 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS stands out with ventilated seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW i5. The BMW i5 counters with Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz EQS gets nappa leather upholstery while the BMW i5 offers vernasca leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQS and 2-zone in the BMW i5.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz EQS uses a Electric producing 245kW and 568Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds.
The BMW i5 responds with a Electric making 250kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The BMW i5 has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 245kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i5 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS) vs 81.2kWh (BMW i5), giving WLTP ranges of 708km and 557km. DC fast charging peaks at 200kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS) vs 205kW (BMW i5).
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz EQS measures 5,216mm long on a 3,210mm wheelbase, 156mm longer than the BMW i5 at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQS generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 610L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS and 490L in the BMW i5, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS a 120L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQS leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m to 12.4m
Based on 12.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQS) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQS if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz EQS: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 70, but the BMW i5 is $54,000 cheaper
The Mercedes-Benz EQS comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 70), taking 4 of 9 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: energy efficiency (BMW i5 ahead by 10), safety (Mercedes-Benz EQS ahead by 6), practicality (Mercedes-Benz EQS ahead by 6). If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i5?
The BMW i5 is the cheapest at $155,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQS by $54,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the most range at 780km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 205kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i5 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 EQS has the largest boot at 610L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i5 makes the most power at 250kW. The BMW i5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
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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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