NIO Firefly vs Mercedes-Benz EQS
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 6 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.
NIO Firefly: not on sale yet, so NIO hasn't published price and energy consumption.
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.
Track the NIO Firefly & Mercedes-Benz EQS
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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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
NIO Firefly
None open 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.
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
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 100kW DC). 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 NIO Firefly features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 6-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The NIO Firefly stands out with Apple CarPlay and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The Mercedes-Benz EQS counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The NIO Firefly uses a Single electric motor producing 105kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS responds with a Electric making 245kW and 568Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 105kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQS is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly) vs 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 708km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (NIO Firefly) vs 200kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS).
Space & Comfort
The NIO Firefly measures 4,003mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 1213mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz EQS at 5,216mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQS generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 404L in the NIO Firefly and 610L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS a 206L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 12.4m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.4m 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: 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQS). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQS if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz EQS: Top CarSorted Score, 68 vs 54
The Mercedes-Benz EQS comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (68 vs 54), taking 8 of 10 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Mercedes-Benz EQS ahead by 54), technology (Mercedes-Benz EQS ahead by 51), performance (Mercedes-Benz EQS ahead by 35). If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has a clear edge. The NIO Firefly adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. 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, NIO Firefly and Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the cheapest at $209,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the most range at 780km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mercedes-Benz EQS holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for NIO Firefly, 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 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 has the best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS makes the most power at 245kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is quickest to 100km/h in 6.2s.
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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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