Mercedes-BMW Rivarly: Which Manufacturer Has a Better Electric Model Range

Mercedes-BMW rivalry continues even fiercer in the electric era. We try to answer which manufacturer offers a better and more complete electric model range.

The electric era began for both manufacturers with a model which is no longer in production today.
BMW introduced the revolutionary and innovative BMW i3 in 2013, which had a unique body structure with a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) safety cell grafted onto an aluminum structure supporting the axles, powertrain, and battery. BMW sold more than 250,000 units and was in production from September 2013 to the summer of 2023.

Mercedes was not as successful with its first large-series electric model. The electric Mercedes B-Class was sold from November 2014 to October 2017 and was based on the second-generation B-Class W246.

Dedicated electric platform for Mercedes, conventional plaform (with one exception) for BMW. Does it matter?

The two manufacturers have chosen different paths to develop their electric model range. Mercedes built a dedicated electric platform to develop the luxury range, consisting of four models – EQE, EQS, EQE SUV, and EQS SUV.

BMW chose the solution of using the conventional CLAR platform for the luxury electric models in order to reduce costs and have flexibility in production, with diesel, petrol, PHEV, and electric versions being produced on the same production line. Only the BMW iX is an exception, using a hybrid platform that takes only the front and rear axles from the X5.

Although both manufacturers have developed luxury electric models, neither has an 800V electric platform but only a 400V one, The maximum charging speed is 200 kW compared to 350 kW in some Hyundai/Kia models and Porsche.

Both manufacturers use conventional platforms for the iX1/iX2 and EQA/EQB in the compact range, but no one has a compact electric model. Mercedes has announced that it will definitely drop the A-Class, including the conventional versions, and there are only rumors about a possible BMW i1.

What does the future look like?

Mercedes’ luxury range consisting of the EQE, EQS, EQE SUV, and EQS SUV is selling poorly in the U.S. and China, and the Stuttgart manufacturer is looking for ways to improve. Weaker rear access criticized by the Chinese because of the aerodynamic shape, lower quality materials than in the S-Class/E-Class, and high prices are the main criticisms.

In the compact range, Mercedes is preparing a revolution with the new MMA platform, developed as Electric First. It will debut in 2024 on the new Mercedes CLA and will then be used on the future CLA Shooting brake, GLA/EQA, and GLB/EQB.

In 2025, the new Mercedes G-Class electric will have the world premiere, with up to four motors and optionally with a solid-state battery.

BMW is developing a dedicated electric platform for the Neue Klasse model range. Bavarians will launch six models in 24 months, starting with the iX3 successor in 2025. An electric equivalent for the 3 Series and possibly a compact electric equivalent of the 1 Series will follow.

Compact class SUV: Mercedes EQA/EQB vs BMW iX1/iX2

The Mercedes EQA and EQB have undergone a discreet facelift, and the 250+ versions have received a slightly larger battery. The Mercedes EQA and EQB have a few more miles of range than the BMW iX1 but have lower charging speeds (100 compared to 130 kW) and are more expensive.

Middle class SUV: Mercedes EQC vs BMW iX3

The Mercedes EQC and BMW iX3 are the oldest electric models in production of the two manufacturers.

The Mercedes EQC carries over the front and rear axles from the former GLC generation but has no air suspension option. The suspension is soft, the steering is indirect, and the agility is poor. Mercedes recently stopped production of the EQC due to very low demand.

The BMW iX3 is produced in China and has a single rear axle version.

Mercedes is eyeing a new EQC based on the new MMA platform, while the iX3’s successor will be BMW’s first model on the new dedicated electric Neue Klasse platform.

Big class SUV: Mercedes EQE SUV vs BMW iX 

The Mercedes EQE SUV offers six versions compared to only three on the BMW iX because Mercedes also offers two rear-wheel drive versions, while all BMW iX versions come standard with two engines and electric all-wheel drive.

The Mercedes EQE SUV features only one battery type, while the BMW iX offers a smaller battery in the base version and a larger one in the other two versions. BMW offers faster charging speed and a longer range, with the exception of the base version. There are huge differences in pricing, as the cheaper BMW iX is much cheaper than the equivalent EQE SUV version because of the smaller battery. The iX xDrive50 is also much cheaper than the AMG EQE 43 4Matic despite having a higher battery capacity and longer range.

Luxury Class SUV: Mercedes EQS SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV has no rival at BMW

BMW has no rival for the EQS SUV, not having a bigger SUV than the iX. The Mercedes EQS SUV is the electric equivalent of the GLS and features a 7-seat configuration. Mercedes has put the best technology into the EQS SUV: integral steering with up to 10 degrees steering angle, adaptive air suspension, Hyperscreen, and a very large battery with a net capacity of 107.8 kWh. But it only charges up to a maximum of 200 kW.

Middle class sedans: BMW i4 has no rival at Mercedes

The BMW i4 is built on the 4 Series platform and is a four-door electric coupe that has no rival from Mercedes because Mercedes does not yet have an electric C-Class. Mercedes is considering an electric C-Class based on the upcoming MMA platform.

Although built on a conventional platform, the BMW i4 is one of BMW’s best electric models. It offers very good performance, is attractively priced, and the i4 M50 version is much cheaper than the M4.It is available in three versions, two of which are rear-wheel drive.

 Big class sedans: Mercedes EQE vs BMW i5 

The Mercedes EQE was launched in 2022 and has a full range of six versions. Two rear-wheel drive and four all-wheel-drive versions are available, two of which are AMG. The BMW i5 only debuted two months ago and is available in two versions for now. The BMW i5 is cheaper than the Mercedes EQE and has a higher charging speed of 205 kW compared to 170 kW, as the i5 has a smaller battery. However, the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE have comparable ranges.

Luxury class sedans: Mercedes EQS vs BMW i7 

The Mercedes EQS is available in five versions, one of which is rear-wheel drive and one is AMG, while the i7 can be configured in three versions, with the top-of-the-line i7 M70 xDrive version recently launched. Both models have the best technologies available: adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bars (standard or optional, depending on version) and integral steering.

The Mercedes EQS benefits from the advantage of a dedicated electric platform and better aerodynamics. With a slightly larger battery capacity, the Mercedes EQS has a longer range than the i7. With a range of 748 km WLTP, the Mercedes EQS 450+ has one of the longest ranges on the market.

Surprisingly, the Mercedes EQS drives more agile and lean less in corners than the i7, but the i7 is more comfortable and has a better quality interior than the Mercedes EQS.