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BMW i5 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS (2021-2025)
Selected trimeDrive40 M SportChange trim357 mi · 83.9 kWh · £67,795
Selected trim450+ · 2021-25Change trim453 mi · 115 kWh · £99,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i5 leads on charging speed and running costs, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Mercedes-Benz EQS (2021-2025) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Mercedes-Benz EQS leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMercedes-Benz
BMW
5.6
Mercedes-Benz
6.3
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
BMW
5.4
Mercedes-Benz
7.6
FamilyMercedes-Benz
BMW
7.6
Mercedes-Benz
8.1
ChargingBMW
BMW
5.2
Mercedes-Benz
3.5
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
6.4
Mercedes-Benz
4.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
450+
- 96 miles more WLTP range
- 120 litres more boot space
- 1.4 m tighter turning circle
- 2 more years of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £67,795 (better) | £99,995 |
| Official range | 357 miles | 453 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L | 610 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW i5
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Length
BMW i55,060mm-156mm
Mercedes-Benz EQS5,216mm
Width
BMW i51,900mm-26mm
Mercedes-Benz EQS1,926mm
Height
BMW i51,515mm
Mercedes-Benz EQS1,512mm-3mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,900 mm (better) | 1,926 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.3 m | 10.9 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 500 mm spare (better) | 474 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | 610 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1770 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 3rd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 610 L.
- 453 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of saloon EVs we track.
- At 5,216 mm, longer than 90% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport |  Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.06m | 5.22m+156mm |
| Width | 1.90m | 1.93m+26mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.13m |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.51m-3mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 3.21m+215mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 143mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 610L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1770L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.3m | 10.9m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,195kg (better) | 2,480kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 115kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 357 mi | 453 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 205kW (better) | 200kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £67,795 (better) | £99,995 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2021–2025 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 357 miles | 453 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 297 miles | 378 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 205 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 81.2 kWh | 107.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 245 kW |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 568 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Mercedes-Benz EQS
450+
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant91%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist80%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 10 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 250,000 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners describe it as superbly refined and stable on the motorway, and more relaxing than a Tesla Model 3.
- It feels like a proper 5 Series to drive, with a composed ride and good balance for its size.
- Owners report better real-world range than they expected: about 220-280 miles in winter and over 300 in summer on the eDrive40.
Watch out for
- Many owners point to cost-cutting inside: unlined door pockets, no sill plates, one wireless charging pad and cheaper stalks than the previous 5 Series.
- It is very long and wide, which makes parking and narrow roads awkward.
- Useful equipment such as adaptive cruise control, the surround cameras and rear heated seats came in expensive option packs.
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch wheels rather than 20-inch for range and ride.
- Check which option packs a used car has: adaptive cruise and the surround cameras were not standard.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
450+
Owners love
- Owners report 400 to 450 miles in mild weather and a range estimate they can trust.
- The powertrain is almost silent, even at motorway speeds.
- Rear-wheel steering gives it a turning circle far tighter than its size suggests.
Watch out for
- The menus are deep and confusing, and face recognition and voice control often fail.
- Cabin quality disappoints at the price: air vents, door cards and the dashboard feel flimsy.
- 200 kW peak charging is slower than rivals; 10-80% takes about 31 minutes.
Owner tips
- Ask for a battery health report before buying, and how the car was charged.
- Check what the battery warranty covers for that car: owners say Mercedes changed its terms in 2024.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i5
No active listings.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
- £40,9902022Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS worth the extra £32,200 over the BMW i5?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS costs £32,200 more than the BMW i5. For that premium it adds 96 miles more WLTP range and 120 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Mercedes-Benz EQS comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i5 or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The BMW i5 is £32,200 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW i5 comes out roughly £32,280 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 297 miles for the BMW i5 and 378 miles for the Mercedes-Benz EQS - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz EQS goes roughly 81 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i5 or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The two are within 26 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 500 mm of total clearance for the BMW i5 and about 474 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The Mercedes-Benz EQS also turns in a 1.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i5 or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i5 and 84% for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the longer battery warranty at 10 years, versus 8 for the BMW i5.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i5 (2023 on): eDrive40 vs M60, Saloon vs Touring, Recalls & What to Pay
A used BMW i5 buyer’s guide: eDrive40 or M60, saloon or Touring, the option packs to check, the braking-system recall, battery warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Mercedes EQS or EQS SUV (2021 on): Versions, Recalls, Real Range & What to Pay
A used Mercedes EQS buyer’s guide: the 450+ and AMG EQS 53 saloons and the EQS SUV, the 2024 battery update, software recalls, the 10-year battery warranty, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .