Compare the2025 BMW i5VS 2025 Mercedes EQE Sedan

The BMW i5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EQE Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the i5 and the EQE Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The i5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the EQE Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EQE Sedan.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the i5’s reliability 23 points higher than the EQE Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

The i5 has more powerful engines than the EQE Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the i5 eDrive40 electric motor is faster than the EQE 350 4MATIC electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the i5 gets better mileage than the EQE Sedan:

The i5 can travel longer on a full charge than the EQE Sedan on a full charge:

The i5 stops much shorter than the EQE Sedan:

The i5 M60 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The EQE Sedan doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The i5 M60 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the EQE Sedan.

The i5 eDrive40 handles at .87 G’s, while the EQE 350 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the i5’s turning circle is tighter than the EQE Sedan’s:

The BMW i5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Mercedes EQE Sedan.

The i5 has .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the EQE Sedan.

The i5 has a much larger trunk than the EQE Sedan (17.3 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i5. The EQE Sedan doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The EQE Sedan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes EQE Sedan isn't recommended.