Compare the2027 BMW iX3 VS 2026 Mercedes EQE SUV

The BMW iX3 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 SUV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The iX3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the iX3. But it costs extra on the EQE SUV.

The BMW iX3’s optional Surround View has integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Mercedes EQE SUV lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the iX3 and the EQE SUV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 iX3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the EQE SUV’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX3 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 SUV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The iX3’s electric motors produces 148 more horsepower (463 vs. 315) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (476 vs. 417) than the EQE SUV 320+’s standard electric motor. The iX3’s electric motors produces 148 more horsepower (463 vs. 315) than the EQE SUV 320 4MATIC’s standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the iX3 gets better mileage than the EQE SUV:

			MPGe
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	125 city/110 hwy
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	112 city/98 hwy
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	111 city/98 hwy
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	111 city/97 hwy
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	107 city/97 hwy
EQE SUV
	RWD	320+ Electric Motor	98 city/87 hwy
	AWD	320 4MATIC Electric Motors	84 city/78 hwy
		AMG Electric Motors	76 city/72 hwy

The iX3 can travel longer on a full charge than the EQE SUV on a full charge:

			Miles
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	434 miles
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	399 miles
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	398 miles
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	392 miles
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	383 miles
EQE SUV
	RWD	320+ Electric Motor	302 miles
	AWD	320 4MATIC Electric Motors	253 miles
		AMG Electric Motors	230 miles

For greater off-road capability the iX3 has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EQE SUV (6.9 vs. 5.2 inches), allowing the iX3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The BMW iX3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 600 pounds less than the Mercedes EQE SUV.

The iX3 is 3.2 inches shorter than the EQE SUV, making the iX3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW iX3 amounts to more than styling. The iX3 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is lower than the EQE SUV (.26) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX3 get better fuel mileage.

The iX3 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The iX3 has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the EQE SUV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the iX3’s rear seats recline. The EQE SUV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EQE SUV with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 14 cubic feet). The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EQE SUV with its rear seat folded (65 vs. 55 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the iX3. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The iX3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EQE SUV’s (4400 vs. 0 pounds).

Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the iX3, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the EQE SUV.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the iX3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the EQE SUV.

The iX3 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the EQE SUV, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the iX3 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the EQE SUV.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the iX3 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The EQE SUV, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the BMW iX3 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The iX3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EQE SUV’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.