BMW iX3 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: Duel of Premium Electric SUVs Under €90,000

The premium electric SUV segment has stopped being an experiment and has become the real battleground for German brands. Here we pit two cars head to head that represent very different visions of the same thing: the new BMW iX3 xDrive50, the first serious model of the Neue Klasse, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 300, the most rational approach within the EQ family. Both below the psychological €90,000 barrier. Both, on paper, playing in the same league. In practice, not so much.

This duel deliberately leaves out other candidates that do compete in the segment. BYD keeps pushing hard on electrification, but in our view the German premium buyer in 2026 has a range of alternatives whose technological integration and perceived quality still play in a different division. The Nissan Ariya faces something similar: reasonable figures, yes, but in a premium electric SUV the equation includes soundproofing, software, materials and comfort, and we consider there are more well-rounded proposals in that overall package. With that clarified, let’s get to the point.

Why this duel matters in 2026

Because both cars represent the entry ceiling of the German premium electric SUV. Below €90,000 there is no room for half-measures: you offer real range, or prestige, or technology. Ideally, all three. And this is where the iX3 and the EQE SUV start to diverge.

BMW iX3 xDrive50 (from ≈€69,900)

The iX3 debuts the Neue Klasse platform and does so with a statement of intent that impresses: 469 hp, all-wheel drive and a 108.7 kWh usable battery that is rated at around 805 km WLTP. That figure, if confirmed in real-world use, would put the BMW a step above almost any direct rival in the segment. It is not just raw power — it is grand-tourer electric range packed into a mid-size SUV body.

Inside, the technological leap of the Panoramic Vision and the new software architecture set it apart from the iX that still coexists in the lineup. It is quick, efficient and cohesive as a whole. That said, it remains to be seen how the interface ages once the novelty wears off.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 300 (from ≈€83,400)

The EQE SUV arrives with a different approach. There is no race of figures here: 265 hp, rear-wheel drive and a 90.5 kWh battery rated at around 587 km WLTP. It is the “sensible” entry point to the EQ family, geared more toward long-distance driving and comfort than toward showing off at traffic lights.

Its strong point remains the cabin: MBUX, well-finished materials, quiet running and that feeling of a car designed from the passenger’s seat outward. What does not fully convince is the balance between what it asks and what it delivers compared with rivals that arrive fresher. On paper, an iX3 that costs €13,500 less offers more power and more range. On paper.

Range and battery: who goes further

There is no debate here. The iX3 xDrive50 claims 805 km WLTP with its 108.7 kWh battery; the EQE SUV 300 sits at around 587 km with 90.5 kWh. That is roughly 236 km of rated difference, and even discounting the real-world loss in mixed use, the BMW will play in a different league when it comes to travel. The iX3’s 800 V architecture also adds an obvious advantage in fast charging.

Power and performance: two opposing philosophies

469 hp with all-wheel drive versus 265 hp with rear-wheel drive. The iX3 is, quite simply, something else: nearly double the power. The EQE SUV 300 does not seek to compete on that metric; it focuses on refined driving. It is a legitimate choice, but when the direct rival costs less and gives more, the EQE needs to justify itself with very clear virtues.

Price, equipment and real cost

The iX3 starts at around €69,900. The EQE SUV 300, at around €83,400. A difference of €13,500 — the price of a new city car — in favour of the BMW. These prices are the manufacturer’s recommended retail prices, without dealer discounts, one-off campaigns or incentives such as the Plan Auto+, whose amounts should always be verified on the official website before signing.

Those seeking a broader understanding of the segment will find useful context in our ranking of premium electric SUVs under €70,000, where the iX3 features strongly.

Interior, technology and onboard experience

The EQE SUV keeps the lead when it comes to traditional premium feel: MBUX is mature, soundproofing is a benchmark and the finishes convey craftsmanship. The iX3, with the Neue Klasse, opts for a cleaner interface and panoramic projection onto the windscreen. It is more disruptive. Also more risky. We have already reflected on this change of era when discussing the Neue Klasse technology of the BMW.

Comparison table and editorial rating

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Which driver profile suits each one

The iX3 is the car for those who set the technical bar high: long-distance travellers, driving enthusiasts, buyers who value having the latest and most complete offering for less money. The EQE SUV 300 is for those who prioritise relaxed comfort, quiet running and the classic Mercedes aesthetic, even knowing they pay a premium for that refinement. Is that premium worth it? It depends on whether you use the car to travel or to arrive.

Our editorial recommendation

With the data on the table, the BMW iX3 xDrive50 is the most rational choice in this duel below €90,000. More power, far more range and a lower entry price. The EQE SUV retains solid arguments in comfort and brand perception, but it needs genuine dealer discounts to level the scales against a rival that arrives having learned its lesson.

FAQ

Which has more range, the BMW iX3 or the Mercedes EQE SUV?
The BMW iX3 xDrive50 is rated at 805 km WLTP versus about 587 km for the Mercedes EQE SUV 300. A clear advantage for the BMW.

Which is more powerful?
The iX3 xDrive50, with about 469 hp and all-wheel drive, nearly doubles the 265 hp of the rear-wheel-drive EQE SUV 300.

Which is cheaper?
The BMW iX3 starts at roughly €69,900, while the Mercedes EQE SUV 300 starts at around €83,400. About €13,500 of indicative difference before discounts.

Which offers the better performance-to-price ratio?
The iX3 xDrive50, without question on the official figures: it delivers more power and more range for less money at the starting price.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

CrossoverNissan Ariya7 versions · from 43,250 €

CrossoverBMW iX3 versions · from 88,700 €

CrossoverBMW iX32 versions · from 62,900 €