Meta title: Mercedes EQE SUV vs BMW iX xDrive50 – Ride, Range, Luxury & Value Compared (2025)
Meta description: Detailed, human-written comparison of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and BMW iX xDrive50. We evaluate design, interiors, features, charging, real-world comfort, driving feel, and ownership logic to help you pick the right luxury electric SUV around ₹1.39 crore.
TL;DR (for busy readers)Want the sharpest drive and supremely plush ride? Pick the BMW iX xDrive50.
- Want a calmer, understated luxury EV with classic Mercedes ambience? Pick the Mercedes EQE SUV.
- Both are priced neck-and-neck in India; your choice should hinge on ride/handling taste, cabin vibe, and how you’ll actually use the car (self-drive vs chauffeur, city vs highway).
1) Design & Presence
BMW iX xDrive50
The iX does not try to blend in. Its upright stance, massive grille panel, crisp surfacing and squared-off shoulders give it the road presence of a concept car put into production. Details like the flush glazing, aero-optimised wheels and tight body gaps underline the high-tech brief. Many will call it radical; fans will call it future-proof. Either way, the iX commands attention and looks very much the part of a flagship electric BMW.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
The EQE SUV goes the other way: sleeker, softer, and more discreet. The rounded nose, flowing body lines and cab-forward glasshouse make it visually smaller than the iX even when it isn’t dramatically different in footprint. The aero-led form gives it the elegance of a large electric crossover more than a conventional SUV. If you like your luxury to be understated, quiet, and sophisticated, the EQE’s surfacing and proportions deliver just that.
Design verdict: Extrovert, tech-showpiece swagger = iX. Understated, flowing luxury = EQE SUV.
2) Cabin Experience & Materials
iX xDrive50
Open the frameless doors and you step into a concept-car interior: polygonal dash forms, a floating console, crystal-finish switchgear on select trims, and the signature BMW curved display. Seating is generously bolstered; the driving position feels commanding without being truck-like. Materials are modern (including sustainable textiles on some specs) yet robust. Storage is intelligently designed, with a big open shelf under the floating console and neat wireless-charging placement. The iX cabin makes you feel like you’re in BMW’s flagship tech lab—premium, bold, and special.
EQE SUV
Mercedes prioritises calm, cocooning luxury. The dash sweeps across with tasteful ambient lighting, metal-knurled switch details, and soft surfaces that feel rich to the touch. The seating is broad and supportive; the rear bench is shaped for genuine long-distance comfort. Noise insulation is excellent: wind and road hush is a point of pride here. The interface is cleaner than past Mercs, and the overall ambience is a familiar S-Class-lite feel translated to the EV era.
Cabin verdict: If you want wow-factor and a future-tech lounge, go iX. If you want classic, hushed luxury with soothing lighting and trim, go EQE.
3) Screens, UX & Driver Assistance
- Infotainment & cluster: Both deliver large, crisp screens with connected services, EV route planning, and robust voice assistants. BMW’s menu depth offers granular control (great once learned). Mercedes’ UI is calmer and emphasizes ease and legibility.
- ADAS suites: Expect adaptive cruise, lane support, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alerts, parking assistance and 360-degree cameras. Tuning differs: BMW’s prompts feel driver-centric with confident lane guidance; Mercedes emphasizes polite, progressive interventions.
UX verdict: Tinkerers and enthusiasts may gel faster with BMW’s driver-first logic. If you prefer set-and-forget simplicity, Mercedes’ tuning and interface will feel friendlier.
4) Powertrain, Range & Charging (What Matters Day-to-Day)
Both SUVs offer dual-motor all-wheel drive with strong outputs and healthy battery packs. Compared with the earlier iX xDrive40, the iX xDrive50 steps up with more power and a larger battery, bringing it right into the EQE’s territory for claimed range and performance. In Indian use:
- iX xDrive50 is typically the quicker SUV, with stronger in-gear pull and more urgent responses when you request a fast overtake.
- EQE SUV counters with serene power delivery and smooth calibration—effortless rather than dramatic.
Charging: Both support high-power DC fast-charging plus robust AC home charging. Route planning with charging stops, battery pre-conditioning (for faster DC sessions), and scheduled charging are baked into both systems. If you often do inter-city runs, invest in a home wallbox and get familiar with public HPC stations on your routes—both cars make long trips straightforward if you plan stops sensibly.
5) Ride, Handling & NVH (Biggest Real-World Differentiator)
This is where your backside will make the decision for you.
BMW iX xDrive50
Despite its size and mass, the iX feels unmistakably BMW. Steering precision is high, body control is tight, and the chassis is eager to change direction without drama. The real surprise, though, is ride quality: the iX rounds off rough patches, sharp edges and expansion joints with a luxurious, pillowy composure that befits a flagship. It manages to be both plush and tied-down, making it deeply relaxing on poor surfaces and impressive at speed on a winding highway.
Mercedes EQE SUV
The EQE SUV is tuned softer overall. Around town the initial compliance is comforting, but on broken patches you tend to hear and feel thuds that don’t match the visual softness, and on undulating stretches the setup can allow more pitch and roll than you’d expect—especially at low speeds where it can feel a touch floaty. At a cruise it’s quiet and settled, but when the surface gets messy, the BMW shows a clear advantage.
Dynamics verdict: For India’s mixed road quality, the iX xDrive50 delivers the plusher, more controlled ride and the sharper handling. The EQE SUV is serene when the tarmac is smooth and you’re wafting with family onboard, but it doesn’t iron out harsh sections as convincingly.
6) Space, Practicality & Comfort Features
- Seating: Both offer generous space for four large adults; the iX’s front chairs feel sportier, the EQE’s are broader and more lounge-like.
- Rear comfort: EQE’s softer seat base and muted cabin create a great chauffeur experience. The iX’s rear strikes a balance between support and recline, with excellent outward visibility.
- Cargo: Both provide a wide, flat bay; split-folding rears expand capacity. Underfloor storage varies by spec; check for cable storage solutions if you carry two portable EVSEs.
- Convenience: Heated/ventilated seats (trim-dependent), panoramic glass, premium audio, multi-zone climate, and power-assist doors/tailgates can be had on both. BMW’s optional audio and crystal-finish controls add theatre; Mercedes’ ambient lighting is best-in-class for subtle mood setting.
7) Ownership, Price & Running Costs
- Price: In India, both line up around ₹1.39 crore ex-showroom (variant-for-variant; check your city for exacts).
- Running costs: Home charging on a night tariff is dramatically cheaper than fueling large petrol/diesel SUVs. Public DC fast-charging costs more than home AC but is still competitive for occasional long trips.
- Service & support: Both brands have expanding EV service ecosystems and roadside assistance tuned for high-voltage vehicles. Ensure your preferred dealer has trained HV techs and loaner EV availability before booking.
- Home setup: Budget for a 7–11 kW wallbox, a dedicated circuit, and surge protection. Apartment owners should get society approvals early; both brands can assist with site checks.
8) Which One Is Right For You?
Choose BMW iX xDrive50 if you:
- Want the best ride comfort + body control combo on Indian roads.
- Prioritize an engaging, confident drive with instant punch for fast highways.
- Love a bold, tech-forward interior that feels every inch a modern flagship.
- Prefer driver-centric interfaces and crisp steering/handling feedback.
Choose Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV if you:
- Prefer a calm, understated exterior and a cocooning, quiet cabin.
- Will be chauffeur-driven often and value the broad seats and soothing ambience.
- Like a tidy, minimal interface that is easy to operate day-to-day.
- Want the traditional Mercedes luxury vibe in an EV silhouette.
Our balanced verdict: Picking between them has indeed become harder now that the iX is a 50. For most Indian conditions, the BMW iX xDrive50 edges the win for its astonishingly plush ride and sharp dynamics without compromising on day-to-day luxury. The EQE SUV remains an excellent choice if you value understated presence and a serene cabin above all else.
Quick Highlights (at a glance)
| Area | BMW iX xDrive50 | Mercedes EQE SUV |
| Character | Bold, tech-show flagship | Discreet, flowing luxury |
| Driving feel | Sharper, more confidence-inspiring | Softer, relaxed |
| Ride quality | Plush and controlled on rough roads | Comfy but can thud/float on bad patches |
| Cabin vibe | Futuristic, driver-centric | Classic, cocooning, hushed |
| Charging & range | Strong DC + robust real-world range | Strong DC + serene cruising efficiency |
| Best for | Self-drivers, dynamic luxury | Chauffeured calm, understated taste |
FAQs (for rich results)
Is the iX xDrive50 quicker than the EQE SUV?
In most conditions, yes—it feels more urgent in overtakes and sprints.
Which is more comfortable on broken roads?
The iX xDrive50. It isolates sharp edges better while staying composed.
Which cabin feels more traditional luxury?
The EQE SUV—soothing ambience, soft finishes, and hushed cruising.
What about charging at home?
Install a 7–11 kW wallbox on a dedicated circuit; both brands support site assessment and installation partners.
