Compare the2026 Mercedes EQS SUVVS 2026 BMW iX

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes EQS SUV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW iX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes EQS SUV are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW iX doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The EQS SUV has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The iX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The EQS SUV has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The iX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the EQS SUV and the iX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes EQS SUV weighs 456 to 1091 pounds more than the BMW iX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EQS SUV’s warranty.

The EQS SUV has more powerful engines than the iX:

The EQS SUV 550 4MATIC can travel longer on a full charge than the iX xDrive45 20" Wheels (317 miles vs. 312 miles).

For better stopping power the EQS SUV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the iX:

For better traction, the EQS SUV has larger standard tires than the iX (275/45R21 vs. 235/60R20).

The EQS SUV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the iX xDrive45/60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQS SUV has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the iX xDrive45/60.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQS SUV can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The iX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the EQS SUV uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the iX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The EQS SUV’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The iX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQS SUV’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the iX (126.4 inches vs. 118.1 inches).

The EQS SUV handles at .86 G’s, while the iX xDrive60 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maybach EQS 680’s turning circle is 6 feet tighter than the iX’s (36 feet vs. 42 feet). The EQS SUV’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the iX’s (39 feet vs. 42 feet).

The EQS SUV offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the iX can only carry 5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EQS SUV’s middle row seats recline. The iX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The EQS SUV has a higher standard payload capacity than the iX (1190 vs. 1003 lbs.).

The EQS SUV has a higher maximum payload capacity than the iX (1190 vs. 1054 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the iX, the EQS SUV has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The EQS SUV’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The iX doesn’t offer a power rear door.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the EQS SUV to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The iX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

Consumer Reports rated the EQS SUV’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the iX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the EQS SUV Maybach has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The iX doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the EQS SUV to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The iX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The EQS SUV has standard front air conditioned seats and the EQS SUV Maybach also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The iX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the EQS SUV and the iX offer optional massaging front seats. The EQS SUV Maybach also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the iX.