BMW vs. Mercedes-Benz

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from BMW and Mercedes-Benz contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars.

When comparing the BMW brand to the Mercedes-Benz brand, BMW has the advantage in the areas of used car pricing, horsepower, fuel efficiency and variety of models offered. Mercedes-Benz has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, depreciation, towing capacity, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings.

BMW versus Mercedes-Benz: Pricing and Value: Analyzing BMW versus Mercedes-Benz pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Mercedes-Benz in 12 out of 20 vehicle comparisons. In contrast, BMW has lower used vehicle starting prices in 8 out of 15 vehicle comparisons. Mercedes-Benz models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 23 out of 24 comparisons.

BMW versus Mercedes-Benz: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: BMW vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 12 out of 24 model comparisons, with Mercedes-Benz offering more horsepower in 7 comparisons. BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles have similar horsepower in 5 comparisons. BMW offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 4 out of 7 comparisons. Mercedes-Benz offers a greater towing capacity in 4 out of 6 comparisons.

BMW versus Mercedes-Benz: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of BMW versus Mercedes-Benz overall quality ratings shows Mercedes-Benz with higher quality ratings in 11 out of 12 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Mercedes-Benz has the advantage in 8 out of 12 comparisons. BMW has higher reliability ratings in 3 out of 12 comparisons, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz tie in 1 comparisons. Mercedes-Benz has better safety ratings in 5 out of 6 comparisons. Mercedes-Benz shows higher ratings for retained value in 20 out of 24 comparisons. BMW shows higher retained value ratings in 1 out of 24 comparisons, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz tie over 3 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings: BMW has the better car ranking in 1 category: X1 in Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Mercedes-Benz has better car rankings in 20 categories: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Compact Cars, Mercedes-Benz GLE (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Crossover SUVs, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Large Cars, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Midsize Cars, Mercedes-Benz GLE (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Midsize SUVs, Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Hybrid Luxury Small Cars, Mercedes-Benz GLE in Best Luxury 5-seater SUVs, Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Best Luxury Compact Cars, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (convertible) in Best Luxury Convertibles, Mercedes-Benz C-Class (coupe) in Best Luxury Coupes, Mercedes-Benz GLE in Best Luxury Crossover SUVs, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (Plug-in Hybrid convertible) in Best Luxury Hybrid Cars, Mercedes-Benz GLE (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (coupe) in Best Luxury Large Cars, Mercedes-Benz E-Class in Best Luxury Midsize Cars, Mercedes-Benz GLE in Best Luxury Midsize SUVs, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (Plug-in Hybrid convertible) in Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV), Mercedes-Benz GLE (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV), Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Best Luxury Small Cars, and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (convertible) in Best Luxury Sports Cars.

Most Reliable Car Rankings: BMW has better car rankings in 5 categories: BMW X1 in Most Reliable Luxury Crossover SUVs, BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Hybrid SUVs, BMW X5 in Most Reliable Luxury Midsize SUVs, BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV), and BMW X1 in Most Reliable Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Mercedes-Benz has better car rankings in 7 categories: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (convertible) in Most Reliable Luxury Convertibles, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Hybrid Cars, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (coupe) in Most Reliable Luxury Large Cars, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (coupe) in Most Reliable Luxury Midsize Cars, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (coupe) in Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars, and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (convertible) in Most Reliable Luxury Sports Cars.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings: BMW and Mercedes-Benz each have better car rankings in 2 categories. BMW ranks better with the X5 in Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for the Money and the 2 Series (coupe) in Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money.Mercedes-Benz ranks better with the S-Class in Best Luxury Large Cars for the Money and the E-Class in Best Luxury Midsize Cars for the Money.

Available Body Styles: BMW offers 14 SUVs, 1 wagon, 15 sedans, 6 coupes, and 5 convertibles. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz offers 12 SUVs, 1 wagon, 11 sedans, 3 coupes, and 3 convertibles.

Drivetrain Options: BMW offers 22 gasoline vehicles, 6 plug-in hybrids, and 4 electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 7 plug-in hybrids, and 4 electric vehicles.

BMW offers 26 all-wheel-drive models, 1 front-wheel-drive model, and 14 rear-wheel-drive models. Mercedes-Benz offers 16 all-wheel-drive models, 4 front-wheel-drive models, and 8 rear-wheel-drive models.