BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class diesel: Specs, features and price compared

The BMW i5 LWB and Mercedes-Benz E 220d take different approaches to the luxury sedan. BMW no longer offers a diesel engine with the 5 Series in India, so for buyers with high annual running who want an efficient 5 Series, the electric i5 is the only option. The E-Class, meanwhile, continues to offer a diesel powertrain in the form of the E 220d, alongside petrol versions. Both are aimed at buyers seeking a spacious, chauffeur-friendly luxury sedan, but their powertrains make for very different ownership propositions. Here’s how they compare.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Dimensions

i5 is wider, while length, height and wheelbase are similar

	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
Length	5,175mm	5,092mm
Width	2,156mm	1,880mm
Height	1,520mm	1,493mm
Wheelbase	3,105mm	3,094mm
Wheel size	20-inch	18-inch

The i5 LWB is significantly wider than the E-Class – by 276mm – while the two are fairly similar in length, height and wheelbase. The BMW also gets larger 20-inch wheels compared with the Mercedes’s 18-inch units.

Another point of difference is the suspension. The i5 LWB gets rear-axle air suspension, which should help with ride comfort, while the E 220d uses a steel setup with selective damping, which also does a great job of blunting sharp bumps and keeping the car as level as possible over cracks and ruts.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Powertrain

i5 is quicker and more powerful; E 220d has more torque

	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
Powertrain	Single electric motor	2.0-litre diesel + 48V mild hybrid
Power	268hp	197hp
Torque	410Nm	440Nm
Transmission	Single-speed automatic	9-speed automatic
Drive layout	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
0-100kph	6.7sec	7.6sec
Battery	81.6kWh	–
Claimed range	669km, MIDC	–

The i5 has the clear advantage in power and acceleration, but the E 220d has more torque than its electric rival. The i5 should also be smoother, as expected of an EV, while the E-Class is exceptionally fuel efficient for a luxury sedan and can manage more than 800km on a full tank.

The i5 gets a large 81.6kWh battery pack and has a claimed MIDC range of 669km. Considering this figure, a real-world range of over 500km should be achievable, which is enough for highway runs. Longer journeys will still need to be planned around charging stops, whereas the E-Class does not face this limitation.

On paper, the i5 makes a strong case, particularly for buyers who primarily drive in the city and have access to charging. The E 220d, however, is better suited to those who regularly mix city driving with long highway journeys and want the convenience of quick refuelling.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Exterior features

i5 gets adaptive LEDs; both have electric folding mirrors

	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
LED headlights	Adaptive LED	LED
LED DRLs	Yes	Yes
LED tail-lights	Yes	Yes
Illuminated grille	Yes	No
Powered ORVMs	Yes	Yes
Powered tail-gate	Yes	Yes
Door handles	Flap type	Flush-fitting

In terms of exterior features, both sedans are similarly equipped. Both get LED headlights, LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), LED tail-lights, powered outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) and a powered tailgate. The i5 LWB, however, gets adaptive LED headlights and an illuminated grille. The two also differ in their door-handle designs, with the i5 using flap-type handles and the E-Class getting flush-fitting units.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Interior and features

i5 focuses on front-seat comfort, while the E-Class prioritises the rear

	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
Digital driver’s display	12.3-inch	12.3-inch
Central touchscreen	14.9-inch	14.4-inch
Passenger display	No	12.3-inch
Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Yes	Yes
Four-zone climate control	Yes	Yes
Front-seat ventilation	Yes	No
Rear-seat recline	No	Up to 36 degrees
Wireless charging	Front and rear	Front and rear
Audio system	17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins	17-speaker Burmester
Ambient lighting	Yes	Yes
Rear sunblinds	No	Yes
Panoramic sunroof	Yes	Yes
Electric seat adjustment from rear	No	Yes
Soft-close doors	No	Yes

Both offer a similar baseline of luxury equipment, but their priorities differ. The i5 adds ventilated front seats and a larger central display, while the E 220d has a more comprehensive set of rear-seat features, including electric recline, sunblinds, soft-close doors and the ability to adjust the front passenger seat from the rear. For a chauffeur-driven buyer, that gives the Mercedes an advantage in rear-seat functionality.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Safety features

Both get ADAS and 360-degree cameras

	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
Airbags	8	8
360-degree camera	Yes	Yes
Lane departure warning	Yes	Yes
Blind-spot monitoring	Yes	Yes
Automatic Emergency Braking	Yes	Yes
Parking assist	Yes	Yes
TPMS	Yes	Yes
Auto hold	Yes	Yes

The two cars are closely matched on safety features, with both offering 8 airbags, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, 360-degree cameras and parking assistance.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Prices

BMW i5 LWB is Rs 3.90 lakh cheaper

Price (ex-showroom)	BMW i5 LWB	Mercedes E 220d
Price	Rs 79.60 lakh	Rs 83.50 lakh

At Rs 79.60 lakh, the i5 LWB is Rs 3.90 lakh more affordable than the E 220d and is also cheaper than the petrol E-Class. Factoring in the lower running costs of an EV, particularly for buyers who can charge at home, the BMW makes a strong financial case.

BMW i5 LWB vs Mercedes E-Class: Verdict

On paper, the BMW i5 LWB is the stronger choice if outright performance, lower running costs and a more front-seat-focused cabin are priorities. It is more powerful, quicker and cheaper to buy, while home charging can make it substantially cheaper to run.

The Mercedes E 220d makes the stronger case for chauffeur-driven use, with a more rear-seat-focused cabin, along with the longer range and quicker refuelling of its diesel powertrain.