BMW i3 and Mercedes electric C-Class: what are they going up against?

The compact electric executive saloon class has just got a lot more competitive with the arrival of the BMW i3 and Mercedes electric C-Class.

The i3 uses BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ design language and is hooked up to a new 108.7kWh battery with a dual-motor setup that develops 463bhp and 645Nm of torque. That can take the car a claimed, class-leading 559 miles on a single charge, while its standard 800-volt on-board architecture can replenish 249 miles of range in just 10 minutes from a DC rapid-charger.

Mercedes’ electric C-Class also brings 800-volt technology and a 94kWh battery pack with an electric motor to deliver 473 miles of range and charging speeds of up to 300kW, enabling 202 miles of range to be added in 10 minutes.

With those impressive numbers, these two German rivals are taking the compact electric saloon class to the next level. But what does the competition have to offer, and what cars are these two new models going up against?

Audi A6 e-tron

The Audi A6 e-tron is a sedate and sensible electric alternative to the BMW and Mercedes and comes fitted with an electric powertrain.

Underneath, the e-tron can be specified with the option of 83kWh and 94.9kWh battery packs, which provide claimed electric ranges of 383 miles and 470 miles, respectively.

The A6 offers a premium image, a quality-feeling cabin and a large 502-litre boot capacity thanks to its hatchback tailgate.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

The sleek and stylish Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an oddball alternative in this category due to its futuristic looks.

The Ioniq 6 is a great car to drive and there is even a performance-focused ‘N’ variant, which brings beefier styling, a 607bhp powertrain, a virtual gearbox and Hyundai’s ‘N Active Sound’ that mimics an engine note.

The standard Ioniq 6 is equipped with a 77kWh battery pack with an electric motor to deliver a claimed range of up to 338 miles. There is the option of rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive setups.

MG IM5

The ‘IM’ range is MG’s premium sub-brand and the IM5 is its executive model.

The car is equipped with several powertrain options, which can deliver a claimed range of up to 441 miles from a single charge.

It can also be topped up from a DC rapid-charger at speeds of up to 396kW, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge to be completed in 17 minutes. The IM5 also comes with a hatch-opening tailgate, revealing a 457-litre boot capacity.

Its interior is also minimalist with a 10.5-inch central, vertical display screen and a 26.3-inch touchscreen.

Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 has been a popular choice in the electric four-door sector since it first went on sale in 2020.

The latest model still has a lot to offer, with the ‘Standard Range’ model packing a 70kWh battery that’s good for a claimed range of 344 miles. There is also a ‘Long Range’ variant fitted with an 82kWh unit that can deliver a claimed 410 miles between trips to the plug.

The 2’s interior lacks many physical buttons, and instead, everything is operated through the central Android-based touchscreen display.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the world’s best-selling EVs due to its impressive electric range, interior space and value for money.

Tesla doesn’t release the battery capacity sizes of its cars, though the Model 3 can travel up to a claimed 466 miles on a single charge, putting it on par with the Mercedes electric C-Class’ range.

The car also boasts a 594-litre boot capacity, making it one of the most practical cars on this list.

Volkswagen ID.7

The Volkswagen ID.7 is a sensible and overlooked EV in this sector of the market.

Underneath, there are several different battery options, with the car managing to travel up to a claimed 433 miles, while all models come with lots of standard kit and an impressive amount of interior space.

Unlike the BMW i3 and Mercedes electric C-Class, the ID.7 can be specified in a family-friendly estate variant, which boasts a 605-litre boot capacity and even more rear-seat space.