2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

header-image
$103,650 - $140,440
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Powerful standard V8 powertrain

Outdated and unintuitive infotainment interface

Standard Premium 1 package

Artistically crafted cabin

Not much space for cargo

Excellent ride quality

Specs & Features

$103,650

price

382 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

391 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.5L 8cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the midsize convertible segment, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible is a direct competitor to the BMW 6 Series Convertible and the Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class starts off at an MSRP of $103,650, with a single trim in the lineup. It is offered with a 5.5L V8 engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission producing 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Through this powertrain, the SL-Class manages a 0-60 of 5.3 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 17 MPG. 

Buying Advice

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible is an exceptionally well-made roadster offered in a single trim. However, some options are offered, and we recommend adding the optional front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and a glass moonroof to the car which bumps up the price tag by $5,490. 

Trims

    550
    $103,650 onwards
    • Engine: 5.5L 8cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 382 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 391 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 165 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 17 mpg
    AMG SL 63
    $140,440 onwards
    • Engine: 6.3L 8cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 518 hp @ 6800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 465 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 14 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$103,650- $140,440

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.4

Horsepower

518 hp @ 6800 rpm

Torque

465 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$48,650- $64,200

Gasoline

7.89

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

2

Read Review

$60,100- $68,750

Gasoline

8.24

414 hp @ 8300 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

4

Read Review

$48,100- $65,200

Gasoline

8.07

255 hp @ 6400 rpm

214 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    4.5 sec13.9 sec165 mph
    2012 BMW M3

    Ranked #2

    5.1 sec13.4 sec155 mph
    5.2 sec--
    2012 BMW Z4

    Ranked #4

    5.5 sec14.0 sec130 mph

    2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      14 mpg22 mpg17 mpg21.1 gal.295.4/464.2 mi.
      2012 BMW Z4

      Ranked #1

      22 mpg34 mpg27 mpg14.5 gal.319/493 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg16.9 gal.321.1/456.3 mi.
      2012 BMW M3

      Ranked #4

      13 mpg20 mpg16 mpg16.6 gal.215.8/332 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        180.4 in.71.7 in.51.1 in.4 in.100.8 in.
        2012 BMW M3

        Ranked #1

        181.7 in.71 in.54.8 in.4 in.108.7 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 63

        Ranked #2

        180.8 in.81.5 in.51.1 in.4 in.100.8 in.
        172.1 in.70.9 in.50.9 in.5 in.95.1 in.
        2012 BMW Z4

        Ranked #5

        167 in.70.5 in.50.8 in.5.1 in.98.3 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          10.2 cu.ft.50 cu.ft.10.2 cu.ft.
          2012 BMW Z4

          Ranked #1

          8 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.
          2012 BMW M3

          Ranked #2

          9 cu.ft.103.3 cu.ft.68.5 cu.ft.
          5.3 cu.ft.88.5 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            10.2 cu.ft.10.2 cu.ft.10.2 cu.ft.
            2012 BMW M3

            Ranked #2

            68.5 cu.ft.9 cu.ft.68.5 cu.ft.
            11.6 cu.ft.5.3 cu.ft.9.9 cu.ft.
            2012 BMW Z4

            Ranked #4

            150 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.

            2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              540 lbs.4200 lbs.
              2012 BMW M3

              Ranked #1

              882 lbs.4145 lbs.
              2012 BMW Z4

              Ranked #1

              562 lbs.3307 lbs.
              661 lbs.2943 lbs.

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG CL 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

              0-60 : 3.78 sec

              #1

              2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG CL 63

              Horsepower : 536 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 4.09 sec

              #2

              2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63

              Horsepower : 518 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 4.39 sec

              #3

              2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63

              Horsepower : 451 hp @ 6800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 4.4 sec

              #4

              2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 5.4 sec

              #5

              2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 5.21 sec

              #6

              2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

              Horsepower : 382 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 13 mpg

              0-60 : 6.46 sec

              #7

              2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

              Horsepower : 382 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 4.5 sec

              #8

              2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

              Horsepower : 335 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 6.87 sec

              #9

              2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

              Horsepower : 302 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.5 sec

              #10

              Other Compact Convertible