2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

header-image
$85,050 - $108,050
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Rigid chassis and balanced ride

Dated tech interface

A power boost for the 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 engine

Relatively spacious cabin

Polarizing design language

Limited edition Mille Miglia 417

Stores more fuel and have bigger trunk than rivals

Specs & Features

$85,050

price

329 hp @ 5250 rpm

horsepower

354 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class convertible is a midsize convertible offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $85,050. For that price, it mainly competes with the BMW 6 Series 640i Convertible and the Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible. Both of these rivals have a seating capacity of 4 as opposed to 2 given on the SL-Class. Meanwhile, the Jaguar F-TYPE Convertible which hails from the compact convertible segment and has the lowest base price among the challengers. Between 3 trims, the SL-Class offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 capable of making 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 449 horsepower-making 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 engine. Both engines are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.The SL-Class reaches 60 mph from zero in 5.1 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 4.5 seconds with the 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the SL-Class can manage a combined fuel economy between 19 and 23 mpg. While we’re on the topic of choices, the 16 striking colors the SL-Class comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

Although the base 400 trim houses a less potent engine, it is capable enough to put forward an enjoyable driving experience on daily basis. Additionally, instead of spending $23,000 on the upper 550 trim, we think utilizing this money on the Driver Assistance Package, the Premium I Package, and the Sport Wheel Package. Collectively these optional packages amount to $9,850.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

 

Features
9.9/10

 

Exterior
8.2/10

Safety
8.0/10

 

Competition

 

Final Verdict

 

Trims

    400
    $85,050 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 329 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 354 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 190 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    550
    $108,050 onwards
    • Engine: 4.7L 8cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 449 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 172 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$85,050- $108,050

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.29

Horsepower

449 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

$49,700- $66,350

Gasoline

7.71

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

2

Read Review

$47,000- $72,600

Gasoline

8.01

241 hp @ 5550 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

2

Read Review

$217,550

Gasoline

8.17

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

2

Read Review

$149,700

Gasoline

7.89

577 hp @ 5500 rpm

664 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

2

Read Review

$52,100- $82,100

Gasoline

8.51

265 hp @ 6700 rpm

206 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

2

Read Review

2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    4.6 sec11.9 sec190 mph
    3.8 sec--
    3.9 sec--
    2016 BMW Z4

    Ranked #4

    5.4 sec14.0 sec130 mph
    6.3 sec14 sec152 mph
    7.8 sec--

    2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.8 gal.396/534.6 mi.
      25 mpg32 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/592 mi.
      2016 BMW Z4

      Ranked #2

      22 mpg34 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.319/493 mi.
      22 mpg30 mpg24 mpg16.9 gal.338/507 mi.
      16 mpg25 mpg19 mpg19.8 gal.316.8/495 mi.
      14 mpg21 mpg17 mpg19.8 gal.277.2/415.8 mi.

      2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        181.6 in.73.9 in.51.8 in.3.8 in.101.8 in.
        182.4 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.8 in.
        182.4 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.8 in.
        172.2 in.70.9 in.50.5 in.4.3 in.97.4 in.
        2016 BMW Z4

        Ranked #4

        166.9 in.70.5 in.50.8 in.5 in.98.3 in.
        162.8 in.71.5 in.51.2 in.4 in.95.7 in.

        2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.
          2016 BMW Z4

          Ranked #1

          8 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.
          4.6 cu.ft.104.4 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.
          10.1 cu.ft.48.8 cu.ft.10.1 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.

          2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            71.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            2016 BMW Z4

            Ranked #2

            150 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.
            65.2 cu.ft.10.1 cu.ft.10.1 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            80.1 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.

            2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              540 lbs.3836 lbs.
              739 lbs.2888 lbs.
              562 lbs.4068 lbs.
              705 lbs.3241 lbs.
              -4299 lbs.
              2016 BMW Z4

              Ranked #1

              562 lbs.3263 lbs.

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