2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class

Offered in a single configuration, the SLC 300 Roadster costs $48,950 and comes powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine with 4-cylinders. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Mercedes hardtop powers the rear wheels and is offered in a host of features kitted by the marquee in Stuttgart. If you want a more powerful variant, the manufacturer offers an AMG model of the SLC, the SLC 43 AMG at $63,900 and is powered by a V6 engine.

Trim	Mercedes Benz SLC 300 Roadster
MSRP	48950
Key Features	Eco Start/Stop
	Panorama Roof
	Dual Roll Bars
	7" Infotainment system
	Brake Assist
	Rearview Camera
	Retractable Hardtop
	Power Seats with Memory
	MB-Tex Upholstery
	4-way power steering column

 

We Recommend

While the design of the SLC 300 does resemble a bit of contemporary-ness, you should invest a further $2000 and kit this convertible with the AMG body style. This style comes with a more sport look with features like redesigned bumpers and 18” AMG wheels so as to cover the decent but bland aesthetic.

The convertible comes with a decent fuel economy with 23 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 27. Alongside its rivals, the Mercedes SLC is quite an efficient sport-looking hardtop. However its arch-nemesis, Audi A5 just nudges past in the frugality race.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 300 Roadster	Jaguar F Type convertible	Porsche 718 Boxster convertible	Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible	Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible	BMW Z4 Roadster	Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
MPG (city)	23	23	21	24	20	TBD	20
MPG (highway)	32	30	28	34	28	TBD	30
MPG (combined)	27	26	24	27	23	TBD	23

 

"The SLC's interior comes across as dated. Other Mercedes vehicles have a more graceful cabin aesthetic, better materials quality and more advanced technology features." -edmunds

Inside this convertible, the Mercedes packs comfortable seats wrapped in leather while moulding the cabin with opulence and luxury. Seating only 2, the convertible houses spacious and contoured seats with generous headspace and legroom but as a wide car, you'd feel a tad stuffed due to less shoulder room.

Tall passengers would thank a bit of extra headroom when the roof is put down. Trimmed with gracious quality and high materials, the SLC 300 would surely put a smile on your face when seated inside the cabin.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 300 Roadster	Jaguar F Type convertible	Porsche 718 Boxster convertible	Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible	Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible	BMW Z4 Roadster	Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Passenger capacity	2	2	2	4	4	2	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38/52.2/42.5	37.0/56.5/43.0	N/A	40/55.3/41.3	37.6/56.3/45.1	38.9/54.3/42.2	38.5/55/43.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	-	-	-	36.3/46.9/33.3	35.7/44.7/29.2	-	33.4/TBD/29.9

Interior Features

Get into the SLC 300 roadster and some list of interior features you'd find are -

• Power seats with Memory
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• 4-way Power Steering Column
• Electric Trunk Partition
• Integrated Compass
• Power windows with express open/close
• Brake HOLD Feature

Infotainment System

Featuring an Mbrace 7" infotainment system, the SLC 300's system houses a clean and crisp display with clarity even in the sun. Controlled via the rotary knob on the center console, the system is intuitive and gets the job done with ease. But the system needs a revamp as seen on the other Mercedes vehicles.

Cargo volume

With the Ford Mustang equipping the best cargo capacity in the competition, the Mercedes SLC 300 comes second with 10 cubic feet, with the BMW Z4 Roadster a few inches less. The Silver Arrow's trunk has decent amount of luggage volume for a convertible and the rest of the rivals see a tough competition in this segment.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 300 Roadster	Jaguar F Type convertible	Porsche 718 Boxster convertible	Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible	Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible	BMW Z4 Roadster	Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	10.1	7.3	9.7	7.2	13.5	9.9	7.3

"To help the SLC300 better fit in stylistically with Mercedes-Benz's latest models, the SLK's blocky schnoz was replaced by a rounded nose with dual-element headlamps and arching LED brows." - caranddriver

Having carried over untouched from its 2019 variant, the 2020 Mercedes SLC 300 Roadster is still a great looking sports car with the mind of a luxury cruiser. Nicely proportioned with a long bonnet and short rear overhangs, the hardtop takes 20 seconds to either drop, becoming a coupe or fold to the beauty of a sexy roadster.

The short and wide roadster drives with 17" 10-spoke wheels rolling on all fours, and appears sleek and modern. Its chrome-accented diamond grille alongside the large Silver Arrow insignia, and LED headlamps compose the front fascia; come to the sides and the curves show up their prominence with sporty air-intakes by the fenders. Rear? A nostalgic classic bulbous Mercedes of the last generation.

Model	Mercedes Benz SLC 300 Roadster	Jaguar F Type convertible	Porsche 718 Boxster convertible	Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium convertible	Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible	BMW Z4 Roadster	Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Curb weight (lbs.)	3296	3405	2944	3990	3706	3287	3627
Length(in)	162.8	176.0	172.4	184	188.5	170.7	188.3
Width(in)	71.5	74.2	70.9	72.7	75.4	73.4	74.7
Height(in)	51.3	51.5	50.4	54.4	54.9	51.4	52.9
Ground clearance (in)	4.4	3.9	4.3	N/A	NA	N/A	TBD
Wheelbase (in)	95.7	103.2	97.4	108.9	107.1	97.2	110.7
Track width (in) F/R	61.4/61.6	62.9/64.9	59.6/60.3	62.5/61.7	62.3/64.9	63.7/63.5	62.5/63.7

Exterior Features

Some exterior features on the SLC 300 roadster are as follows -

• Retractable Hardtop
• Chrome-tipped diamond-block grille
• Dual Roll Bars
• LED Daytime running lamps and LED taillamps
• Heated side mirrors with power fold-in

With a host of safety features kitted in the Mercedes SLC 300, the convertible should keep you protected from disaster if struck. While not being tested by IIHS or NHTSA, it does however come with a rigid structure and as aforementioned features to prevent collisions or reduce its impact. Some of the features include -

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Adaptive Braking Technology
• Rearview Camera
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• NECK-PRO head restrains
• Dual Roll Bars
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitor System

Mercedes SLC 300 Roadster vs Jaguar F-Type Convertible

The English Feline costs substantially more than the Mercedes SLC 300 Roadster but it also is a more luxurious and powerful convertible. With the Jaguar F-Type's exotic and beautiful design, the Mercedes also loses out to the English snob in terms of equipment and overall driving dynamics. However the price difference may put you off and if you don't mind having just a tad less at such a difference, the Silver Arrow should be your choice of poison.

Mercedes SLC 300 Roadster vs Porsche 718 Boxster

The Mercedes does not even come close to the athleticism and opulence of the Porsche. While costing 10k more than the SLC 300 Roadster, the 718 Boxster makes sure that price difference is worth it by kitting the Boxster with almost everything a sports convertible should house. The German rivals truly have no comparison and if you can afford a further ten grand, Porsche's racing heritage should appeal more than the Silver Arrow.

The rebadged SLC over the SLK from the previous generation does not really promise anything revamped except for its nomenclature. Both, the relatively ageing exterior design and interior, are better in most competitors out there. While having decent driving dynamics, its performance lacks the punch. In this review, we found there is absolutely limited reasons as to why you should buy an otherwise good SLC 300 Roadster when you have much better rivals out there.