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BMW 2 Series vs Mercedes SL Class comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 816 HP), boot space and price (39,700 £ vs 112,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 2 Series or Mercedes SL Class?

BMW 2 Series vs Mercedes SL Class: Key differences

BMW 2 Series

  • significantly cheaper
  • clearly more efficient
  • somewhat lighter
  • visibly more trunk space
details

Mercedes SL Class

  • markedly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

2 Series

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

BMW 2 Series is significantly cheaper – starting at 39,700 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 73,019 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 2 Series uses 4.9 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L/100km. The difference is about 4.1 L/100km.

SL Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers markedly more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 530 HP. That’s roughly 286 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the BMW 2 Series takes 3.8 s. That’s about 0.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers substantially more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 650 Nm. That’s about 770 Nm more.

2 Series

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 4 people.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 2 Series is somewhat lighter – 1,560 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 250 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 2 Series offers visibly more boot space – 390 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 150 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 2 Series carries only slightly more – 400 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 25 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 2 Series holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,700
2 Series

BMW 2 Series

  • Engine Type Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 156 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 4.9 - 10 L/100km
BMW 2 Series
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 2 Series

The BMW 2 Series feels like a pocket rocket in smart clothes, delivering sharp handling and a premium cabin that turns everyday errands into something worth looking forward to. For buyers who crave a compact car with real driving character and a dash of German confidence, it’s a spirited choice that never takes itself too seriously.

details

Mercedes SL Class

The Mercedes SL blends timeless elegance with a cheeky sense of occasion, its retractable roof turning any commute into a small celebratory parade. Behind the wheel it behaves like a grown-up sports car that prefers comfort and presence over headline-grabbing bravado, making it a tempting choice for buyers who want to arrive in style.

details
BMW 2 Series
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,700 - 98,600 £
Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 10 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
12 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
129 - 226 g/km
co2
206 - 309 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
4
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,560 - 1,830 kg
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Trunk capacity
390 L
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,838 - 1,887 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
350 - 400 kg
Payload
145 - 375 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
156 - 530 HP
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 8.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 650 Nm
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
115 - 390 kW
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.