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CUPRA Ateca vs Mercedes SL Class comparison

Compare performance (300 HP vs 816 HP), boot space and price (37,300 £ vs 112,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – CUPRA Ateca or Mercedes SL Class?

CUPRA Ateca vs Mercedes SL Class: Key differences

CUPRA Ateca

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • noticeably more efficient
  • clearly lighter
  • significantly more trunk space
details

Mercedes SL Class

  • considerably more power
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Ateca

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

CUPRA Ateca is clearly cheaper – starting at 37,300 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 75,436 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the CUPRA Ateca uses 6.7 L/100km and is noticeably more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L/100km. The difference is about 2.3 L/100km.

SL Class

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers considerably more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 516 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the CUPRA Ateca takes 4.9 s. That’s about 2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 1,020 Nm more.

Ateca

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: CUPRA Ateca offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, CUPRA Ateca is clearly lighter – 1,418 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 392 kg.

Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Ateca offers significantly more boot space – 485 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 245 L.

When it comes to payload, the CUPRA Ateca carries clearly more – 522 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 147 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA Ateca has the upper hand 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 £37,300
Ateca

CUPRA Ateca

  • Engine Type Petrol
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 300 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 6.7 - 9.1 L/100km
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Frequently compared as well

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CUPRA Ateca
SEAT Ateca
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CUPRA Ateca
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

CUPRA Ateca

The CUPRA Ateca mixes SUV practicality with a seriously sporty attitude, wrapped in aggressive styling and a cockpit that looks like it belongs on a racetrack. It's the kind of car that handles daily life with composure while slipping a grin across your face every time you push it—perfect for drivers who want a practical companion that never apologizes for having fun.

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New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_20_HQ
New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_27_HQ
New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_40_HQ
New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_49_HQ
New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_54_HQ
New-CUPRA-Ateca-2020_61_HQ

Reviews CUPRA Ateca

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
Stephan B.
18 Feb 2026, 05:44:55

The Cupra Ateca is technically state-of-the-art. The interior tech is top-notch, the materials feel premium and are genuinely useful. But it’s still a car — a practical tool — and despite the excellent build quality and very solid engine performance, it remains affordable for the average buyer.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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.

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15C1119_012
15C1119_029
15C1119_120
15C1119_004

Reviews Mercedes SL Class

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
Price
37,300 - 51,200 £
Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Consumption L/100km
6.7 - 9.1 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
153 - 207 g/km
co2
206 - 309 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
5
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,418 - 1,628 kg
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Trunk capacity
485 L
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,841 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
502 - 522 kg
Payload
145 - 375 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 300 HP
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.3 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
110 - 221 kW
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
CUPRA
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drive types are available for the CUPRA Ateca?

The CUPRA Ateca is available as All-Wheel Drive or Front-Wheel Drive.

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.