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Mercedes SL Class vs Nissan Leaf comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 217 HP), boot space and price (112,700 £ vs 30,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Nissan Leaf?

Mercedes SL Class vs Nissan Leaf: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • substantially more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly lighter
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Nissan Leaf

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • considerably more electric range
  • significantly more trunk space
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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

SL Class

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.

Nissan Leaf is significantly cheaper – starting at 30,800 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 81,890 £.

As for electric range, the Nissan Leaf offers considerably more range – reaching up to 624 km, about 612 km more than the Mercedes SL Class.

Leaf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers substantially more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 217 HP. That’s roughly 599 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the Nissan Leaf takes 7.6 s. That’s about 4.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 355 Nm. That’s about 1,065 Nm more.

SL Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Nissan Leaf offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes SL Class is very slightly lighter – 1,810 kg compared to 1,864 kg. The difference is around 54 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Nissan Leaf offers significantly more boot space – 437 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 197 L.

When it comes to payload, the Nissan Leaf carries moderately more – 444 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 69 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Nissan Leaf is decisively ahead 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 £30,800
Leaf

Nissan Leaf

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 176 - 217 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 13.7 - 13.8 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 436 - 624 km
Mercedes SL Class
Nissan Leaf

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

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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Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a practical, easygoing electric hatch that turns daily commutes into a quiet, effortless affair while offering more cabin space than it lets on. It’s a sensible, wallet-friendly step into electrification for buyers who value comfort and simplicity over sporty drama, though those chasing long-distance thrills might look elsewhere.

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Mercedes SL Class
Nissan Leaf

Costs and Consumption

Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Price
30,800 - 41,100 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
13.7 - 13.8 kWh/100km
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
436 - 624 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
206 - 309 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Curb weight
1,864 - 1,956 kg
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Trunk capacity
437 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,915 mm
Width
1,810 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
441 - 444 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Power HP
176 - 217 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Torque
345 - 355 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Power kW
130 - 160 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Nissan
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.