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Mercedes SL Class vs Porsche Cayman comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 500 HP), boot space and price (112,700 £ vs 136,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Porsche Cayman?

Mercedes SL Class vs Porsche Cayman: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • markedly cheaper
  • noticeably more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h

Porsche Cayman

  • markedly lighter

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

SL Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mercedes SL Class is markedly cheaper – starting at 112,700 £ , while the Porsche Cayman costs 136,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 23,324 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes SL Class uses 9 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Porsche Cayman with 13 L/100km. The difference is about 4 L/100km.

Cayman

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 noticeably more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 500 HP. That’s roughly 316 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the Porsche Cayman takes 3.4 s. That’s about 0.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers substantially more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 450 Nm. That’s about 970 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: Mercedes SL Class offers more seats – 4 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Porsche Cayman is markedly lighter – 1,490 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 320 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes SL Class carries clearly more – 375 kg compared to 281 kg. That’s a difference of about 94 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes SL Class is clearly superior overall 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 £112,700
SL Class

Mercedes SL Class

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 381 - 816 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 9 - 13.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 12 km
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Mercedes SL Class
Porsche Cayman

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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Reviews Mercedes SL Class

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Porsche Cayman

The Porsche Cayman stands out as a quintessential sports car, blending sleek design with dynamic handling. Its mid-engine layout provides an excellent balance and sharp agility that driving enthusiasts crave. Inside, the Cayman offers a refined and driver-focused interior, ensuring that every journey is an exhilarating experience.

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Mercedes SL Class
Porsche Cayman

Costs and Consumption
Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Price
136,000 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
13 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
206 - 309 g/km
co2
295 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
4
Seats
2
Doors
-
Doors
2
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Curb weight
1,490 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
184 L
Length
-
Length
4,456 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Width
1,822 mm
Height
-
Height
1,267 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
272 L
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
281 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
381 - 816 HP
Power HP
500 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.4 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
315 km/h
Torque
480 - 1,420 Nm
Torque
450 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
6
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Power kW
368 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
3,996 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025
Model Year
2,021
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Porsche
What drive types are available for the Mercedes SL Class?

The Mercedes SL Class is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive or All-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.