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Mercedes SL Class vs Porsche Cayman - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (816 HP vs 500 HP), boot space and price (112700 £ vs 136000 £) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Porsche Cayman?

Mercedes SL Class

Porsche Cayman

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

SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Mercedes SL Class has a noticeable advantage in terms of price – it starts at 112700 £, while the Porsche Cayman costs 136000 £. That’s a price difference of around 23324 £.

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

SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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 has a noticeable edge – offering 816 HP compared to 500 HP. That’s roughly 316 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 2.90 s, while the Porsche Cayman takes 3.40 s. That’s about 0.50 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes SL Class performs minimal better – reaching 317 km/h, while the Porsche Cayman tops out at 315 km/h. The difference is around 2 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes SL Class pulls convincingly stronger with 1420 Nm compared to 450 Nm. That’s about 970 Nm difference.

SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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: Mercedes SL Class offers convincingly more seating capacity – 4 vs 2.

In curb weight, Porsche Cayman is distinct lighter – 1490 kg compared to 1810 kg. The difference is around 320 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Mercedes SL Class offers clearly perceptible more room – 240 L compared to 184 L. That’s a difference of about 56 L.

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

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the Mercedes SL Class shows itself to be wins the duel decisively and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

from about £112,700
SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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
  • Electric Range : 12 km
Mercedes SL Class
Porsche Cayman

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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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

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.

details
Mercedes SL Class
Porsche Cayman
SL Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Costs and Consumption

Price
112700 - 219300 £
Price
136000 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L
Consumption L/100km
13 L
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
70 L
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
4
Seats
2
Doors
2
Doors
2
Curb weight
1810 - 2195 kg
Curb weight
1490 kg
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Trunk capacity
184 L
Length
4697 - 4705 mm
Length
4456 mm
Width
1915 mm
Width
1822 mm
Height
1354 - 1359 mm
Height
1267 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
3.40 s
Max Speed
260 - 317 km/h
Max Speed
315 km/h
Torque
480 - 1420 Nm
Torque
450 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
6
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Power kW
368 kW
Engine capacity
1991 - 3982 cm3
Engine capacity
3996 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2021
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 available as Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.