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Mercedes SL Class vs Tesla Model 3 comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 460 HP), boot space and price (112,700 £ vs 31,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Tesla Model 3?

Mercedes SL Class vs Tesla Model 3: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • substantially more power
  • only slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

Tesla Model 3

4.3 (7 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • very slightly lighter
details

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:

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

Tesla Model 3 is clearly cheaper – starting at 31,700 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 80,999 £.

As for electric range, the Tesla Model 3 offers clearly more range – reaching up to 750 km, about 738 km more than the Mercedes SL Class.

Model 3

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 substantially more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 460 HP. That’s roughly 356 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is only slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the Tesla Model 3 takes 3.1 s. That’s about 0.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 660 Nm. That’s about 760 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: Tesla Model 3 offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Tesla Model 3 is very slightly lighter – 1,772 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 38 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Tesla Model 3 carries very slightly more – 377 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 2 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Tesla Model 3 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 £31,700
Model 3

Tesla Model 3

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 283 - 460 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 13 - 16.5 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 534 - 750 km
Mercedes SL Class
Tesla Model 3

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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Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is a compact electric sedan that pairs brisk, responsive driving with a sleek, minimalist cabin and intuitive, software-led features. It makes a practical, modern choice for daily commutes and long-term ownership while emphasizing simplicity and advanced driver assistance.

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Mercedes SL Class
Tesla Model 3

Costs and Consumption

Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Price
31,700 - 50,100 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
13 - 16.5 kWh/100km
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
534 - 750 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
Sedan
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Curb weight
1,772 - 1,929 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
594 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,915 mm
Width
1,850 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
303 - 377 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
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
381 - 816 HP
Power HP
283 - 460 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.1 - 6.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
480 - 1,420 Nm
Torque
420 - 660 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Power kW
208 - 338 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

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