VS

Mercedes SL Class vs Volvo EC40 comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 442 HP), boot space and price (112,700 £ vs 46,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Volvo EC40?

Mercedes SL Class vs Volvo EC40: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • significantly more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit lighter
details

Volvo EC40

4.9 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • clearly more trunk space
details

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

SL Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Volvo EC40 is substantially cheaper – starting at 46,500 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 66,170 £.

As for electric range, the Volvo EC40 offers clearly more range – reaching up to 585 km, about 573 km more than the Mercedes SL Class.

EC40

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 significantly more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 442 HP. That’s roughly 374 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 Volvo EC40 takes 4.6 s. That’s about 1.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 670 Nm. That’s about 750 Nm more.

SL Class

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: Volvo EC40 offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes SL Class is a bit lighter – 1,810 kg compared to 2,065 kg. The difference is around 255 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Volvo EC40 offers clearly more boot space – 404 L compared to 240 L. That’s a difference of about 164 L.

When it comes to payload, the Volvo EC40 carries moderately more – 435 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 60 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Volvo EC40 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 £46,500
EC40

Volvo EC40

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 238 - 442 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 16.2 - 17.3 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 486 - 585 km
Mercedes SL Class
Volvo EC40

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.

details

Volvo EC40

The Volvo EC40 feels like a polished slice of Scandinavian calm on wheels, blending minimalist design with a cocoon-like interior that makes everyday driving surprisingly serene. It’s an electric compact that puts safety and comfort front and center, while still injecting enough personality and tech-savvy charm to keep city buyers smiling.

details
Mercedes SL Class
Volvo EC40

Costs and Consumption

Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Price
46,500 - 56,800 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
16.2 - 17.3 kWh/100km
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
486 - 585 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
SUV
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Curb weight
2,065 - 2,185 kg
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Trunk capacity
404 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,915 mm
Width
1,873 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
395 - 435 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plug-in 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
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Power HP
238 - 442 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Torque
420 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Power kW
175 - 325 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Volvo
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.