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Mercedes SL Class vs Volvo XC40 comparison

Compare performance (816 HP vs 197 HP), boot space and price (112700 £ vs 36800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes SL Class or Volvo XC40?

Mercedes SL Class vs Volvo XC40: Key differences

Mercedes SL Class

  • decisively more power
  • clearly quicker from 0–100 km/h

Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • convincingly cheaper
  • noticeable more efficient
  • slight lighter

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.

Volvo XC40 has a convincingly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 36800 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 75942 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Volvo XC40 manages with 6.50 L and is therefore noticeable more efficient than the Mercedes SL Class with 9 L. The difference is about 2.50 L per 100 km.

XC40

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 decisively edge – offering 816 HP compared to 197 HP. That’s roughly 619 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.90 s, while the Volvo XC40 takes 7.60 s. That’s about 4.70 s faster.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes SL Class pulls significantly stronger with 1420 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 1120 Nm difference.

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 XC40 offers to a small extent more seating capacity – 5 vs 4.

In curb weight, Volvo XC40 is slight lighter – 1688 kg compared to 1810 kg. The difference is around 122 kg.

When it comes to payload, Volvo XC40 distinct takes the win – 532 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 157 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes SL Class holds a decisive overall lead 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.

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Mercedes SL Class
Volvo XC40

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis
from about £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
  • Electric Range : 12 km
details

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
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Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate

The Volvo XC40 wraps Scandinavian minimalism into a compact, city-ready SUV with a premium cabin that feels both practical and grown-up. It will suit buyers who prize safety, clever storage and a composed ride, proving that small dimensions don't mean small personality.

details
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Reviews Mercedes SL Class

Reviews Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate
Mercedes SL Class
Volvo XC40

Costs and Consumption
Price
112700 - 219300 £
Price
36800 - 47200 £
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L
Consumption L/100km
6.50 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
12 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
206 - 309 g/km
co2
147 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
SUV
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1810 - 2195 kg
Curb weight
1688 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
452 L
Length
-
Length
4425 mm
Width
1915 mm
Width
1863 mm
Height
-
Height
1652 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1328 L
Payload
145 - 375 kg
Payload
532 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
381 - 816 HP
Power HP
163 - 197 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
180 km/h
Torque
480 - 1420 Nm
Torque
265 - 300 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Power kW
120 - 145 kW
Engine capacity
1991 - 3982 cm3
Engine capacity
1969 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Volvo

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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 shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.