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Porsche Cayman vs Mercedes SL Class comparison

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

Porsche Cayman vs Mercedes SL Class: Key differences

Porsche Cayman

  • markedly lighter
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Mercedes SL Class

  • visibly cheaper
  • markedly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • moderately quicker 0–100 km/h
  • noticeably more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Cayman

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 visibly 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 significantly more efficient than the Porsche Cayman with 13 L/100km. The difference is about 4 L/100km.

SL Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers markedly 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 moderately 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 significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 450 Nm. That’s about 970 Nm more.

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 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.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes SL Class offers noticeably more boot space – 240 L compared to 184 L. That’s a difference of about 56 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes SL Class carries markedly 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 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 £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 435 - 816 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 9 - 13.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range 12 km
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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

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
Mercedes SL Class

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

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
2
Seats
4
Doors
2
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,490 kg
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Trunk capacity
184 L
Trunk capacity
110 - 240 L
Length
4,456 mm
Length
-
Width
1,822 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Height
1,267 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
272 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
281 kg
Payload
145 - 375 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
500 HP
Power HP
435 - 816 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.7 s
Max Speed
315 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
450 Nm
Torque
500 - 1,420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
368 kW
Power kW
320 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
3,996 cm3
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2021
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Porsche
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drivetrain options does the Porsche Cayman have?

The Porsche Cayman is available as Rear-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.