DecodedCarsMercedes-Benz SL-Class
21 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Minicompact Cars, Two Seaters
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 16–23 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaigns, all years
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 15,394 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 SL-Class in brief
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 8% better than the 2026 minicompact car average of 20.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has 21 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Minicompact Cars, Two Seaters.
Its most efficient year was 2027 at 23 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 16 to 23 MPG.
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
2013 has the most recalls (1); all years together count 1 campaigns and 0 owner complaints.
How the 2005 SL-Class compares
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a two seaters offered with 4 engines (5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 7% worse than the 2005 two seaters average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
About the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a grand touring sports car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation "SL" derives from the German term "Super-Leicht", which translates to "Super Light" in English.
From the Wikipedia article "Mercedes-Benz SL-Class", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 SL-Class pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 SL-Class
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 9 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
SL-Class changes by model year
- 2026
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
- 2023
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 16 to 23
- 2022
- Engine added: 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.7L 8-cyl turbo
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG down from 22 to 16
- 2020
- Engine dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
- 2019
- Engine dropped: 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- 2015
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23
- 2013
- New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 20
- 2012
- Engine added: 6.2L 8-cyl
- Engines dropped: 6.3L 8-cyl and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- 2011
- Engine added: 6.3L 8-cyl
- Engines dropped: 5.5L 12-cyl turbo and 6.2L 8-cyl turbo
- 2009
- Engine added: 6.2L 8-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 5.4L 8-cyl
- 2007
- Engine added: 5.5L 8-cyl
- Engine dropped: 5.0L 8-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 21 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,825 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,825 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,825 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,825 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 181.9 in | 3,935 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 181.9 in | 3,935 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 181.9 in | 3,935 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 181.9 in | 3,935 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | 179.5 in | 4,222 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | 179.5 in | 4,222 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl turbo | 16 MPG | 179.5 in | 4,222 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | 16 MPG | 178.7 in | 4,464 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5.5L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2024 SL-Class
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Jaguar F-Type | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2024 BMW Z4 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Maserati MC20 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2024 Porsche 718 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →