Mercedes-Benz SLK

Name: 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

When the SLK went through a mid-cycle refresh it was renamed as the SLC. This roadster features a retractable hardtop that does a great job at keeping the interior quiet. The SLK250 we tested had a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder that delivered ample thrust, and the new SLC300 uses a more powerful 2.0-liter engine coupled to a nine-speed automatic. There is a more powerful V6 SLC43 version. The SLK has crisp, enjoyable handling, with rock-solid body control and communicative steering. It can be both challenging and rewarding when driven on a track. The ride is firm but refined enough even for lengthy trips. The tight cabin is well-finished, with excellent seats that feature warm-air vents in the head restraints to keep your neck warm during chilly top-down drives.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2016 Sports Cars & Convertibles Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mercedes-Benz SLK

vs. Similar Cars

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

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2005

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2007

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2010

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2012

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2015

2016

2017

2018

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2020

2021

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

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2016 Sports cars 2-seat Ratings

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK

$14,250 - $21,525

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C

$ NA

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2016 Audi R8

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 BMW Z4

$16,825 - $22,575

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Corvette

$25,250 - $54,200

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Jaguar F-Type

$14,775 - $25,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

$8,825 - $12,100

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mercedes-Benz SL

$23,200 - $43,700

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Z

$ NA

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Porsche Boxster

$25,900 - $39,675

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2016 Porsche Cayman

$34,125 - $44,800

EPA MPG NA

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Features & Specs

convertible

2 front

Rear

2-liter 4 turbo (241 hp)
3.5-liter V6 (302 hp)
5.5-liter V8 (415 hp)

7-speed automatic
9-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2012-2016

2012 Redesign Year

A 2012 freshening brought a new 3.5-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic, as well as a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder with a six-speed manual. The small cabin is well finished, but narrow. On the whole though, we like this car. Handling is sporty and enjoyable, while ride and noise levels are civilized enough to leave you unrattled on a long road trip. The retractable metal top folds away quickly. When it's up, the SLK behaves as a credibly solid and quiet coupe. Safety features include antilock brakes, brake-assist and electronic stability control as standard equipment. The optional "Attention Assist" system warns drivers who show signs of growing tired. Available features for 2016 include optional blind spot monitoring. Additionally, the SLK250 was replaced by the SLK300 for 2016, which brought more power and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

2005-2011

2005 Redesign Year

This two-seat convertible has many high-end technical and safety features, including a power-folding hardtop. With the roof up it feels almost as solid as a fixed-roof coupe. Over the years, the SLK continued to be fun to drive, with agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a strong V6. In fact, this version of the SLK is even more fun to drive than its predecessor. The engine provides strong power and torque and the suspension is fully capable of handling the upgraded performance. Optional warm-air vents in the head restraints add comfort when driving with the top down on cool days. The manual shifter and clutch are a pleasure to use.

1998-2004

1998 Redesign Year

This two-seat convertible was introduced for 1998, boasting many innovative technical and safety features. Its major draw is an electrically-retractable hardtop that folds and stows in the trunk at the touch of a button. With the roof up, this convertible feels almost as solid as a fixed-roof coupe, but, overall, the SLK isn't very sporty. The steering isn't quick or precise, and the supercharged, intercooled 2.3-liter Four lacks oomph. Interior space is tight. Model-line updates include a vague and rubbery five-speed manual transmission for 1999 and the V6-powered, six-speed SLK320 for 2001.