2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs. 2011 Tesla Roadster
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and 2011 Tesla Roadster contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and the 2011 Tesla Roadster.
When we compare the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's and the 2011 Tesla Roadster's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's and the 2011 Tesla Roadster's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a better car than the 2011 Tesla Roadster.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class’s base engine makes 382 horsepower, and the 2011 Tesla Roadster base engine makes 288 horsepower.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
103650
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
77515
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
38300 - 137300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
109000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27100
Price Range:
13812 - 37917
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
42902
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
13568 - 104041
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71530
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10147
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Roadster Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2011 Tesla Roadster
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5438239507654645
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
1.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.9 - 14.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
15.348756624130722
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 23Ranking
6 out of / 23Ranking
6 out of / 23Ranking
7 out of / 38Ranking
9 out of / 38Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 38Ranking
12 out of / 38Ranking
12 out of / 23Ranking
14 out of / 23Ranking
15 out of / 23Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
19 out of / 38Ranking
22 out of / 38Ranking
31 out of / 38Tesla Roadster Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Trim Levels
SL 550, SL 63 AMG
2011 Tesla Roadster Trim Levels
Base, Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
382 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
391 foot-lbs @ 2800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.093 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
288 hp
Torque:
273 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.106 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
5.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
14 / 22 / 17
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
295 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
245 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
53 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
3.5 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
10.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
57.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
26 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4098 lbs
Width:
81.5 inches
Height:
51.1 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
100.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2723 lbs
Width:
72.9 inches
Height:
44.4 inches
Length:
155.4 inches
Wheelbase:
92.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
175/55R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / designo Platinum Black / Magnetite Black Metallic
Blue
designo Mauritius Blue / designo Mystic Blue / Quartz Blue Metallic
Brown
designo Mystic Brown
Gray
designo Magno Alanite Grey / designo Magno Cashmere White / designo Magno Platinum / Palladium Silver Metallic / Steel Grey Metallic
Red
designo Mystic Red / Mars Red / Storm Red Metallic
Silver
Iridium Silver Metallic
White
Diamond White Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Blue
Electric Blue / Glacier Blue / Twilight Blue
Brown
Not available
Gray
Obsidian Black / Thunder Gray
Red
Fusion Red / Radiant Red
Silver
Sterling Silver
White
Arctic White
Green
Lightning Green / Racing Green
Orange
Very Orange
Yellow
Brilliant Yellow
Interior Colors
Beige
Natural Beige/Black / Stone/Dark Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Grey/Dark Grey
Red
Red/Black
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black / Black Microfiber
Gray
Dark Gray
Red
Not available
Brown
Saddle
