Porsche 911 vs. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 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 Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
In comparing the Porsche 911's and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's specifications and ratings, the Porsche 911 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Porsche 911's and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's specifications and ratings, the Porsche 911 is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Pricing: For a new model, the Porsche 911's price is between $151,403 and $295,122, with the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class priced between $121,003 and $239,150.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Porsche 911 loses 26.3 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class loses 47.4 percent of its value. This means the Porsche 911 retains 21.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Porsche 911 is 9.1 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class' quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Porsche 911 being ranked 1 out of 23 Best Luxury Convertibles and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class being ranked 5 out of 23. Out of 38 Best Luxury Sports Cars, the Porsche 911 is ranked 3 and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is ranked 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Porsche 911 is 8.7 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Porsche 911 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Porsche 911’s base engine makes 388 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class base engine makes 577 horsepower.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
151403 - 295122
Starting MSRP:
133400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
90928
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
54500 - 150000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
121003 - 239150
Starting MSRP:
224900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
87986
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
56100 - 224900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
202716
Price Range:
156343 - 342749
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
121269
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
60394 - 258844
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
67227
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
67227 - 67227
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
35723
Depreciation %:
0.26779135
Resale Value $:
97677
Residual Value %:
0.73220865
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.27961642
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.17060832 - 0.55051463
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
107346
Depreciation %:
0.47730706
Resale Value $:
117554
Residual Value %:
0.52269294
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.32185613
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.25230078 - 0.50263852
Porsche 911 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.1 / 10
Reliability:
8.7 / 10
Retained Value:
9.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Porsche 911
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
29.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
20.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
13.0 - 29.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
16.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
19.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
13.0 - 29.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.16068364821227
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.9 - 7.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Porsche 911 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 23Ranking
1 out of / 23Ranking
1 out of / 23Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 38Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 38Ranking
4 out of / 38Ranking
10 out of / 38Ranking
10 out of / 12Ranking
14 out of / 23Ranking
17 out of / 21Ranking
24 out of / 38Mercedes-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 / 38Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Porsche 911 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Trim Levels
AMG SL 43, AMG SL 55, Mercedes-Maybach SL 680
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 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:
388 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
331 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.110 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
577 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
590 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 25 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
299 / 415 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD / RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
Not yet available
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
Not yet available
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
7.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3525 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
51.2 inches
Length:
178.8 inches
Wheelbase:
96.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
Not yet available
Width:
82.7 inches
Height:
53.5 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/40ZR19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
21.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/35R21J
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Jet Black Metallic
Blue
Gentian Blue Metallic / Lugano Blue
Gray
Chalk / Ice Grey Metallic / Slate Grey Neo
Green
Shade Green Metallic / Vanadium Grey Metallic
Red
Carmine Red / Guards Red
Silver
GT Silver Metallic
White
White
Yellow
Cartagena Yellow Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Black/Limestone Beige
Black
Basalt Black / Black / Black w/ Chalk Stitching / Black/Choice of Color / Black/Limestone Beige
Blue
Dark Night Blue / Dark Night Blue w/ Chalk Stitching [Leather] / Graphite Blue/Choice of Color
Brown
Basalt Black/Classic Cognac / Truffle Brown
Gray
Dark Night Blue/Chalk / Slate Grey/Chalk / Slate Grey/Choice of Color
Red
Black/Bordeaux Red / Bordeaux Red / Bordeaux Red w/ Chalk Stitching / Bordeaux Red/Choice of Color
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
White
MANUFAKTUR Crystal White
