2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 8.6 out of 10

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Sep 20, 2011

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has some stupendous competition, ranging from the relatively inexpensive $85,000 Nissan GT-R to the hyper-exotically priced $375,000 Lexus LFA.

The GT-R's a bargain compared to the SLS, but its noisy transmission and mass-market badges take some of the sheen off its apocalyptic acceleration and grip.

The Lexus LFA is a bit slower and twice as expensive as the SLS AMG, and production is extremely limited, but it's all carbon-fiber body, all the time.

The Porsche 911 Turbo performs in the same stratosphere as the SLS, but it's just as iconic--and less costly if you skip some of the exotic trim options.

The real competition for the SLS AMG is the Audi R8 V-10; slinging a Lamborghini engine between its rear wheels and outfitted with all-wheel drive, the R8 has a spacious, well-fitted interior, and a new convertible edition--though it has none of the heritage of the SLS, or the 911 for that matter.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Audi R8 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Lexus LFA Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan GT-R Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Porsche 911 Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.6 The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has those stunning gullwing doors, but but we'd take the Roadster any day--all the better to savor the sounds from that epic AMG V-8.	9.2 A marriage of the best of German handling and Italian power, the 2012 Audi R8 is a fantastic all-around supercar.	N/A The 2012 Lexus LFA, like any supercar, is more of an emotional than a logical purchase, and if you can get over the fact that it's not the fastest even though it's one of the most expensive, it will serve well as a show-stopper.	8.6 The 2012 GT-R outraces some of the world's top sports cars, at a fraction of their price.	9 The 2012 Porsche 911 is one of the best buys in the sports car market, and quite possibly the most practical, luxurious car at its performance level available.
MSRP From
$189,600	$114,200	$375,000	$89,950	$79,000
Gas Mileage
14 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy	11 MPG City / 21 MPG Hwy	11 MPG City / 16 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V8	Gas V8	Gas V10	Gas V6	Gas Flat 6
EPA Class
Two Seater	Compact	Two Seaters	Subcompact	Mini-Compact
Style Name
2dr Coupe SLS AMG	2dr Coupe Man quattro 4.2L	2dr Coupe	2dr Coupe Premium	2dr Coupe Carrera (997) Ltd Avail
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
2	2	2	4	4
Passenger Doors
2	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
2 Door Coupe	Coupe	Coupe	2 Door Sedan	Coupe
Transmission
Automatic	Manual	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Manual