2009 Cadillac XLR vs 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

2009 Cadillac XLR

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Select style

2-Door Conv Platinum

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
XLR 2-Door Conv Platinum	15	24	$78,886	$86,215
XLR-V 2-Door Conv	14	23	$92,230	$104,215

Select style

2-Door Coupe 6.0L AMG Black Series

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SL-Class 2-Door Coupe 6.0L AMG Black Series	11	18	$278,070	$299,000
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 5.5L V12	11	18	$129,363	$139,100
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 5.5L V8	13	21	$91,605	$98,500
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 6.0L AMG	11	18	$181,071	$194,700
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 6.2L AMG	12	19	$125,550	$135,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$78,886

$278,070

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$86,215

$299,000

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1437 / month

$4983 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The eye-catching 2009 Cadillac XLR starts with the sharp-edged Corvette and makes some compromises for the sake of grand-touring luxury.

The SL’s new look isn’t to everyone’s liking, but in AMG guise, it’s now more punch than paunch—and a worthy stealth Ferrari-chaser.

TCC Likes

Fast acceleration
Lusty V-8 engine sound
Nicely integrated keyless entry/starting

Crisp handling and absorbent ride
Great seats
Class-leading safety

TCC Dislikes

Not as responsive as its looks suggest
Surprisingly small trunk
Less refined than it should be

Styling can look dated
Feels heavy in tight maneuvers
Top restricts trunk space when down

Fuel Economy

City

15 mpg

11 mpg

Highway

24 mpg

18 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Two-seater

2 Seater

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

56.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

50.0

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

37.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.3

54.0

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

42.6

42.9

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

177.7

180.8

Height, Overall (in)

50.4

51.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.2

61.4

Wheelbase (in)

105.7

100.8

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.3

- TBD -

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

61.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

11.6 max 4.4 min

15.9 (7.2 w/top down)

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8 x 1.3

15.4 x 1.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.0 x 1.0

14.2 x 1.0

Brake Type

Pwr

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.1

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.9

2.6

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.2

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.2

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P235/50WR18

P325/30ZR20

Rear Tire Order Code

QMS

Front Tire Size

P235/50WR18

P265/35ZR19

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

QMS

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3647

4345

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

19 x 9.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

20 x 11.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

4.6L/279

6.0L/- TBD -

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

320 @ 6400

661 @ 5400

Engine Type

Gas V8

Bi-Turbocharged Gas V12

Fuel System

SFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 4400

738 @ 2200-4200

Engine Order Code

LH2

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

18 (Est)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

11 (Est)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

14 (Est)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.53

1.41

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.83

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.06

3.16

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.36

2.19

Trans Order Code

MX0

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.73

- TBD -

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.15

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.03

3.60

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Cadillac XLR

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Body Style

2 Door Conv

2 Door Convertible

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

SLA double wishbone

4-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

SLA double wishbone

5-Arm Multi-Link

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

1 (Est)

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