
You might think of luxury roadsters as one-trick ponies, but these are remarkably versatile vehicles, most with just enough cargo space for weekend trips, enough comfort for everyday commuting, the features of luxury coupes, and enough seat-of-the-pants thrills to satisfy all but the most die-hard track hounds.
The SLK's competition hits it from all these angles.
The BMW Z4 is right in its wheelhouse, and if anything, it's a little more evocative in its styling and its balanced performance.
The Porsche Boxster--and the hardtop Cayman version--are brilliant mid-engine performers with the steering and chassis dynamics of cars twice as expensive, and they're among our top choices in the segment.
For left-field alternatives, we'd look at the Infiniti G37 Convertible, a folding-hardtop affair with luxurious fittings and good, if not great, performance.
And reaching upward in price, there's always the suave Jaguar XK convertible, a pavement-rippling performer as a base coupe or convertible, or a throaty growler in supercharged XKR form.
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Quick Specs | ||||
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK is the least polarizing of the roadsters, but there's enough urgency to go with its elegant, mini-SL charm. |
The 2013 BMW Z4 is spirited and purposeful, and balances fun and comfort quite well, but it's pricier than other roadsters. |
Raising pulses and generating sheer envy: it's all in a day's work for the gorgeous, sublime Jaguar XK. |
The 2013 Porsche Boxster is one of the most fun, stylish, and luxurious roadsters available. |
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MSRP From | ||||
$42,900 | $47,350 | $79,000 | $49,500 | Coming Soon |
Gas Mileage | ||||
19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | Coming Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||||
Gas I4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Gas V8 | Gas Flat-6 | N/A |
EPA Class | ||||
2 Seater | Two Seaters | Mini-Compact | Two-Seater | N/A |
Style Name | ||||
2-Door Roadster SLK 250 | 2-Door Roadster sDrive28i | 2-Door Coupe Touring | 2-Door Roadster | N/A |
Drivetrain | ||||
Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive | N/A |
Passenger Capacity | ||||
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | N/A |
Passenger Doors | ||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||||
2 Door Roadster | Convertible | Coupe | Convertible | N/A |
Transmission | ||||
Manual | Manual | Automatic | Manual | N/A |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class vs. 2013 BMW Z4 | 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class vs. 2013 Jaguar XK | 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class vs. 2013 Porsche Boxster | 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class vs. 2013 Porsche Cayman |