Mercedes-Benz SLC review (2011-2020)

By Cazoo editorial team

The Mercedes-Benz SLC is a small convertible that was sold new between 2011 and 2020. It has a folding metal roof that allows you to make the most of summer but also be comfortable driving it during the winter. There’s a premium feel to the interior with high-quality materials, a decent driving position and comfortable space for the driver and passenger.

The SLC features a choice of two petrol engines, one popular diesel engine or the SLC 43 AMG which is the most powerful version. There’s something for everyone, from economical fun to high performance.

Inside, everything is well laid out with a comprehensive range of buttons for infotainment and climate control, as well as remote switches on the steering wheel.

The seven-inch infotainment screen is small and sits between the turbine-style air vents. It’s accessed through a dial in the console which is close to hand so you don’t have to reach out to use the touchscreen. The instrumentation is clear and placed inside a small cluster to give you better visibility. Sat nav was an option on all SLCs so it’s worth looking for one that had it fitted when new.

The seats are comfortable and sporty, especially in the popular AMG-Line versions which were given sports seats as well as a smart body kit. In terms of trim choices, the AMG or Sport model is a good choice. The interior of the SLC looks a bit dated though.

There’s a reasonable amount of storage for a two-door convertible, while boot space is good at 335 litres and can hold two weekend bags. However, you’ll lose a big portion of that space when the roof is stowed and accessing anything in the boot is tricky if the roof is already in there.

The SLC promises a good, solid drive that’s also quite fun. On the automatic models, there are solid paddles on the steering wheel which are great as you can change gear without letting go of the wheel.

The popular 250d diesel offers a decent 0-62 mph time of 6.6 seconds and delivers up to 70 mpg. The petrol models are smoother and the 200 can return up to 42 mpg.

On all models equipped with the 9G-Tronic auto transmission (optional on the SLC 180 and 200), there’s a system that allows you to alter the gearbox performance, steering feel and suspension damping. That means you can select a more comfortable setting for everyday driving and then change it to give you better performance.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC hasn't been sold new since 2020 and the earliest models are from 2011 so it can be quite cost-effective compared with some newer convertible models.

All the engines are efficient and you can expect fuel consumption figures in the 30s and 40s depending on the model, with the diesel more likely to be in the 50s.

Most SLC models sit in comparatively high insurance groups but that's true of many rival cars. Other two-seater convertibles you might consider alongside the SLC include the Audi TT, BMW Z4, or Mazda MX-5.

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