2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Tailored to the true luxury drop-top fan, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class returns for 2016 with a few changes to its base trim. The 2-seat compact hardtop convertible roadster offers a choice of 3 engines and 2 transmissions, along with some handsome styling and a healthy dose of standard perks. It is only available in its traditional rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration, contains a surprisingly spacious (for a convertible) 10.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and offers a power-retractable roof.
For 2016, the base SLK250 has been re-branded the SLK300 and boasts a new powerplant, not to mention a new automatic transmission that replaces both the traditional manual transmission and the now-defunct 7-speed automatic. The two returning trims include the up-featured SLK350 and the V8-equipped SLK55 AMG. Additional changes for the 2016 SLK-Class include a couple of new exterior colors and available blind-spot monitoring as a standalone option (or as part of the Driver Assistance package).
Expect the 2016 SLK300 to be outfitted with 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, a fixed glass sunroof, leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, full power accessories, cruise control, and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Standard technology includes a remote garage door opener, manual air conditioning, mbrace 2 infotainment with a 5.8-inch touchscreen, memory for driver settings, and a 4.5-inch driver information display. Bluetooth hands-free calling is scheduled to remain standard, as is a CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers and an auxiliary audio input.
The SLK350 adds 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 500-watt Harman Kardon audio system with 11 Surround Sound speakers and satellite radio. If you decide on the SLK AMG55, you'll also get premium leather upholstery, sport front seats, a sport-tuned suspension and steering rack, a sport exhaust system, torque-vector cornering, and added interior lighting.
Options include upgraded alloy wheels, an auto-tinting sunroof (Mercedes' Magic Sky Control), COMAND-interfaced GPS navigation, Airguide wind-blocking for less top-down buffeting, unique Airscarf neck-warming headrests, and available carbon-fiber cabin accents in the AMG55.
Power-wise for 2016, the base SLK300 gets a new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that uses a new 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission to manage 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This force-fed I4 is also equipped with engine stop/start technology for some added fuel efficiency, as well as the variable-effort Direct-Steer System. Look for an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city/32 highway/28 combined out of a tank of premium unleaded.
The SLK350 keeps its 3.5-liter non-turbocharged V6 powerplant and standard 7-speed shiftable automatic. Expect this hefty V6 to deliver 302 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque, and mileage of 21/29/24 when burning premium unleaded. The SLK AMG55 sports a 5.5-liter non-turbo V8 mill that again mates with an AMG-tuned 7-speed shiftable automatic for 416 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. Expect mileage estimates for the V8 to return at 19/28/22, and keep in mind that it only uses premium gasoline.
Safety features slated to return aboard all 2-seat SLK-Class convertibles include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, side-mounted head curtain airbags, LED daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, mbrace emergency telematics, a post-collision safety system, and a remote antitheft alarm. Optional safety equipment includes the popular Parktronic system with front and rear parking sensors, as well as the Driver Assistance package with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and pre-collision braking. Be advised that, for whatever reason, neither the government nor the insurance industry have recent crash test data on the Mercedes SLK-Class.
Often described by owners as impractical but a heck of a lot of fun, the SLK-Class is now on sale for 2016, competing with BMW’s similarly equipped and priced Z4, Porsche’s Boxer, Audi’s all-wheel-drive-eligible TT Roadster, and Chevy’s legendary Corvette Convertible.
User reviews for 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Write a review2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5.8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top · Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 500 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.5 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5.8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top · Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 500 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.82
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5.8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power · Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: mbrace · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
