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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review
The smaller of Mercedes-Benz's two-seat convertibles is unchanged for 2007. Like the larger, costlier SL, the SLK has a power-folding hardtop. It comes in three versions. The SLK280 has a 228-hp 3.0-liter V6. The SLK350 has a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6, and the SLK55 has a 355-hp V8. SLK280 and 350 offer a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed automatic. SLK55 comes only with the automatic. All have ABS and traction/antiskid control. Also standard are knee airbags and side airbags designed to protect head and torso; they also include rollover deployment. A Sport Package for SLK280 and 350 includes firmer suspension, specific wheels and tires, body trim, and steering wheel shift buttons for the automatic transmission. Optional on all is Mercedes' Airscarf feature that delivers heated air through neck-level vents in the seatbacks.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and four-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buys are the BMW Z4 and Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks are the Jaguar XK Series and Porsche Boxster, and Porsche Cayman.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Jaguar XK Series and Volkswagen Eos.
News
The 2008 SLKs are expected to get a freshening. It will be likely cosmetic for the most part, though there could be a few surprises in the powertrain and/or features departments. Keep checking back with us for further updates.
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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (SLK55 AMG) Cargo room
Steering/handling Entry/exit
Exterior finish
Interior materials
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
7 8 8.1

SLK350 only model made available for test so far. It has ample thrust from any speed; Mercedes quotes about 5.5 sec 0-60 mph with either transmission. Automatic transmission changes gears smoothly, downshifts promptly to provide passing power. Sure-shifting manual makes SLK feel more like a sports car. Mercedes pegs SLK280 at 6.1 sec 0-60 with either transmission, SLK55 at 4.8.
Fuel Economy

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
5 5 4.6

Test manual-transmission SLK350 averaged 22.7 mpg. No opportunity to measure with automatic. Premium-grade fuel is required.
Ride Quality

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
4 3 4.5

Sports-car-taut base suspension feels firm on expansion joints, patchy pavement, but never punishes. Severe dips, swells induce a trace of float. Sport Package delivers sterling high-speed ride control, but turns choppy on sharp ruts, ridges.
Steering/Handling/Braking

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
8 9 8.6

Any SLK has precise steering, adroit overall balance, grippy cornering even in bumpy turns. Sport Package improves response in quick direction changes. But unless you drive mostly on unblemished surfaces, there's not enough gain to offset choppy ride quality. Braking powerful, undramatic.
Quietness

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
4 3 4.5

Sport-tuned exhaust note prominent, but engine never annoys. Tires rumble on coarse surfaces. Wind noise modest.
Controls

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
7 7 6.7

Classy analog gauges partially obstructed by steering-wheel rim. Controls close at hand, but not all are obviously marked, and steering-column stalk for cruise control invites confusion with turn-signal lever. Central screen displays audio, other settings; washes out in direct sunlight. No opportunity to test with navigation system.
Details

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
8 8 7.6

Top-notch cabin materials, though the dressy aluminum trim is limited to the SLK55. Top operation is a one-button breeze, which takes 22 seconds.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
5 5 5.9

Good shoulder width, head clearance, but tall drivers may want more leg room. Driving position enhanced by standard tilt/telescope steering wheel. Seats very firm and lack lumbar adjustment--a comfort deficit to some occupants. Clever Airscarf softens bite of chilly-weather top-down driving. Low-slung design means some extra effort on entry/exit. Removable mesh wind blocker clouds rear visibility, but outward view good otherwise, even top-up.
Room/Comfort (rear)

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
0 0 .6

(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
2 2 2.2

Top lowers into trunk, leaving just enough space for a couple of soft suitcases. Raising roof frees sufficient trunk volume for a long weekend.
Value within Class

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
6 6 5.4

It may not be the first nameplate mentioned when talk turns to sports cars, but the SLK has enough accessible everyday performance to hold its own in pretty fast company. Of broader appeal is its blend of open-air excitement, hardtop security, solid engineering, and Mercedes-Benz prestige.
Total Score

SLK350, auto. SLK350 w/Sport Pkg., man. Class Average
56 56 58.7
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score
43
Average Score
58
High Score
63
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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/14/2006
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
SLK280 2-door convertible $43,350 $40,316 $775
SLK350 2-door convertible $47,400 $44,082 $775
SLK55 2-door convertible $62,500 $58,125 $775
Price note: SLK55 adds $1300 Gas-Guzzler Tax.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
SLK280
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, side airbags w/rollover deployment, knee airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, roll bars, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tele Aid assistance system, air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, height-adjustable bucket seats, center console, cupholders, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/weatherband/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers w/heated wipers, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Power-retractable hardtop, windblocker, theft-deterrent system, front and rear fog lights, 205/55VR16 front tires, 225/50VR16 rear tires, alloy wheels.
SLK350 adds to SLK280:
Powertrain
3.5-liter V6 engine.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/45WR17 front tires, 245/40WR17 rear tires.
SLK55 adds to SLK350:
Powertrain
5.4-liter V8 engine, 7-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.
Safety
Uprated brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power tilt/telescope steering wheel, heated 8-way power seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), aluminum interior trim, automatic day/night driver-side and rearview mirrors, passenger-side mirror tilt-down back-up aid, illuminated visor mirrors.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler, sport suspension, 225/40ZR18 front tires, 245/35ZR18 rear tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
P1 Premium Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350
$2,250
$2,092
Power tilt/telescope steering wheel, 8-way power seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), satellite radio, automatic day/night driver side and rearview mirrors, remote control roof, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing wipers, additional interior lights.
P2 Premium Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350
$3,650
$3,394
SLK55
$1,400
$1,302
P1 Premium Pkg. (SLK280, SLK350) plus harman/kardon sound system, COMAND control screen.
P3 Premium Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350
$4,850
$4,510
SLK350
$2,600
$2,418
P2 Premium Pkg. plus navigation system.
AMG Sport Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350
$4,090
$3,804
AMG aerodynamic enhancements, steering-wheel shift buttons (automatic transmission), sport suspension, 225/45ZR17 front tires, 245/40ZR17 rear tires, special alloy wheels.
AMG Performance Pkg.
SLK55
$6,800
$6,324
Performance brakes, 176-mph top speed limiter, alcantara steering wheel, carbon-fiber interior trim, performance suspension, unique alloy wheels.
Heating Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350
$970
$902
Heated seats, Airscarf neck-level heating.
Lighting Pkg.
SLK280, SLK350, SLK55
$1,000
$930
Bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers, cornering lights.
Appearance Pkg.
SLK280
$1,290
$1,200
SLK350
$990
$921
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood interior trim, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Powertrain
7-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
SLK280, SLK350
$1,430
$1,330
Comfort and Convenience Features
Upgraded dual-zone automatic climate controls
SLK280, SLK350, SLK55
$710
$660
Airscarf neck-level heating
SLK55
$370
$344
Glovebox-mounted 6-disc CD changer
SLK280, SLK350, SLK55
$440
$409
Wireless cell phone
SLK280, SLK350, SLK55
$925
$860
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
SLK280, SLK350, SLK55
$700
$
Run-flat tires
SLK280, SLK350
$270
$251
Includes tire-pressure monitor.
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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2-door convertible
Wheelbase, in. 95.7
Overall Length, in. 160.7
Overall Width, in. 70.4
Overall Height, in. 51.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 3215
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 9.8
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 18.5
Seating Capacity 2
Front Head Room, in. 37.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.5
Rear Head Room, in. --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. --
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc V6 dohc V6 sohc V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.0 /183 3.5 /213 5.4 /332
Horsepower @ rpm. 228 @ 6000 268 @ 6000 355 @ 6000
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 221 @ 2700 258 @ 2400 376 @ 3500
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
6-speed manual 20/27 18/25 --/--
7-speed automatic 20/27 19/25 16/22
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2-door convertible
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain None/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 4/50,000 --
Corrosion 4/50,000 --
Free roadside assistance --/-- Unlimited
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Germany
Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive
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