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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs Porsche 718

2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs 2025 Porsche 718 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Minicompact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 2Tie: 2 categories each
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2025 Porsche 718

Two Seaters

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The short version

The Porsche 718 is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $350 a year less in fuel for the Porsche 718 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (1 vs 6).

The two cars

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 8% better than the 2025 minicompact car average of 20.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.

The 2025 Porsche 718 is a two seaters offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 98-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,943 lb (Boxster Base/S 2dr Convertible).

Buying used? The 2024 SL-Class and the 2020 718 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2024 718.

Basics

Minicompact Cars
Class
Two Seaters
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 4.0L 6-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
24 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
21 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,400

Performance & space

–
Length
172.4 in
–
Width
70.9 in
–
Height
50.4 in
–
Curb weight (lightest)
2,943 lb

Safety & reliability

0
Recalls (2025)
0
1
Recalls, all years since 2005
6
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

15,394
Wikipedia views, 30 days
–

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2020
–
Year to avoid
2024

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if…

  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (1 vs 6 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Porsche 718 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (24 vs 22 MPG)

Pros & cons of each

2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • No recalls so far
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2025 Porsche 718

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 25% better than the average 2025 two seaters (19.2 MPG).
  • No recalls so far
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class specs →Full 2025 Porsche 718 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →