Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8vsMercedes-Benz SL (R231) · Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (981)

Spyder 3.8

375 hp3800 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2015-2016
VS

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) · Facelift 2016

SL 400 V6

367 hp2996 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTwin-turboRoadster2016-2018

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6

  • Highest torque
    500 Nm
    369 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    7.7 L/100 km
    30.5 mpg US
    36.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    10.5 L/100 km
    22.4 mpg US
    26.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.0 L/100 km
    39.2 mpg US
    47.1 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    844 km
    525 mi
  • Largest trunk
    345 L
  • Best economy score
    86/100
  • Best practicality score
    34/100

Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    300 km/h
    186 mph Unrestricted
    290 km/h
    180 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    375 hp
    280 kW
  • Lightest
    1,315 kg
    2,899 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    285 hp/t
    213 kW/t
    3.5 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    62/100
  • Best performance score
    77/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Power
375hp280kW
367hp274kW
Torque
420Nm310lb-ft
500Nm369lb-ft
Curb weight
1,315kg2,899lb
1,660kg3,660lb
Gross weight
1,650kg3,638lb
2,115kg4,663lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
61.8s99% target: 297 km/h / 185 mph
Calculated
65.6s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
4.5s
4.9s
0-200 km/h
13.2s
Calculated
16.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.3s
Calculated
4.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
14.2L/100 km16.6mpg US19.9mpg UK
10.5L/100 km22.4mpg US26.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
6L/100 km39.2mpg US47.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
12.4s
Calculated
13.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
285hp/t213kW/t129hp/1000 lb
Calculated
221hp/t165kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
319Nm/t214lb-ft/ton
Calculated
301Nm/t202lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
545km339mi
Calculated
844km525mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,800cc232cu in
2,996cc183cu in
Length
4,414mm174in
4,631mm182in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,877mm74in
Height
1,262mm50in
1,315mm52in
Wheelbase
2,475mm97in
2,585mm102in
Front track
1,526mm60in
1,600mm63in
Rear track
1,540mm61in
1,604mm63in
Ground clearance
106mm4in
-
Trunk volume
280L
345L
Max trunk volume-
485L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
54L
65L
CO2 emissions-
175g/km

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6PowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.86,700 rpm4,750-6,000 rpm6,950 rpm
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V65,500-6,000 rpm2,000-4,200 rpm6,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.3 s
4.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
4.5 s
4.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
13.2 s
16.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
5.5 s
5.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.2 s
8.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
10.5 s
10.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
12.4 s
13.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
194 km/h
120 mph
180 km/h
112 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
375 hp
280 kW
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
367 hp
274 kW

Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8 has 8 hp more than Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6 and Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8: 8 hp (6 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
500 Nm
369 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
1,315 kg
2,899 lb
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
1,660 kg
3,660 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.84.5 s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V64.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6: 0.4 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6 and Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8: 2.2 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
285 hp/t
213 kW/t
3.5 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
221 hp/t
165 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
545 km
339 mi
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
844 km
525 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
375 hp
280 kW
4.5 s
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
367 hp
274 kW
4.9 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
Power
375 hp
280 kW
0-100 km/h4.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,414 mm
173.8 in
Height
1,262 mm
49.7 in
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Power
367 hp
274 kW
0-100 km/h4.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
345 L
12.2 cu ft
Length
4,631 mm
182.3 in
Height
1,315 mm
51.8 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
Power
375 hp
280 kW
0-100 km/h4.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Power
367 hp
274 kW
0-100 km/h4.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
4.5 s
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
4.9 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
PorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8
285 hp/t
213 kW/t
3.5 kg/hp
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
221 hp/t
165 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (981)Spyder 3.8Mercedes-BenzSL (R231)Facelift 2016SL 400 V6
Power
375 hp
280 kW
367 hp
274 kW
Torque
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
Acceleration
4.5 s
4.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
300 km/h186 mph
Restricted
290 km/h180 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,315 kg
2,899 lb
1,660 kg
3,660 lb
Fuel consumption
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,414 mm
173.8 in
Height
1,262 mm
49.7 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
345 L
12.2 cu ft
Length
4,631 mm
182.3 in
Height
1,315 mm
51.8 in
Range score
545 km
339 mi
844 km
525 mi
CO2 score
-
175 g/km
Trunk score
280 L
9.9 cu ft
345 L
12.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
285 hp/t
213 kW/t
3.5 kg/hp
221 hp/t
165 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehiclePorsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6
Consumption9.9 L/100 km23.8 mpg US28.5 mpg UK7.7 L/100 km30.5 mpg US36.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km17.33 LC100 km13.48 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.88 LC100 mi21.69 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,485 L392 US gal327 UK gal1,155 L305 US gal254 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,599 LC/year2,021 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8

  • Has 8 hp more
  • Is 345 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 30 km/h (19 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 64 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) Facelift 2016 SL 400 V6

  • Has 80 Nm more
  • Uses 2.2 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 299 km (186 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 65 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (981) Spyder 3.8
Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) SL 400 V6
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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