Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 or Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)?

2004–2011 vs 1998–2010 · Convertible/Coupe vs Hatchback 3-door/Convertible

In short

Length: SLK R171 4,107 mm, Beetle New Beetle (9C) 4,081 mm — a 3 cm difference.
Boot: SLK R171 300 l, Beetle New Beetle (9C) 209 l.
Lowest consumption: SLK R171 7.8 l/100 km, Beetle New Beetle (9C) 4.9 l/100 km.
Power: SLK R171 120–294 kW, Beetle New Beetle (9C) 55–110 kW.
Standard equipment: SLK R171 31 items (Base), Beetle New Beetle (9C) 20 items (Base).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

Mercedes-Benz SLK R1712004–2011 · 11 engines · Base, Sport, Sport Edition, Edition 10Specifications →Listings →

Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)1998–2010 · 12 engines · Base, Highline, United, ComfortlineSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Mercedes-Benz SLK R1712004–2011no listings	Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)1998–2010no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,082 mm–4,107 mm	Length4,081 mm
Width	Width1,777 mm–1,836 mm	Width1,724 mm
Height	Height1,271 mm–1,296 mm	Height1,498 mm–1,502 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,430 mm	Wheelbase2,508 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance100 mm–110 mm	Ground clearance110 mm–125 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume208 l–300 l	Trunk volume201 l–209 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,390 kg–1,495 kg	Curb weight1,195 kg–1,420 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank70 l	Fuel tank55 l
Engines
Production years	Production years2004–2011	Production years1998–2010
Body type	Body typeConvertible, Coupe	Body typeHatchback 3-door, Convertible
Number of engines	Number of engines11	Number of engines12
Power	Power120–294 kW (163–400 hp)	Power55–110 kW (75–150 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.8–5.4	Displacement (l)1.4–2.5
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption7.8 l/100 km · 200 Kompressor	Lowest consumption4.9 l/100 km · 1.9 TDI 90
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h4.5 s · 55 AMG Black Series	Best 0–100 km/h8.9 s · 1.8 T
Top speed	Top speed280 km/h	Top speed207 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Base
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim31 · Base	Items in the base trim20 · Base
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim38 · Sport	Items in the top trim28 · United
Equipment · Comfort8 · 5
Climate Control, 1-zone	Climate Control, 1-zone✓	Climate Control, 1-zone—
Cruise Control	Cruise Control✓	Cruise Control—
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓	Multifunction Steering Wheel—
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior5 · 3
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓
Front Seats Height Adjustment	Front Seats Height Adjustment✓	Front Seats Height Adjustment—
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel—
Leather Gear Knob	Leather Gear Knob✓	Leather Gear Knob—
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat—	Folding Rear Seat✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest—
Equipment · Multimedia3 · 2
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
AUX input	AUX input✓	AUX input—
Equipment · Visibility & lights3 · 0
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors—
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights—
Automatic Headlight Leveling	Automatic Headlight Leveling✓	Automatic Headlight Leveling—
Equipment · Safety7 · 5
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags✓
Rear Isofix Mounts	Rear Isofix Mounts—	Rear Isofix Mounts✓
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control—
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)✓	Brake assist (BAS)—
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)—
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 2
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm—
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior2 · 3
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels—	Steel Wheels✓
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels—
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels—	R15 Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels✓	R16 Wheels—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel—	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 or Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)?

Length: Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 4,107 mm, Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C) 4,081 mm (a 26 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,430 vs 2,508 mm. Boot: 300 vs 209 l.

Which uses less fuel — Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 or Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)?

The most frugal Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 uses 7.8 l/100 km (200 Kompressor); the most frugal Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C) 4.9 l/100 km (1.9 TDI 90).

Which is more powerful — Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 or Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C)?

The strongest Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 makes 294 kW (400 hp) (55 AMG Black Series); the strongest Volkswagen Beetle New Beetle (9C) 110 kW (150 hp) (1.8 T).

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