Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 or Volkswagen Beetle (A5)?

2011–2020 vs 2011–2019 · Convertible vs Hatchback 3-door/Convertible

In short

Length: SLK R172 4,143 mm, Beetle (A5) 4,278 mm — a 14 cm difference.
Boot: SLK R172 335 l, Beetle (A5) 310 l.
Lowest consumption: SLK R172 4.9 l/100 km, Beetle (A5) 4.5 l/100 km.
Power: SLK R172 115–310 kW, Beetle (A5) 77–162 kW.
Standard equipment: SLK R172 36 items (Base), Beetle (A5) 28 items (Beetle).
On Autodrom: Beetle (A5) from €31,250 (1 listing); no SLK R172 is listed right now.

Mercedes-Benz SLK R1722011–2020 · 13 engines · Base, AMG Line, Sport, Edition 1Specifications →Listings →

Volkswagen Beetle (A5)2011–2019 · 12 engines · Beetle, Design, Sport, ClubSpecifications →1 listing from €31,250 →

Only differences

better value

	Mercedes-Benz SLK R1722011–2020no listings	Volkswagen Beetle (A5)2011–20191 listing · from €31,250
Dimensions
Length	Length4,133 mm–4,143 mm	Length4,278 mm
Width	Width1,810 mm–1,817 mm	Width1,808 mm
Height	Height1,298 mm–1,301 mm	Height1,473 mm–1,486 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,430 mm	Wheelbase2,537 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance105 mm–110 mm	Ground clearance127 mm–130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume335 l	Trunk volume225 l–310 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,360 kg–1,535 kg	Curb weight1,269 kg–1,430 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank60 l–70 l	Fuel tank55 l
Engines
Production years	Production years2011–2020	Production years2011–2019
Body type	Body typeConvertible	Body typeHatchback 3-door, Convertible
Number of engines	Number of engines13	Number of engines12
Power	Power115–310 kW (156–421 hp)	Power77–162 kW (105–220 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.6–5.5	Displacement (l)1.2–2.5
Fuel	FuelPetrol, Diesel	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption4.9 l/100 km · 250 CDI	Lowest consumption4.5 l/100 km · 1.6 TDI
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h4.6 s · 55 AMG	Best 0–100 km/h6.7 s · 2.0 TSI DSG
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed230 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Beetle
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim36 · Base	Items in the base trim28 · Beetle
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim43 · AMG Line	Items in the top trim34 · Sport
Equipment · Comfort9 · 6
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning—	Air Conditioning✓
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✓
Start-Stop System	Start-Stop System✓	Start-Stop System—
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓	Multifunction Steering Wheel—
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior4 · 3
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Front Seats Height Adjustment	Front Seats Height Adjustment✓	Front Seats Height Adjustment✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel—
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat—	Folding Rear Seat✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest—
Equipment · Multimedia4 · 4
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
Bluetooth	Bluetooth✓	Bluetooth—
USB Port	USB Port✓	USB Port✓
12V Socket	12V Socket—	12V Socket✓
AUX input	AUX input✓	AUX input✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights4 · 1
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors—
Rain Sensor	Rain Sensor✓	Rain Sensor—
Light Sensor	Light Sensor✓	Light Sensor—
Daytime Running Lights	Daytime Running Lights✓	Daytime Running Lights✓
Equipment · Safety10 · 10
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✓
Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags—	Curtain Airbags✓
Driver's Knee Airbag	Driver's Knee Airbag✓	Driver's Knee Airbag—
Rear Isofix Mounts	Rear Isofix Mounts—	Rear Isofix Mounts✓
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control—
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)✓	Brake assist (BAS)✓
Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist✓	Hill Start Assist✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Tyre Pressure Monitoring	Tyre Pressure Monitoring✓	Tyre Pressure Monitoring✓
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 2
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm—
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior2 · 2
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels—	Steel Wheels✓
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels—
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels✓	R16 Wheels✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings1
Price from	Price fromnot specified	Price from€31,250

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 or Volkswagen Beetle (A5)?

Length: Volkswagen Beetle (A5) 4,278 mm, Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 4,143 mm (a 135 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,537 vs 2,430 mm. Boot: 310 vs 335 l.

Which uses less fuel — Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 or Volkswagen Beetle (A5)?

The most frugal Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 uses 4.9 l/100 km (250 CDI); the most frugal Volkswagen Beetle (A5) 4.5 l/100 km (1.6 TDI).

Which is more powerful — Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 or Volkswagen Beetle (A5)?

The strongest Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 makes 310 kW (421 hp) (55 AMG); the strongest Volkswagen Beetle (A5) 162 kW (220 hp) (2.0 TSI DSG).

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