Audi RS5 vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

What's the difference?

VS
Audi RS5
Audi RS5

2021 price

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

2016 price

Summary

2021 Audi RS5
2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Twin Turbo V6, 2.9L

Turbo V8, 5.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
9.4L/100km (combined)

10.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

2
Dislikes
  • Tight rear seat in Coupe
  • Gearbox can feel fidgety at speed

  • Price
  • Thirst
  • Weight
2021 Audi RS5 Summary

Audi's A5 Coupe and Sportback have always been good looking cars. Yes, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but seriously, just look at one and tell me it's not handsome.

Happily, the just-updated RS5 doesn't just build on the looks of its more sedate sibling, but on the performance, too, adding near-supercar speed to those supermodel looks. 

Sounds like a pretty good match, right? Let's find out, shall we?

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2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Summary

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the 2016 Mercedes-AMG SL63 with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Well. They don't make cars like this anymore, do they? Time was, a big coupe or convertible were de rigeur for the well-heeled banker, with 12 cylinders almost a given and fuel consumption measured in super tankers, or more likely just not talked about at all.

The world has changed but Mercedes’ SL hasn't. That's not strictly true, of course. The SL63 may drop four of the SL65's 12 cylinders, but at just half a litre smaller and still with twin-turbos it generates the enormous thrust a luxo-barge like this needs. The things that made it an icon are indeed still there - lots of tech, a style all its own and a name everyone recognises.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Audi RS5 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

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