Abarth 124 Spider vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Convertibles compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Reference image · overseas modelAbarth 124 Spider
Price TBC
Convertible
Unleaded 95 RON
—
125kW
6.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
From $386,500
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol
430kW
13.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
213L
Abarth 124 Spider: we're still completing price, kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Abarth 124 Spider features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Abarth 124 Spider gets leather & microfibre (abarth sports seats) upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class offers nappa leather.
Drivetrain
The Abarth 124 Spider lines up producing 125kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class responds with a Petrol making 430kW and 800Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the clear power advantage at 430kW vs 125kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is 2.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Abarth 124 Spider measures 4,054mm long on a 2,310mm wheelbase, 651mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 4,705mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,824/year for the Abarth 124 Spider and $3,962/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That is a $2,138 annual difference in favour of the Abarth 124 Spider.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 124 Spider) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Abarth 124 Spider if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Abarth 124 Spider will save you roughly $2,138 a year in fuel. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Abarth 124 Spider and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the cheapest at $386,500 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Abarth 124 Spider uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Abarth 124 Spider and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class makes the most power at 430kW. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is quickest to 100km/h in 3.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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