Aston Martin Vantage vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Aston Martin Vantage
From $420,000
Coupe
Twin-turbo petrol
500kW
12.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
346L
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
From $239,900
Convertible
Petrol
220kW
9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
213L
Price Breakdown
The Aston Martin Vantage starts from $420,000 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class opens at $239,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class the more affordable entry point by $180,100.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $462,000 and $263,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by roughly $4,845 in fuel alone.
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
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Aston Martin Vantage stands out with Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats and power tailgate that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Aston Martin Vantage uses a Twin-turbo petrol producing 500kW and 800Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class responds with a Petrol making 220kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
The Aston Martin Vantage has the clear power advantage at 500kW vs 220kW. In the real-world sprint, the Aston Martin Vantage is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Aston Martin Vantage measures 4,495mm long on a 2,705mm wheelbase, 210mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 4,705mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Aston Martin Vantage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 346L in the Aston Martin Vantage and 213L in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, giving the Aston Martin Vantage a 133L advantage.
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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,534/year for the Aston Martin Vantage and $2,565/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That is a $969 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Estimated annual total: $3,534 (Aston Martin Vantage) vs $2,565 (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class saves you roughly $969 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years (Aston Martin Vantage) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Aston Martin Vantage if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Aston Martin's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will save you roughly $969 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Aston Martin Vantage has a clear edge. 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, Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the cheapest at $239,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Aston Martin Vantage by $180,100.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class uses the least fuel at 9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz SL-Class all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Aston Martin Vantage has the largest boot at 346L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Aston Martin Vantage makes the most power at 500kW. The Aston Martin Vantage is quickest to 100km/h in 3.4s.
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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