Bentley Continental GTC 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.
Bentley Continental GTC
Price TBC
Convertible
Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Motor
500kW
12.9 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
235L
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
From $239,900
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol
280kW
9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
213L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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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.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
25.9kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting that the Bentley Continental GTC does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Bentley Continental GTC runs a pure electric powertrain producing 500kW and 930Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed dual-clutch automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class responds with a Petrol making 280kW and 480Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The Bentley Continental GTC has the clear power advantage at 500kW vs 280kW. In the real-world sprint, the Bentley Continental GTC is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Bentley Continental GTC measures 4,895mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 190mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 4,705mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Bentley Continental GTC generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 235L in the Bentley Continental GTC and 213L in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, giving the Bentley Continental GTC a 22L advantage. The Bentley Continental GTC seats 4 vs 2.
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 $619/year for the Bentley Continental GTC and $2,565/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That is a $1,946 annual difference in favour of the Bentley Continental GTC.
Estimated annual total: $619 (Bentley Continental GTC) vs $2,565 (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The Bentley Continental GTC saves you roughly $1,946 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years (Bentley Continental GTC) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class). The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Bentley Continental GTC if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Bentley's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Bentley Continental GTC takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Bentley Continental GTC will save you roughly $1,946 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, Bentley Continental GTC and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the cheapest at $239,900 before on-road costs.
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 Bentley Continental GTC has the largest boot at 235L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Bentley Continental GTC makes the most power at 500kW. The Bentley Continental GTC is quickest to 100km/h in 4.1s.
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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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