Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport
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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 17 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$386,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$146,799RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class's standard kit: $146,799 (nothing to add; 2 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class starts from $386,500 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Range Rover Sport opens at $146,799. That makes the Land Rover Range Rover Sport the more affordable entry point by $239,701.
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 $425,150 and $161,479 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Range Rover Sport by roughly $9,405 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.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
- REC-003905 · published 20 Nov 2019The front passenger airbag may not have been sewn in accordance with the specifications.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- REC-006638 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the front-end auxiliary drive belt idler pulley may over rotate and cause damage to the oil pressure and temperature sensor.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006623 · published 12 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear centre seat belt anchor buckle may not meet specifications.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006003 · published 21 Jun 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the oil filter housing may not meet specifications and could crack over time.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 14 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class features a 11.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Land Rover Range Rover Sport gets a 13.1-inch display and 13.7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof and Burmester audio — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport counters with power tailgate and Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class gets nappa leather upholstery while the Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and 3-zone in the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class uses a Petrol producing 430kW and 800Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport responds with a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 183kW and 600Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the clear power advantage at 430kW vs 183kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is 3.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class measures 4,705mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 241mm shorter than the Land Rover Range Rover Sport at 4,946mm (2,997mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 213L in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and 835L in the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, giving the Land Rover Range Rover Sport a 622L advantage. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport seats 5 vs 2.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,962/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and $2,081/year for the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. That is a $1,881 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Range Rover Sport). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Range Rover Sport if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 49
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 49), taking 4 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: practicality (Land Rover Range Rover Sport ahead by 61), fuel economy (Land Rover Range Rover Sport ahead by 60), performance (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class ahead by 34). The Land Rover Range Rover Sport will save you roughly $1,881 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the cheapest at $146,799 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by $239,701.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Land Rover Range Rover Sport holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has the largest boot at 835L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
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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