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4.8

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Starts at:
$42,500
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2dr Roadster SLK 250 2dr Roadster SLK 350 2dr Roadster SLK 55 AMG Shop options
New 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
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2dr Roadster SLK 250 2dr Roadster SLK 350 2dr Roadster SLK 55 AMG Shop options
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Key specifications

Highlights
Gas I4
Engine Type
23 City / 33 Hwy
MPG
201 hp
Horsepower
2
Seating Capacity
Engine Suspension Weight & Capacity Safety Entertainment Electrical Brakes

Notable features

Redesigned for 2012
Turbo four-cylinder (SLK250), V-6 (SLK350) or V-8 (SLK55 AMG)
Rear-wheel drive
Manual (SLK250) or automatic (all)
Standard power-retractable hardtop
New variable-tint moonroof

Engine

Gas I4 Engine Type
1.8L/110 Displacement
201 @ 5500 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
229 @ 2000 - 4300 SAE Net Torque @ RPM

Suspension

Independent Suspension Type - Front
Multi-Link Suspension Type - Rear
w/Coil Springs Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Weight & Capacity

3,308 lbs Base Curb Weight
Not Available lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
Not Available lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
Not Available lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
Not Available lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
16 gal Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
N/A Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx

Safety

Standard Brake Assist
Standard Stability Control

Entertainment

Standard Bluetooth®

Electrical

N/A Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
N/A Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Brakes

Pwr Brake Type
4-Wheel Brake ABS System
N/A Brake ABS System (Second Line)
Yes Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Disc - Rear (Yes or )
12.7 x 1.3 in Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
11.8 x 0.4 in Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Not Available Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Photo & video gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years old or less / less than 75,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles
Dealer certification
164-point inspection

The good & the bad

The good

V-6 drivetrain (SLK350)
Improved handling
Interior quality
Intuitive multimedia system
Top-down wind protection

The bad

Ride over rough pavement
Accelerator lag
Inconsistent steering
Seat comfort
Slow convertible top

Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.7
Interior 4.9
Performance 4.9
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

This is a chocolate box of a car

This is a chocolate box of a car. I give it to German engineering and craftsmanship for packing everything into this model. I wonder if anything with a combustion engine has been made better than this? Right now, I can't think of anything I don't like about it - even keeping it clean is a pleasure. OK, paying premium gas takes getting used to. The big question.... Am I good enough to deserve this? It's a crime ($23.5K for a 2012 model, with Sahara leather and burled walnut, with just 59k on the odo. Took it straight to a Mercedes car specialist to look over. Happy to report it's in tiptop condition. ) PS I don't know about reliability yet. But I had to rate it, so was optimistic. I was careful to study the Carfax service history for my vehicle - and am going into this knowing that TOC is going to be "higher than average".
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 5.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

So Much fun and Reasonable to Obtain and Maintain.

Bought my 2012 SLK350 in 2020 used with only 40,000 miles on it. One of the best investments I could’ve made, certainly before the onset of huge price increases of used cars. Mine is the Steel Gray exterior with Sahara Beige (real) leather interior along with with burl wood accents. I certainly prefer the 3.5L V-6 with its 302 HP and its quick acceleration. After updating maintenance & reconditioning the interior & exterior, the SLK is trustworthy to take on long road trips without worry. The only complaint I have is that the footwell gets extremely warm in the summertime even with the hardtop down. This is a known characteristic of the SLK and Corvette based on design & nature of the vehicles.
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 5.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
4 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
Photo of Kelsey Mays

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class review: Our expert's take

By Kelsey Mays

The 2012 Mercedes SLK looks sharper than ever, with driving and luxury to match.

Since the Mercedes-Benz SLK made its debut, its styling has been writing checks the rest of the car couldn’t cash. The 2012 redesign has improved the SLK in many respects. Driving enthusiasts will still lean toward a BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster, which outperform the SLK at the extremes, but the gap is closing.

The V-6-powered SLK350 comes standard with a seven-speed automatic. Starting in February, Mercedes will offer an SLK250, with a turbocharged four-cylinder running through the automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. February will also mark the debut of a V-8 SLK55 AMG, which comes only with the automatic. All three cars have rear-wheel drive and a standard power-retractable hardtop. We evaluated an SLK350; click here to compare it with last year’s SLK.

Getting Around
The SLK350’s 302-horsepower V-6 feels burlier than its 3.5-liter displacement suggests, but it’s best driven in the automatic transmission’s Sport mode. The alternative — Eco mode — makes for recalcitrant downshifts and tepid acceleration off the line — a recurring complaint I have in Mercedes vehicles. (Alas, there’s no mode between Eco and Sport.) Sport mode doesn’t eliminate accelerator lag, but it makes start-offs responsive enough and highway kickdown improves a great deal.

Driven hard in Sport, the SLK350 moves out well, kicking down three or four gears at once to barrel up to speed. Curiously, the transmission’s steering-wheel paddle shifters effect a slower response: Request a few downshifts and the gearbox ticks through the intermediary gears en route to what you want. It’s best to leave the SLK in Sport mode, mash the pedal and let the gearbox do its thing.

Mercedes says the SLK350 hits 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the 201-hp SLK250 takes 6.5 seconds. That’s snappy enough, to be sure, but pokier than the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT and BMW Z4 with comparable drivetrains. If you prefer to smoke two out of three, the SLK55 AMG’s 415-hp V-8 hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than all but the newest version of Audi’s coupe, the TT RS.

The SLK steers confidently, with good midcorner feedback, albeit less precision than the laser-like Boxster. The Mercedes holds course well enough, though, allowing controlled slides if you deactivate the electronic stability system. Ride quality improves, too: Our tester’s suspension filtered out small bumps with none of its predecessor’s floaty jitters. Typical of a hardtop convertible, top-up driving is as quiet as you’d get in a coupe. Major bumps disrupt the peace, prompting one editor to denounce the SLK’s ride altogether. The optional adaptive suspension might fare better, but our test car didn’t have it. Note, too, that the SLK55’s steering and suspension have unique, higher-performance tuning.

Outside & In
Wider and longer than its predecessor, the new SLK takes cues from Mercedes’ SLS AMG supercar. The lower taillights might not be for everyone, but the roadster’s nose should find few detractors. Mercedes says inspiration for the forward, upright grille comes from the 1955-63 190SL, much like the SLS’ relation to the gull-winged 300 SL. I approve.

The SLK250 has 17-inch alloy wheels, while the SLK350 has 18s. The SLK55 has wider 18s, among other additions: LED running lights, reworked ground effects and darker lights. All trims have a power-folding hardtop, but it crawls: It takes 30 seconds to operate, including putting the windows back up.

A solid metal roof is standard. Mercedes’ optional Magic Sky Control replaces it with a glass panel, which you can vary from clear to opaque with the touch of a button. For less money, the automaker offers fixed-tint glass, which our test car had. Take note: There’s no sun shade, and in direct sunlight the tint doesn’t stop the cabin from baking.

Cabin materials have improved, with genuine aluminum trim, hefty controls and more consistent paneling than last year’s SLK. Two navigation systems have screens measuring 5.8 and 7 inches. Our test car had the latter; it’s a more robust system that couples with Mercedes’ intuitive Comand knob-based control system.

The seats, unfortunately, remain too stiff, with little payoff on curvy roads. Get the SLK in a tight sweeper, and your backside still slides too much. Power adjustments are standard, but tall drivers will want more range. At 5-foot-11, I drove with the chair all the way back.

Trunk volume is 10.1 cubic feet, falling to 6.4 cubic feet with the convertible top lowered. Both figures compare to the Z4, but that illustrates a drawback of folding hardtops. The soft-top TT and Boxster don’t encroach on luggage room when you lower the roof.

Safety, Features & Pricing
The SLK hasn’t been crash-tested, and given its limited sales volume it probably won’t be. Standard features include eight airbags and the federally required antilock brakes and electronic stability system; click here for a full list of safety features.

Standard features on the SLK350 include power-adjustable leather seats, the automatic transmission, a power-folding hardtop, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, and a CD stereo with USB/iPod connectivity. Options include upgraded leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, two navigation systems, two glass roofs (one of them variable tint) and adaptive xenon headlights. Check all the factory options, and the SLK350 tops out near $70,000.

As of this writing, Mercedes has yet to spec and price the SLK250 and SLK55. Expect them to bookend the SLK350’s price, with fewer standard features in the SLK250 and more in the SLK55.

SLK in the Market
Short of perhaps the SLK55, the SLK still shies away from hard-core performance — something the Boxster embraces and the Z4 hits on well enough. But the Mercedes comes closer to the mark than it used to, and it doesn’t sacrifice too much along the way. Styling and cabin quality alone should sell the car. Its chief aggravation — accelerator lag — is endemic to Mercedes overall, and it hasn’t stymied the brand’s sales uptick so far. The new SLK is far from perfect, but it’s the best one yet.

Send Kelsey an email  
Read more

The 2012 Mercedes SLK looks sharper than ever, with driving and luxury to match.

Since the Mercedes-Benz SLK made its debut, its styling has been writing checks the rest of the car couldn’t cash. The 2012 redesign has improved the SLK in many respects. Driving enthusiasts will still lean toward a BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster, which outperform the SLK at the extremes, but the gap is closing.

The V-6-powered SLK350 comes standard with a seven-speed automatic. Starting in February, Mercedes will offer an SLK250, with a turbocharged four-cylinder running through the automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. February will also mark the debut of a V-8 SLK55 AMG, which comes only with the automatic. All three cars have rear-wheel drive and a standard power-retractable hardtop. We evaluated an SLK350; click here to compare it with last year’s SLK.

Getting Around
The SLK350’s 302-horsepower V-6 feels burlier than its 3.5-liter displacement suggests, but it’s best driven in the automatic transmission’s Sport mode. The alternative — Eco mode — makes for recalcitrant downshifts and tepid acceleration off the line — a recurring complaint I have in Mercedes vehicles. (Alas, there’s no mode between Eco and Sport.) Sport mode doesn’t eliminate accelerator lag, but it makes start-offs responsive enough and highway kickdown improves a great deal.

Driven hard in Sport, the SLK350 moves out well, kicking down three or four gears at once to barrel up to speed. Curiously, the transmission’s steering-wheel paddle shifters effect a slower response: Request a few downshifts and the gearbox ticks through the intermediary gears en route to what you want. It’s best to leave the SLK in Sport mode, mash the pedal and let the gearbox do its thing.

Mercedes says the SLK350 hits 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the 201-hp SLK250 takes 6.5 seconds. That’s snappy enough, to be sure, but pokier than the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT and BMW Z4 with comparable drivetrains. If you prefer to smoke two out of three, the SLK55 AMG’s 415-hp V-8 hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than all but the newest version of Audi’s coupe, the TT RS.

The SLK steers confidently, with good midcorner feedback, albeit less precision than the laser-like Boxster. The Mercedes holds course well enough, though, allowing controlled slides if you deactivate the electronic stability system. Ride quality improves, too: Our tester’s suspension filtered out small bumps with none of its predecessor’s floaty jitters. Typical of a hardtop convertible, top-up driving is as quiet as you’d get in a coupe. Major bumps disrupt the peace, prompting one editor to denounce the SLK’s ride altogether. The optional adaptive suspension might fare better, but our test car didn’t have it. Note, too, that the SLK55’s steering and suspension have unique, higher-performance tuning.

Outside & In
Wider and longer than its predecessor, the new SLK takes cues from Mercedes’ SLS AMG supercar. The lower taillights might not be for everyone, but the roadster’s nose should find few detractors. Mercedes says inspiration for the forward, upright grille comes from the 1955-63 190SL, much like the SLS’ relation to the gull-winged 300 SL. I approve.

The SLK250 has 17-inch alloy wheels, while the SLK350 has 18s. The SLK55 has wider 18s, among other additions: LED running lights, reworked ground effects and darker lights. All trims have a power-folding hardtop, but it crawls: It takes 30 seconds to operate, including putting the windows back up.

A solid metal roof is standard. Mercedes’ optional Magic Sky Control replaces it with a glass panel, which you can vary from clear to opaque with the touch of a button. For less money, the automaker offers fixed-tint glass, which our test car had. Take note: There’s no sun shade, and in direct sunlight the tint doesn’t stop the cabin from baking.

Cabin materials have improved, with genuine aluminum trim, hefty controls and more consistent paneling than last year’s SLK. Two navigation systems have screens measuring 5.8 and 7 inches. Our test car had the latter; it’s a more robust system that couples with Mercedes’ intuitive Comand knob-based control system.

The seats, unfortunately, remain too stiff, with little payoff on curvy roads. Get the SLK in a tight sweeper, and your backside still slides too much. Power adjustments are standard, but tall drivers will want more range. At 5-foot-11, I drove with the chair all the way back.

Trunk volume is 10.1 cubic feet, falling to 6.4 cubic feet with the convertible top lowered. Both figures compare to the Z4, but that illustrates a drawback of folding hardtops. The soft-top TT and Boxster don’t encroach on luggage room when you lower the roof.

Safety, Features & Pricing
The SLK hasn’t been crash-tested, and given its limited sales volume it probably won’t be. Standard features include eight airbags and the federally required antilock brakes and electronic stability system; click here for a full list of safety features.

Standard features on the SLK350 include power-adjustable leather seats, the automatic transmission, a power-folding hardtop, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, and a CD stereo with USB/iPod connectivity. Options include upgraded leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, two navigation systems, two glass roofs (one of them variable tint) and adaptive xenon headlights. Check all the factory options, and the SLK350 tops out near $70,000.

As of this writing, Mercedes has yet to spec and price the SLK250 and SLK55. Expect them to bookend the SLK350’s price, with fewer standard features in the SLK250 and more in the SLK55.

SLK in the Market
Short of perhaps the SLK55, the SLK still shies away from hard-core performance — something the Boxster embraces and the Z4 hits on well enough. But the Mercedes comes closer to the mark than it used to, and it doesn’t sacrifice too much along the way. Styling and cabin quality alone should sell the car. Its chief aggravation — accelerator lag — is endemic to Mercedes overall, and it hasn’t stymied the brand’s sales uptick so far. The new SLK is far from perfect, but it’s the best one yet.

Send Kelsey an email  
Read more

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is available in 3 trim levels:

  • 2dr Roadster SLK 250
  • 2dr Roadster SLK 350
  • 2dr Roadster SLK 55 AMG

What is the MPG of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 33 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class reliable?

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class owners.

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. 96.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.7
  • Interior: 4.9
  • Performance: 4.9
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.9

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class history

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