Chevrolet Corvette vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs Chevrolet Corvette specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Chevrolet Corvette, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Chevrolet Corvette
Two Seaters · 49 configurations
2015–2027
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Two Seaters · 40 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Chevrolet Corvette | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 21 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 17 mpg | 21 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,250 ✓ | $3,300 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 426 g/mi | 379 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI; Hybrid | SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 6.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Manual 7-spd | Automatic 9-spd, Automatic 7-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Regular | Premium, Premium and Electricity |
| EPA class | Two Seaters | Two Seaters |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 49 | 40 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Chevrolet Corvette vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class dimensions and size
The Chevrolet Corvette is 2 inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class on a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer, and 33.1 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Chevrolet Corvette (2026) | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (2021) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.3 in | 182.3 in | 2 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.5 in | 74 in | 5.5 in |
| Height | 48.4 in | 52 in | 3.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in | 102 in | 5.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3,858 lbs | 3,825 lbs | 33 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Chevrolet Corvette vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Chevrolet Corvette burns about $3,250 of fuel annually against $3,300 for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the stronger commuter at 21 mpg city, while the Chevrolet Corvette pulls ahead on the interstate at 29 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Chevrolet Corvette is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid), the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class with 4 (SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV). Across 49 recorded Chevrolet Corvette configurations and 40 for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Chevrolet Corvette is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Two Seaters and Two Seaters respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class emits 379 g/mile of CO2 versus 426 g/mile for the Chevrolet Corvette. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Corvette vs SL-Class: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Chevrolet Corvette or the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Chevrolet Corvette, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Chevrolet Corvette runs about $3,250 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,300 for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the Corvette and SL-Class offer?
Chevrolet Corvette: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI; Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 6.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Chevrolet Corvette and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class as Two Seaters, so they compete directly.
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