Minicompact cars · Gasoline · model year 2026
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is rated 9 MPG higher than the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class in model year 2026, 25 against 16 combined, which is 56% more distance from the same energy.
Side by side
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Combined fuel economy (best version) | 16 MPG | 25 MPG |
| City | 14 MPG | 21 MPG |
| Highway | 21 MPG | 30 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $5,150 | $3,300 |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 552 g/mile | 362 g/mile |
| Lowest rated version | 16 MPG | 22 MPG |
| Rated versions | 3 | 2 |
| Rank in class (best combined rating) | 12th of 12 | 4th of 12 |
| Class | Minicompact cars | Minicompact cars |
| Powertrain | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Better figure in bold; each model's most efficient version.
Fuel economy and cost
Fuel bills differ by $1,850 a year. The Subaru BRZ comes to $3,300 and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class to $5,150, both at 15,000 miles a year.
Where each one ranks
Within their class the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is 12th of 12 minicompact cars, in the bottom quarter. The Subaru BRZ is 4th of 12 minicompact cars, in the upper half, ahead of 73% of the others.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has 3 rated versions, from 16 to 16 MPG. The Subaru BRZ has 2, from 22 to 25 MPG. For the most efficient versions, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is rated 7 higher on the highway (21 against 14), while the Subaru BRZ is rated 9 higher on the highway (30 against 21).
The two versions closest in rating are AMG SL55 4matic Plus: 4.0 L, 8 cyl, Automatic 9-spd, AWD at 16 MPG and BRZ: 2.4 L, 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd, RWD at 22, 6 MPG apart.
Ratings by model year
Both models are in the data for 7 model years, 2019 to 2026. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has the higher best rating in 0 of them and the Subaru BRZ in 7. The widest gap, 9 MPG, was in 2026, when the Subaru BRZ led.
| Model year | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Subaru BRZ | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 25 | -9 |
| 2025 | 16 | 25 | -9 |
| 2024 | 16 | 25 | -9 |
| 2023 | 16 | 25 | -9 |
| 2022 | 16 | 25 | -9 |
| 2020 | 22 | 27 | -5 |
| 2019 | 23 | 27 | -4 |