Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The Mercedes SLK two-seater roadster is now in its third incarnation – and looking better than ever.

Mercedes has beefed up the looks and the performance to ensure the Mercedes SLK is on the shortlist for anyone looking for some engaging, roof-down driving.

Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins got behind the wheel of the Mercedes SLK for a week to see how the new version shaped up.

View more pictures of the Mercedes SLK

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

The Mercedes SLK was launched as a stylish two-seater sportscar with a neat retractable roof 12 years ago. And the basic ingredients are still in place. This, the third generation Mercedes SLK, had been beefed up with a new front including a bonnet which boasts a more pronounced V-shape. The exterior mirrors featuring arrow-shaped LED indicators and a diffuser-look styling at the rear is complemented by four-sided exhaust tailpipes and AMG-inspired darkened taillights

9/10

2. Looks inside

The interior features a new instrument cluster with red needles and chrome surrounds for the bezel tubes and clock/fuel gauge. It also now has a multi-instrument three spoke steering wheel for a sportier interior. It is a typically Mercedes affair though, with lots of sculpted and curved plastics and the controls are well placed.

8/10

3. Practicality

The Mercedes SLK is a two-seater sports car so space is at a premium. However Mercedes has used what is there well. The boot features 208-litres of luggage space which can be increased to 300-litres when the roof is not in use. Plus there are enough storage solutions to enable driver and passenger to stow everyday items. The hard-roof means the Mercedes SLK can be an all-year-round car

7/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Mercedes SLK delivers what a modern two-seater sportscar should, a fun drive and comfortable cruising when needed. It’s smooth to drive on the motorway but rewards enthusiastic driving on more twisting tarmac. The model we drive didn’t feature the £250 direct steer option which comes as standard on the AMG model, but the models we drove on the Mercedes SLK launch did – we’d recommend the system which adjusts the steering response to the speed travelled is worth the extra expense.

8/10

5. Performance

The Mercedes SLK comes with a choice of four engines: there is the Mercedes SLK 200, Mercedes SLK 280, Mercedes SLK 350 and performance model Mercedes SLK 55 AMG. We drove the Mercedes SLK 200 and Mercedes SLK 55 AMG at their UK launch and the 231bhp Mercedes SLK 280 sits nicely between them, offering performance which can take the car from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds for the 7-speed automatic and 6.3 seconds in the manual, Both boast a top speeds of 155mph and plenty of mid-range oomph for overtaking on the motorway. We drove the automatic and while it offers very smooth changes this is the kind of car where we’d rather go with the manual option and get maximum fun out of the drive. We found it too eager to 'kick down' a gear when exiting bends, which caused a pause in the acceleration. It certainly sounds the part though, with a silky-smooth roar.

8/10

View more pictures of the Mercedes SLK

6. Running Costs

All the engines in the standard line-up are more fuel efficient as well as producing less CO2 emissions. The Mercedes SLK 280 we drove returns an average 31mpg (30.4mpg for the manual) and produces 216g/km of CO2 (220g/km for the manual) which currently puts it in car tax band F with an annual bill of £210. Insurance group 17 for the SLK 280 isn't too bad for a premium roadster.

8/10

7. Reliability

The Mercedes SLK has a history of reliability and while many convertibles introduced metal roofs in the last few years this is the car which set the trend, so problems are less likely there too. The car has a feeling of quality throughout.

7/10

8. Safety

All cars have electronic stability programme and electronic brake assist and anti-lock brakes. The 2002 Mercedes SLK was awarded four out of a maximum five stars following EuroNCAP crash tests. Parking sensors are available as an option.

7/10

9. Equipment

Standard features on the Mercedes SLK include 16-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, electric door mirrors, chrome tail-lights, foglights, air-conditioning, electric windows, trip computer, sports seats, wind deflector and nine-speaker CD radio. Options on our test model included Mercedes' excellent Airscarf neck-level heating system for £350, which increases the attraction of roof-down driving beyond the height of summer, and the COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation Display) system which incorporates sat-nav, CD disc changer and voice control for £1,995.

8/10

10. X-Factor

If you’re a fan of two-seater roadsters and your desires are split between an engaging drive and comfort then the Mercedes SLK has to be on your shortlist. And now it looks better than ever.

8/10