Prev Next
1 of 20

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (photos)

The SLK350 used to be a baby roadster, a lightweight open-top cruiser in Mercedes-Benz's lineup. But the 2012 model features a more aggressive design and engine.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
Vents in the hood and sides, along with a lower air intake, help give the SLK350 a performance look.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The new engine uses direct injection to feed six cylinders, and makes 302 horsepower, plenty for this roadster.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The SLK350 is strictly a two-seater, and although the cabin is compact, Mercedes-Benz includes useful ergonomic features such as putting the power seat controls on the doors.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The SLK350 comes with a retractable hard top, standard, which folds up or down in just 20 seconds. When up, it creates a nicely curved roofline.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
Mercedes-Benz put nicely curved back glass in the roof, and CNET's car came with a panoramic roof option, another glass panel on top. The car can also be optioned with an electrochromatic roof that changes opacity at the touch of a button.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
Mercedes-Benz managed to keep air turbulence down to a minimum in the cabin, but there is still quite a bit of external noise when driving at speed with the top down.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The roof folds up into the trunk, taking up some space. However, this trunk space is still very deep, and would easily fit a couple of roller bags.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The SLK350's cabin is nicely appointed, as you would expect in a car that starts at $55K.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
Mercedes-Benz gave the SLK350 a sport steering wheel, with a flattened bottom and sculpted thumbholds over the spokes.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The steering wheel holds buttons for voice command, stereo, and phone control.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
These white-faced gauges give a performance look to the instrument cluster. The center monochromatic screen shows trip information, plus a coffee cup icon representing the drowsy-driver detection feature.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The SLK350's seven-speed automatic uses a lock-up clutch for tight gear shifts, which transmits power more directly than a torque converter to the rear wheels.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The dial for the COMAND system, set in the console, controls all onscreen functions.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system uses a hard drive for map storage, and can render buildings in 3D.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system includes traffic data, which it uses to route around trouble spots.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The Bluetooth phone system includes a full address book, automatically downloaded from a paired phone.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The car recognizes a good number of audio sources. Music Register refers to the onboard hard drive, which has room for music storage.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
With both iPods and USB drives, the system organizes music by album, artist, and genre. It also displays album art.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
The Harman Kardon audio system uses 11 speakers and a 500-watt amp to produce excellent sound.

Back to review.
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
Latest Galleries
See all

REVIEW

Meet the drop-resistant Moto Z2 Force

The Moto Z2 Force is really thin, with a fast processor and great battery life. It can survive drops without shattering.

Latest From Roadshow

Why tech still can't save kids in hot cars

Me, my wife and Giulia: L’amore on the road

Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet electrifies Pebble Beach

Hey, Josh Cartu, how did you get to race Ferraris?

McLaren built a very purple 720S for a very particular customer