^®

why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

change

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 2 photos

1

Select / Browse a Car
2

Configure Your Car
3

See Car Value

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK is one of the more desirable premium roadsters, as it offers the advantages of both a hardtop coupe and an open-air convertible. Mercedes-Benz helped pioneer the retractable hardtop and the latest iteration operates with unwavering efficiency, capable of being raised or lowered in just 22 seconds. Beyond the SLK's gorgeous exterior, stunning interior and enthusiast-inspired performance and handling capabilities, the car's most attractive feature is its price. With a sticker starting around $45,000, the SLK is well within reach of luxury car buyers seeking a fun second vehicle for weekend getaways or romantic moonlight drives. A tiny trunk and minimal interior storage might limit how far you go and how much you take, but you'll enjoy every minute of it.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love the idea of open-air driving but are concerned about the long-term reliability and security provided by a canvas soft-top, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK might be the answer to your automotive dreams. The SLK's retractable hardtop will last the life of the car, can't be cut open and operates with just the touch of a button.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Tall folks may find legroom a little tight, especially on the passenger side where the firewall can cramp big shoes. Though the price is reasonable for the make, there are now much less expensive hardtop convertibles on the market, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Volkswagen Eos.

What's New for 2009

The SLK280 is replaced by the SLK300, which features the same engine but with a few more standard features. The SLK350 receives a bump in power to 300 horsepower and new 17-inch wheels. All SLK's receive slight exterior changes as well as a new variable ratio Direct Steering System.

Driving the SLK-Class

Driving Impressions The SLK350's 3.5-liter V6 makes 300 horsepower and can move the slick little roadster from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The experience is made...

all the more pleasurable by a quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission; the optional seven-speed automatic is equally as pleasing. The SLK feels more composed on the road than previous generations. Its ride has definitely been improved, with less harshness over bumps and improved stability in tight turns. You'll find that the steering is precise but somewhat heavy, requiring authoritative input from the driver. With the top down, the AIRSCARF neck heater blows hard enough to take the chill out of the morning air, or the retractable hardtop can be locked in place, creating a cozy but quiet environment.

Favorite Features

AIRSCARF
The AIRSCARF seat heating system blows warm air on the back of your neck and shoulders, keeping you warm when the air outside isn't.

Improved Clear Coat Paint
Improved Clear Coat paint is 40 percent more durable, helping to resist small scratching that appears after repeated washing and waxing.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Details

Interior

Mercedes has done a wonderful job of organizing the SLK's interior without losing the look and feel common to all Mercedes products. The supportive bucket seats include the clever AIRSCARF option that blows warm air on the back of the neck, a nice feature to have when cruising on crisp autumn mornings. The SLK's retractable hardtop still eats up trunk space, but the design responsibly leaves some usable room for storing small luggage and valuables.

Exterior

It's amazing what a few extra inches can do for a car. Compared to the first-generation SLK, the 2009 model feels downright spacious. The SLK's wide footprint gives it a low and athletic stance, and its SLR McLaren-like front end turns heads at every encounter. The perfectly aligned side bodylines appear as though carved from a single block of steel, with a gently-curved rear end that features flush-mounted cut-in tail lights and twin trapezoidal exhaust ports. The SLK looks as good with its retractable hardtop in place as it does when that top is tucked away beneath the color-matched hard cover.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The SLK comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), traction control, slip control, stability control, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front and rear fog lights, dual-heated power mirrors, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, dual front knee and side-impact airbags, leather seats, cruise control, leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Options include a seven-speed automatic with manual-shift mode, dual eight-way power seats with memory, heated seats, harman/kardon audio, navigation, HID headlamps and several different designo designer trim packages.

Under the Hood

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 has a 228-horsepower V6 that feels plenty peppy, but not rocket-ship fast. If you can swing the extra cash, the SLK350 is the way to go. If money is no object, you don't mind a harsher ride and you want the most in performance, the SLK55 AMG is sure to please.

3.0-liter V6
228 horsepower @ 6100 rpm
221 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2700-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 (manual), 19/26 (automatic)

3.5-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
265 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 (manual), 18/26 (automatic)

5.5-liter V8
355 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
376 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/22

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Out of 5

Based on 127 Ratings for the 2004 - 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class models.

Review this car

Value

4.3/5

Quality

4.4/5
Reliability

4.4/5

Performance

4.5/5
Comfort

4.0/5

Styling

4.7/5

I love it!!

By SGM (SC) on Sunday, January 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really love this car. Ok it's not the most practical car I've ever had but it's the most fun and certainly turns heads!! Having said that it has a lot of little storage compartments inside for its size and with the top up the trunk isn't a bad size for a 2 seater sports. It is a beautiful car to look at, goes like a bullet and handles really well - sticks to the road like glue!!. Considering how firm the suspension needs to be for the car it is, the ride is pretty smooth and not a bone shaker at all. I get very good mpg (20 local and 25 highway) for the car it is and much better than my BMW 330ci gave me. So yes I love it and would fully recommend one to anyone."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great drive, dissapointing long-term upkeep cost

By nobody knows anything (CA) on Thursday, January 19, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 133,000

5 3.0

overall rating 3 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Reliability: 4/5
Quality: 3/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5

Pros: "driveability!"

Cons: "upkeep costs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"I've had the car since new, maintained by MB dealer entire time. Has 133,000 mile and is starting to cost major $'s. I drive 100 miles/day, this is the 4th vehicle I've had in the last 20 years [1st MB], his has been by far the most expensive in terms of upkeep costs. Having said the above, its been a great car from the stanpoint of sheer driving pleasure but durability...not impressed."

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

see all 127 reviews