Mercedes SLC convertible - Interior & comfort (2016-2021)

As in most two-seater sports cars, you sit very low down in the Mercedes SLC, with your legs stretched out in front of you. There’s more of a focus on luxury inside compared to the Porsche 718 Boxster, but there are plenty of soft-touch materials, leather and metal finishes. Very little has changed from the SLK, though, so it feels pretty much the same as when that car debuted several years ago. 

Mercedes SLC dashboard

The Mercedes SLC dashboard mimics that of the previous SLK, albeit with a new, larger infotainment screen in the centre. That means it’s all high-quality materials and nice design details like the round metallic air vents. There’s a set of new dials, too.

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The centre console is starting to look a little dated, though. It’s all easy to use, but compared to the Audi TT Roadster, it looks much more cluttered and dated. That could be because the Audi is so minimalist, but it doesn’t stop the Mercedes’ interior feeling inferior in comparison. The same goes for the car's folding roof, which is slow to operate by modern standards.

It’s easy to get comfortable in the SLC, though. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and power-adjustable, so you should be able to find the perfect driving position. You can also specify an ‘Airscarf’, which blows hot air onto the back of your neck from the headrest – a great addition if you like to drive with the roof down on sunny winter days.

The SLC also has Mercedes’ ‘Magic Sky Control’ glass roof, with adjustable transparency to let in as much or as little light as you wish.

Equipment

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There are three SLC trim levels to choose from – the SLC Sport, SLC AMG Line and Mercedes-AMG SLC 43. 

The SLC Sport comes with sports seats, air-conditioning, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth connectivity, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, DAB radio and a wind deflector. It also includes safety systems such as autonomous braking as part of the Active Brake Assist feature.

Step up to the SLC AMG Line if you want sportier looks. It has sportier bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, a different radiator grille, sports suspension, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, red stitching inside and some sportier-looking dials with a chequered-flag design.

Equipment-wise, the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is very similar to the standard AMG Line – it even looks the same. There’s a different 18-inch alloy wheel design, a slightly altered lower front bumper, a small boot spoiler at the back, a leather interior and plenty of AMG and ‘Biturbo’ badges. The biggest differences are under the skin, though, with higher-performance brakes, suspension, exhaust system and steering all featuring.

Options

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As with all Mercedes models, the SLC can be upgraded with extras from an extensive list of options – some more appealing than others. 

Of particular note is the £395 ‘Airscarf’ neck-level heating system, which blows hot air onto the back of your neck at three heat levels. You can also have a £410 glass sunroof, but you’ll have to pay £1,995 if you want it with the ‘Magic Sky Control’ adjustable transparency mentioned above. 

For £1,150 you can get intelligent LED headlights that have an automatic high-beam feature and adapt to driving conditions, while you can also get an ‘Airguide’ package that features pivoting wind deflectors for £315. 

There are plenty more packages to go for as well: the Dynamic Handling package boosts the SLC’s sporty credentials, the Night package adds gloss-black exterior trim, while various safety packages add things like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance. 

For £2,095, you can have the ‘COMAND Online’ system, featuring sat nav, traffic information and a host of connectivity options, including Apple CarPlay. Leather seats will cost you £895, while metallic paint can be anything between £645 and £1,595 depending on the shade.