2020 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class

Not everything has the stubborn longevity of the Fast and the Furious movie franchise, a reality that also applies to the Mercedes-Benz SLC. Previously known as the SLK, the little drop-top won over many hearts through the years thanks to its slinky looks and the versatility of that power-retractable hardtop, despite - and sometimes because of - its poser image. But times have changed, and these attributes are no longer enough to keep the SLC in contention in the face of opposition like the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4. It's why the little roadster is set to bow out gracefully this year with the SLC Final Edition to mark the success of the SLK/SLC model line, with over 700,000 units being sold globally. Whether for nostalgic purposes or the added refinement brought about by that roof, opting for one of the last SLCs means you'll also have to deal with its mediocre interior quality, its heavily outdated infotainment interface and a driving experience that is muted alongside other competitors, in spite of a peppy 241-horsepower turbocharged engine. While Vin Diesel may reprise his role as Dominic Toretto for many more years to come, it's time to bring down the curtain on the current SLC's final performance.

At an MSRP of $49,950, the SLC300 is $250 pricier than the BMW Z4 sDrive30i. This price excludes tax, licensing, registration, and Mercedes' destination charge of $995. Mercedes hasn't yet announced how much the Final Edition variant will cost but expect a premium over the regular SLC300.

The SLC does many things well without ever truly setting your pants on fire. There's reasonably well-weighted steering that lacks feel but is reassuringly accurate, sufficient grip when pressing on, and a nimble feel that makes many larger Mercs feel properly bloated. Switch over to Sport + mode, and the transmission and engine take on a sportier character - the steering gains some more heft, too, but even this mode doesn't evoke much feel from the helm. It's all very composed and far from dull, but the little SLC simply isn't as razor-sharp as the Porsche Boxster or the BMW Z4.

The ride isn't as cushy as Mercedes-Benz owners might expect, with sharp bumps transmitted through to the cabin and quite a lot of noise with the roof down. It's not unlivable, but neither is it especially relaxing. That said, when you close the roof and the road smoothes out, the baby roadster is a pleasant boulevard cruiser.

The braking system is up to the job and easy to modulate, with the right amount of stopping power relative to how hard the pedal is depressed.

In its final year of production, the current Mercedes SLC continues to charm but finds itself outclassed by rivals like the much newer BMW Z4 along with more modern models from the same stable. The cramped cabin and dated controls are two of the clearest signs that the market has moved on, while the driving experience underwhelms and the dearth of standard driver aids disappoints. None of this means that the SLC300 won't still please brand loyalists looking for a lukewarm, stylish roadster that still has one of the most impressive retractable hardtops in the business. If you can get hold of one of the Final Edition models, its extras spice up the appearance appreciably, while there will be a certain novelty in owning one. If you want the best small two-seater roadster, though, the SLC isn't it.

Until the price of the Final Edition is finalized, we'll stick to the regular SLC300 for our recommendations. To start off, we'd spec ours with the Premium Package as the heated seats and Airscarf system are essential, dramatically increasing comfort levels with the roof down. We'd also go for the Smartphone Integration package. The AMG styling packages seem a bit out of kilter with the SLC300's softer nature, so instead, we'd spec ours in one of the darker metallics, with the sportier 18-inch wheels, and with the leather trim upgrade. The total works out to over $55,000, but hey, this is your last chance to get an SLC, so it's worth getting one that is appropriately dressed up for its farewell party.

Introduced last year, the Z4 is off to an immediate advantage by being a lot fresher than the SLC. The price-competitive Z4 sDrive30i also uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder - even though it's just as efficient as the Merc, the Z4 shaves more than half a second off the SLC300's sprint to 60 mph. The Z4's eight-speed automatic is also the better gearbox, and partially because it's lighter, the BMW feels more athletic and urgent than the Mercedes. It's not only about dynamism, though, because the Z4's thoroughly modern cabin is better built, has a far superior infotainment system, and is more spacious (with almost an inch of extra headroom and 2.1 inches of additional shoulder room). The final nail in the SLC's coffin is the Z4's superior standard specification, with dual-zone climate control, frontal collision warning, and navigation requiring no added cost. The Bimmer takes this one easily.

Despite the loss of a letter in the badge, the SL is a giant step up in price, performance, and size. Like the SLC, the SL has been around for a long time but seems to carry its age a bit better than the smaller car. The cheapest version is the SL450 at $91,000, nearly double the price of the SLC300. That extra outlay gets you 362 hp from a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 and 0-60 mph in only 4.9 seconds. Like the SLC, the SL has a fantastic power-retractable hardtop, but the cabin is more spacious and of a higher quality. The SL also has extra gear like dual-zone climate control, genuine leather upholstery, heated seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, and more standard safety features. The much heavier SL rides with sublime authority, completely outclassing the choppier SLC in this respect. Both convertibles have outdated infotainment interfaces, though. If money is no object, the SL offers a more special drop-top driving experience.