While Arguably Not Class-leading

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz’s compact roadster is on the way, and so far I like what I see. Gone are the first generations’ under-detailed soft looks and the second gen’s SLR inspired front hood which just didn’t work on the smaller car. A solid, non-whimpy presence with some sportiness thrown in to fit the character of the car. While arguably not class-leading, the SLK can now hold its own in performance conversations with Porsche’s Boxster and BMW’s Z4, and an improved interior makes for a nice place to enjoy those new found driving dynamics. Power will initially come from a 3.5 liter V-6 with 302 horsepower in the SLK 350. The Benz folks claim a 0-60 sprint of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Early next year the SLK 250 will be available with a more sedate 201 horsepower four cylinder engine. We also expect a hi-po V-8 powered AMG version which would surely add to your speeding ticket tally. An option on the SLK, Magic Sky Control replaces the top metal panel on the folding hard-top with glass. But this is not just any old glass roof. Using electricity and a technology similar to LCD, the glass panel will change from clear to opaque with the touch of a button..! All-in-all Mercedes Benz did an excellent job with the SLK redux. If you are in the market for a two-seat roadster, this is definitely one to put on the test-drive list..!

The ELR has a TFT display instead of gauges, and those screens can be cleaned up of ancillary information nicely by toggling through the steering-wheel controls. It's a welcome step down the road of information de-cluttering. Navigation is factored into CUE, the Cadillac User Experience, which also governs the car's audio, phone, climate, and efficiency-monitoring systems. Most can also be controlled or accessed via steering-wheel buttons or by voice command. As we've found in other Cadillacs, CUE looks fantastic, but gets tripped up not infrequently by its haptic inputs and by long strings of inputs. Wave a hand in front of the screen and the displays brings up favorites or access to other areas of control--and sometimes, it actuates those systems when you hadn't planned. Navigation in particular is a repeated sore point: we've seen CUE drop its routing, losing its place on the map at critical junctions. As Cadillac coupes go, the 2014 ELR is a compact one, rakish and forward in the ways that we've liked in the CTS Coupe. In front the ELR has exceptionally comfortable, 16-way adjustable leather seats--but 20-way adjustment comes with a "luxury" package.

The dash warps gently inward toward the driver, surrounding that seat with screens--two eight-inch screens, one displaying gauges and all sorts of driver-selected information, the central one serving as the display screen for CUE. The console runs wide and long, splitting the ELR down the center and dividing its passengers into neat little quadrants, leaving just enough knee and shoulder room for front-seat occupants. The ELR’s roofline takes its penalty in rear-seat space. Cozy would be a generous description. The individual buckets are a chore to access and aren't really sized for anyone more than medium of frame. Fold-down rear seat backs accommodate longer items, including multiple sets of golf clubs; it's a feature that probably will be used more often, since the trunk is small, even by coupe standards. The ELR's finishes compensate for the meager rear-seat space. The cockpit's composed of swatches of wood, contrast-stitched leather, and suede in a complex, layered look--there's a lot going on, but we like it, as we have in Cadillac's ATS and CTS.

As for storage, though, there's not much--a bin hides behind the motorized CUE screen, with a USB port included for connectivity. Elsewhere there's only a little storage, in the small console, shallow door pockets and a petite glove box. In full-electric mode, the 2014 Cadillac ELR has a smooth power delivery and this, along with the coupe's well-insulated interior, makes for a quiet ride. But everything changes once you've depleted the batteries' charge and the 1.4-liter gasoline engine awakens. This engine simply isn't very quiet or refined, and when you're accelerating to pass or climbing a significant grade, its raucous soundtrack upsets the calm in the cabin. Equally disappointing is the ELR's tepid performance. Even with both power sources working on the coupe's behalf, Cadillac estimates it will take 7.8 seconds for it to reach 60 mph -- not bad but not exactly sporty, either. By the same token, the 2014 ELR's handling is respectable, but it's not on par with other luxury-brand coupes you might consider in this price range.