Convenience Free of latches or handles, lowering the power retractable top requires pushing one button and waiting only 20 seconds; raising the top takes 21 seconds. The lowered top takes a big bite out of the SLK’s 9.8 cubic feet of trunk space, effectively limiting cargo toting to the interior’s cubbies.

As far as roadsters go, the SLK offers a respectable amount of cargo volume when the top is raised. With 9.8 cubic feet, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is comparable to the Porsche Boxster, which offers 9.9 cubic feet of cargo space, though a bit less than the Chevrolet Corvette convertible and its 10.4 cubic feet. However, trunk space is drastically reduced in the SLK when the retractable hardtop is lowered, which stores in the front half of the cargo hold and is covered by a large plastic panel occupying even more space.

Storage areas inside the cabin are numerous, yet none are very large. The glovebox is small and is rendered virtually useless with the installation of a CD changer. Two interior storage nets are standard, and each door panel includes a lower storage pocket. A center armrest features two-level storage. There is a small ashtray located on the center dash, and a fold-down cubby with a parking card strap and sunglasses holder is placed between the seats. On top of the dash are two retractable and adjustable cupholders that will accommodate large beverages. Unfortunately, they are located directly above the radio and climate controls, making both systems susceptible to drips and damage.

We’d be fine with that bit of water damage, so long as it made the sound system easier to use. The rotary knob and steering wheel controls for volume are simple enough, as are the clearly marked radio station seek buttons. However, finding the scan function jumbled in with the COMAND system is a tedious process. In the name of convenience, buttons are placed on the steering wheel for changing radio stations; however, one must first go to the COMAND screen, tap through the menus looking for the radio, and only then do the steering wheel buttons work. Yeah, that’s convenient. For all of that effort, the reward is only average sound quality, regardless of the decibel level. We’d opt for the optional Entertainment Package and its 380-watt Harmon/Kardon sound system.

While operating the radio is more difficult than it needs to be, other interior controls are mostly simple and logical in their design. We grumble a little about the placement of the cruise control stalk on the left side of the steering wheel because it is often confused for the turn signal stalk, but we think that Mercedes owners acclimate to this design quickly. Power door switches are on the doors as we expect, and the power top button is located on the center console.

Lowering the top is a painless process that requires 20 seconds of your time. To open up the sky, the SLK must be running and the emergency brake engaged. After that, a simple touch of the power top button lowers the top – there are no latches or handles to mess with. All of the windows lower with the top, yet unlike the glass in front, the rear quarter windows can’t be raised independently. If you’re the type who likes to drive your convertible with the top down and the windows up, realize that the rear windows don’t play that game. Raising the top takes 21 seconds, not including a few extra seconds to prop up the side windows.