The first thing you’ll notice on approaching the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is how utterly small it appears to be. Perhaps it’s a study in proportions and ratios: though it’s less than one inch shorter than BMW’s Z4 (160.7 inches versus 161.1) and slightly wider (70.4 inches versus 70.1), it appears substantially smaller to the eye. Its lines make it seem less aggressive and more refined—more Jude Law, less Bruce Willis. The second thing you’ll notice: a manual transmission. We can’t recall the last Mercedes we shifted ourselves, and we’re thankful for the opportunity.

Behind the wheel, the car is solid. Turn the chunky key fob in the ignition switch, and the 268-horsepower V-6 lets out a throaty growl that’s pleasing to the ears but not so obnoxious that it will turn heads. Throw the gearshift (which has a decidedly BMW-esque gate and feel) into first, and you’re off. By the time you reach sixth gear, your initial impressions should be a fading speck in the rearview. This Mercedes has none of the hang-ups of other, larger cars we’ve driven from the three-pointed star, most notably in terms of steering. The car’s 258 pound-feet of torque slingshot you in and out of traffic, and the fact that almost none of the vehicle is located behind the driver’s seat makes it almost too easy to needle your way through aggravating clusters of slow-moving vehicles. Heavy steering, easy shifting, and so much power packed into such a tiny package make the SLK feel like a true sports roadster. Driving it is—plain and simple—fun.

Inside, the SLK350 is reasonably spacious, comfortable, and perfectly appointed. Other than a somewhat confusing (and untrustworthy-looking) cup holder located above the navigation screen, everything is intuitive and easy to operate. The climate control system is fierce, with an ultra-quick bun warmer and a fire-breathing vent on the seatbacks. It’s sophisticated, and definitely powerful enough to keep you warm while top-down on a forty-degree spring day. Top-up, the roadster provides solid visibility all around, with relatively small blind spots, something most cars in its class seem to sacrifice. We drove it on sunny and rainy days and found it performed perfectly well on both.

SLK350 models can be had starting around $48,000, significantly more than a BMW Z4 or even a Porsche Boxster. But from what we’ve experienced, the car has more legroom and comfort, and perhaps even a bit more curb cachet in certain environments. We don’t know that we’d want one as a daily driver (that speaks more to roadsters in general than the SLK350 itself), but we’d jump at the opportunity to have it for just one more day.