2023 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG SL

The gorgeous 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL is a sophisticated, high-tech luxury convertible that’s supremely comfortable and delightful to drive. Pricing starts at $109,900.

The Mercedes-Benz SL is one of the most iconic names in luxury. The SL now comes exclusively as a performance-oriented AMG model in its current form that recently returned after a 2-year hiatus. It’s a generation with some interesting firsts for the SL, including standard 2+2 seating and available all-wheel drive. It’s also well-equipped with the latest tech features, which contribute to making the SL more luxurious and more engaging to drive.

In the world of high-end luxury convertibles, the Mercedes-AMG SL competes with the convertible variants of the Lexus LC, BMW 8 Series, and Porsche 911.

The Mercedes-AMG SL starts at $109,900 for the 4-cylinder SL 43. The price of entry for the V8 is $137,400 for the SL 55, and the top SL 63 model begins at $178,100.

The SL is pricey, even for a luxury roadster. The convertible variants of the BMW 8 Series and Lexus LC have lower starting prices. However, the SL is priced lower than comparable variants of the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.

These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don’t include the $1,150 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Before buying an SL, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

What’s New?

The 4-cylinder SL 43 is the new entry-level model in the Mercedes-AMG SL lineup for 2023. It’s missing some key standard features that you get on the V8 models, like all-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering. The $109,900 price tag brings down the starting price of the SL pretty significantly compared to previous years for this generation. Since they’re still fresh from the 2022 redesign, we don’t expect any major changes to the V8-powered SL 55 or SL 63.

The Mercedes-AMG SL 43 is powered by a 375-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. The SL 55 uses a 469-horsepower turbo V8, and the SL 63 uses a more powerful version of the same V8, rated at 577 horsepower. Both V8 models have a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The acceleration is outstanding with the V8 engines, and we love the throaty exhaust note. It’s more of a grand touring car than a sports car, but the SL has satisfying steering and handling that makes it drive like a smaller roadster.

The SL is supremely comfortable, and it’s a car we could drive for hours on the highway with no complaints. It’s equally at home on twisty back roads thanks to the 4-wheel-steering system in the V8 models and the well-tuned AMG Ride Control suspension system. Some of its competitors have more track-focused performance — namely the Porsche 911 — but the SL has a terrific balance of engaging performance and luxurious ride quality.

Fuel Economy

Both V8-powered SL models get a combined fuel economy rating of 16 mpg, and premium fuel is required. The V8-powered Lexus LC (18 mpg) and BMW 8 Series (19 mpg) convertibles are a little more efficient. We’re confident that the 4-cylinder SL 43 with RWD will be more fuel-efficient than the V8 models.

We’re consistently impressed with Mercedes-Benz interior quality; the SL is no exception. We could sit in these front seats all day, and everything the driver touches feels premium. We’re also impressed with the tech features like the highly customizable digital gauge cluster and the user-friendly infotainment system with gorgeous graphics.

One detail we love is the adjustable angle of the infotainment screen, which helps a lot in preventing glare while the top is down. Another cool feature is the Airscarf, which can heat your neck to make top-down driving more comfortable in a broader range of driving conditions.

The back seats are an afterthought; we could hardly fit back there without sliding the front seats all the way forward. The maximum cargo space in the trunk is 8.5 cubic feet, which is more than the Lexus LC and less than the BMW 8 Series convertibles.

The Mercedes-AMG SL looks outstanding. It looks both premium and athletic with sports car proportions and stylish wheel options. The SL forgoes the retractable hardtop design of previous SL generations in favor of a power soft-top. We think it looks better with the top down, as nature intended.

11.9-inch touchscreen
The SL’s infotainment system has beautiful graphics and user-friendly features, including standard navigation and voice control. We love that you can adjust the angle of the screen to reduce glare.

Airscarf
The Airscarf neck warmers in the front seats make the SL more comfortable to drive with the top down in cooler weather conditions.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+
This high-performance AWD system comes standard on the V8-powered SL models. It optimizes torque to all four wheels for a supreme driving experience.

AMG Active Ride Control
This sophisticated adaptive suspension system can actively adjust at each wheel for ultimate stability, even in tight corners at high speeds. It’s standard on the SL 63 and optional on the lower trims.

AMG Dynamic Select
The standard AMG Dynamic Select system comes with drive modes like Comfort, Slippery, Sport, and Sport+, plus an Individual drive mode that you can fine-tune to your liking.

Driver Assistance Package
This option package adds a long list of safety tech features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, active lane-keeping assist, active emergency stop assist, route-based speed adaptation, and more.

The Mercedes-AMG SL has a new base engine; a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine rated for 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The 4.0-liter turbo V8-powered SL 55 makes 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and the SL 63 turns up the heat to 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.

The 4-cylinder has rear-wheel drive, and the AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system comes standard on the V8 models. Every SL employs a 9-speed automatic transmission.

According to Mercedes, the 4-cylinder SL 43 achieves a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. As for the V8, the SL 55 gets there in 3.8 seconds, and the SL 63 only takes 3.5 seconds.

The V8-powered SL models both have a combined fuel economy rating of 16 mpg and require premium gas. The 4-cylinder SL 43 will surely be more efficient.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Mercedes-AMG SL is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty but no complimentary maintenance. The BMW 8 Series has the same warranty coverage but adds complimentary maintenance for up to 3 years or 36,000 miles. The Lexus LC has a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 1-year/10,000-mile maintenance plan.

Safety

Standard safety tech features in the SL include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, park assist, and an adaptive front lighting system. Optional safety tech bundled with the Driver Assistance Package includes adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, traffic sign recognition, and more.

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