2024 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

The SL is fronted by triangular headlights that point down toa wide grille, which Mercedes calls the Panamericana design, to form a scowl. Large air intakes at the lower corners suggest serious power is under the long hood, which there is. In the profile view, the cabin is pushed back and a short, rounded trunk plays off the rounded design of the front and rear renders. It all comes together to create a sleek, graceful, sporty look.

The cabin combines luxury with technology and sportiness. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen provide the tech, while nappa leather upholstery on sculpted seats, plus aluminum and available carbon-fiber trim, provide the sportiness and luxury. The design is simple, with a rounded dash sporting four turbine-shaped air vents, a wide center console, and a low seating position that creates a bathtub feel. The design gets more interesting in the combination of lighter and darker colors available with some upholstery choices.

Yes, every model has all-wheel drive with the ability to disconnect the front axle. 

How fast is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL-Class?

The SL 43 model isn’t as brutally powerful as the others, but it still makes 375 hp and accelerates from 0-60 mph in a tidy 4.8 seconds, according to Mercedes. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a turbocharger that runs off of both exhaust gases and an electric motor. We have not yet driven the SL 43.

The step up from there is the SL 55, which draws its power from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. It spits out 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, cutting the 0-60 mph time to a quoted 3.8 seconds and unlocking a top speed of 183 mph. The SL 63 uses an upgraded version of the same engine with 577 hp, 590 lb-ft of torque. It conquers the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds and reaches 196 mph.

Both V-8s have strong power throughout the rev band, though the 63 model’s extra power can be most felt in the midrange, for instance when passing on a highway. The engines sound a mean burble and they spit and crackle between shifts of the responsive 9-speed automatic transmission.

We also haven’t driven the SL 63 S E Performance. It produces a whopping 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft, and slays the 0-60 mph run in just 2.8 seconds. The 9-speed automatic deals with the engine’s power and a 2-speed automatic transmission on the rear axle works with the rear motor. It also has a limited-slip differential and a 6.1-kwh battery pack back there. 

The SL is also sportier than previous generations, though we still wouldn’t call it a track car. It’s agile with its base suspension, and the available linked hydraulic dampers do a great job of fighting lean in turns. The SL 55 and above get rear-wheel steering that stabilizes the SL through high-speed turns and shrinks it in parking lots. All models have quick steering and strong brakes, whether they’re the standard iron brakes or the optional carbon-ceramics.

Leave the rear seats to packages instead of people. That will help expand the space of the small trunk, which only holds 7.5 cubic feet. 

Mercedes lines the cabin with standard nappa leather upholstery complemented by aluminum trim, synthetic suede, and contrast stitching. The soft top is thick and blocks out noise well, too. It’s a calming, luxurious, techie environment.

The NHTSA and IIHS don’t usually test high-end, low-volume vehicles, so we have no real-world proof of how safe the SL is. However, it does come with a healthy set of safety features. They include pop-up roll bars, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, an exit warning system, a driver attention monitor, automatic parking, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and a surround-view camera system. 

A Driver Assistance Package adds many more safety features for about $2,000. They include steering assist for the blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, active lane control, and automatic lane changes. Given the price point, the upgraded automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control should be standard.

Which Mercedes-Benz AMG SL-Class should I buy?

Given the SL’s performance pedigree, we’d want a V-8 with the fantastic hydraulic suspension. That ups the cost considerably, as an SL 55 in Performance trim runs about $150,000. In addition to the hydraulic suspension, it adds a front-axle lift system, an electronic limited-slip differential, a Race mode, rear-wheel steering, and 20-inch wheels.

How much is a fully loaded Mercedes-Benz AMG SL-Class?

The SL 63 runs about $184,000, but the SL 63 S E Performance doesn’t yet have a price. Expect it to top $200,000, maybe by a wide margin.

The SL 63 isn’t that much more thirsty, with ratings of 13/21/16 mpg.

For the most efficient model, go with the SL 43 and its 21/27/23-mpg EPA ratings.

The SL 63 E Performance model is not yet rated, but it has the same engine as the SL 63 and a 6.1-kwh battery that should provide 10 or so miles of electric driving range.