Mercedes-Benz SL 4MATIC+ Roadster or Roadster, starting at 112,000 $

The Mercedes-Benz SL represents an iconic blend of luxury and performance, embodying the grand touring spirit. With its refined design and meticulous craftsmanship, the SL offers an elegant driving experience that captivates with its timeless appeal. Combining sophisticated technology and dynamic handling, this model continues to define open-top motoring in the world of luxury roadsters.

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from $112,000
SL

Mercedes-Benz SL

  • Engine Type : Gasoline, , Plug-In Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All Wheel, Rear Wheel
  • Power HP : 416 - 805 HP

Red-Carpet Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz SL returns as a modern grand-tourer with classic proportions: a long hood, short rear deck, and a fabric roof that looks right at home on Ocean Drive or a mountain pass. The stance is wide and low, with muscular fenders that telegraph performance without shouting. The soft top drops in about 15 seconds at speed, turning the cockpit into open-air theater without much wind fuss. Details like flush handles, sharp LED signatures, and AMG-specific aero touches give it presence that feels both elegant and purposeful.

Cabin Craft & Controls

Inside, the SL blends luxury materials with a cockpit-like drive position, putting a tall center console and a tilting 11.9-inch touchscreen right at hand. The 12.3-inch digital cluster stays readable even with the roof down, while metal switches and real stitching keep it feeling expensive. Seats are deeply contoured yet cushy, with available heating, cooling, massage, and the signature AIRSCARF neck warmers for year-round top-down cruises. It feels like a proper Mercedes: solid, quiet with the roof up, and thoughtfully laid out once you learn the menus.

Room for Life, Not Moving Day

The SL is a 2+2, which really means two adults up front and two occasional seats for kids or short hops; call them bonus baggage shelves. The trunk holds 7.5 cu ft, enough for a pair of soft bags or a compact stroller, but golf clubs will be a puzzle. At 185.2 in long and 75.4 in wide, it occupies real driveway space yet remains manageable in town, especially with parking aids. Daily errands are easy, weekend getaways are its sweet spot, and the soft top doesn’t eat into luggage the way old metal hardtops did.

Grip, Poise, and a Bit of Theater

Adaptive dampers and a stiff structure make the SL feel planted, with a supple edge in Comfort and tighter body control in Sport. All-wheel drive on the V8 models helps fire it out of corners with confidence, while rear-wheel steering sharpens low-speed agility and steadies the car on fast sweepers. Steering is accurate rather than chatty, and the ride stays composed even on big wheels, though broken pavement can remind you this is a performance-focused GT. Brakes bite hard and remain consistent; carbon ceramics are available if track days are on the agenda.

Power Plays

The lineup spans personalities without losing the SL identity. The AMG SL 43 sends 416 hp and 354 lb-ft to the rear wheels, delivering a brisk 0–60 mph in roughly the mid-4-second range and a lighter nose for keen cornering. Step to the AMG SL 55 at 469 hp and 516 lb-ft with 4MATIC+, and you’re in the high-3s to 60; the AMG SL 63 pushes 577 hp and 590 lb-ft for launches around the low-3s. The headline-grabber is the AMG SL 63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid with a combined 805 hp and a thumping 1047 lb-ft, translating to near-supercar sprints, yet it’s tuned more for boost than silent EV commuting.

Thirst and the Long Haul

Real-world economy varies widely across the range: think roughly 14–20 mpg city and 21–27 mpg highway depending on engine and driving style. The 4-cylinder SL 43 can flirt with mid-20s on long cruises, while the V8s settle nearer the high teens when driven gently. With an 18.5-gallon tank, expect highway ranges from about 350 to 450 miles, useful for a GT that loves interstates and scenic byways. The performance-hybrid model can creep electrically for short stretches, but its real party trick is instant torque fill when the turbos are waking up.

Screens, Sound, and Safety Nets

MBUX brings fast responses, natural-voice commands, and wireless phone mirroring, plus a screen that tilts to reduce glare with the top down. Navigation with augmented-reality overlays, a crisp head-up display, and a high-end Burmester audio system turn long drives into easy, immersive trips. Driver aids cover the essentials: adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane-keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera for tight spots. It’s tech-forward without feeling overbearing, and updates keep features fresher over time.

Top Down, Use Every Day

Roof operation is quick and drama-free, and buffeting is well managed thanks to clever wind deflection—conversation stays calm up to legal highway speeds. Cabin insulation with the top up is impressive, making the SL feel like a coupe when the weather turns. Heated features and the AIRSCARF extend the open-air season far beyond summer, which means more value out of a roadster you’ll actually drive. This is a convertible that doesn’t demand perfect conditions to be enjoyable.

Who Should Sign the Check?

The SL suits drivers who want an open-top luxury car that can tour comfortably, attack a back road, and still pass for a daily. The SL 43 rewards lighter-footed enthusiasts and city dwellers, the 55 nails the balanced fast GT brief, and the 63 caters to those who want a muscle-tinged edge. The 63 S E Performance is for buyers who want outright punch with cutting-edge tech, not maximum EV range. Cross-shoppers will come from the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, BMW 8 Series Convertible, Lexus LC, and even Aston Martin—few mix style, speed, and everyday polish quite like this.

Costs and Consumption

Price
112,000 - 207,200 $
FuelEconomy City
14 - 20 mpg
FuelEconomy Hwy
21 - 27 MPG
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
18.5 gal

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
4MATIC+ Roadster, Roadster
Seats
4
Doors
-
Curb weight
-
Trunk Volume
7.5 cu. ft.
Length
185.2 in.
Width
75.4 in.
Height
53 in.

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Gasoline, , Plug-In Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Drive Type
All Wheel, Rear Wheel
Power HP
416 - 805 HP
Torque
354 - 1,047 lb-ft
Number of Cylinders
-
Engine Displacement
2 - 4 L
Gears
-

General

Model Year
2025
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
How much does the Mercedes-Benz SL cost?

The Mercedes-Benz SL starts at 112,000 $.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. Prices shown are manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRP). Taxes, registration fees and dealer charges are not included.