2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Price Range: $109,900 - $183,000 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 43 Convertible Exterior

+145

The latest SL is more enjoyable to drive than ever thanks to quick acceleration and a well-tuned suspension that's neither too firm nor overly soft. The interior is comfortable and well appointed, though we found some of the in-car tech to be cumbersome. Storage is limited too.

Rank #2

6 Luxury sport convertibles

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$105,414

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2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

byJared Gall^{Correspondent
Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at Edmunds and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.},

rating written byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

High levels of comfort
Lots of standard technology features
Calm top-down driving environment
Muscular acceleration

Cons

Some touchscreen functions are overcomplicated
Tiny rear seats
Limited cargo space

What's new

The SL is unchanged for 2024
Part of the seventh SL generation introduced for 2022

Overview

Mercedes-Benz's most prestigious convertible and longtime status symbol, the drop-top SL was redesigned two years ago and heads into 2024 without much changing. The latest SL features a back seat, a power-operated soft top (it takes up less trunk space than the old folding hardtop) and a base turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That four-cylinder is stout but we're pleased that you can still get a V8 to better complement the car's status as a flagship luxury convertible. Although all SL versions are now sold under the banner of Mercedes' performance subsidiary and branded as Mercedes-AMGs, the car still prioritizes the comfort and luxury that have made it an icon.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 43 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.58 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$247/mo

$187/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Edmunds spotlight: Taking a back seat

The seventh-generation SL has a rear seat, but the size of that seat raises the question: Why would Mercedes bother? It's tight enough back there that the only people who will fit comfortably are likely to be small and young enough that they'll need to be in a child seat. And while there are anchors back there for a child safety seat, they're useless without enough room to fit said seat. Think of this area as bonus storage space and you'll be a lot happier.

Competitors to consider

Porsche's 911 convertible is a prime option that comes to mind. But even in its most relaxed form, the 911 is still a sports car at heart. It's sportier and more engaging to drive than the SL but does so at the expense of comfort. We also recommend checking out BMW's 8 Series (and related M8). It has a similar lineup of engines and has the added benefit of a more usable back seat.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the SL-Class drive? We tested the AMG SL 63. At our test track, it blasted from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Mercedes says the less powerful AMG SL 55 is only a few tenths behind that. While that means the SL is not as quick as a top-end Porsche 911 or BMW M8, the SL never feels sluggish or slow. The turbo V8 makes plenty of torque, and the standard all-wheel-drive system means you should have no issue with traction. The car simply blasts out of corners.

The steering is quick but lacks feedback, and the SL exhibits more body roll around corners than the 911 and M8. But the SL's handling capability is appropriate for a luxury-oriented convertible. This platform is plenty rigid, so the lack of a roof doesn't really affect handling. Adjustable drive modes can stiffen or relax the suspension to improve handling or comfort. The SL is plenty quick and lots of fun on a twisty road.

And it's even better around town. The SL has always been a relaxed car, and the new one doesn't lose that comfortable, easy-to-drive demeanor. The transmission shifts are lightning-quick when you want, but it shifts unobtrusively when you just want to cruise through traffic. The steering lightens up at low speeds, so maneuvering through tight parking lots isn't a problem. The optional carbon-ceramic brakes, too, are smooth and provide plenty of stopping power.

Comfort

9.0/10

How comfortable is the SL-Class? If the SL gets anything right (and it gets quite a few things right), it's striking a great balance between sporty handling and a comfortable day-to-day demeanor. The active suspension can be adjusted based on drive mode, relaxing in the Comfort setting and firming up in the sporty modes. It's never too soft or overly harsh, even on broken pavement. Don't expect S-Class levels of comfort, but few convertibles have such a well-tuned suspension.

The SL's seats are excellent, with adjustability for lumbar and both side and thigh bolstering. Our test car had heating, cooling and massaging functions, plus a small vent on the headrest that will blow warm air on your neck when the top is down should you need it on a chilly day. The climate control system isn't quite as good as the rest of the car. The fans blow hard and the air conditioning is cold, but the touchscreen controls can be slow and somewhat cumbersome to use.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Edmunds suggests you pay

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class pricing

in Columbus, OH

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Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Mercedes-Benz cars have a reputation for packing some of the best interiors in the business, so we're a bit disappointed in the SL. That's not to say it's a bad place to be. There's plenty of room in the front seat, and the driving position is excellent. The SL's infotainment system is shared with other Mercedes cars. We've found the learning curve to be steep, but that's simply due to the breadth of functionality. All of the controls are easy to see and reach, and the center screen will even tilt to reduce glare when you have the top down.

That screen is great at showing off the surround-view camera's angles, making the SL relatively easy to park. Those cameras are useful as the narrow rear window and high beltline hurt visibility. The rear seat is useless for anything but small children or additional storage, but rivals like the Porsche 911 are no better in this area. What rivals do better is the convertible top. The cloth top is surprisingly quiet and takes up less cargo space than the old SL's folding hardtop, but it's slow to raise or lower. The controls are in the touchscreen rather than a switch. It's also not always clear if the top is raising or lowering. Several steps backward compared to the old car.

Technology

9.0/10

How’s the tech? The SL's navigation system is impressive. The large screen allows for a big, easy-to-read map. Turn-by-turn directions are easy to input and straightforward to use. You can use voice commands to do things like input addresses or search for gas stations, and the system is robust enough to understand you even with the top down. If you prefer to use your smartphone, the SL includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are four USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. That's more than you'll find in most other convertibles. The audio system, too, is among the best you'll find in a drop-top.

The SL is available with a wide array of driver aids, from adaptive cruise control to augmented reality displays for the navigation system. The aids mostly worked well in our testing. The adaptive cruise control maintained a consistent gap between it and the car in front, and it adjusted speed smoothly. Our only major complaint was the slightly overeager frontal collision warning system.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? Cargo space is tight in any convertible, and the SL is no exception. The trunk can hold 7.5 cubic feet of stuff with the top down and 8.5 cubes with the top up. That's more than what the Lexus LC and Porsche 911 can hold but less than the BMW M8. On the upside, you can fit just about as much stuff with the SL's top down as up. Storage inside the cabin is a little better. The center console is large enough for sunglasses, a phone and some other small items. The door pockets aren't very big but aren't totally useless either.

We suggest using the rear seat for extra cargo as it's not really meant for passengers. It has Isofix child safety seat anchors, but there's not much space to install a car seat, let alone a kid.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The AMG SL 63, which is what we tested, gets an EPA estimate of 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is an average number for a high-powered luxury convertible.

Value

7.5/10

Is the SL-Class a good value? The SL's build quality is top-notch. Fit and finish is excellent, with no issues with panel gaps or strange rattles from the top. Even without a permanent roof, the whole car feels solid and well put together. It looks and feels it, too, especially from inside. The leather is soft and the carbon-fiber trim looks sporty, even if it is the go-to option for performance cars these days. The top SL trims can get pretty expensive, however. BMW, Lexus and Porsche all offer convertibles for less money. Warranty coverage is average for the class.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The SL is a sharp-looking car, especially now that it's switched back to a soft top rather than the last generation's somewhat awkward-looking retractable hardtop. It's long and low, but it doesn't look as flashy as a BMW M8 or Audi R8. The slightly restrained exterior is offset by the stunning interior. The ambient lights and details on the trim give it a real premium feel. And unlike the BMW 8 Series or even the Porsche 911, there's no non-AMG version of the SL.

It doesn't hurt that it's a ton of fun on the road. It's not the sharpest sports car around, but it's not trying to be. Despite the latter's moniker, the SL feels more like a grand tourer than the AMG GT. It's engaging enough on a back road to have some fun, but it's comfortable enough around town to make it worth taking out for a cruise. There are sportier convertibles out there, but the SL strikes a nice balance between comfort and performance.

Which SL-Class does Edmunds recommend?

We're not ready to accept a turbocharged four-cylinder in a car like this — but good on you if you are. You'll save a boatload of money. We'd pick the AMG SL 55. In addition to a substantial boost in power, it has standard all-wheel drive for quicker acceleration and additional stability in inclement weather. See? It's a rational decision, not an emotional one. Then we'd add the Driver Assistance package for its adaptive cruise control and additional safety systems.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL is a luxury convertible available in three trims: AMG SL 43, AMG SL 55 and AMG SL 63. The entry-level AMG SL 43 packs a turbocharged four-cylinder making 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The AMG SL 55 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with 469 hp and 516 lb-ft, while the AMG SL 63 tweaks the same engine to increase output to 577 hp and 590 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The SL 43 is rear-wheel-drive and the SL 55 and SL 63 are all-wheel-drive. Major standard and optional features on each trim are outlined below.

AMG SL 43
Starts the SL lineup with:

Four-passenger seating
AMG sport suspension
Power-folding soft top
19-inch wheels
Keyless entry and ignition
11.9-inch center touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both with wireless connectivity)
Burmester sound system
Heated and ventilated front seats
Wireless charging pad
Heated steering wheel
Massaging front seats
Power trunklid

Standard driver assist features include:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

AMG SL 55
Comes with more performance-oriented goodies, such as:

Rear spoiler
AMG adaptive suspension
Performance exhaust
Red brake calipers
Rear-axle steering (enhances handling and maneuverability)
All-wheel drive
20-inch wheels

AMG SL 63
Along with the more powerful V8, the AMG SL 63 tacks on:

Upgraded performance suspension
Yellow brake calipers
Electronic limited-slip rear differential
AMG Track Pace in-car app
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

All trim levels can add the Driver Assistance package that includes:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Front cross-traffic warning
Emergency stop assistance (senses if the driver is incapacitated and automatically stops the vehicle and summons emergency services)
Active speed limit assistance (automatically adjusts the cruise control to match speed limits)

Other stand-alone options include:

Head-up display with augmented reality navigation overlay (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
17-speaker premium audio
Sport front seats
Carbon-ceramic brakes (provide better resistance to brake fade during high-performance driving)

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

8 reviews

5(62%)

4(0%)

3(12%)

2(12%)

1(14%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

My 2022 SL55 from hell.

Don Rodosta , 04/16/2023

2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A)

Things I didn't like about my SL55. Dashboard creeks and rattles. Brake pads squeezed. Transmission upshifted to 5th gear too quickly at low speed. Two months waiting for an appointment at Mercedes dealership. Traded it in on a EQE AMG after three months of ownership and took a big loss. Thanks Mercedes!

2022 SL55 AMG Not Safe To Drive

Bob, 12/31/2023

2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A)

Traded in a C7 Z06 for a new 2022 SL55 AMG. The issues with the car started within 1000 miles. First the top would stop half way. Next the trunk would open by itself at highway speed. The dash rattles. The monitor then went to just a fuzzy screen so none of the multitude of systems control within the multimedia system were able to be controlled. Next the 4 wheel steering faulted at …

Had Flaws - But a recall fixed my major issue

Mike, 10/01/2023

2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A)

Edit: the below still stands for my initial purchase, however, i bought the vehicle while there was a recall on my battery charging port (or something similarly worded). the dealership i bought it from must not have felt like fixing my issue and sold it to me knowing there was a problem with it and did not disclose this. Now, after getting the vehicle back from my local dealership (not … who i purchased it from), it has become an amazingly fun car to drive, with 100% battery reliability. gone 2+ weeks with no start, and the battery has not died. Just make sure when you go to purchase your vehicle it is up to date on at least this one recall issue with the battery. It is now a 5 star car, like my ending paragraph said it would be if the battery wasn't an issue. Please look up the problems on mbworld forums. if you google mbworld battery issues on amg sl 55 you will find many others experiece the same problems as me below for the 2022-2023 model year. Pro's Extremely fun to drive. Performance and comfort are perfect for me. At 31 and it being my first luxury sports car purchase, it is exactly what i expected. Amazing acceleration. The tech inside is insane. Way more functions than necessary but justifies the price tag and makes the car a lot of fun. Ride may be rough for some, but for me, it is still a great ride. BIG CON Battery drains exceptionally fast. Drove it off the lot on a tuesday. parked it in my garage. by thursday my mercedes app is telling me the battery is low. took my car to get ppf wrapped for paint protection the following week. dropped it off on a monday. they called me on wednesday and said the car died. googled this problem and turns out, this is a COMMON issue and many people are not finding solutions. In order to get my car to last 5 days without being driven, i need to turn off wifi, blue tooth, and all interior lights of the vehicle after parking it in the garage. i have to lock the vehicle at all times. i also need to store the key fob over 15 feet away (the fob and car search for eachother and if they are within a certain distance, the battery will drain). this helps a little. but today i just cleaned my car after driving it for 3 days in a row, and because i had the doors open for 30 minutes to clean the interior, guess what my mercedes app poped up with. battery in critically low condition. another minor issue that i can live with (but shouldnt have to) is the breaks squeal about 70% of the time you stop. unless you push the break hard, expect some noise. If the battery wasn't an issue, this car would easily be a 5 star car for me. i can deal with all the small annoyances because its performance and aesthetics are amazing. sound system is amazing as well. but for the cost of the vehicle, i expected better. i plan to set an appointment at a dealership to see if it can be resolved, but as mentioned, there are many people experiencing this problem and very very few have had success in resolving it. wish i would have gone with the BMW M8 or the Lexus LC500. Comparable in performance, are less expensive, and from what i can tell on forums, do not seem to have any battery issues.

What a sound

randylip, 09/04/2023

2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A)

I now have 1800 miles on my MB SL 55. Great car. Beautiful, magnificent interior, fast, and what a sound. The workmanship is spot on. I owned the older sl models but this blows them away. You can go from a comfortable rode car to a beast by switching small dials on the steering wheel. Its not cheap, but you get a lot of car for the money.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.

See all 8 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

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2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class video

Best & Worst Car Redesigns | Ford Bronco, Nissan Z, HUMMER, Kia K5, Subaru BRZ & More

NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, but since the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Features Specs

Trim:

AMG SL 43

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$109,900
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$247/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	7.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

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Safety

Our experts’ favorite SL-Class safety features:

Active Brake Assist: Warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios.
Evasive Steering Assist: Warns if an obstacle is in the path of the vehicle and automatically steers around it if there's adequate space.
Active Blind Spot Assist: Warns if a vehicle is in your blind spot and will attempt to prevent you from steering into that lane.

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 SL-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 SL-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 8 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the SL-Class has 7.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. Learn more

What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class:

The SL is unchanged for 2024
Part of the seventh SL generation introduced for 2022

Learn more

Is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class reliable?

To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the SL-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the SL-Class's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 SL-Class and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 SL-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 8 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 SL-Class is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

The least-expensive 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class AMG SL 43 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $109,900.

Other versions include:

AMG SL 43 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $109,900
AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $141,300
AMG SL 63 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $183,000

Learn more

What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the next question is, which SL-Class model is right for you? SL-Class variants include AMG SL 43 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A), AMG SL 55 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A), and AMG SL 63 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A). For a full list of SL-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Pricing

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Taking a back seat

Competitors to consider

Performance

Comfort

Edmunds suggests you pay

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class pricing

Edmunds suggests you pay

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which SL-Class does Edmunds recommend?

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

My 2022 SL55 from hell.

2022 SL55 AMG Not Safe To Drive

Had Flaws - But a recall fixed my major issue

What a sound

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class video

Best & Worst Car Redesigns | Ford Bronco, Nissan Z, HUMMER, Kia K5, Subaru BRZ & More

2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Features Specs

Compare the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Safety

Our experts’ favorite SL-Class safety features:

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good car?

What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

Is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class reliable?

Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

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