For The Mercedes SL combines stunning performance with well-balanced handling, plenty of space and lots of equipment.
Against It will be costly to run, and the looks won’t be to everyone’s taste.
The Mercedes SL is a car that fits the Grand Tourer brief almost to perfection.
Mercedes’ big, luxurious convertible is now in its sixth generation. Two V8 petrol versions are available, along with one V12, but it’s hard to look past the entry-level SL350 Blue Efficiency, because its 3.5-litre V6 engine combines strong performance with over 40mpg.
As ever, the SL gives buyers some ground-breaking technology: not only is it built largely from aluminium (a first in a Mercedes production car), it also includes features such as the optional ‘Magic Sky Control’ roof¸ which switches from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.