Item: Mercedes SL
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Tall gearing helps to keep CO2 emissions down to 175g/km and means the SL 400 doesn't sit in the top benefit-in-kind (BIK) company car tax bracket, even though it can complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.9sec. However, you’ll struggle to match the claimed economy of 36.7mpg in the real world. The SL 500 isn’t too bad at 205g/km of CO2 and 31.4mpg but we’d still stick to the SL 400. If you need to ask about emissions and economy, we’d avoid the AMG SL 63 and SL 65.

Although the SL’s list price starts high, our independent research suggests that you’ll be able to haggle a fair amount off that. Mercedes will also help you out if you’re looking to finance; its PCP deals make the SL far more affordable than some rivals.

You shouldn’t need to add many options, either. All receive heated leather seats, a DAB radio, sat-nav, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. While the warranty period is only three years, there is no mileage limit. That’s handy as Mercedes finished in the bottom quarter of our last reliability survey for manufacturers.

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The SL has always been a fine luxury roadster with a mildly sporting bent, and this is still true. As standard, the SL gets adaptive dampers that can be set in two modes: Comfort mode, which we found provided a cosseting ride on scarred UK roads, and Sport, which is still at the more comfortable end of the sports car spectrum.

Changing the suspension modes brings with it changes to the steering weight and engine and gearbox response, although these are all good whichever mode you choose. The SL 400’s V6 is smooth and broadly powerful right the way through the range, while the automatic gearbox masks any turbo lag.

We’d certainly be tempted to stick with the base engine as it’s fast without being as thirsty as the higher tier engines. That said, the SL 63 is monumentally rapid and a bit sharper to drive. We’d definitely avoid the SL 65 as you get barely any extra performance for the vast additional cost.

Gearshifts are sometimes perceptible, especially as the car downshifts on the approach to junctions, but for the most part the automatic gearboxes – especially the nine-speed units - are seamlessly smooth, befitting the character of the rest of the car.

Yes, the SL is agile enough if you really ask a lot of it, and while it’s not unhappy to be driven briskly, it’s at its most impressive if just driven smoothly. That’s also true if you choose Active Body Control with a ‘curve tilt function’, which leans the car slightly into corners, but it’s an expensive option we’d do without.

Fuel 

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0-62 MPH

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SL 55 4Matic+

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SL 63 4Matic+

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The Mercedes SL is a mainstay of the German brand’s range and its flagship two-seat convertible.

Although SL may translate as 'sports lightweight', it’s actually a luxurious roadster that weighs almost two tonnes. Despite that, it’s anything but slow. In fact, it's so quick it's a serious rival for two very fast and upmarket drop-tops, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/6-series/sports/review/n17313">BMW 6 Series Convertible</a>, and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/f-type/sports/review/n17">Jaguar F-Type Convertible</a>.

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There are four models, of which the SL 400 is the entry point. The 400 moniker is a little misleading because the name doesn't relate to the engine size; this 400 is actually a 3.0-litre twin turbocharged V6. There’s also a 4.6-litre V8 500 model, and two AMG models: the V8 63 and V12 65.

Although the car was facelifted for 2016, much of the SL is virtually the same as before. The main visual changes were applied to the car’s nose to bring it more into line with the rest of the current Mercedes line-up.

Over the next few pages, we’ll cover how the car drives, what it’s like inside, how much it’ll cost you and which version is the best. Read on to get our in depth impressions.

If there's a chink in the SL's armour, it's that its cabin is starting to look and feel a little dated next to those of its rivals, both in terms of quality and infotainment. It's not surprising; this is a facelift of an older design, and the SL doesn't yet benefit from Mercedes' latest materials and Comand infotainment system. Even so, the addition of Apple CarPlay as an option improves matters.

That’s not the only thing to like, as the driver benefits from a wide range of electronic steering wheel and seat adjustment to aid finding the perfect driving position. Compared to the likes of the Jaguar F-Type, you sit more upright, which helps visibility. Even so, the long nose drops out of view meaning you’ll be relying on parking sensors to avoid car park damage.

Sports

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

SL CLASS

The Mercedes SL’s rivals may be sharper to drive, but none are quite as adaptable to any situation

Mercedes-Benz SL

The SL is a strict two-seater, unlike some of its similarly priced luxury convertible rivals that have limited space for two more passengers. Putting the roof down takes around 20sec from a standstill, and it's now possible to move off and travel at up to 25mph while it does so. With the top down, those inside are nicely protected from buffeting, even at speed.

The folding metal roof may protect against the elements well, but it does limit boot space when it’s folded. There’s a boot divider – a shelf that must be moved into place that restricts the 504-litre space to 364-litres before the roof can be lowered. At least the boot is big enough with the roof closed to carry a decent amount of luggage.

There are also more cubbyholes and other storage spaces in the interior than many rivals. All this adds up to make a car that you could quite happily take on a long-distance driving holiday without too much fuss.

Touring Plus

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Performance

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The Mercedes SL’s rivals may be sharper to drive, but none are quite as adaptable to any situation

What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

Mercedes SL review

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Buying advice for the Mercedes SL covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

Tall gearing helps to keep CO2 emissions down to 175g/km and means the SL 400 doesn't sit in the top benefit-in-kind (BIK) company car tax bracket, even though it can complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.9sec. However, you’ll struggle to match the claimed economy of 36.7mpg in the real world. The SL 500 isn’t too bad at 205g/km of CO2 and 31.4mpg but we’d still stick to the SL 400. If you need to ask about emissions and economy, we’d avoid the AMG SL 63 and SL 65.,Although the SL’s list price starts high, our independent research suggests that you’ll be able to haggle a fair amount off that. Mercedes will also help you out if you’re looking to finance; its PCP deals make the SL far more affordable than some rivals.,You shouldn’t need to add many options, either. All receive heated leather seats, a DAB radio, sat-nav, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. While the warranty period is only three years, there is no mileage limit. That’s handy as Mercedes finished in the bottom quarter of our last reliability survey for manufacturers.,For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

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