2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class continues the lineage of one of the most iconic touring roadsters ever. It's been eight years since the SL received a full redesign, though, and its age is showing in the face of fresher competitors. To its credit, the SL remains an excellent luxury convertible that delivers high levels of refinement.

　　Inside, the SL is very much a last-generation Mercedes, lacking the latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system and maintaining the dated interior design. It's a functional cockpit, no doubt, but it's missing a lot of the latest tech features and the visual sophistication of current stablemates. If you don't need the latest and greatest features, though, this SL still has the comfort and performance you'd expect.

　　There are strong rumors that this may be the last year for this Mercedes-Benz SL generation since some poorly disguised test mules have been spotted in Europe. If that's the case, you may want to wait and see what the next SL has in store for us. Otherwise, the newer rivals from BMW and Porsche should easily satisfy.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the SL-Class drive? We tested the SL 550. Its turbocharged V8 delivers plenty of easy low-end torque. In testing, the SL 550 covered 0-60 mph in an impressive 4.4 seconds. That's not as quick as some rivals, but it doesn't feel any slower on the street.

　　Driving in the city or passing on the highway feels effortless. Just dip your right foot a little and the SL's V8 emits a warm burble as you're thrust forward with an almost effortless grace. The transmission shifts smoothly and always seems to be in the right gear. And, hey, if you want to make a show of it, the SL is more than willing to light up the rear tires.

　　Around turns, the SL is capable but feels softer and more imprecise than other sports cars, including the Mercedes-AMG GT. It trades that extra performance for more on-road comfort.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the SL-Class? The SL's ride quality is excellent. You feel the road surface, but it's well damped and never harsh. The seats help too. The shape is excellent, striking a great balance between comfort and support. Heated, ventilated and massaging seats are standard, and all three work well. There's even a trick setting you can turn on that automatically increases the thickness of the side bolsters during cornering to help keep you from sliding around in the seat.

　　The climate control works well too. It runs on the cool side, though that's better than not blowing cold enough. The vents are well placed for even air distribution, and the standard Airscarf (a warm-air vent just underneath the headrest) keeps your neck toasty when the top's down. The SL is fairly quiet on the road too, though it's not as quiet as we expect from a convertible with a retractable hardtop.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The current SL debuted in 2013, making it one of the oldest vehicles in Mercedes' portfolio. That's not to say it feels totally dated, just from a different era. The SL uses Mercedes' old control system, including the outgoing COMAND infotainment system. Though functions such as seat adjustments for lumbar and bolstering are linked to the system, there are buttons for almost all radio and climate control settings — a plus since we find physical controls easier to use.

　　Despite its low-slung design, the SL is relatively spacious inside. The cabin is wide and offers a good amount of head and elbow room. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position without much fussing. The low-placed windows mean visibility isn't an issue. The SL's rear window is larger than those on most other convertibles too.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? This is where the SL really shows its age. It uses last-generation Mercedes-Benz tech, including the infotainment and navigation system. Both lack the features and refinement you'll find in more modern systems, including those in the competition. The SL does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, but the lack of a touchscreen means they're not as easy to use. We also found the sound quality of the Harman Kardon audio system to be subpar compared to systems in other cars at this price point.

　　The SL is available with plenty of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. Most are not included as standard equipment, and, as with the infotainment, they don't feel as refined as the aids in new models.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? With the top up, the SL's 13.5-cubic-foot trunk is larger than almost anything else in the class. It drops to 8.5 cubic feet with the hardtop lowered, but that's still twice the space of the Lexus LC convertible. The trunk is wide enough for a golf bag and deep enough to fit small luggage.

　　In the cabin, there's a shelf behind the seat that's good for a couple of soft bags and a hidden bin that's perfect for a purse. The center console and door pockets aren't massive, but they're large enough to be useful for sunglasses or other small items. There's no ideal location to put a smartphone, however.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The SL is available with two engines. The SL 450 uses a turbocharged V6 that gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. Go with the V8-powered SL 550 and the estimate drops to 20 mpg combined. That's actually pretty good for a V8-powered luxury convertible. We observed an impressive 26.1 mpg from our SL 500 test car on our 115-mile test route.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the SL-Class a good value? The SL doesn't feel cheap or overly dated even though it's one of the oldest vehicles in Mercedes' lineup. Some of the buttons and knobs don't have the same premium feel as the ones in newer Mercedes models, but the soft leather and handsome wood trim that adorn nearly every surface make it easy to forgive some of that dated switchgear. Value is decent as the SL 550 includes features such as heated, ventilated and massaging seats, LED lighting, and keyless entry and ignition as standard equipment.

　　The SL includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic, drivetrain and rust warranty, which is pretty standard for the class. And while we like that Mercedes also includes four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance, some automakers now include scheduled maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　If you're aiming to stand out or turn heads, you may want to look elsewhere. That's not to say the SL is boring or bland. We like the understated design, and it's handsome without being flashy. Sure, it's been on sale for so long that it doesn't catch your eye like it used to, but it doesn't seem dated either. The exhaust note is killer too, but even that is relatively tame.

　　The SL is enjoyable to drive, but there are faster and more athletic cars at this price. Where the SL really shines is day-to-day driving or long highway cruises. It's comfortable for hours behind the wheel, and the fat torque curve means giggle-inducing acceleration only takes a small push from your right foot.

　　

Which SL-Class does zzdcar recommend?

As competent as the base SL 450 may be, we recommend stepping up to the V8-powered SL 550 for the full luxury touring experience. It has the right amount of effortless power with a more accessible price than the AMG model. It also has a much more comfortable ride quality. To that, we'd add the Driver Assistance package for more advanced safety features.

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL is a two-seat convertible with a power-folding hardtop that's available in three trim levels based on engine size and output. The base SL 450 is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (362 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) and sends power to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The SL 550 ups the power with a turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 (449 hp, 516 lb-ft).

　　Standard features for the SL 450 include 19-inch wheels, a power windblocker, LED headlights and running lights, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning and mitigation, keyless entry and ignition, a power trunklid with hands-free activation, selectable drive modes and an adaptive suspension.

　　Inside, you get dual-zone automatic climate control, sun-reflecting leather upholstery, heated seats, a navigation system, a COMAND infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a six-CD changer and satellite and HD radio.

　　The SL 550 adds AMG-branded 19-inch wheels, an automated parking system, an Airscarf neck-level heater, and ventilated seats with active side bolsters and massage functions.

　　Most of the SL 550's premium features are optional on the SL 450. All SLs are eligible for mobile Wi-Fi hotspot service and many interior upholstery and trim upgrades. AMG models can be outfitted with carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon-fiber exterior trim. For 2020, a Grand Edition model debuts with 20-inch rear wheels, pre-selected paint and interior trim choices, and diamond-quilted Designo leather upholstery.

　　

2020 SL-Class Highlights

Trim: SL 450SL 550SL 450

　　

Base MSRP	$91,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$200/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles