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Mercedes-Benz SL - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL ranks 3 out of 9 Super Luxury Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the Mercedes-Benz SL, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Auto writers agree the Mercedes Benz SL550 and SL600 hard-top roadsters are all-around great cars. Not only are they sexy and luxurious, they perform remarkably well too. However, many also note the SL is not so much a sports car as it is a car with sporty pretensions. Still, many assert that it's worth every bit of its expensive price tag.

For 2009, Mercedes-Benz refreshed the SL550 and SL600's exterior design to look more aggressive. Combined with its powerful V8 and V12 engines and luxurious interior accommodations, the '09 SL is a real winner. In fact, New Car Test Drive writes: "The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has matured in every way over its six generations, quicker and faster on the one hand, more beautiful and more luxurious on the other, to the point where it lacks absolutely nothing, from its array of powerful V8 and V12 engines to its powerful stereo to its active suspension system to those all-day bucket seats. It is a marvel of automotive technology, featuring a folding steel convertible top."

And though some test drivers note that it can't match the performance dynamics of sportier competitors like the Porsche 911 Carrera, it does come close. Even so, performance isn't what the SL is all about. Instead, the SL favors comfortable sports cruising and sheer exclusivity over mind-numbing performance.

This review covers the SL550 and SL600. Mercedes-Benz, however, also offers two high-performance trims -- the SL63 AMG and SL65 AMG.

• "What few faults the SL-Class had in the past seem to have been addressed by Mercedes-Benz for 2009. The result is a more aggressively styled and significantly better driving sports car. And oh -- it still has that nifty retractable hardtop." -- Edmunds
• "It's hard to call a vehicle priced at or above $100,000 a good value, particularly one that can only accommodate two people. The SL-Class, though, makes as compelling a case as any. These convertibles are fresh looking, solidly built, impeccably finished, and a pleasure to drive." -- Consumer Guide
• "For those with the money ... this is a superior sports car." -- Boston Globe
• "In the world of premium and exotic roadsters, only a handful of vehicles offer the exclusivity, performance and overall reliability of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL.  ... Price may be the SL's only Achilles' heel, with the lowest-priced SL starting tens of thousands of dollars higher than a BMW 650i or Jaguar XK." -- Kelley Blue Book

SL Performance - 8.8 (Very Good)

Test drivers find that the SL550 and SL600 provide plenty of power and the comfortable handling dynamics of a boulevard cruiser. "SL550 is smooth and powerful. Mercedes-Benz quotes 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which feels right to us," writes Consumer Guide. Still, some critics note that it can't keep pace with sportier competitors. Read More

SL Exterior - 9.2 (Excellent)

The SL is refreshed for 2009 model year. "The most recognizable difference between old and new is the much more aggressive, V-shape nose section with multi-element bi-xenon headlamps," reports Popular Mechanics. "But travel around the outside of the SL and you'll notice a multitude of other changes like the longer hood (with dual power domes), new rear diffuser, trapezoidal exhaust outlets and new taillamps." Despite these changes, the SL still features its much loved convertible hard-top. Read More

SL Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)

Auto writers are impressed with the SL's lavish interior cabin. "The car is a great driver for those who want to settle in and enjoy the ride, maybe with the top down, the audio system soothing with smooth jazz, the seat massager in full motion and the Distronic keeping track of speed and following distance," writes Autoweek.  Still, critics take issue with its COMAND infotainment system. Read More

SL Safety - NA

The Mercedes Benz SL has not been crash tested, but comes equipped with a wide array of modern safety technology -- including stability and traction control. In fact, Kelley Blue Book notes, "[T]he car's extensive list of safety features is unsurpassed in this category." Read More

SL Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 SL carries a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. Read More