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Mercedes-Benz SL - What the Auto Press Says

The SL550 roadster is praised for its well-engineered mechanics, classy design, and impressively equipped interior cabin. While hard-to-modulate brakes and complicated controls detract from its appeal, it's still a superb buy for those that can afford it.

Though the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 550 roadster has the power to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a little over five seconds, its handling dynamics and comfortable cabin make it more of a sports tourer than a full-fledged sports car. The Kansas City Star calls the SL550 "a serious luxury sports cruiser capable of covering long distances without breathing hard."

Though this review only covers the SL550, the Mercedes Benz SL-Class also includes the high-performance SL55 AMG, SL600, and SL65 AMG.

• It's "one of the sleekest-looking and best-performing luxury roadsters this side of a Ferrari." -- Forbes

• "Don't test drive more SL than you can afford. Each variant is a sublime cruiser, top up or down. All offer way more grip, acceleration, braking, and sheer sybaritic pleasure than mere mortals are entitled to. So what's wrong with this latest one? This gimlet-eyed critic won't be able to afford one until it's 15 years old." -- Motor Trend

• "For those with the money...this is a superior sports car." -- Boston Globe

SL Performance - 8.6 (Very Good)

Test drivers praise the SL550 roadster for its ability to accelerate to mind-warping speeds in relative comfort. "Consider that this 2-ton-plus vehicle can rumble slowly and softly on city streets," writes the Boston Globe. "But hit the highway or twisting back roads and it suddenly feels light and powerful." Read More

SL Exterior - 9.3 (Excellent)

Critics are in love with the SL550's classy retractable hard-top design -- which screams success. "[T]he top opens and folds away cleanly behind the rear seats at the push of a button, enabling the car to go from closed coupe to full roadster in but a few ticks of a Rolex," explains Forbes. "What's more, it can be fitted with an optional glass roof to enjoy the view with full protection from the elements." Read More

SL Interior - 8.1 (Very Good)

The 2008 SL550's cabin has comfortable seats and an adequate cargo hold. Still, it's criticized for being difficult to enter and exit, as well as for its complicated controls. According to Forbes, two adults "will find nothing to complain about in the SL's opulent and coddling leather-clad and wood-trimmed interior." A favorite feature is the SL550's unique Easy-Pack cargo storage system. Read More

SL Safety - NA

The SL has not yet been crash tested by the federal government or insurance industry, but comes equipped with an impressive list of active and passive safety features -- including Mercedes-Benz's Electronic Stability Program and an Occupant Classification System. What's more, the SL550 roadster features an automatically-deploying steel roll bar. Read More

SL Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2008 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). Mercedes Benz offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. Read More