2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

header-image
$88,200 - $112,300
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 2, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

The interior fit and finish levels are truly top-notch

Infotainment system feels dated

It is mostly unchanged except for a few revisions to the standard features list

Relentless acceleration and power delivery from the V8 engine

Headroom can be confining for tall people

Incredible cargo space despite having a foldable roof

Sublime handling owing to a well-balanced chassis

Specs & Features

$88,200

price

362 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

369 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

9-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl RWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Mercedes Benz SL Class is a midsize convertible offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $88,200. With a significant price difference, it indirectly competes with the BMW 6 Series 640i Convertible and the Porsche Carerra Convertible. Between 2 trims, the SL Class offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine capable

of making 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 449 horsepower-making 4.7L turbocharged V8 engine. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The SL Class reaches 60 mph from zero in 4.9 seconds on its

base engine, which gets pumped up to 4.3 seconds with the 4.7L turbocharged V8 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the SL Class can manage a combined fuel economy between 23 and 20 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 11 striking colors the SL Class comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

Since the top-level SL 550 trim gets a V8 engine with astonishing power figures, we highly recommend going for it without thinking twice about it. On the features front, it brings AMG-branded 19-inch wheels, an automated parking system, the Airscarf neck-level heater, a power trunk lid with hands-free activation, and ventilated seats with active side bolster and massage functions.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

 

 

Trims

    450
    $88,200 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl RWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 362 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 369 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.26 sec
    • Top Speed: 186 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    550
    $112,300 onwards
    • Engine: 4.7L 8cyl RWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 449 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.59 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$88,200- $112,300

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.22

Horsepower

449 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

$57,400- $81,900

Gasoline

8.73

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 1950 rpm

2

Read Review

$202,723

Gasoline

8.02

553 hp @ 7500 rpm

557 lb.-ft. @ 4750 rpm

4

Read Review

$152,850

Gasoline

7.51

577 hp @ 5500 rpm

664 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

2

Read Review

$222,000

Gasoline

7.97

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

2

Read Review

2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.26 sec-186 mph
    3.5 sec11.5 sec205 mph
    3.77 sec--
    3.92 sec--
    4.8 sec12.3 sec170 mph

    2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg19.8 gal.396/554.4 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg24 mpg14.3 gal.300.3/400.4 mi.
      16 mpg25 mpg19 mpg19.8 gal.316.8/495 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg18 mpg20.6 gal.329.60/473.80 mi.
      13 mpg22 mpg16 mpg19.8 gal.257.4/435.6 mi.

      2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.3 in.76.7 in.51.2 in.3.7 in.101.7 in.
        182.7 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.7 in.
        182.7 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.7 in.
        179.9 in.75.2 in.52 in.6 in.105.1 in.
        172.4 in.70.9 in.50.9 in.4.3 in.97.4 in.

        2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.5 cu.ft.50.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          9.7 cu.ft.101.7 cu.ft.9.7 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.50.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.50.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.

          2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            71.4 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            170.4 cu.ft.9.7 cu.ft.9.7 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.

            2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -3826 lbs.
              -3813 lbs.
              -4211 lbs.
              705 lbs.2943 lbs.
              -4112 lbs.

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 12 mpg

              0-60 : 3.98 sec

              #1

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 3.77 sec

              #2

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 4.27 sec

              #3

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              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

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              #4

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              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

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              #5

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              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

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              #6

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63

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              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

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              #7

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

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              #8

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 Coupe

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 4.1 sec

              #9

              2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 3.92 sec

              #10

              Other Compact Convertible