2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Price: $54,000

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 Convertible Exterior

+176

The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz SL has been on sale since the 2013 model year. That's a long time, but Mercedes' consistent updates have kept it from growing overly stale. It's not the fastest or most athletic convertible around, but it is comfortable and practical thanks to a smooth ride, excellent seats and a large trunk. If you're looking for a handsome, understated and comfortable convertible, the SL is worth a look.Read full review

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2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
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 Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Smooth ride and comfortable seats
Effortless acceleration
Folding hardtop still allows for decent cargo space

Cons

Not as agile as similarly priced luxury convertibles
Dated technology features

What's new

A new Grand Edition model debuts
2020 likely marks the last year of this SL generation
Part of the sixth SL generation that was introduced in 2013

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.98 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$211/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds 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

edmunds 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 Edmunds 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.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Above Average

#20 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class from 2008-2022.}

$703/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.42x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.8%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

5 (77%)

4 (9%)

3 (11%)

2 (3%)

1 (0%)

4.6

31 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Hard decision was the right decision

jn.meyer@hotmail.com, 09/23/2016

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

There are lots of choices in today's marketplace for the person wanting a two seat sports roadster. I ordered my SL 450 on the day that the dealer was allowed to enter orders for the 2017 model year. The homework prior to selecting the SL 450 was many months of soul searching for the right car, and in the end my list of wants played a role in my final selection. I nixed many models and … brands because of over budget price and worthiness to be classified as a luxury roadster. My final decision was made on a budgeted amount I was willing to spend, overall styling, interior comfort, entry/exit, technology features, available options, ride quality, how well the engine was matched to the transmission, safety features, trunk space, outward visibility, and industry magazine articles. I have owned 1981 and 2001 Corvette's so I had that American experience behind me and fulfilled that past teenage desire to someday own a Corvette. As part of my research, I also considered and drove the Corvette Z51, the Jaguar F-Type, the Porsche Cayman S, and the Audi TT. They all had entry/exit issues and trunk space issues, and only the Corvette passed the interior comfort, technology, and ride quality test. The final decision became easy because the Sl 450 met my expectations in a luxury Roadster based on the 2016 model year, and automotive journal comments about the 2017 which I found to be accurate. The motor transmission match-up is an absolute joy, and the motor has plenty of torque to make the driver feel that he/she is not being held back by torque lag. I bought the Brilliant Blue, with the Designo Sand interior and Black Ash Trim, and it is a beautiful classic look. It has every option except for the Automatic Body Control and the Upgrade Sound System. The improvements over the 2016 SL 400 made it easy to wait for the 2017 model year. If you want a car that gets lots of looks and thumbs-up, this car pretty much does that. There is enough trunk space with the top closed to satisfy a week trip worth of luggage. With the top down, and the windows/wind screen up, you can easily carry on a conversation at interstate speeds. I own a GL 550, so moving from one to the other is very easy because the controls are very similar. I had concerns about the small video screen, but it has not been an issue. The only thing I had issues with was learning how to pre-set stations for the radio, its awkward and more complicated than it should be, but great to use once the up-to 100 pre-sets are programmed. I would not spend the additional $20,000.00 for the SL 550 unless you have a personal need to have that emblem on your car. The more I drive this car, the more I want to drive this car.

Truly Superb

DR. AMDG, 05/09/2020

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 63 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

Traded a really nice SL550 for an SL63 AMG. Really enjoyed the SL550, but the SL63 is simply in a different league. Comfortable ride and luxury appointments still remain, but the AMG magic transforms this already stellar platform into something incredible. Too many superlatives to list, but suffice it to say that the SL63 AMG may be one of the best cars ever made. Frightening power (at …

PURE SUBLIME ELEGANCE

Matt, 05/02/2019

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 550 2dr Convertible (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

This is my dream car. I love that its fast as lightning , beautiful to look at and the way it handles, but does it all in an effortless, professional way. It is so packed with luxury but is still a masculine car. do we really like to get punished in a Porsche just because we want to drive in a sports car? Maybe getting soft in my 40's but I like a quiet, smooth, UN-jarring ride mixed …

Live in your car, love what you drive!!!

Flo Bullock, 12/01/2019

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 400 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

Best car I have ever owned. It's solid, feels super safe. It' a fun drive! The trunk is deceiving. It fits more than you can imagine. Haven't had any problems with it other than a couple of minor things that were covered. It's almost 5 years old.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.

See all 31 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

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2020 SL-Class Highlights

Trim:

SL 450

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$91,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$211/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the SL-Class models:

Magic Vision Control: Keeps the windshield clean by spraying water directly from the wiper, minimizing overspray and maximizing windshield-washer fluid coverage.
Attention Assist: Warns you if the car detects irregular driving behavior, such as erratic steering inputs, commonly caused by drowsy driving.
Pop-Up Roll Bars: Detects an impending rollover and deploys a pair of roll bars behind the occupants' heads, helping minimize injury.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

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2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.98 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which SL-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Hard decision was the right decision

Truly Superb

PURE SUBLIME ELEGANCE

Live in your car, love what you drive!!!

2020 SL-Class Highlights

Safety

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