Model research hub
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Car and Driver says the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class plays a dual role as a seductive open-top cruiser that blends regal luxury with sports car performance, with the entry-level, four-cylinder SL43 lacking the outright performance of the higher-tier models but offering debonair looks and posh cabin details, while the SL55 and SL63 pack a thunderous twin-turbo V-8, and the SL63 S E Performance pairs the same V-8 with an electric motor for a total of 805 horsepower. MotorTrend says the modern SL has evolved from a pure grand tourer into a sharper, more athletic machine that delivers unfiltered performance, head-turning style, and a sense of occasion that few rivals can match, though that intensity comes with a ride that's firm and occasionally unforgiving, rivaling open-top versions of the BMW M4, Porsche 911, and Lexus LC; for 2026 the Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series becomes the first two-seat roadster in Maybach history.
A split personality: cruiser or sports car
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class plays a dual role as a seductive open-top cruiser that blends regal luxury with sports car performance, with the entry-level, four-cylinder SL43 lacking the outright performance of the higher-tier models but offering debonair looks and posh cabin details, while the SL55 and SL63 pack a thunderous twin-turbo V-8, and the SL63 S E Performance pairs the same V-8 with an electric motor for a total of 805 horsepower.
From grand tourer to athletic machine
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the modern SL has evolved from a pure grand tourer into a sharper, more athletic machine that delivers unfiltered performance, head-turning style, and a sense of occasion that few rivals can match, though that intensity comes with a ride that's firm and occasionally unforgiving, rivaling open-top versions of the BMW M4, Porsche 911, and Lexus LC.
A first-ever two-seat Maybach for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series is the first two-seat roadster in Maybach history.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says up to 805 hp in the SL63 S E Performance.
Is there a Maybach version of the SL-Class?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says yes, the 2026 SL680 Monogram Series, the first two-seat roadster in Maybach history.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 4.0L twin-turbo V8, plug-in hybrid on SL 63 S E Performance, rated at 416 / 469 / 577 / 805 horsepower across its luxury convertible body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 SL-Class seats 2 or 4 and is a Luxury convertible.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 SL-Class.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
SL 43 is the entry turbo-four at 416 hp; SL 55 and SL 63 share a twin-turbo V8 at 469 and 577 hp; SL 63 S E Performance is an 805-horsepower plug-in hybrid flagship.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 2025 record → | |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 2020 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (marketed as Mercedes-AMG SL since 2022) is a grand touring sports car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz since 1954. The designation "SL" derives from the German term "Super-Leicht", which translates to "Super Light" in English. Initially, the first 300 SL was a racing sports car built in 1952 with no intention of developing a street version.
Source: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at a glance
- Production
- 1954–present
- Class
- Sports car/Grand tourer (S)
- Body style
- 2-door coupé, 2-door Roadster (automobile), roadster
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1954–2021, SL43; 2022–present), Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (4matic, 2022–present)
- Predecessor
- Mercedes-Benz SSK, Mercedes-Benz 540K
- Also called
- Mercedes-AMG SL (2022–present)
Year by year
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–23 | $3,450–$5,000 | 4 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–22 | $3,500–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–22 | $3,500–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–22 | $3,500–$4,850 | 3 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–23 | $3,350–$4,850 | 3 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16 | $4,850 | 2 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 20–22 | $3,500–$3,900 | 2 |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 18–23 | $3,350–$4,300 | 3 |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–23 | $3,350–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 16–23 | $3,350–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 17–23 | $3,350–$4,550 | 4 |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 17–23 | $3,350–$4,550 | 4 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 19.0 to 19.5 | ||||
| 2025 to 2026 | Labels: SL680 Maybach | Labels: AMG SL63 S E Performance; Engines: 4L 8-cyl SIDI; PHEV; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 3 to 4 | first listed: 11 | Labels: AMG SL63 S E Performance; Engines: 4L 8-cyl SIDI; PHEV; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | Size classes: Two Seaters | |
| 2023 to 2024 | 19.5 to 19.0 | ||||
| 2022 to 2023 | 2 to 3 | 16.0 to 19.5 | Labels: AMG SL43; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid; Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Two Seaters | ||
| 2020 to 2022 | 21.0 to 16.0 | Labels: AMG SL55 4matic Plus, AMG SL63 4matic Plus; Engines: 4L 8-cyl SIDI; Drives: All-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Minicompact Cars | Labels: SL450, SL550; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI, 4.7L 8-cyl SIDI; Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Two Seaters | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 3 to 2 | 20.5 to 21.0 | Labels: AMG SL63; Engines: 5.5L 8-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 7-spd | ||
| 2018 to 2019 | 4 to 3 | 19.5 to 20.5 | Labels: AMG SL65; Engines: 6L 12-cyl | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 20.0 to 19.5 | Labels: SL450; Transmissions: Automatic 9-spd | Labels: SL400 | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | Labels: AMG SL63, AMG SL65 | Labels: SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG |
Trim by trim
Every 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL 450 | RWD | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 362 | 369 | 3,825 | – | 22 | – |
| SL 550 | RWD | 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 449 | 516 | 4,012 | – | 20 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2020 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–449 | 3,825–4,012 | – | 19.8 |
| 2019 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–449 | 3,825–4,012 | – | 19.8 |
| 2018 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–449 | 3,826–3,959 | – | 19.8 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–449 | 3,826–3,959 | – | 19.8 |
| 2016 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 329–449 | 3,836–4,001 | – | 19.8 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) / 5.5-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) +1 | 329–621 | 3,836–4,211 | – | 19.8 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
| 2018 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
| 2017 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
| 2016 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
| 2015 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Compared with
Models this Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is most often compared with.
Nearest Mercedes-Benz models
Other Mercedes-Benz models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 SL-Class come in?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (luxury convertible) comes in 4 trims: AMG SL 43, AMG SL 55, AMG SL 63, AMG SL 63 S E Performance.
Q02What are the 2027 SL-Class trims?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class trims are AMG SL 43, AMG SL 55, AMG SL 63, AMG SL 63 S E Performance, listed from the entry AMG SL 43 up to the top AMG SL 63 S E Performance.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 SL-Class use?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 4.0L twin-turbo V8, plug-in hybrid on SL 63 S E Performance, rated at 416 / 469 / 577 / 805 horsepower across its luxury convertible body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 SL-Class have?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is rated at 416 / 469 / 577 / 805 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder or 4.0L twin-turbo V8, plug-in hybrid on SL 63 S E Performance).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 SL-Class?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is offered with Standard AWD.