Which mercedes sl is the best

The German marque has been producing them since the s, with its iconic SL-class first introduced in Made between and , the SL W was essentially created as a more affordable, less performance-focussed alternative to the more expensive SL Gullwing.

Taking over from the previous generation SL and SL, the second-gen Mercedes SL W took things in a slightly different, more laid back direction. Aimed more at the American market, the Pagoda named as such for its distinctive hard top , was less performance focussed and more of a cruiser. That said, it handled very well for its time thanks to its light weight and wide chassis. One of the longest running chassis series Mercedes ever produced, the third-gen SL R replaced the Pagoda in Boasting a design ahead of its time, and one that would somehow still look relevant all the way up until the end of its production run in , the R came in a wide range of engine sizes and configurations.

This one, a SL, boasts a 3. The R was the car that took the SL upmarket. Unlike its predecessor, it had thrown off most of its sporting pretensions in favour of becoming a fully fledged GT car. And rightly so: it was a method which served Mercedes well for the best part of two decades thereafter. Most usable of the bunch is the late SL six-cylinder, though many find the purity of the early SL V8s more appealing.

The SL is currently the most valuable model, the market finding the larger engine and better specified cars the easiest to resell. There was also an SL derivative named the SLC — stretched by 12 inches, this coupe effectively took the position of the S-Class coupe for a generation. R values have been dragged upwards in recent years by the success of its its older brother. This upward trend is likely to continue as Pagoda values continue to climb, as those who have been priced out of the latter market find early Rs the ideal substitute.

Launched in , the R SL was softer and smoother still than the previous model. In its most efficient set-up, with a 3. The SL manages 31mpg on the combined cycle but we only achieved 24mpg on our mile test drive. At the top of the range, the official figures for the SL 65 are In short, running costs can be expected to be high and tax bills will also sting. However, it's no more expensive than a BMW 6 Series and buyers in this market will be prepared for some hefty bills.

Unsurprisingly, all SL models sit in insurance group 50 because of their price and performance — even the entry-level SL commands top dollar. Again though, if you're buying a car in this sector of the market, that's to be expected. Despite the high list price, the Mercedes SL will hold on to a decent chuck of its value after three years and 36, miles. The basic SL will keep 50 per cent of its original purchase price, while a range-topping SL 65 retains 51 per cent. An SL and SL 63 will hold on to 48 and 49 per cent respectively.

For comparison, a Porsche is about the same, with numbers ranging from 42 per cent to 51 per cent depending on model. A Jaguar F-Type sits in the same ballpark, though a flagship SVR version will suffer the most — retaining just 35 per cent of its value after three years.

The sixth-generation Mercedes SL has quite a bit to live up to. Over the years the SL design has evolved rather than been reinvented, and the version features a smoother design that stays true to the original. A long bonnet and small cabin mimics the traditional roadster and it looks far more menacing than it did before the latest facelift. In the cabin, the Stuttgart manufacturer lives up to its heritage, by tastefully blending fine leather, metal trim and aero-inspired instruments to create a feeling of grandeur.

It now incorporates Apple CarPlay technology, too, allowing easy smartphone integration on the move. As the latest SL is just a facelift of the old car, Merc hasn't fitted the mouse-like controller for the Command Online infotainment system found on other more modern models. It's still easy enough to use and quite responsive. The colour display is bright but the graphics do look a little dated compared to the new systems you find in BMW and Audi models.

However, it is nicely integrated into the dash rather than perched on the top, so makes the cabin look a lot better packaged. When you think about the Mercedes SL, forget the need for four seats, non-mark materials and useful things like resistant plastic bumpers to squeeze into a parking slot.

The SL instead focuses on giving driver and passenger ample room inside the cabin, while the boot - which has litres with the lid down - is more than big enough for a couple of small suitcases. Parking sensors are standard and to get the most out of the British summer, the hard roof comes off in 20 seconds.

As standard you get a driving position with a wide range of adjustment and seats that are shaped for comfort rather than vice-like side support. The SL is more of a GT cruiser than a sports car, therefore, it has the classic long bonnet and cab-rearward design but it is a strict two-seater. With the roof in place there is a good amount of headroom for both passengers, with enough space for the tallest of adults to stretch out, too.

For a two-seat roadster the SL is rather practical. With the roof in place the boot measures in at litres, but even with it stowed there's still litres of space.

It's brimming with driver aids such as adaptive braking, stability control, anti-skid mechanisms and traction control, and it also includes a system that detects when the driver is feeling tired. Older versions of the SL developed a few electrical gremlins after a few years, but this new model seems to be holding up very well.

Mercedes finished just outside of the top 10 manufacturers in the Driver Power survey, finishing in 12th place after an 11th place finish in Although not the best position to be in, Mercedes will be pleased to hear it finished ahead of rivals BMW and Audi , but Jaguar was ahead in 6th place. Cheapest Cheapest vehicles Our 'cheapest' pick is the model with the lowest on the road retail price.

Most Economical Most economical vehicles Our 'most economical' pick is the model with the best fuel economy on the WLTP combined cycle. Fastest Fastest vehicles Our 'fastest' pick is the model with the fastest time for the mph or mph sprint.

Skip to Content Skip to Footer. In-depth reviews Home Mercedes. Overall Auto Express Rating. More reviews.