2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: The Roadster at the Top of Its Game

When we discuss roasters typically the first car to come to mind is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but there are many other roadsters out there that are actually in a higher category. While no one can argue with the fun you can have in a Miata, the SL-Class is a two-seater that gives you everything you need in a car that is in a class with the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Vanquish. The SL-Class is certainly more useable as a daily driver than those other two, giving you the right features and the perfect case for being a car that is fun, exciting and certainly luxurious to drive.

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a name that goes back longer than most other vehicles on the road. With six decades of success and precision crafting this is a car that has become an icon for luxury roadsters and is one of the best to drive anywhere. While other luxury roadsters are concerned with their track performance, this one gives you the comfort you want to have a great cruise on the open road. With a mid-cycle refresh for this year the SL-Class offers us more power in the SL550, complimentary service for the mbrace telematics service and a Mille Miglia 417 edition which will only have 400 models made to make it an exclusive offering of this car.

When you get behind the wheel of the SL-Class this does feel like an awesome grand touring car that can go fast but is perfectly content cruising along at a slower speed. You won’t feel the sportiness of a Porsche but you will feel the car is smooth and controlled in and out of turns to be one of the most luxurious and enjoyable driving cars on the road. You won’t feel any body roll at all with the Active Body Control system that eliminates any roll whatsoever.

There are four engines found under the hood of the SL-Class, all of which are exceptional in their own right. The base engine is a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 that you will enjoy in the SL400. This engine offers you 329 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque while being attached to the seven-speed automatic transmission that is used across the entire lineup to offer you the fuel mileage of 20 city/27 hwy mpg.

The second engine offered is a 4.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that makes its way into the SL550. This engine brings you 449 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque to offer you fuel numbers of 16 city/24 hwy mpg when attached to the same transmission. Next up we see the first of our AMG models with the SL63 AMG that has a 5.5-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine which makes 577 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine actually has a slightly better fuel mileage than the previous one with 16 city/25 hwy mpg. Finally, the top performance model of this group is the 6.0-liter twin turbocharged V12 which we find in the SL65 AMG. This beast will give you 621 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque which is just insane and the fuel mileage is almost laughable, but still at 14 city/21 hwy on this monster.

You know with a car like this one the price is going to start out high and go higher. The base price for the SL-Class is $86,000 for the SL400 and the SL550 will ask for $109,000 to start with. Moving up the scale the SL63 AMG comes in just over $150,000 and the biggest model shows up at nearly $220,000 just to start with for the AMG SL65. You are paying for performance in this car, but if you are shopping in this price range you should expect power, precision and performance from your new high priced roadster.

What do you get at the base price? The SL400 offers you leather upholstery, heated 12-way power seats with memory, and a power wind blocker to help keep your hair where you want it, the COMAND system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio and a Harman/Kardon audio system. The Airscarf comes in standard when you move up to the V8 models as does a driver selectable adaptive suspension, a hands free system for opening the trunk, the Active Multi-Contour seats with massaging function that also have heating and ventilation. When you opt for either of the AMG models you will have added styling items that give the car an even better overall look.

Heading to the options, and there are quite a few, the SL-Class shows up with the Magic Sky Control, an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system, the Splitview center screen which gives the driver the navigation instructions right in front of them while the passenger watches a movie, upgraded wood and leather interior trims, a Driver Assistance Package that adds blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, radar based cruise control and even some Designo treatments for those looking for a unique style to their SL-Class model.

This car is actually made for taller adults, which makes it perfect for anyone of any height to enjoy. There is plenty of leg and head room for you and your passenger to enjoy. The materials used let you know this is a car that didn’t pinch pennies in design, but went for the top materials every time. You will be absolutely amazed by the precision and the perfection this car offers you. The trunk even has 13.5 cubic feet of space to allow you to have your luggage in the back for a great drive.

On the outside you might never get inside this car to drive it because of the beauty it presents you with. This car is perfectly proportioned to look exciting, sophisticated and luxurious all at the same time. You want to take someone along just to share the experience of driving this beautiful car that has an impressive grill and wonderful lines. Leaving out the rear seats was a great move by Mercedes-Benz which helps give taller drivers the space they need and makes this car feel even more sophisticated than you would expect. If this is the car for you then it’s time for you to visit your local dealer and buy the SL that fits your style.