Mercedes-Benz SL

Name: 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

EPA MPG: NA

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

The SL is a luxurious two-seat convertible but not a hardcore sports car. It is made almost entirely of aluminum to save weight. Power comes from a 4.7-liter V8 that employs a start-stop feature designed to save fuel. The retractable hardtop has adjustable opacity to let sunlight in even when the top is raised. The SL is full of high-tech features and safety equipment: collision mitigation, adaptive brakes and cruise control, active head restraints, head-curtain airbags, and more. An entry-level 329-hp, twin-turbo V6 SL400 starts at "just" $85,000. For 2016, the 4.7-liter V8 engine gained 20 more horsepower. The SL gets a freshening for the 2017 model.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2016 Sports Cars & Convertibles Reliability

This Car

100

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Mercedes-Benz SL

vs. Similar Cars

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

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2016 Sports cars 2-seat Ratings

2016 Mercedes-Benz SL

$23,200 - $43,700

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C

$ NA

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Audi R8

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 BMW Z4

$16,825 - $22,575

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Corvette

$25,250 - $54,200

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Jaguar F-Type

$14,775 - $25,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

$8,825 - $12,100

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK

$14,250 - $21,525

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Z

$ NA

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Porsche Boxster

$25,900 - $39,675

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Porsche Cayman

$34,125 - $44,800

EPA MPG NA

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Owner Satisfaction

See All Sports cars 2-seat Ratings

Features & Specs

convertible

2 front

Rear

3-liter V6 turbo (329 hp)
4.7-liter V8 turbo (449 hp)
5.5-liter V8 turbo (557 hp)
6-liter V12 turbo (621 hp)

7-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2012-2020

2012 Redesign Year

This generation brought a significantly revised car, one that is wider, longer and fitted with a host of high-tech safety features. While we appreciate the outstanding fit, finish and creature comforts, the look of this version of the SL leaves us somewhat cold. The previous design looks much better. With that said, exceptionally powerful turbocharged V8 and V12 engines are offered, along with an adjustable-opacity feature for the folding hardtop. Practically every known electronic driver's assistance safety feature is also available. Ride quality and handling are unsurpassed, with the SL performing like a much smaller and lighter sports car when called upon to do so, while providing outstanding smoothness and ride comfort when it is required.

2007-2011

2007 Redesign Year

The 2007 redesign made the car sportier to drive despite its size and weight. The folding hardtop transforms the SL from a quiet and refined two-seat coupe into a convertible at the touch of a button. Still though, we found room for improvement in the transmission, some of the interior details, and the controls. Fit, finish and seat comfort are excellent, as is the equipment level and the overall style of the car.

2003-2006

2003 Redesign Year

This premium two-seat roadster, with its folding hardtop, manages to combine both sporty handling and a decent ride. The V8 engine is strong and responsive. Handling is agile, with direct steering. Fit, finish and seat comfort are excellent, but some of the controls are overly complicated. Sleek styling, an abundance of luxury equipment, and outstanding over the road dynamics make this version of the Mercedes-Benz SL one of the most desirable two-seat automobiles offered.

1996-2002

1996 Redesign Year

The 1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class offered six-, eight- and 12-cylinder engine choices. These cars could be had with most any luxury and safety feature, such as dual-zone climate control, HID headlights, and stability control.