Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

This conclusive review of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL has been compiled by TheCarConnection.com’s car experts after consulting all the competitive reviews. TheCarConnection.com also drove the new Benz SL, and we offer our expert opinion to help you navigate through the reviews, read about the details that matter, and decide where opinions differ.

Likes:

  • Crisp handling and absorbent ride
  • Great seats
  • Class-leading safety
  • Very tight-fitting top
  • Feature-riffic: Airscarf!

Dislikes:

  • Styling can look dated
  • Feels heavy in tight maneuvers
  • Top restricts trunk space when down

Buying Tips:


If the SL63 or SL65 still isn’t enough, you might want to hold out for the Black Series that’s anticipated for next year. For those who missed out on the SLR supercar, it may bring similar performance and exclusivity to the three-pointed star.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL is the German automaker’s top-of-the-line convertible, save for the ultra-exclusive SLR Roadster.

The SL-Class has been given a midcycle refresh for 2009, with various styling changes and equipment improvements across the line, along with a redesigned instrument panel and new steering wheel.

More noteworthy changes grace the high-performance AMG version: the SL55 AMG is now replaced by the SL63 AMG, which gets a new 518-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 and seven-speed transmission. A revamped SL65, with an AMG-tuned version of the SL600’s supercharged V-12, will be available later in the model year, and an ultimate-performance Black Series is on the way. According to reviewers, the changes to the AMG versions mean that these cars take a larger leap in performance from the standard-issue SLs, and they have dramatically different driving experiences than the SL550 and SL600.

Each of the models still offers a surprisingly comfortable, absorbent ride, along with great seats and top-of-the-class safety. Also, the innovative Airscarf feature, previously only available on the smaller SLK roadster, is now an option on the SL.

Other Choices:

Reason Why:

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL spans a vast price range, with the top-of-the-line, very exclusive SL65 AMG almost twice the price of the SL550. At the bottom, the SL550 competes against the Cadillac XLR, a vehicle that, much like the SL, straddles the line between luxury car and true sportscar. The XLR, with its Corvette sportscar roots, arguably feels a little more entertaining to drive than the SL550, though the Cadillac has more road and wind noise and isn't nearly as refined overall. The Jaguar XK Convertible compares in appointments to the SL, but the new XK drives more like a sportscar, with more pep than the numbers might suggest and a light, agile feel on a curvy road that the SL sorely lacks. Likewise, the top-performance Cadillac XLR-V and Jaguar XKR match up to the SL55 AMG. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet is also a worthy alternative to the SL-Class, offering responsive handling and track-ready performance, but it has a bumpier ride, and like the Jaguar XK, it has a soft-top arrangement and a noisier cabin. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8 are two other alternatives to the AMG cars that both have more overt--some would say exotic--styling inside and out, which makes them more attractive than the AMG cars if pure horsepower isn't what drives you.

The Bottom Line:

The SL’s new look isn’t to everyone’s liking, but in AMG guise, it’s now more punch than paunch—and a worthy stealth Ferrari-chaser.

This conclusive review of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL has been compiled by TheCarConnection.com’s car experts after consulting all the competitive reviews. TheCarConnection.com also drove the new Benz SL, and we offer our expert opinion to help you navigate through the reviews, read about the details that matter, and decide where opinions differ. Likes:Crisp handling and absorbent rideGreat seatsClass-leading safetyVery tight-fitting topFeature-riffic: Airscarf!Dislikes:Styling can look datedFeels heavy in tight maneuversTop restricts trunk space when downBuying Tips: If the SL63 or SL65 still isn’t enough, you might want to hold out for the Black Series that’s anticipated for next year. For those who missed out on the SLR supercar, it may bring similar performance and exclusivity to the three-pointed star. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL is the German automaker’s top-of-the-line convertible, save for the ultra-exclusive SLR Roadster. The SL-Class has been given a midcycle refresh for 2009, with various styling changes and equipment improvements across the line, along with a redesigned instrument panel and new steering wheel. More noteworthy changes grace the high-performance AMG version: the SL55 AMG is now replaced by the SL63 AMG, which gets a new 518-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 and seven-speed transmission. A revamped SL65, with an AMG-tuned version of the SL600’s supercharged V-12, will be available later in the model year, and an ultimate-performance Black Series is on the way. According to reviewers, the changes to the AMG versions mean that these cars take a larger leap in performance from the standard-issue SLs, and they have dramatically different driving experiences than the SL550 and SL600. Each of the models still offers a surprisingly comfortable, absorbent ride, along with great seats and top-of-the-class safety. Also, the innovative Airscarf feature, previously only available on the smaller SLK roadster, is now an option on the SL. Other Choices:Aston Martin V8 VantageAudi R8Cadillac XLRJaguar XK ConvertiblePorsche 911 CabrioletReason Why:The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL spans a vast price range, with the top-of-the-line, very exclusive SL65 AMG almost twice the price of the SL550. At the bottom, the SL550 competes against the Cadillac XLR, a vehicle that, much like the SL, straddles the line between luxury car and true sportscar. The XLR, with its Corvette sportscar roots, arguably feels a little more entertaining to drive than the SL550, though the Cadillac has more road and wind noise and isn't nearly as refined overall. The Jaguar XK Convertible compares in appointments to the SL, but the new XK drives more like a sportscar, with more pep than the numbers might suggest and a light, agile feel on a curvy road that the SL sorely lacks. Likewise, the top-performance Cadillac XLR-V and Jaguar XKR match up to the SL55 AMG. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet is also a worthy alternative to the SL-Class, offering responsive handling and track-ready performance, but it has a bumpier ride, and like the Jaguar XK, it has a soft-top arrangement and a noisier cabin. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8 are two other alternatives to the AMG cars that both have more overt--some would say exotic--styling inside and out, which makes them more attractive than the AMG cars if pure horsepower isn't what drives you. The Bottom Line: The SL’s new look isn’t to everyone’s liking, but in AMG guise, it’s now more punch than paunch—and a worthy stealth Ferrari-chaser. This conclusive review of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL has been compiled by TheCarConnection.com’s car experts after consulting all the competitive reviews. TheCarConnection.com also drove the new Benz SL, and we offer our expert opinion to help you navigate through the reviews, read about the ...

Other Choices:

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL spans a vast price range, with the top-of-the-line, very exclusive SL65 AMG almost twice the price of the SL550. At the bottom, the SL550 competes against the Cadillac XLR, a vehicle that, much like the SL, straddles the line between luxury car and true sportscar. The XLR, with its Corvette sportscar roots, arguably feels a little more entertaining to drive than the SL550, though the Cadillac has more road and wind noise and isn't nearly as refined overall. The Jaguar XK Convertible compares in appointments to the SL, but the new XK drives more like a sportscar, with more pep than the numbers might suggest and a light, agile feel on a curvy road that the SL sorely lacks. Likewise, the top-performance Cadillac XLR-V and Jaguar XKR match up to the SL55 AMG. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet is also a worthy alternative to the SL-Class, offering responsive handling and track-ready performance, but it has a bumpier ride, and like the Jaguar XK, it has a soft-top arrangement and a noisier cabin. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8 are two other alternatives to the AMG cars that both have more overt--some would say exotic--styling inside and out, which makes them more attractive than the AMG cars if pure horsepower isn't what drives you.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class near you

See the Mercedes-Benz SL Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy