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2008 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Review

July 5, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

One of Mercedes-Benz's most stunning designs
Cars.com

Slickly operating, power-retractable hardtop is a show in itself
ForbesAutos

Sporty, sophisticated dashboard
ConsumerGuide

Mercedes-Benz introduced the general styling of the current-generation SL-Class in the 2003 model year, and for 2008, Mercedes-Benz has made no external styling changes. The top-of-the-line 2008 Mercedes-Benz convertible is aging very well, and it still turns heads despite the six-year run of its appearance.

Exterior styling of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class receives rave reviews from the automotive press. Edmunds notes, "The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class comes in four variants," and "in ascending order of price, they are the SL550, SL55 AMG, SL600 and SL65 AMG." Cars.com calls it "one of Mercedes-Benz's most stunning designs," and with its "low and wide" stance, they write that it "doesn't follow other cars on the road, it stalks them." Kelley Blue Book reviewers describe Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL as having a "long hood, short deck, massive wheels and a barely detectable retractable hardtop" that give the SL-Class a "seductive skin" that "words alone cannot adequately describe." That doesn't stop others from trying though, as ForbesAutos writes, the "slickly operating, power-retractable hardtop is a show in itself."

Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap similar praise on the exterior of Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL-Class, with Edmunds adding "gorgeous" to the list of compliments bestowed upon this 2008 Mercedes-Benz. There are no noticeable exterior differences between the SL550 and SL600, but Edmunds says that either of the AMG trims brings "19-inch wheels" and "exterior styling tweaks" that consist mostly of "lower body sculpting." For those who want to do without the AMG engines but still prefer the appearance, Mercedes-Benz offers the AMG Sport Package on the SL550 and SL600, which Kelley Blue Book says "adds an AMG-inspired body kit."

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SL-Class draws praise for its layout, but a few drawbacks also appear. ConsumerGuide opens with the positives, writing about the "sporty, sophisticated dashboard" and "easy to reach" buttons and switches, but they also find fault with the "pop-out cupholders [that] obscure the navigation screen and nearby climate controls." Speaking of the navigation screen, it is the interface for one of the most complained-about features of the interior: the COMAND system, which Kelley Blue Book says is "complicated" and takes "some effort to master." Edmunds reviewers agree, finding that the integrated "audio and navigation systems" feature "fussy, overly complicated controls." Other than the navigation system, the overall appearance is exceptional, with Cars.com calling it "beautifully crafted."

Conclusion

Distinctive exterior styling combines with a welcoming interior to make the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a joy to behold both inside and out.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:One of Mercedes-Benz's most stunning designsCars.comSlickly operating, power-retractable hardtop is a show in itselfForbesAutosSporty, sophisticated dashboardConsumerGuide Mercedes-Benz introduced the general styling of the current-generation SL-Class in the 2003 model year, and for 2008, Mercedes-Benz has made no external styling changes. The top-of-the-line 2008 Mercedes-Benz convertible is aging very well, and it still turns heads despite the six-year run of its appearance. Exterior styling of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class receives rave reviews from the automotive press. Edmunds notes, "The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class comes in four variants," and "in ascending order of price, they are the SL550, SL55 AMG, SL600 and SL65 AMG." Cars.com calls it "one of Mercedes-Benz's most stunning designs," and with its "low and wide" stance, they write that it "doesn't follow other cars on the road, it stalks them." Kelley Blue Book reviewers describe Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL as having a "long hood, short deck, massive wheels and a barely detectable retractable hardtop" that give the SL-Class a "seductive skin" that "words alone cannot adequately describe." That doesn't stop others from trying though, as ForbesAutos writes, the "slickly operating, power-retractable hardtop is a show in itself." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap similar praise on the exterior of Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL-Class, with Edmunds adding "gorgeous" to the list of compliments bestowed upon this 2008 Mercedes-Benz. There are no noticeable exterior differences between the SL550 and SL600, but Edmunds says that either of the AMG trims brings "19-inch wheels" and "exterior styling tweaks" that consist mostly of "lower body sculpting." For those who want to do without the AMG engines but still prefer the appearance, Mercedes-Benz offers the AMG Sport Package on the SL550 and SL600, which Kelley Blue Book says "adds an AMG-inspired body kit." The interior of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SL-Class draws praise for its layout, but a few drawbacks also appear. ConsumerGuide opens with the positives, writing about the "sporty, sophisticated dashboard" and "easy to reach" buttons and switches, but they also find fault with the "pop-out cupholders [that] obscure the navigation screen and nearby climate controls." Speaking of the navigation screen, it is the interface for one of the most complained-about features of the interior: the COMAND system, which Kelley Blue Book says is "complicated" and takes "some effort to master." Edmunds reviewers agree, finding that the integrated "audio and navigation systems" feature "fussy, overly complicated controls." Other than the navigation system, the overall appearance is exceptional, with Cars.com calling it "beautifully crafted." ConclusionDistinctive exterior styling combines with a welcoming interior to make the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a joy to behold both inside and out.  2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "One of Mercedes-Benz's most stunning designs" ForbesAutos: "Slickly operating, power-retractable hardtop is a show in itself" ConsumerGuide: "Sporty, sophisticated dashboard" Mercedes-Benz introduced the general ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 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.

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See the Mercedes-Benz SL Class in Other Years:

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

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