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2008 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Safety Review

July 5, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Every modern safety feature is standard
Edmunds

Legendary structural and safety features remain intact
Kelley Blue Book

Vigilant (but not intrusive) safety systems
Car and Driver

Although the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class hasn't been subjected to either National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, there are numerous safety features that provide ample reason for occupants to feel well protected in Mercedes-Benz's 2008 edition of the SL.

For the safety-conscious who might be waiting for crash-test results before purchasing their 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-class, reviewers at Cars.com write that "it's unlikely" those results will be coming "in the near future, given that it is a low-volume model." However, for 2008, Mercedes-Benz engineers have taken care to provide "every modern safety feature" as "standard on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster line, including stability control, side airbags (with both head and torso protection), a driver's knee airbag and pop-up roll bars," according to Edmunds.

The pop-up roll bar on this 2008 Mercedes-Benz lineup is a nifty feature that ConsumerGuide says is "designed to deploy in an impending tip" but remains out of sight during normal driving.

ConsumerGuide adds that "adaptive cruise control is optional," a feature that automatically maintains a safe distance from vehicles in front of Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL-Class.

Sight lines from within the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class series of roadsters are acceptable, and with the top down, the view to the back is unimpeded. Despite the generous visibility, for Mercedes-Benz 2008 brings "front and rear parking sensors" as optional equipment, according to Cars.com.

Conclusion

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class roadster is big and stable, and it offers a wealth of safety features.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Every modern safety feature is standardEdmundsLegendary structural and safety features remain intactKelley Blue BookVigilant (but not intrusive) safety systemsCar and Driver Although the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class hasn't been subjected to either National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, there are numerous safety features that provide ample reason for occupants to feel well protected in Mercedes-Benz's 2008 edition of the SL. For the safety-conscious who might be waiting for crash-test results before purchasing their 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-class, reviewers at Cars.com write that "it's unlikely" those results will be coming "in the near future, given that it is a low-volume model." However, for 2008, Mercedes-Benz engineers have taken care to provide "every modern safety feature" as "standard on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster line, including stability control, side airbags (with both head and torso protection), a driver's knee airbag and pop-up roll bars," according to Edmunds. The pop-up roll bar on this 2008 Mercedes-Benz lineup is a nifty feature that ConsumerGuide says is "designed to deploy in an impending tip" but remains out of sight during normal driving. ConsumerGuide adds that "adaptive cruise control is optional," a feature that automatically maintains a safe distance from vehicles in front of Mercedes-Benz's 2008 SL-Class. Sight lines from within the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class series of roadsters are acceptable, and with the top down, the view to the back is unimpeded. Despite the generous visibility, for Mercedes-Benz 2008 brings "front and rear parking sensors" as optional equipment, according to Cars.com. ConclusionThe 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class roadster is big and stable, and it offers a wealth of safety features.  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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