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2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Review

July 28, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The SL’s midcycle enhancement, then, brings with it a few effective styling changes, headlined by a new single-bar grille that evokes most of its SL forebears, flanked by L-shaped headlamps that evoke none of them.
Car and Driver

...unlike the previous model, it now looks really good in red.
Car and Driver

The headlamps' pinned-back perma-surprised look, the widened grille's eerie rictus, the flattened forehead - all have the aspect of someone who has their cosmetic surgeon on speed-dial.
Top Gear

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL grand-touring roadster gets more flamboyant front and rear styling for 2009 and gains some design cues from the classic 1950s "Gullwing" SL. There’s an edgier, more chiseled look in front, with composite lamp fixtures that flank the new grille design and sweep around into the fenders, and in back, the styling is a little neater. It’s similar to what’s being phased in throughout the Mercedes-Benz lineup, while much of the rest of the SL’s softer lines are carried over. Meanwhile, functional side-fender air gills behind the front wheels serve as nods to the past, and (on non-AMG models) the hood has been redesigned to gain two prominent "power domes." Other changes, as described by Car and Driver, include “larger side mirrors with curious arrow-shaped turn signals and, in the case of the SL550 and SL600, a faux air ‘diffuser’ and trapezoidal exhaust tips at the rear.”

These changes didn’t sit so well with some reviewers, who lingered on the idea that the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL has gone many years now since a complete redesign. Car and Driver emphasized that the hood bulges do not correspond to “anything that gives the car more power,” and regarding the new front end, while Leftlanenews.com said that the rear styling looks dated, Britain’s Top Gear said that styling continuity was lacking: “Trouble is...they’ve grafted a square face onto rounded flanks, and it sits uneasily.”

The changes to the already elegant and sporty interior have been limited to a redesigned instrument cluster and steering wheel, and few reviewers had much to say about it. Leftlanenews.com pointed out the ability to “customize the interior with up to twelve single-tone and ten two-tone combinations of leather and wood trim.”

Meanwhile, the AMG versions get enough styling for spotters to easily differentiate them from standard SLs. Differences include a lower air intake in front, a bolder grille design with reshaped headlights, twin power bulges for the hood, special side skirts, and a different rear fascia. “That you're in the AMG version won't go unnoticed by the impoverished who can only afford Porsche Boxsters,” said Road & Track.

Conclusion

Mercedes added a little more flair to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL’s conservative appearance with these midcycle styling changes, but even in AMG trim, it won’t turn heads like a Porsche 911 or Audi R8.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:The SL’s midcycle enhancement, then, brings with it a few effective styling changes, headlined by a new single-bar grille that evokes most of its SL forebears, flanked by L-shaped headlamps that evoke none of them.Car and Driver...unlike the previous model, it now looks really good in red.Car and DriverThe headlamps' pinned-back perma-surprised look, the widened grille's eerie rictus, the flattened forehead - all have the aspect of someone who has their cosmetic surgeon on speed-dial.Top Gear The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL grand-touring roadster gets more flamboyant front and rear styling for 2009 and gains some design cues from the classic 1950s "Gullwing" SL. There’s an edgier, more chiseled look in front, with composite lamp fixtures that flank the new grille design and sweep around into the fenders, and in back, the styling is a little neater. It’s similar to what’s being phased in throughout the Mercedes-Benz lineup, while much of the rest of the SL’s softer lines are carried over. Meanwhile, functional side-fender air gills behind the front wheels serve as nods to the past, and (on non-AMG models) the hood has been redesigned to gain two prominent "power domes." Other changes, as described by Car and Driver, include “larger side mirrors with curious arrow-shaped turn signals and, in the case of the SL550 and SL600, a faux air ‘diffuser’ and trapezoidal exhaust tips at the rear.” These changes didn’t sit so well with some reviewers, who lingered on the idea that the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL has gone many years now since a complete redesign. Car and Driver emphasized that the hood bulges do not correspond to “anything that gives the car more power,” and regarding the new front end, while Leftlanenews.com said that the rear styling looks dated, Britain’s Top Gear said that styling continuity was lacking: “Trouble is...they’ve grafted a square face onto rounded flanks, and it sits uneasily.” The changes to the already elegant and sporty interior have been limited to a redesigned instrument cluster and steering wheel, and few reviewers had much to say about it. Leftlanenews.com pointed out the ability to “customize the interior with up to twelve single-tone and ten two-tone combinations of leather and wood trim.” Meanwhile, the AMG versions get enough styling for spotters to easily differentiate them from standard SLs. Differences include a lower air intake in front, a bolder grille design with reshaped headlights, twin power bulges for the hood, special side skirts, and a different rear fascia. “That you're in the AMG version won't go unnoticed by the impoverished who can only afford Porsche Boxsters,” said Road & Track. ConclusionMercedes added a little more flair to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL’s conservative appearance with these midcycle styling changes, but even in AMG trim, it won’t turn heads like a Porsche 911 or Audi R8.  2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SL STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: “The SL’s midcycle enhancement, then, brings with it a few effective styling changes, headlined by a new single-bar grille that evokes most of its SL forebears, flanked by L-shaped headlamps that evoke none of them.“ Car and ...

Read More of this Review:

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

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.

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