2026 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG SL

Ah, the SL. One of the most recognizable Mercedes-Benz cars of all time. As the full name suggests, this is the AMG-fettled lineup. If those letters don’t already ring a glorious bell, then you’ve now been notified that AMG variants are the fastest, most driver-focused versions of vehicles wearing that evocative 3-pointed star badge.

Although the SL name has been around since 1954, this current generation is still fresh — having launched for the 2022 model year. The tech remains impressive while the car also exhibits timeless qualities of classiness and a fantastic driving experience.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of high-horsepower luxury cars, including the Mercedes-AMG SL.

Where there used to be a palm rest in the center console, there’s now a couple of switches. Of greater importance, though, is the sheer number of new paint choices. The Manufaktur personalization program is where Mercedes-Benz puts its more expensive cosmetic options. Now there’s the Manufaktur Exclusive level with more than 50 hues, as long as $9,900 is acceptable. There’s also a couple of new Manufaktur interior color schemes this year: Tobacco Brown/Black and Classic Red/Black.

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG SL has a starting sticker price of $113,800, with the range-topping SL 63 S E Performance kicking off at $209,150.

We recommend getting a model with the V8 engine for the burble and the rear-wheel steering. Both the SL 55 and SL 63 are popular.

Although the SL has a heritage like no other luxury sports car, it’s not the only choice. The Lexus LC Convertible is more affordable. The BMW 8 Series Convertible comes in even lower (still in six figures, however). The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is priced between the SL 43 and SL 55. The SL also stands up well against much more exotic machines like the Aston Martin Vantage V8 Convertible, Bentley Continental GTC and Maserati GranCabrio.

Before buying a new SL luxury sports car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are not usually a priority with luxury cars like this, yet we expect the SL to be around average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Drivetrains in the 2026 AMG SL go from great to good gracious. The SL 43 flexes its 416 horsepower to sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a perfectly zippy 4.8 seconds. Most SL buyers don’t need to go faster than this. But the ones who do can put the SL 55’s 469 horsepower to the ground and hit 60 mph a second sooner. Or shave off another 0.3 of a second in the 577-horsepower SL 63.

To compare with the SL 43, the “base” Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet has 379 horsepower and is about half a second quicker to 60 mph, while the Mercedes beats the BMW 840i Convertible by a small margin. Anyway, it isn’t all about the numbers with an SL.

Although there is another twist with the AMG SL 63 S E Performance, which harnesses electric power as well as combustion to push the SL to extremes it’s never known before. It develops a truly awesome 805 horsepower and up to 1,047 lb-ft of torque. The 60-mph mark is but a fleeting event that happens just 2.8 seconds (gasp) into its rush to a top speed of 198 mph.

In general, we’ve found the SL does a fantastic job of balancing engaging performance with a luxurious ride quality. We could cruise for hours on the highway with no complaints. Yet the SL is equally in its element on twisting back roads, thanks to the all-wheel steering system (in the V8-powered models) and the well-tuned AMG Ride Control suspension system.

Fuel Economy

It’s unlikely that SL buyers will care too much about gas bills. That said, the SL 43 achieves 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Which is fine, we suppose. The BMW 840i Convertible gets 24 mpg combined, about as good as this class gets. The SL 55 and SL 63 both run to 16 mpg combined. The SL 63 S E Performance achieves the equivalent of 29 mpg combined (MPGe) or 18 mpg combined once the battery is depleted. Its battery-only range is negligible.

We could sit in these front seats all day, they’re so well-shaped and comfortable. Mercedes-Benz invariably impresses us with its superb cabin materials and build quality, and that’s exactly what’s going on here. Everything we touch feels classy. We also appreciate the technology, like the highly customizable digital gauge cluster and the user-friendly infotainment system with gorgeous graphics.

The back seats are an afterthought — we could hardly fit back there without sliding the front seats all the way forward. Maximum trunk space is 8.5 cubic feet — more than the Lexus LC 500 Convertible, less than the BMW 8 Series Convertible.

We cover the ultra-luxurious new-for-2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL in a separate review.

We’d say the Mercedes-AMG SL is handsome. It looks simultaneously expensive and athletic, with sports-car proportions and stylish wheel options. This current SL forgoes the retractable hardtop of previous SL generations in favor of a powered soft top. We think it looks great with the roof down.

This year, the Manufaktur program adds Ireland Mid-Green Magno (not mango), Cote d’Azur light blue, and Orange Flame Metallic. And then there’s the impressive list of Manufaktur Exclusive finishes.

11.9-inch touchscreen
The SL’s infotainment system has excellent graphics and user-friendly features, including standard navigation and voice control. We love that the angle of the screen is adjustable to reduce glare.

Airscarf
Warm-air vents in the front seats make the SL more comfortable to drive with the top down in cooler weather. Factor in all-wheel drive and the SL could be a car for all seasons.

AMG Performance 4Matic+
This high-performance all-wheel drive system comes standard in V8-powered SL models. It optimizes torque to all four wheels for a sublime driving experience.

AMG Active Ride Control
This sophisticated adaptive suspension system can adjust each corner for ultimate stability, even in tight corners at high speeds. We’ve experienced it and found it does everything Mercedes-Benz claims. It’s standard in the SL 63 and optional in the lower trims.

AMG Dynamic Select
The standard AMG Dynamic Select system includes Comfort, Slippery, Sport and Sport+ modes, plus an Individual setting that drivers can fine-tune to their liking. We’ve found that each one has its own distinct feel.

Driver Assistance Package
This optional package adds an array of safety tech such as adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assistance, active lane keeping, active emergency stop assistance, and route-based speed adaptation. We think it’s worth choosing.

A 4-cylinder engine in an SL might seem uncharacteristically humble. But remember, these are all AMG models and the SL 43 makes 416 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines in production. Gotta love that kind of stuff.

Back to more predictable specifications, the SL 55 has a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (handbuilt in the usual AMG fashion) generating 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The same engine in the SL 63 pushes output to 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

The SL 63 S E Performance takes that V8 and drops an electric motor into the mix to create an absolutely massive 805 hp and up to 1,047 lb-ft of torque. This makes this the most powerful plug-in hybrid in production — certainly the most powerful SL there’s ever been. The battery is designed for quick energy delivery rather than a long electric-only range, one of the road-going benefits of Mercedes-Benz’s highly successful involvement in Formula 1 racing.

All-wheel drive comes in as standard at the SL 55 level, and every SL has an AMG-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty offered by Mercedes-Benz lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This covers the powertrain as well. Most European luxury car companies have the same terms. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer any free scheduled maintenance, which BMW does. And Lexus has a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety

High-end cars like the SL aren’t usually crash-tested outside of their manufacturer’s own development programs. The SL comes well stocked with standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, parking assistance, and adaptive front lighting. Optional safety tech in the Driver Assistance Package includes adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assistance, and traffic sign recognition.