2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Price Range: $52,998 - $61,249

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 Convertible Exterior

+176

The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz SL has been on sale since the 2013 model year. That's a long time, but Mercedes' consistent updates have kept it from growing overly stale. It's not the fastest or most athletic convertible around, but it is comfortable and practical thanks to a smooth ride, excellent seats and a large trunk. If you're looking for a handsome, understated and comfortable convertible, the SL is worth a look.

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Price & Payment

36 cars

$62,772 avg. price

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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model years

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for Sale

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

A new Grand Edition model debuts
2020 likely marks the last year of this SL generation
Part of the sixth SL generation that was introduced in 2013

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.49 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$185/mo

$141/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Above Average

#20 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class from 2008-2022.}

$703/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.42x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.8%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

31 reviews

5(77%)

4(9%)

3(11%)

2(3%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hard decision was the right decision

jn.meyer@hotmail.com, 09/23/2016

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

There are lots of choices in today's marketplace for the person wanting a two seat sports roadster. I ordered my SL 450 on the day that the dealer was allowed to enter orders for the 2017 model year. The homework prior to selecting the SL 450 was many months of soul searching for the right car, and in the end my list of wants played a role in my final selection. I nixed many models and … brands because of over budget price and worthiness to be classified as a luxury roadster. My final decision was made on a budgeted amount I was willing to spend, overall styling, interior comfort, entry/exit, technology features, available options, ride quality, how well the engine was matched to the transmission, safety features, trunk space, outward visibility, and industry magazine articles. I have owned 1981 and 2001 Corvette's so I had that American experience behind me and fulfilled that past teenage desire to someday own a Corvette. As part of my research, I also considered and drove the Corvette Z51, the Jaguar F-Type, the Porsche Cayman S, and the Audi TT. They all had entry/exit issues and trunk space issues, and only the Corvette passed the interior comfort, technology, and ride quality test. The final decision became easy because the Sl 450 met my expectations in a luxury Roadster based on the 2016 model year, and automotive journal comments about the 2017 which I found to be accurate. The motor transmission match-up is an absolute joy, and the motor has plenty of torque to make the driver feel that he/she is not being held back by torque lag. I bought the Brilliant Blue, with the Designo Sand interior and Black Ash Trim, and it is a beautiful classic look. It has every option except for the Automatic Body Control and the Upgrade Sound System. The improvements over the 2016 SL 400 made it easy to wait for the 2017 model year. If you want a car that gets lots of looks and thumbs-up, this car pretty much does that. There is enough trunk space with the top closed to satisfy a week trip worth of luggage. With the top down, and the windows/wind screen up, you can easily carry on a conversation at interstate speeds. I own a GL 550, so moving from one to the other is very easy because the controls are very similar. I had concerns about the small video screen, but it has not been an issue. The only thing I had issues with was learning how to pre-set stations for the radio, its awkward and more complicated than it should be, but great to use once the up-to 100 pre-sets are programmed. I would not spend the additional $20,000.00 for the SL 550 unless you have a personal need to have that emblem on your car. The more I drive this car, the more I want to drive this car.

Truly Superb

DR. AMDG, 05/09/2020

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 63 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

Traded a really nice SL550 for an SL63 AMG. Really enjoyed the SL550, but the SL63 is simply in a different league. Comfortable ride and luxury appointments still remain, but the AMG magic transforms this already stellar platform into something incredible. Too many superlatives to list, but suffice it to say that the SL63 AMG may be one of the best cars ever made. Frightening power (at …

PURE SUBLIME ELEGANCE

Matt, 05/02/2019

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 550 2dr Convertible (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

This is my dream car. I love that its fast as lightning , beautiful to look at and the way it handles, but does it all in an effortless, professional way. It is so packed with luxury but is still a masculine car. do we really like to get punished in a Porsche just because we want to drive in a sports car? Maybe getting soft in my 40's but I like a quiet, smooth, UN-jarring ride mixed …

Live in your car, love what you drive!!!

Flo Bullock, 12/01/2019

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 400 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

Best car I have ever owned. It's solid, feels super safe. It' a fun drive! The trunk is deceiving. It fits more than you can imagine. Haven't had any problems with it other than a couple of minor things that were covered. It's almost 5 years old.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.

See all 31 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

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2020 SL-Class Highlights

Trim:

SL 450

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$91,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the SL-Class models:

Magic Vision Control: Keeps the windshield clean by spraying water directly from the wiper, minimizing overspray and maximizing windshield-washer fluid coverage.
Attention Assist: Warns you if the car detects irregular driving behavior, such as erratic steering inputs, commonly caused by drowsy driving.
Pop-Up Roll Bars: Detects an impending rollover and deploys a pair of roll bars behind the occupants' heads, helping minimize injury.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Price & Payment

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.49 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Hard decision was the right decision

Truly Superb

PURE SUBLIME ELEGANCE

Live in your car, love what you drive!!!

2020 SL-Class Highlights

Safety

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2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

Price & Payment

2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.49 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hard decision was the right decision

Truly Superb

PURE SUBLIME ELEGANCE

Live in your car, love what you drive!!!

2020 SL-Class Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Mercedes-Benz

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.49 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}