Rank
What's New for 2025?
The entry-level AMG SL 43 sees its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine uprated to 416 horsepower, matching this motor's output in various other AMG products. Mercedes says the SL 43 will now get to 60 mph two-tenths of a second sooner. There are no other significant changes, although the 805-horsepower(!) AMG SL 63 S E Performance plug-in-hybrid should arrive at some point this year. It was supposed to debut last year, so we're not holding our breath, but stay tuned.
FAST FACTS
"Although the current SL lacks a hardtop for the first time in decades, it generally stays true to this iconic nameplate's reputation as an engineering powerhouse. We'd skip the base four-cylinder AMG SL 43, for sure, but everything else in the lineup is fair game, because there are only V8 engines once you get past the SL 43. We're actually partial to the next-rung-up SL 55, as it delivers plenty of turbo V8 power in a slightly more subtle package than the SL 63. You can't go wrong with any V8-powered SL, though, and that's been true for a very long time. Just don't expect the sports-car reflexes and communication you'll find in certain rivals, but again, that's very on-brand for the SL."—Ranked #4 out of 6 Premium Luxury Convertibles
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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A four-cylinder SL? Well, there's precedent, technically. The first-generation 190 SL from the '50s had a four-banger, too, and the AMG SL 43 blows that one out of the water with its 416-horsepower output. But let's be real: No one dreams about a top-shelf luxury roadster with a four-cylinder buzz coming from the tailpipes. If you want an SL, this isn't the one.
An SL with a V8 under the hood — that's more like it. Any vehicle with Benz's excellent 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood is a force to be reckoned with, but you get to hear the force in all its glory with the top down in the SL 55. You could keep going up the ladder and have even more speed with the SL 63, but it's essentially the same V8 either way. We'd be just fine with the 55.
It used to be more fun to analyze the top-spec SL roadsters, because it ended up being an argument about V8 engines versus V12s. You can't simply reduce that to 0-60 times — you're talking about two very different engine types, each with its own distinctive character. Alas, you can't get a V12 in the SL anymore, and Benz doesn't even bump up the displacement on the SL 63 relative to the SL 55. They both use the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, so the main question is whether you want to go really fast (SL 55) or really really fast (SL 63). We'd keep some extra cash in our pocket and be thoroughly satisfied with the 55.
What are the different versions of the 2025 SL-Class, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 SL-Class specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 43 (2.0T Rear-Wheel Drive) | $111,950 | Gas | 22 | 416 hp | 354 lb-ft |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 55 (4.0T All-Wheel Drive) | $144,650 | Gas | 16 | 469 hp | 516 lb-ft |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 63 (4.0T All-Wheel Drive) | $187,150 | Gas | 16 | 577 hp | 590 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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