Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 77%

The Mercedes SL two-seater luxury sports car has been updated for 2008 after more than 50 years on the road.

The Mercedes SL is now beefier looking with the more sporty performance under the bonnet to back it up.

View our Mercedes SL slide show

Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins got behind the wheel of the Mercedes SL for a week to see if it lived up to its “incomparable” billing.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

Mercedes updated the Mercedes SL at the same time as its little brother the Mercedes SLK, and like the smaller car, the Mercedes SL has been beefed up to give it a sportier look. We liked it at the Mercedes SL UK launch and this was equally true after a week’s loan. The V-shaped raised bonnet, topped by two powerdomes complement a grille which is less fussy than the previous model. Front wing air outlets and redesigned front headlamps also serve to create a more purposeful, wider-looking car – reinforced by the more aggressive rear including angular rather than curved exhaust pipes.

8/10

2. Looks inside

Like the Mercedes SLK the Mercedes SL now features a three spoke steering wheel and restyled chronometer-design instrument cluster. The cabin feels roomy and buyers can choose between aluminium and wood finishes. Our aluminium-trim finished model felt luxurious and modern. Everything was uncluttered and long before our week-loan was up we felt at home – stylish and simple.

8/10

3. Practicality

Side pockets are roomy and open to the touch there is storage between the occupants, a glovebox and more behind the seats. The boot can take 235 litres of luggage when the roof is in operation which can be increased to 339 with the lid on. You won’t be able to take more than one passenger and don’t expect to fit three suitcases in the boot; but as far as two-seater sports cars go the Mercedes SL should meet your everyday needs. The Air Scarf is a £420 option introduced from the Mercedes SLK which can help increase the number of months you can still enjoy top-down motoring by sending a jet of warm air to your neck and is worth serious consideration.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Mercedes SL might say luxury when it is at a standstill but if you’re looking for an engaging drive it can soon be prompted to be sporty too. There is minimal roll when cornering thanks to active body control adapting the suspension to suit the situation. The £130 direct steer option which weights the steering according to the speed you are travelling is another option which deserved serious consideration. It all adds up to a luxury convertible which will please the driver in you too.

8/10

5. Performance

We drove the model Mercedes expects to find most homes the new V6-powered SL 350 with 316bhp on tap – an increase of 44bhp over the outgoing model. Its 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds and top speed of 155mph ensure it is no slouch. The power is supplied with the help of a 7G-tronic seven speed automatic gearbox which, no matter what speed we were travelling, delivered power speedily for quick overtaking manoeuvres. But that level of performance only increases through the range: through the 388bhp SL500’s 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds, the 517bhp SL600’s time of 4.5 seconds to the flagship 525bhp SL 63 AMG and 612bhp SL 65 AMG.

8/10

View our Mercedes SL63 AMG slide show

6. Running Costs

Insurance, tax and fuel consumption will all add to the cost of ownership of a Mercedes SL though Mercedes claim savings of two or three per cent over the mileage achieved by outgoing models. The Mercedes SL 350 returns an average 28.5mpg, which is chipped away through the range right up to the Mercedes SL 650 AMG’s 18.7mpg. All models fall within the top car tax band G, attracting an annual bill of £400 and all fall within insurance group 20.

6/10

7. Reliability

Mercedes has a good record for reliability and this model has been around for 50 years. The folding tin-top roof is no new innovation and there was nothing in our week-long loan to suggest this new version will be any different.

7/10

8. Safety

New safety features on the 2008 Mercedes SL include bi-xenon headlights and Intelligent Light System with cornering light function. All come with Electronic Stability Programme, Brake Assist and anti-lock brakes.

8/10

9. Equipment

The SL 350 comes with plenty of kit: 17-inch alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlamps, parktronic, tinted glass, COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation Display) including sat-nav and 6 disc CD changer, aluminium trim, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and electric heated leather seats. We’d recommend giving serious consideration to the air scarf and direct steer options.

8/10

10. X-Factor

The Mercedes SL boasts a lot of highlights but its best is quite simply its status. It’s a great-looking car, and still turns heads. And the fact the styling is backed up by substance makes it better still.

8/10

View our Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series slide show

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