Should you buy one?

If you were a fan of the old SL but fancied something a little sportier, the latest model will be right up your street. This is a car that’s able to cover great distances in ease and comfort whilst still managing to cover ground at a rapid rate.

We can’t help but think the SL is trying to be a jack of all trades and ends up being a master of none, though. A Porsche 911 Cabriolet is better to drive and similarly practical, while a BMW 8 Series is more comfortable and spacious.

What we like

With a V8, the SL is a seriously rapid machine whether you’re travelling in a straight line or around a corner. Despite this, the ride remains comfortable if a little firm.

What we don’t like

We’d love a few more buttons for major functions inside, while the SL can’t quite fully pull off being a sports car, even in 63 guise. That’s especially true of the porkier plug-in hybrid version.

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