Two fiery convertibles face off in a fierce, fun battle. Which is your choice?
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Mercedes-AMG SL63 vs. Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet: Open-Air Monsters
Two fiery, high-power convertibles go head to head!
Swanky two-door rear-drive convertible cars aren't as common as they once were, but a few automakers still build them to appease folks who crave open-air adrenaline. We usually see them parked in front of fancy steakhouses, rolling along Beverly Hills' streets, or on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway. Naturally, they're seldom the only car in the owner's garage, as they were developed to favor thrills over practicality.
Time was when the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was the segment's benchmark. Its beautiful design, competent handling, and punchy V-8 made it a favorite among a certain group of buyers, a recognizable symbol that told the world they'd made it to the top. Although the previous generation was a departure from its traditional style, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 retains the SL line's powerful V-8 ethos and a striking design while adding two vestigial rear seats for more perceived practicality. It may not "look" like an old SL, but we applaud Mercedes for giving the famous nameplate another run in an era when SUVs and electric cars make the market's biggest waves.
Meanwhile, a certain Porsche 911 claims some of the category's deepest roots. The 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is markedly different from the SL—it has two fewer cylinders, more power, and its famous rear-engine architecture, plus it's shorter and lighter than the Mercedes-AMG. But as one of the most popular sports cars on the planet—and with the new SL on hand as part of our Performance Vehicle of the Year evaluations—we snatched the opportunity to find out how these two German-engineered machines match up.
On The Road
We evaluated each car's ride and handling on city streets, freeways, and on Angeles Crest Highway, one of the country's best driving roads. ACH's sweeping curves, tight corners, and light traffic were perfect for getting a feel for these convertibles, and although there was a clear difference between their road manners, both were quite compelling.
We preferred the Porsche's overall behavior on ACH, but we enjoyed the Mercedes for its strong engine and transmission combo. With 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 delivers a fun experience regardless of how hard you push it, and the nine-speed automatic transmission shifts up or down swiftly and on time. "It has good power, monster torque, great sound, a good gearbox, good throttle response," executive editor Mac Morrison said after his first few runs on the Crest.
As punchy and lively as the Mercedes was, the Porsche felt superior. The 911's 3.7-liter flat-six engine delivers 640 hp and the same torque as the SL63, and it easily
performed stronger off the line than the AMG, because it weighs 424 pounds less and packs 63 more horsepower. As an overall GT car, "You can't ask for much better as far as responsiveness and directness," Morrison said.
As we've often praised in other Porsches, the steering's response and precision is hard to match. Driving the 911 and the SL back to back also demonstrated the Turbo's superior suspension setup. On bumpy sections where the SL felt soft and out of place,
the 911 delivered a unique connected experience. Its chassis felt dynamic and happy on the twisty road, with little need for steering corrections; the Mercedes' doesn't offer the same kind of feedback or feel.
Away from ACH's challenges, the SL shined on city streets and highways with long sweeps. Somewhat oddly in Comfort mode on less than smooth roads, the car feels stiffer than you likely expect. Its heavy nose, where 54 percent of its weight sits, also notably impacted the way it performed on ACH. It handles well through quick and medium-speed corners, but it's easy to tip the chassis balance into understeer for hairpin turns. However, you won't typically notice that when cruising on city streets and highways.
The Porsche, on the other hand, is capable of obliterating any type of road. "It's a rocket ship of grand-touring style, with outrageous performance," Morrison said. "There are lighter and better-handling 911s, but you really only know that if you've driven those other versions. If this Turbo S Cab was your only experience of the lineup, you'd walk away saying it has no weaknesses as a road car." Indeed, whether you cruise with the top up or down, this Porsche feels like as much car as you've ever wanted. As our test numbers show (see chart below), it's on a different performance plane compared to the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63.
Value Can Still Sorta Apply
It's always difficult to talk about value with cars nearing or exceeding $200,000, but it's a
big part of MotorTrend comparisons and a huge consideration for buyers. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 we drove carried a base price of $182,250, and our test car added almost every option available, increasing its price to $208,085. The Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, on the other hand, had a starting price of $231,350 and included more than $20,000 in extras to push its as-tested price to $252,940.
Is the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet $44,855 better than the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63? After driving them back to back, we lean toward yes. The price difference is large enough for buyers to think about choosing one over the other, but the gap is unlikely to sway many people willing to spend more than $200,000 on a two-door convertible. And when they sit behind the wheel and head to a twisty road (or even drive briskly to the golf course), they will appreciate the dynamic experience and connected feel the Porsche has over the Mercedes.
The 911 is simply faster, more fun, and easier to operate than the Mercedes. Despite the SL63's flashier, more tech-forward interior, it's easy to realize Porsche invested most of its resources on developing the chassis and its handling. That's where the $44,855 difference becomes apparent—it's not in places you can touch or see, but rather where you can feel and enjoy it all behind the wheel.
The Final Decision
The 911 in general is known for being fun and dynamic on challenging roads while also being comfortable as a daily commuter. Our experience in the 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet continued that tradition—it excelled no matter where we drove it. It's a car that draws smiles whether you're cornering hard on Angeles Crest or cruising on Pacific Coast Highway with the top down.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 is a stylish and capable grand tourer that will please a lot of buyers, but its dynamic performance isn't as sharp. It's reasonably comfortable for day-to-day activities and is a little more practical than the Porsche given its longer wheelbase and somewhat bigger back seat. But its heavier weight and longer wheelbase reduce its performance and handling.
Both cars are competent and approach the segment in different ways, but the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is the clear winner. Its direct feel, handsome design, and wild cornering abilities pushed it to the top. The AMG SL63 brings back the old SL charm, but its driving limits held it back in this comparison. The Porsche feels more special in that regard, and when you're spending this kind of money on a niche car, well, you deserve to feel special."
Carries on within link. Adapted.
2nd Place: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63
Pros
- Great engine
- Plush cabin
- Quiet interior
Cons
- Ride and handling aren't super comfortable or super sharp
- Lacks the elegance for which SLs used to be known
- Annoying user interface for key functions
Verdict: An interesting evolution of the SL line that is neither a completely coddling boulevardier nor a raw sports car.
1st Place: 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
Pros
- Precise steering and handling
- Loads of power
- Excellent transmission
Cons
- Even more expensive than the AMG
- Cabin doesn't feel notably special
- Lacks interior space
Verdict: The benchmark for anyone desiring a drop-top performance missile that's comfortable for lazy drives yet capable of lighting challenging roads on fire.
Porsche to the right in the data panel.
