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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $83,300–$99,871 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.5/10, while Value at 5.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sports — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.4/10 for reliability, this sports trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.1/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.5/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $83,300–$99,871, 16 MPG, seating 2, the Mercedes-Benz SL sits in the luxury tier of the sports market. The value score of 5.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL ranks #267 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 16% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $83,300 starting price is about 81% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.2 — and starts roughly $9,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $100,940 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $100,940 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $98,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $95,060 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $92,120 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.3/10 | $89,180 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $86,240 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $83,300 | |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $80,360 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $77,420 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $74,480 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $71,540 | Read review → |
We rate the 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL's reliability 6.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #267 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 16% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL starts at $83,300 and ranges up to $99,871 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.