A mainstay of the lineup for more than 50 years, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class of high-performance coupes and roadsters has gained an international reputation among driving enthusiasts and collectors thanks to sporty styling and powerful engines as much as to the exclusiveness of the class. Many early SLs remain highly coveted today—and highly expensive. Those descriptions apply to current SLs as well.

Like the high-end S-Class sedans, SL-Class roadsters have always come equipped with Mercedes' latest technical innovations and luxury appointments, dressed up in tasteful-yet-cutting-edge design. The early 300SLs with gull-wing doors, first offered in 1954, set the standard for the SL-Class, and Mercedes has never looked back.

SL roadsters with either hardtops or soft tops debuted in the late 1950s, setting off a successful run through the decades during which the automaker has replaced the four- and six-cylinder engines of the early SLs with V8s and V12s. During that time, the design of the SL-Class has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, as Mercedes sculpted and smoothed the cars’ lines for aerodynamics as well as aesthetics.

Prior to 1994, Mercedes used a naming system that led with a car's engine size (300, for instance, indicated a 3.0-liter engine) followed by the SL designation, which stands for “Sport Light” (or “Sport Leicht” in German). Starting with the 1994 model year, Mercedes reversed the naming system, leading with the SL designation and establishing the SL-Class as we know it today. The change was meant to more accurately reflect engine size and eliminate confusion. The basic elements of the naming system remain: The SL320 introduced in 1994, for example, is named for its 3.2-liter, six-cylinder engine.

Generations: Six

• Mercedes-Benz SL 1st generation
• Mercedes-Benz SL 2nd generation
• Mercedes-Benz SL 3rd generation
• Mercedes-Benz SL 4th generation
• Mercedes-Benz SL 5th generation
• Mercedes-Benz SL 6th generation

Pros: Good storage for a roadster, stunning powertrains, early-adoption technology
Cons: COMAND infotainment system is frustrating, old convertible tops can leak

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 7th generation (2022-present)

Mercedes is only giving us AMG models for the latest generation of SL-Class: The SL55 AMG and SL63 AMG. The base Mercedes-AMG SL model nets drivers a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 with 469 ponies and 516 pound-feet of twist. All-wheel drive is standard here, as is a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Although the SL63 AMG gets the same drivetrain and transmission as the SL55, the 4.0-liter V8 is tuned to 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Available drive modes are Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Individual, and RACE.

The MBUX infotainment system makes its way into the SL for 2022, here on an 11.9-inch screen, with pages for AMG Performance and AMG Track Pace. However, trunk space shrank for the latest generation, down to 8.5 cubic feet with the top up.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 6th generation (2013-2020)

Mercedes brought the heat in 2013 with the SL550’s 4.6-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission put the power down to the rear wheels. This trim got an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 20 mpg combined.

Drivers could really go big with the SL63 AMG, which got a 5.5-liter twin turbo V8 with 530 ponies and 590 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant got 19 mpg combined. Those who really wanted to get bonkers could opt for the SL65 AMG with a 6.0-liter twin turbo V12 engine knocking out 621 ponies and 738 pound-feet of twist—combined fuel economy here was 17 mpg.

The sixth-generation SL was known for its impeccable interior materials, design, and technology, including glass roof panels that could dim with the push of a button. The roadster got Bluetooth, navigation, and iPod connectivity. The trunk was moderately large, offering up to 7.2 cubic feet of space with the top down and three more cubes when the top is up.

Nothing changed in 2014, but the following year, Mercedes added the SL400 model, sporting a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. This much smaller engine returned the best fuel economy of the bunch—23 miles per gallon combined. The SL400 had a cool Premium package with the AirScarf neck heater, ventilated massaging seats, and a rearview camera.

For 2016, the SL class continued unchanged, but in 2017, the roadster got an exterior refresh and more standard features like LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, keyless entry, and ambient interior lighting. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto joined the party as well. The SL400 morphed to the SL450 and got a power bump to 362 ponies and 369 pound-feet of torque. The SL550 wasn’t left out of game, with 20 more horses for 2017. Both these models got a new nine-speed automatic transmission.

The SL lineup was unchanged for 2018, but Mercedes dropped the SL65 AMG for 2019. In 2020, the SL received no major updates.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 5th generation (2003-2012)

For 2003, the roadster could be had in SL500 trim with a 5.0-liter V8 pushing out 302 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Also on tap was the SL55 AMG with a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 with 493 ponies and 516 pound-feet of twist. Both options featured a 5-speed shiftable automatic putting the power to the rear wheels.

The old canvas top with a plastic window was nixed in favor of a retractable hardtop that could be folded down in just 16 seconds.

Some cool tech features that debuted in 2003 include adaptive cruise control, keyless entry in the form of a small card that replaced a key, and a brake-by-wire system.

In 2004, Mercedes trotted out the SL600 with a 5.5-liter twin turbo V12 making 493 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Oh, and it had a phone. Mercedes also upgraded the SL500 with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

There were no significant changes in 2005, but the SL600’s phone was removed in 2006.

However, 2007 saw more trims pop up. The SL500 changed its name to the SL550 and had a 5.5-liter V8 under the hood with 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Power went to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic. The SL600’s 5.5-liter twin turbo V12 got a bump up to 510 ponies and 612 pound-feet of twist. The SL55 AMG’s 5.4-liter supercharged V8 now sat at 510 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. New for 2007 is the SL65 AMG with a 6.0-liter twin turbo V12 with 604 horsepower and a crazy 738 pound-feet of twist. These last three models got a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 2008 SL was unchanged, but Mercedes brought in a heavily refreshed SL for 2009 with a sharply styled front end. There was a new SL63 AMG model that replaced the SL55 AMG. Under the hood of the SL63 was a 6.2-liter V8 with 518 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This was mated to a cool new seven-speed multi-clutch transmission. The SL65 AMG was still here, but those who wanted even more power could try the SL65 AMG Black Series in all its carbon fiber, fixed-roof glory. Sure, it produced 670 horsepower, but it also cost around $300,000—in 2009 dollars.

The SL skipped 2010 all together, but came back with a streamlined model lineup in 2011 when Mercedes cut the SL600 and SL63 AMG Black Series. The following year the SL65 AMG was nixed in preparation for the next generation.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 4th generation (1990-2002)

The fourth generation of SL arrived on the scene in 1990 with a long hood, raked windshield, and more angular lines than the preceding generation. The Mercedes-Benz 300SL had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under the hood with 217 horsepower. A five-speed transmission, either manual or automatic, put the power to the rear wheels. The 500SL had a 5.0-liter V8 pushing out 322 ponies and mated to a four-speed automatic.

1993 saw the V8 lose just a bit of power, but this year Mercedes brought in the 600SL with a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 389 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque. Like the V8, this engine was mated to a four-speed automatic.

In 1994, the modern naming logic came into being and we were blessed with the new SL320 boasting a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 228 ponies and 232 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, the manual transmission was deleted in 1994. The SL500 and SL600 remained the same.

1995 saw no major changes, but 1996 brought some upgrades in the SL500, like lightened pistons, a new crankshaft, and individual ignition coils. For this year, Mercedes also replaced the four-speed automatic transmission with a five-speed for both the SL500 and SL600.

In 1996 the SL got a few light styling tweaks, and the SL320 was dropped in 1998. In 1999, the SL500’s V8 got a boost to 302 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 3rd generation (1972-1989)

For the third-generation SL, design was more evolutionary than revolutionary. However, while most SLs featured a power-retractable soft top, Mercedes also offered a coupe body style in this generation.

Mercedes knocked drivers out with the 350 SL and its 3.5-liter V8 power plant with 200 horsepower. For 1973, Mercedes went a bit bigger with the 225 horsepower V8 in the 450 SL. This was later followed by the 500 SL and the 560 SL.

Drivers could also opt for a 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine as well in the 280 SL, updated to a 3.0-liter in 1985 in the, you guessed it, 300 SL.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2nd generation (1964-1971)

The second-generation SL was a design departure from the previous generation. Gone were the curves, and in their place was a more straight-laced, though still handsome, roadster.

This generation started out with a 2.3-liter six-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower or so, but the company offered a more powerful 2.5-liter engine in 1967. For the 1968 model year, that engine was bumped up again to 2.8-liters and 170 ponies. These were all paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 1st generation (1954-1963)

Inspired by the 1951 300 SL race car, the first-generation SL featured the famous gullwing doors in the 300 SL coupe and stunning good looks. With a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under the hood, the 300 SL made 215 horsepower. There was also a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster available with 105 horsepower from the 1.9-liter inline four-cylinder engine. However, in 1957, Mercedes said goodbye to the Gullwing and upped the power quotient of the convertible with the 300 SL Roadster.