The opportunity to experience the 2013 Mercedes Sl550 for an extended test drive couldn’t have come at a better time. A six-day road trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, tracing the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and exploring the winding coastal roads around Del Mar and La Jolla, presented the perfect backdrop. This wasn’t just a scenic drive; it was a culinary journey, planned around visiting diverse eateries, from casual taco stands to upscale destinations like the revamped Spago in LA and the Forbes 5-Star Addison in Del Mar. The Mercedes SL550, a vehicle synonymous with luxury and performance, felt like the ideal companion for this sun-drenched adventure.
In a previous chapter of my career, I spent considerable time writing about cars, even pushing high-performance vehicles to their limits on test tracks and off-road terrains. However, recognizing that most drivers rarely approach the performance boundaries of their vehicles, my focus has shifted towards the lifestyle aspect of car ownership. Therefore, this review of the 429-hp SL550 will bypass technical jargon and instead offer a perspective relevant to the typical consumer, highlighting the aspects that truly make this car desirable.
For those seeking a deep dive into the performance metrics, such as turbo boost pressure, torque figures, and precise 0-60 mph times, resources like Motor Trend‘s detailed review are readily available.
My focus is on the everyday experience.
Once you enter the realm of premium vehicles from manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, certain expectations are a given: robust power, refined handling, and a plethora of convenience, comfort, and safety features. For most drivers, the nuanced performance advantages of an SL550 over a Mercedes costing significantly less might go unnoticed in daily driving. The average driver simply doesn’t operate at the performance ceiling where these differences become pronounced. Yes, experiencing the launch control in the SL550, feeling the surge of its twin-turbo V8 in the lightweight, all-aluminum body (shedding 300 pounds compared to its predecessor), evokes a sensation akin to driving a V12 Aston Martin Vantage—a thrill absent in my own aging BMW 3 Series. Yet, for typical road use, my older sedan offers more than adequate acceleration. The point is, unless you’re frequently hitting the racetrack, your appreciation of the 2013 Mercedes SL550 will likely center on aspects beyond its formidable powertrain and handling. Cruising at 85mph feels effortlessly stable and quiet, a level of composure most owners will value highly. And while the Formula One-inspired paddle shifters are a cool feature, the impeccably tuned automatic transmission is so seamless that many owners may rarely feel the need to use them.
What truly distinguishes the SL550 from other high-horsepower contenders—vehicles like BMW M series or Audi S series come close in performance—is its undeniable style. The 2013 Mercedes SL550 is simply stunning. It strikes a perfect balance of aggression and elegance, boasting a sporty stance, an aerodynamic front end, and strategically placed vents. It’s a genuine head-turner, a significant factor for those investing over $100,000 in a car. With a starting MSRP of $105,000, the test model I drove reached $125,000. The visual appeal extends to the driver’s perspective. Similar to the subtle hood humps in a G-series Infiniti, the vents on the SL550’s elongated hood offer a constant, pleasing reminder of the car’s sculpted form, enhancing the driving experience and overall enjoyment. This car is, unequivocally, fun to drive.
The primary allure of any convertible is the open-air experience, and here, the 2013 Mercedes SL550 sets a new benchmark. Its retractable hardtop roof system is, without a doubt, the best I’ve encountered. Operating with a single button press, it opens or closes fully in under 15 seconds. Reflecting on my wife’s soft-top convertible, now relegated to manual operation after motor failure, and even when functional, it was a slow, cumbersome process involving manual latches. Each time, opening the top felt like a decision to be weighed. The SL550 eliminates this hesitation. You can effortlessly raise or lower the roof every time you start or park, in less time than it takes to adjust the radio in most cars. And for those moments when you desire a touch of the outside world even with the top up, the Magic Sky Control button is a revelation. This feature transforms the majority of the roof into a photo-chromatic glass panel, shifting from near transparency to almost complete opacity at the touch of a button—essentially turning the hardtop into a panoramic sunroof. Truly remarkable.
These ingenious features epitomize Mercedes-Benz’s renowned engineering precision. The SL550 is equipped with every conceivable convenience and a comprehensive suite of safety technologies. The active blind spot assist is so effective it almost encourages neglecting visual checks when changing lanes. A flashing triangular warning in the side mirror alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot. Active lane keeping assist monitors road markings and vibrates the steering wheel if you drift from your lane. Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts speed and applies brakes to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. The headlights are LED for daytime running and powerful bi-xenon for nighttime illumination. A rearview camera displays on the infotainment screen when reversing, and the list goes on.
The interior refinements are equally impressive. Luxurious leather, burled wood accents, and matte steel trim create an atmosphere of sophisticated elegance. Every control, from seat temperature adjustments to roof operation and power seat controls, is intuitively placed. The seat controls, located on the upper door panel, are a particularly thoughtful touch, far more convenient and safer to use while driving than the typical side-of-seat placement.
Comfort is paramount in the 2013 Mercedes SL550. Beyond the standard dual-zone climate control, it offers unexpected luxuries like ventilated and heated seats, and the “airscarf” system, which gently blows warm air around your neck from vents in the headrests—perfect for top-down drives on cooler evenings. The power wind blocker, a transparent mesh screen that rises behind the seats, significantly reduces wind turbulence and noise, especially at higher speeds, enhancing the top-down experience. The integrated infotainment and navigation system, controlled by a user-friendly joystick dial, features a large screen and satellite radio. During my coastal trip, the GPS proved invaluable, and its intuitive zoom function was notably easier to use while navigating winding roads compared to my own car’s system. Finally, the 600-watt Harman Kardon sound system, with 12 speakers and subwoofers positioned near the passengers’ feet, delivers exceptional audio quality. Achieving high-fidelity sound in a convertible has always been a challenge, but Mercedes-Benz has definitively overcome it.
While the 2013 Mercedes SL550 is strictly a two-seater, it’s an exceptionally comfortable one. The seats offer a vast range of adjustments, reminiscent of early first-class airline seats with their generous recline. Ample lockable interior storage minimizes the need to raise the roof for security, though its quick operation makes it a non-issue. My only real reservation concerns the trunk space. One review mentioned Mercedes’ aim to accommodate a set of golf clubs with the top down and two with it up. While the cubic footage is respectable, the trunk’s shape is somewhat limiting. Fitting my golf clubs with the top down required some maneuvering, and I doubt fitting two sets would be practical. Similarly, fitting two standard checked luggage pieces proved impossible, despite the trunk’s nominal volume. However, it’s unlikely many buyers will choose the SL550 as their primary, only vehicle, and if they do, packing light is advisable. Regardless, journeys in the 2013 Mercedes SL550 are undertaken in unparalleled style.
