Verdict
At RM999,888 each, these Mercedes-Benz models serve sharply different Malaysian needs. The AMG SL is the quicker, more compact choice: 375 hp, 480 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while its 1,810 kg kerb weight is 575 kg below the GLS. Its 240-litre boot and four seats set clear limits. The GLS counters with seven seats, a 355-litre boot, air suspension and a 3,135 mm wheelbase, but is slower at 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h. Its RM1,638 annual road tax is RM1,262 higher.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the 4.9-second 0-100 km/h performance, rear-wheel drive and a 1,810 kg convertible rather than seven-seat capacity.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you need seven seats, a 355-litre boot, rear air-conditioning and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Performance: AMG SL 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; GLS in 6.1 seconds.
- Power and torque: AMG SL 375 hp and 480 Nm; GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- Seating and doors: AMG SL has 4 seats and 2 doors; GLS has 7 seats and 5 doors.
- Size: AMG SL is 4,705 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase; GLS is 5,207 mm long with a 3,135 mm wheelbase.
- Kerb weight: AMG SL is 1,810 kg; GLS is 2,385 kg.
- Annual road tax: AMG SL RM376; GLS RM1,638.
AMG SL
- Quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 375 hp from a 1,991 cc mild-hybrid petrol powertrain
- 575 kg lighter than the GLS
- Four seats versus the GLS's seven
- 240-litre boot versus 355 litres
- No rear air-conditioning or panoramic sunroof
GLS
- Seven seats and a 355-litre boot
- All-wheel drive with AIRMATIC air suspension
- Rear air-conditioning and rear-seat entertainment monitors
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 575 kg heavier than the AMG SL
- RM1,262 more annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM999,888 | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp✓ | 362 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 355 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG SL & GLS for sale
AMG SL vs GLS FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The AMG SL is better for outright pace and a smaller rear-wheel-drive convertible package, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The GLS is better where seven seats, 355 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and rear passenger amenities matter.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: both the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL and Mercedes-Benz GLS cost RM999,888. Running costs differ in road tax, at RM376 yearly for the SL and RM1,638 for the GLS.
Which Mercedes-Benz has more practical seating and luggage space?
The GLS is decisively more practical on capacity, with seven seats, five doors and a 355-litre boot. The AMG SL has four seats, two doors and a 240-litre boot, though its rear seats do split 50:50.
