Verdict
These are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM999,888, a RM804,008 leap over the Toyota Fortuner’s RM195,880, but brings 375 hp, 480 Nm and a claimed 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 240-litre boot is also 40 litres larger. The Fortuner is the practical choice: seven seats, five doors, all-wheel drive and an 80-litre tank. Yet its 148 hp diesel, halogen headlamps and absence of autonomous braking underline that it is not an AMG SL substitute for performance or driver assistance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if 375 hp, a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time, open-top motoring and comprehensive driver assistance matter more than price and passenger capacity.
Pick the Toyota Fortuner if you need seven seats, five doors, all-wheel drive and a far lower RM195,880 entry price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Toyota Fortuner RM195,880.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp and 480 Nm; Toyota Fortuner 148 hp and 400 Nm.
- Seating and doors: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL four seats and two doors; Toyota Fortuner seven seats and five doors.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive; Toyota Fortuner all-wheel drive.
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is 4,705 mm long and 1,359 mm tall; Toyota Fortuner is 4,795 mm long and 1,835 mm tall.
- Driver assistance: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction; Toyota Fortuner has neither.
AMG SL
- 375 hp and 480 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with steering assist
- 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen and 17-speaker Burmester sound system
- RM804,008 more expensive
- Four seats and two doors versus seven seats and five doors
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
Fortuner
- Seven seats, five doors and all-wheel drive
- RM804,008 cheaper
- Full-size 17-inch alloy spare tyre and 80-litre fuel tank
- 148 hp trails the AMG SL’s 375 hp
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot monitoring
- Halogen projector headlamps instead of Digital Light LED projectors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM999,888 | RM195,880✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ | 148 hp at 3,400 rpm |
| Torque | 480 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 92 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 15.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,795 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres✓ | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 4 stars — With 3 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 5 (Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver 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 on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 4 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 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 & Fortuner for sale
AMG SL vs Fortuner FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Toyota Fortuner better?
The AMG SL is better for outright performance and technology, with 375 hp, 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Fortuner is better if seven seats, five doors and all-wheel drive are the brief.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM804,008 more than the Toyota Fortuner: RM999,888 against RM195,880.
Which has more passenger space?
The Toyota Fortuner carries seven people through five doors, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has four seats and two doors. The Fortuner also has a 2,745 mm wheelbase, 45 mm longer than the AMG SL’s 2,700 mm.
