Compare the2023 Chevrolet Corvette VS 2022 Mercedes AMG SL

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Corvette’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Corvette and the AMG SL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG SL. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG SL ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Corvette’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the AMG SL’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The AMG SL isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 4 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the AMG SL:

	Horsepower
Corvette 6.2 V8	490 HP
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8	495 HP
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8	670 HP
AMG SL 55 4.0 turbo V8	469 HP
AMG SL 63 4.0 turbo V8	577 HP

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Corvette is faster than the AMG SL 63:

	Corvette Z51	Corvette Z06	AMG SL
Zero to 60 MPH	2.8 sec	2.6 sec	3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	3.5 sec	3.1 sec	3.9 sec

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe was clocked 14 seconds faster than the Mercedes AMG SL 63 (158.6 sec. vs. 172.6 sec.).

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the AMG SL:

			MPG
Corvette
	RWD	6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Z51 6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
AMG SL
	AWD	63 4.0 turbo V8	14 city/21 hwy
		55 4.0 turbo V8	14 city/21 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06)’s fuel efficiency. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Corvette stops much shorter than the AMG SL:

	Corvette	AMG SL
70 to 0 MPH	139 feet	150 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction and acceleration, the Corvette has larger standard rear tires than the AMG SL (305/30R20 vs. 295/35R20). The Corvette Z06’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the AMG SL (345/25R21 vs. 305/30R21).

The Corvette’s standard 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG SL’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Corvette Z06’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the AMG SL’s optional 35 series front and 30 series rear tires.

The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The AMG SL doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The AMG SL doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better maneuverability, the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (36.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Corvette’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 850 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.

The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The AMG SL doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the AMG SL with its top down (12.6 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk than the AMG SL with its top up (12.6 vs. 8.5 cubic feet).

On a hot day the Corvette Convertible has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to enter the car, turn the ignition on and lower the top.

The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG SL isn’t available as a coupe.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The AMG SL isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The AMG SL has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The AMG SL has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the Mercedes SL by over 17 to one during 2022.