Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 Audi R8

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The AMG SL’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The R8 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The AMG SL has standard Active Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The R8 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG SL has a standard Maneuvering Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG SL. But it costs extra on the R8.

The AMG SL’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The R8 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The AMG SL has a standard Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The R8 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The AMG SL’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The R8 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG SL’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Cross Traffic Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The R8 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The AMG SL’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The R8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG SL and the R8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG SL’s warranty.

Reliability

The R8’s redline is at 8700 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The AMG SL has a 7000 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

Engine

The AMG SL 55’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 406) than the R8 RWD Performance’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10. The AMG SL 55’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 413) than the R8 Quattro/GT’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10. The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 413) than the R8 Quattro/GT’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the AMG SL gets better mileage than the R8:

			MPG
AMG SL
	AWD	63 4.0 turbo V8	14 city/22 hwy
		55 4.0 turbo V8	13 city/21 hwy
R8
	AWD	5.2 DOHC V10	13 city/18 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG SL higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi R8 (1). This means the AMG SL produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the R8 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG SL, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the R8.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG SL’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R8:

	AMG SL	AMG SL CCB	R8	R8 CCB
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	15.8 inches	14.4 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	14 inches	14 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger front standard tires than the R8 (265/40R20 vs. 245/30R20). The AMG SL’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R8 (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:245/30R20 & R:305/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL offers optional 21-inch wheels. The R8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The AMG SL offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the R8.

The AMG SL has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The R8’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The AMG SL’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The R8 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG SL’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the R8 (106.3 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG SL is .7 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the R8.

Chassis

The design of the Mercedes AMG SL amounts to more than styling. The AMG SL has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is significantly lower than the R8 (.36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the AMG SL get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the AMG SL uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The R8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The AMG SL has standard seating for 4 passengers; the R8 can only carry 2.

The AMG SL has 26 cubic feet more passenger volume than the R8 (76 vs. 50).

Cargo Capacity

The AMG SL has a much larger trunk with its top down than the R8 Spyder (7.5 vs. 4 cubic feet).

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG SL offers cargo security. The R8’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG SL’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R8 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Ergonomics

The AMG SL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The R8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the R8, the AMG SL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG SL’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The R8 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG SL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R8 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Both the AMG SL and R8 have a standard remote lowering convertible top; however, in case of a sudden change of weather, the AMG SL has a standard remote convertible roof that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. The R8 doesn’t offer a remote closing roof, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG SL to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The R8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The R8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG SL’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the AMG SL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The R8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the AMG SL’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The R8 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The AMG SL has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the R8.

The AMG SL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The R8 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the AMG SL offers an optional Active Distance Assist Distronic, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The R8 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The AMG SL’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes SL outsold the Audi R8 by over six to one during 2022.