Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 Audi S5

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 S5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG SL has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG SL has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S5.

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 S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG SL and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

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.

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.

The AMG SL 55’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 120 more horsepower (469 vs. 349) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 228 more horsepower (577 vs. 349) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG SL 63 is faster than the Audi S5:

The AMG SL has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (18.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG SL, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S5.

The AMG SL offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S5 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG SL’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the AMG SL’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The AMG SL offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger standard tires than the S5 (F:265/40R20 & R:295/35R20 vs. 255/35R19). The AMG SL’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. 265/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the S5. The AMG SL’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the S5.

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 S5.

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 S5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG SL is 3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5.

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 lower than the S5 (.31 to .32) 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 S5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the AMG SL has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The S5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

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 S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the S5, 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 S5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the AMG SL has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the AMG SL has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote top, 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.

The AMG SL’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 S5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The AMG SL has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG SL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The AMG SL’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.