Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 Chevrolet Corvette

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

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 Corvette doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG SL has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Corvette doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Corvette doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The AMG SL offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Corvette doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG SL has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Corvette doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 Corvette 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 Corvette only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

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 Corvette’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. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Corvette and the Corvette’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG SL and the Corvette 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 and rearview cameras.

The Mercedes AMG SL weighs 531 to 871 pounds more than the Chevrolet Corvette. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The AMG SL comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corvette’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The AMG SL’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Corvette’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the AMG SL have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Corvette.

Engine

The AMG SL has more powerful engines than the Corvette:

	Torque
AMG SL 55 4.0 turbo V8	516 lbs.-ft.
AMG SL 63 4.0 turbo V8	590 lbs.-ft.
Corvette 6.2 V8	465 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8	470 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8	460 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
AMG SL
	AWD	63 4.0 turbo V8	14 city/22 hwy
		55 4.0 turbo V8	13 city/21 hwy
Corvette
	RWD	5.5 DOHC V8	12 city/21 hwy
		Carbon Aero 5.5 DOHC V8	12 city/19 hwy
		Carbon Aero 5.5 DOHC V8	12 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG SL’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corvette doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 Chevrolet Corvette (3 to 5). This means the AMG SL produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Corvette every 15,000 miles.

Transmission and Drivetrain

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 Corvette.

All wheel drive, available in the AMG SL, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Chevrolet Corvette is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	AMG SL	AMG SL CCB	Corvette	Corvette Z06 CCB
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	15.8 inches	12.6 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13.3 inches	15.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger front standard tires than the Corvette (265/40R20 vs. 245/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch front wheels are standard on the Corvette. The AMG SL’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels on the Corvette Z06.

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. Chevrolet doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Corvette.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the AMG SL 63 has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the AMG SL). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Corvette uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

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

The AMG SL has 25 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corvette (76 vs. 51).

Cargo Capacity

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG SL offers cargo security. The Corvette’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 Corvette doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Ergonomics

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. An easy entry system costs extra on the Corvette.

The AMG SL’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Corvette’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the AMG SL the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Corvette can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the AMG SL and Corvette 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 Corvette 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.

The AMG SL’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corvette’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the AMG SL detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Corvette doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG SL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Corvette doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG SL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 Corvette.

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 Corvette.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Corvette.

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