Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 Maserati MC20

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
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 MC20 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 MC20 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 MC20 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 MC20 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 MC20 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 MC20 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 MC20’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. Maserati charges extra for Rear Cross Path on the MC20 and the MC20’s Rear Cross Path 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 MC20 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG SL and the MC20 have standard driver and passenger frontal 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 692 to 999 pounds more than the Maserati MC20. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The AMG SL’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the MC20’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 3 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG SL’s warranty.

Reliability

The MC20’s redline is at 8000 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 Maserati vehicles. With 66 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Maserati.

Engine

The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 538) than the MC20’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG SL 63 is faster than the Maserati MC20:

	AMG SL	MC20
Zero to 60 MPH	3 sec	3.2 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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 MC20 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 MC20.

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 Maserati MC20 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 MC20:

	AMG SL	AMG SL CCB	MC20	MC20 CCB
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	15.8 inches	15 inches	15.5 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13.8 inches	14.7 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger front standard tires than the MC20 (265/40R20 vs. 245/35R20). The AMG SL’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MC20 (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:305/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL offers optional 21-inch wheels. The MC20’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. Maserati doesn’t offer an active suspension on the MC20.

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 MC20 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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 MC20 (.38 to .39) 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 MC20 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The AMG SL has standard seating for 4 passengers; the MC20 can only carry 2.

The AMG SL has 28 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MC20 (76 vs. 48).

Cargo Capacity

The AMG SL has a much larger trunk with its top down than the MC20 Cielo (7.5 vs. 5.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG SL’s trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The MC20 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

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 MC20 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 MC20’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The AMG SL’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The MC20’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

Keyless-Go standard on the AMG SL allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Maserati MC20’s Extended Keyless Go doesn’t unlock the trunk.

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 MC20 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG SL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The MC20 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’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The MC20’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the AMG SL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The MC20’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 MC20 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 MC20 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 MC20.

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 MC20 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 MC20 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes SL outsold the Maserati MC20 by almost five to one during 2022.