Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The AMG SL’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 718 Boxster 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 718 Boxster 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 718 Boxster 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 718 Boxster 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 718 Boxster only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the 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 718 Boxster’s blind spot costs extra.

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 718 Boxster 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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG SL and the 718 Boxster 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.

The Mercedes AMG SL weighs 1032 to 1285 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Boxster. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG SL’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Porsche vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Porsche.

Engine

The AMG SL has more powerful engines than the 718 Boxster:

	Horsepower	Torque
AMG SL 55 4.0 turbo V8	469 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
AMG SL 63 4.0 turbo V8	577 HP	590 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	350 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster GTS 4.0 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	394 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Spyder 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	414 HP	309 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG SL 63 is faster than the Porsche 718 Boxster (automatics tested):

	AMG SL	718 Boxster S	718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Zero to 60 MPH	3 sec	3.7 sec	3.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.2 sec	11.9 sec	11.7 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The AMG SL has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Boxster’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The AMG SL has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Boxster’s optional fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.9 gallons).

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 Porsche 718 Boxster (1 to 5). This means the AMG SL produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Boxster every 15,000 miles.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Mercedes AMG SL comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

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 718 Boxster.

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 Porsche 718 Boxster is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG SL’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Boxster:

	AMG SL	718 Boxster
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	11.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger standard tires than the 718 Boxster (F:265/40R20 & R:295/35R20 vs. F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18). The AMG SL’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Boxster (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20).

The AMG SL’s standard 265/40R20 front and 295/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 718 Boxster’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster. The AMG SL’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the 718 Boxster.

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. Porsche doesn’t offer an active suspension on the 718 Boxster.

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG SL’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the 718 Boxster (106.3 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG SL is 5.5 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Boxster.

The AMG SL 63 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the 718 Boxster pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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 lower than the 718 Boxster (.31 to .34) 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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The AMG SL has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Boxster can only carry 2.

The AMG SL has 27 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Boxster (76 vs. 49).

Cargo Capacity

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG SL offers cargo security. The 718 Boxster’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the 718 Boxster, 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. An easy entry system costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 718 Boxster can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 718 Boxster’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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The AMG SL’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Boxster’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

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 718 Boxster.

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 718 Boxster.

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. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer wireless personal 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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer an automated parking system.