Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Mercedes AMG SL

The Mustang’s standard 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. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG SL.

Both the Mustang and the AMG SL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG SL. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG SL ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG SL requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the AMG SL.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the AMG SL:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG SL (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG SL’s optional 35 series front tires.

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package/Mach 1) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG SL; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (36.5 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Mustang w/20” tires’ turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (40 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 800 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The AMG SL doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mustang Convertible a Subcompact car, while the AMG SL is rated a Minicompact.

The Mustang Convertible has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG SL (79.2 vs. 76).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the AMG SL with its top down (11.4 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk than the AMG SL with its top up (11.4 vs. 8.5 cubic feet).

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The AMG SL has no towing capacity.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The AMG SL does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG SL isn’t available as a coupe.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The AMG SL has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Mercedes SL by over 23 to one during 2022.