Both the Camaro and the AMG SL 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, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2024 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2023 Mercedes AMG SL
Safety
Warranty
Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 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.
The Camaro’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the AMG SL’s (6 vs. 5 years).
There are almost 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camaro first among midsize sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The AMG SL isn’t in the top three in its category.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 35 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 Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 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 Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 4 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.
Engine
The Camaro ZL1’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 73 more horsepower (650 vs. 577) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 590) than the AMG SL 63’s optional 4.0 turbo V8.
As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the AMG SL 55 (automatics tested):
|
Camaro |
AMG SL |
Zero to 60 MPH |
3.5 sec |
3.6 sec |
Quarter Mile |
11.5 sec |
12 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
125 MPH |
114.8 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Camaro gets better mileage than the AMG SL:
|
|
|
MPG |
Camaro |
|||
RWD |
Manual |
3.6 DOHC V6 |
16 city/26 hwy |
|
|
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/24 hwy |
|
Auto |
3.6 DOHC V6 |
18 city/29 hwy |
|
|
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/26 hwy |
AMG SL |
|||
AWD |
Auto |
63 4.0 turbo V8 |
14 city/22 hwy |
|
|
55 4.0 turbo V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.
To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Camaro LT1/SS for maximum performance). The AMG SL requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.
The Camaro 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.
Transmission
A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the AMG SL.
Brakes and Stopping
The Camaro stops much shorter than the AMG SL:
|
Camaro |
AMG SL |
|
70 to 0 MPH |
137 feet |
150 feet |
Car and Driver |
60 to 0 MPH |
91 feet |
107 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG SL (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21).
The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s 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 Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The AMG SL doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.
Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The AMG SL doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the AMG SL (110.7 inches vs. 106.3 inches).
For better maneuverability, the Camaro’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Camaro ZL1’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).
Chassis
The Chevrolet Camaro may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 900 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.
Passenger Space
Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Camaro Convertible a Subcompact car, while the AMG SL is rated a Minicompact.
The Camaro Convertible has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG SL (85 vs. 76).
Ergonomics
The Camaro’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.
Model Availability
The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG SL isn’t available as a coupe.
Recommendations
The Camaro was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for . The AMG SL has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.
Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The AMG SL has never been chosen.
The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Mercedes SL by over 12 to one during 2022.