Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2023 McLaren GT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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

The AMG SL’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The McLaren GT doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The AMG SL has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The McLaren GT doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the AMG SL and the McLaren GT 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, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Mercedes AMG SL weighs 921 pounds more than the McLaren GT. 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 GT’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

There are over 15 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are McLaren dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG SL’s warranty.

Reliability

The McLaren GT’s redline is at 8500 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The AMG SL has a 7000-RPM redline.

Engine

The AMG SL 55’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 465) than the McLaren GT’s 4.0 turbo V8. The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 465) than the McLaren GT’s 4.0 turbo V8.

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 a seven-speed automatic is available for the McLaren GT.

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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT:

	AMG SL	AMG SL CCB	GT
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	15.8 inches	14.4 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13.9 inches

The AMG SL stops shorter than the McLaren GT:

	AMG SL	McLaren GT
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	151 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG SL has larger front standard tires than the McLaren GT (F:265/40R20 & R:295/35R20 vs. F:225/35R20 & R:295/30R21). The AMG SL’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the McLaren GT (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:225/35R20 & R:295/30R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG SL offers optional 21-inch wheels. The McLaren GT’s largest wheels are only 20-inches in the front and 21-inches in the rear.

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. McLaren doesn’t offer an active suspension on the McLaren GT.

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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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

Chassis

The AMG SL is 5.1 inches narrower than the McLaren GT, making the AMG SL easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

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

Cargo Capacity

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG SL offers cargo security. The McLaren GT’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The AMG SL’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The McLaren GT has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT.

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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Standard smartphone integration for the AMG SL allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The McLaren GT doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Maserati MC20 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The McLaren GT 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 McLaren GT doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes SL outsold the McLaren GT by over six to one during 2022.