Compare the2025 Mercedes AMG SLVS 2024 Maserati GranCabrio

To maximize occupant safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG SL have pretensioners to eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Maserati GranCabrio doesn’t offer pretensioners.

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 GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The AMG SL has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

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 GranCabrio’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 GranCabrio and the GranCabrio’s Rear Cross Path does not include automatic braking.

Both the AMG SL and the GranCabrio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

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

There are almost 4 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.

The GranCabrio’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.

The AMG SL 55’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 487) than the GranCabrio’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG SL 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 35 more horsepower (577 vs. 542) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 487) than the GranCabrio’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG SL 63 S E Performance’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 263 more horsepower (805 vs. 542) and 560 lbs.-ft. more torque (1047 vs. 487) than the GranCabrio’s 3.0 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG SL 43/63 S E Performance’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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 GranCabrio.

The AMG SL offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

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

The AMG SL offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG SL’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GranCabrio (F:275/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:265/30R20 & R:295/30R21).

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

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 GranCabrio.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Mercedes AMG SL may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Maserati GranCabrio.

The AMG SL is 10.3 inches shorter than the GranCabrio, making the AMG SL easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG SL has a much larger trunk with its top down than the GranCabrio with its top down (7.5 vs. 4.6 cubic feet). The AMG SL has a much larger trunk with its top up than the GranCabrio with its top up (8.5 vs. 6.1 cubic feet).

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG SL offers cargo security. The GranCabrio’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 optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The AMG SL’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

In case of a sudden change of weather, the AMG SL has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the AMG SL has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

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 GranCabrio.

The AMG SL’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The AMG SL is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.