Compare the2025 Porsche 911VS 2025 Mercedes AMG SL

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 911’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 911 and the AMG SL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, driver alert monitors, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 911’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG SL’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The AMG SL isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 GT3 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the AMG SL 55 4.0 turbo V8 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The AMG SL doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the AMG SL running its gasoline engine:

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG SL (22.1 vs. 18.5 gallons).

The 911 stops much shorter than the AMG SL:

For better traction and acceleration, the 911 has larger standard rear tires than the AMG SL (295/35R20 vs. 285/40R19). The 911 GT3 RS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the AMG SL (335/30R21 vs. 305/30R21).

The 911 GT3 RS’ 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG SL 43.

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The AMG SL doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 6.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL 55/63’s (34.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 6 feet tighter than the AMG SL 43’s (36.7 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 950 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.

The 911 is 6.7 inches shorter than the AMG SL, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 911 has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG SL.

The 911 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top up than the AMG SL with its top up (10.4 vs. 8.5 cubic feet).

The 911’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The AMG SL doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The AMG SL’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Porsche 911 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG SL isn’t available as a coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The AMG SL isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche 911 outsold the Mercedes SL by over three to one during 2023.