Verdict
At the same RM999,888, these two Mercedes-Benzes spend the money in opposite directions. The AMG SL is the sharper, lower car: 375 hp, rear-wheel drive, 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h and a 275 km/h top speed. The GLS answers with size and utility, giving Malaysian buyers seven seats, all-wheel drive, 500 Nm and a much larger 5,207 mm body. Running cost also splits them hard, with road tax at RM376 for the AMG SL against RM1,638 for the GLS.
AMG SL
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the faster, lower four-seat convertible with 4.9-second acceleration and RM376 annual road tax.
GLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, a bigger boot and the easier family brief.
Key differences
- Price: RM999,888 for the AMG SL vs RM999,888 for the GLS
- Seats: 4 in the AMG SL vs 7 in the GLS
- Engine and output: 1,991 cc with 375 hp/480 Nm in the AMG SL vs 2,999 cc with 362 hp/500 Nm in the GLS
- Acceleration and top speed: 4.9 s and 275 km/h in the AMG SL vs 6.1 s and 250 km/h in the GLS
- Size: 4,705 mm long and 1,359 mm tall for the AMG SL vs 5,207 mm long and 1,823 mm tall for the GLS
- Boot and tank: 240 L/70 L in the AMG SL vs 355 L/90 L in the GLS
AMG SL
- Quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher 275 km/h top speed
- Much lower RM376 annual road tax
- Only four seats
- Small 240 L boot
- Five airbags versus seven in the GLS
GLS
- Seven-seat cabin
- All-wheel drive with 500 Nm
- Larger 355 L boot and 90 L fuel tank
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM1,638 annual road tax
- Much larger 5,207 mm length and 2,157 mm width
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888 | RM 999,888 |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp✓ | 362 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 355 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated, Perforated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | RM 1,638 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
AMG SL vs GLS FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The AMG SL is better for performance, with 375 hp and 4.9-second acceleration. The GLS is better for family use, with seven seats, all-wheel drive and a larger 355 L boot.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. Both are listed at RM999,888, so the decision comes down to body style, seating, performance and running cost.
Which is cheaper to tax every year in Malaysia?
The AMG SL is much cheaper to tax at RM376 a year. The GLS costs RM1,638 a year, mainly reflecting its larger 2,999 cc petrol engine.