Verdict
At RM999,888 for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL and RM1,088,888 for the Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV, the gap is RM89,000. The SL is the lower, lighter 2-door convertible, with a 375 hp 1,991 cc turbo mild-hybrid petrol engine, rear-wheel drive and a 275 km/h top speed. The Maybach EQS SUV is the roomier electric choice: 649 hp, 950 Nm, all-wheel drive, 560 km range and a 440-litre boot. It is quicker to 100 km/h, but its RM1,840 road tax is far higher than the SL’s RM376.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the lower, lighter convertible with rear-wheel drive, a 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox and the higher 275 km/h top speed.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV if you want electric drive, all-wheel traction, more cabin equipment, a 560 km range and a much larger 440-litre boot.
Key differences
- Body and doors: Convertible with 2 doors vs SUV with 5 doors
- Output: 375 hp petrol engine plus 13 hp motor vs 649 hp and 950 Nm from two electric motors
- Acceleration and top speed: 4.9 seconds and 275 km/h vs 4.4 seconds and 210 km/h
- Size and weight: 4,705 mm long, 1,810 kg vs 5,125 mm long, 3,075 kg
- Boot space: 240 litres vs 440 litres
- Energy hardware: 70-litre fuel tank and 1 kWh battery vs 118 kWh battery, 22 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging
AMG SL
- Lighter by 1,265 kg
- Higher 275 km/h top speed
- Lower annual road tax at RM376
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 4.9 seconds
- Smaller 240-litre boot
- No rear air-con listed
Maybach EQS SUV
- Much stronger electric output at 649 hp and 950 Nm
- Bigger 440-litre boot
- Rear cabin gets captain seats with massage, ventilation and memory
- Costs RM89,000 more
- Annual road tax is RM1,840
- Lower 210 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888✓ | RM 1,088,888 |
| 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 | — |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 375 hp | — |
| Torque | 480 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 649 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 950 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 118 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 560 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | — |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 5,125 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,959 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,718 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 3,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 440 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | Self-levelling Airmatic Air Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Front Facing Airbags, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| 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 | Powered Driver and Front Passenger Seats, Heated and Ventilated, Massaging and Memory Functions |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | Individual Twin Captain Seats with Massaging, Ventilation and Memory |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 2 Wireless Chargers, 10 USB-C Ports |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear, Heated and Cooled |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Windows, Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 11.6" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/250,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | RM 1,840 |
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 Maybach EQS SUV FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV better?
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV is better for space, acceleration, EV range and rear-seat kit. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better if you want a convertible, lower weight, rear-wheel drive and a higher top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV is RM89,000 dearer than the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL.
Which one is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV is quicker from 0-100 km/h at 4.4 seconds, compared with 4.9 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL. The SL has the higher top speed, at 275 km/h versus 210 km/h.