Verdict
At RM999,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is the driver’s choice here: rear-wheel drive, a wet dual-clutch automatic, 275 km/h top speed and the same 4.9-second 0–100 km/h time as the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS. The Maybach GLS costs RM1,918,888, so the RM919,000 gap buys a much bigger luxury SUV with 770 Nm, all-wheel drive, 520 litres of boot space and nine airbags. For Malaysia, also note road tax: RM376 plays RM3,211.
AMG SL
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the open-top grand tourer with the higher 275 km/h top speed, rear-wheel drive and much lower RM376 annual road tax.
Maybach GLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS if you want the bigger four-seat luxury SUV with all-wheel drive, 770 Nm and a 520-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS RM1,918,888
- Engine: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 1,991 cc; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 3,982 cc
- Output: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp/480 Nm; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 549 hp/770 Nm
- Driven wheels: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS all-wheel drive
- Size: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4,705 mm long/2,700 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 5,205 mm long/3,135 mm wheelbase
- Boot and road tax: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 240 litres/RM376; Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 520 litres/RM3,211
AMG SL
- Same 4.9-second 0–100 km/h time
- Higher 275 km/h top speed
- Far lower annual road tax
- Only 240 litres of boot space
- Five airbags versus nine in the Maybach GLS
- Rear-wheel drive only
Maybach GLS
- Much stronger 549 hp and 770 Nm
- All-wheel drive traction
- 520-litre boot and 90-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM919,000 more
- Annual road tax is RM3,211
- Lower 250 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888✓ | RM 1,918,888 |
| 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 | 32-valve DOHC, Twin Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 3,982 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp | 549 hp✓ |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 770 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 22 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 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 | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 5,205 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 2,030 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,838 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,785 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 285/40R23 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 285/40R23 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Pirelli P-Zero MO-S |
| 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 | 23" Polished Multi-spoke Forged Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 23" Polished Multi-spoke Forged Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled 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 | — |
| 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, Rear 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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| 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 Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Powered Ottoman; Powered Leg Rest for Left Passenger |
| 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 | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB-C, 4 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Heated and Cooled Front, 2 Heated and Cooled Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen MBUX with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Control and 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound System (590 W) |
| 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 with Steering Assist, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| 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 for All Doors |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | RM 3,211 |
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 GLS FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better for keen driving and costs far less to tax. The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is better for space, torque and all-wheel-drive security. Both do 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is RM919,000 more expensive, at RM1,918,888 against RM999,888 for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL.
Which is more practical for Malaysian daily use?
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is more practical on paper, with 520 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a 90-litre fuel tank. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has 240 litres and rear-wheel drive.