Mercedes-Benz AMG SL vs Porsche Cayenne Coupe
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is the indulgent choice at RM999,888, a full RM260,888 above the RM739,000 Porsche Cayenne Coupe. You get more horsepower, less weight and a higher 275 km/h top speed, but the Porsche is quicker to 100 km/h at 4.7 seconds, has 500 Nm, all-wheel drive, five seats and a huge 698-litre boot. For Malaysian use, the Cayenne Coupe also adds 90 km of EV range and 11 kW AC charging; the SL answers with open-top GT appeal and a much lower RM376 road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want a lighter rear-driven convertible with 375 hp, a 275 km/h top speed and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Porsche Cayenne Coupe if you want the faster, roomier and more usable car, with five seats, 698 litres of boot space and plug-in hybrid EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Porsche Cayenne Coupe RM739,000
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 seconds; Porsche Cayenne Coupe 4.7 seconds
- Output: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp and 480 Nm; Porsche Cayenne Coupe 350 hp and 500 Nm
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 240 litres; Porsche Cayenne Coupe 698 litres
- Weight: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 1,810 kg; Porsche Cayenne Coupe 2,515 kg
- Road tax: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376 a year; Porsche Cayenne Coupe RM2,118 a year
AMG SL
- Lighter by 705 kg, at 1,810 kg versus 2,515 kg
- Higher top speed, 275 km/h versus 263 km/h
- Lower road tax, RM376 versus RM2,118 a year
- Costs RM260,888 more
- Slower to 100 km/h, 4.9 seconds versus 4.7 seconds
- Much less practical, with four seats and 240 litres versus five seats and 698 litres
Cayenne Coupe
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time, 4.7 seconds versus 4.9 seconds
- Plug-in hybrid system gives 90 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging
- Bigger cabin and boot, with five seats and 698 litres
- Heavier, at 2,515 kg versus 1,810 kg
- Lower top speed, 263 km/h versus 275 km/h
- Higher annual road tax, RM2,118 versus RM376
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888 | RM 739,000✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Coupe |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC direct injection with variable valve timing, turbocharged & plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp✓ | 350 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 173 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 460 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 25.9 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 90 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 8-Speed Tiptronic S |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 4.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 263 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,930 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,983 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,698 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,895 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,515 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres | 698 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 255/55R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 295/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Hankook Ventus S1 evoZ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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 | 21" RS Spyder Design |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 21" RS Spyder Design |
| 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 | Porsche Active Suspension Management with Adaptive two-chamber air suspension and two-valve dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front & Rear Curtain, Rear Side Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Matrix 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Side Window Sunshades, Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Porsche Communications Module, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bose Premium 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Surround View System |
| Auto Parking | 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✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | RM 2,118 |
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 Cayenne Coupe FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Porsche Cayenne Coupe better?
For daily Malaysian use, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe is better: it is RM260,888 cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h, has five seats and a 698-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is the better open-top GT.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM999,888, while the Porsche Cayenne Coupe costs RM739,000. That makes the Mercedes-Benz RM260,888 more expensive.
Which car is quicker?
The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is quicker from 0-100 km/h at 4.7 seconds, compared with 4.9 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL. The Mercedes-Benz has the higher top speed, at 275 km/h versus 263 km/h.