Verdict
The AMG SL and Fortuner answer very different briefs. At RM999,888 versus RM195,880, the Mercedes costs RM804,008 more, but it gives you 375 hp, 480 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and a 275 km/h top speed. The Toyota counters with seven seats, all-wheel drive, diesel torque, seven airbags, a five-year warranty and an 80-litre tank. For Malaysia, this is not a close call on practicality; it is a choice between a fast four-seat convertible and a family-sized 4x4 SUV.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want the quicker, wider, lower grand tourer with 375 hp, AEB and a proper convertible body.
Pick the Toyota Fortuner if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, a diesel engine, more airbags and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; Toyota Fortuner RM195,880
- Seats: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4; Toyota Fortuner 7
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp/480 Nm; Toyota Fortuner 148 hp/400 Nm
- Drivetrain: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive; Toyota Fortuner all-wheel drive
- Size: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4,705 mm long/1,359 mm tall; Toyota Fortuner 4,795 mm long/1,835 mm tall
- Safety and warranty: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 5 airbags/4-year warranty; Toyota Fortuner 7 airbags/5-year warranty
AMG SL
- Much stronger 375 hp and 480 Nm output
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h and 275 km/h top speed
- Has auto emergency braking
- Only four seats
- Small 240-litre boot
- Costs RM804,008 more
Fortuner
- Seven-seat cabin
- All-wheel drive and diesel power
- Seven airbags and five-year warranty
- Far lower 148 hp output
- No 0-100 km/h or top speed figure listed
- No auto emergency braking listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 999,888 | RM 195,880✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 15.6 |
| 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 | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,795 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | 2,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres✓ | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 4 stars — With 3 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver 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 on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 4 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers |
| 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 | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | RM 754 |
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 Fortuner FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or Toyota Fortuner better?
The AMG SL is better for performance, with 375 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The Fortuner is better for family use, with seven seats, all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM804,008 more than the Toyota Fortuner, based on RM999,888 versus RM195,880.
Which one is more practical for Malaysian family use?
The Toyota Fortuner is the more practical family car. It has seven seats, all-wheel drive, an 80-litre fuel tank and a five-year warranty; the AMG SL has four seats and a 240-litre boot.