2023 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 43 AMG

This is Mercedes-Benz's two-door convertible flagship, the SL, a grand tourer that trades a back seat for open-air luxury. It's a car that feels equally at home on a winding mountain road and a long interstate cruise, with sharp steering and a supple ride. Inside, the cabin wraps you in leather and tech, with a portrait touchscreen and a neck-level heating system that makes top-down driving comfortable in cooler weather. Expect premium running costs, from fuel to service, but the SL's blend of performance and prestige holds its value well. The SL 43 is the entry point to the SL lineup, trading the V8 power of the SL 55 and SL 63 for a lighter, more agile character and a lower starting price. Its 2.0L I4 makes 375 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic, and returns 23 mpg combined. The standard sport suspension and 19-inch wheels give it a firm but controlled ride, and the electric exhaust-gas turbocharger helps the four-cylinder respond quickly off the line.