Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Compare the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia. The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is £30,000 cheaper. The Ferrari 458 Italia is 0.2s quicker to 60mph. The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is priced from £165,000, powered by a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8, producing 577 hp, with 800 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 196 mph, sent to the road via all-wheel drive. The Ferrari 458 Italia is priced from £145,000, powered by a 4.5L V8, producing 562 hp, with 540 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.3s, a top speed of 202 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 offers a 213-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 24 mpg, is covered by a 3yr/unlimited mi warranty. The Ferrari 458 Italia offers a 230-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 20 mpg, is covered by a 2yr unlimited warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is £30,000 cheaper than its rival, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 costs less in annual maintenance (£1,500 versus £3,000), the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £90 for the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 and £85 for the Ferrari 458 Italia.
Driving Character: Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 — SL 63 AWD with active rear steering; more dynamic than SL predecessors; the Ferrari 458 Italia — High-revving naturally aspirated V8; spine-tingling 9,000rpm ceiling. Characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63: 577hp V8 with characteristic AMG torque delivery across the rev range. For the Ferrari 458 Italia: One of the most communicative Ferrari chassis; near-perfect balance. In outright terms it is 577 hp against 562 — a 15 hp gap — and the Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 60 mph 0.2s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 — Soft-top roadster with genuine 2+2 rear seats returned to SL range; the Ferrari 458 Italia — Steering wheel-integrated controls ahead of their time; clean layout. Characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63: MBUX Hyperscreen available; most technology-forward SL interior ever. For the Ferrari 458 Italia: Excellent visibility for the segment; wide glasshouse aids awareness.
Daily Usability: Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 — Roof mechanism reliable and rapid; usable as open-top grand tourer; the Ferrari 458 Italia — Relatively compact dimensions for the performance on offer. Characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63: AWD enables year-round use in all climates; better versatility than predecessors. For the Ferrari 458 Italia: 230L boot genuinely useful; front visibility better than many rivals. that means 213 litres of boot space against 230, and everyday running costs that favour the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 at the pumps.
Ownership: Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 — Mercedes SL has decades of reliability history; latest generation expected to continue; the Ferrari 458 Italia — Collector status growing; values have strengthened in recent years. Characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG SL 63: Broad dealer network and long-running support programmes. For the Ferrari 458 Italia: Widely regarded as one of the last truly analogue Ferraris. On the wallet the two diverge at £165,000 versus £145,000 — a £20,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,500 against £3,000, and warranty cover of 3yr/unlimited mi versus 2yr unlimited.