Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Mercedes Benz SL-Class VS 2013 Aston Martin Near Phoenix, AZ

The SL-Class’ front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Vantage doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The SL-Class has standard NECK-PRO Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Vantage doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The SL-Class offers an optional PRE-SAFE Brake, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Vantage doesn't offer crash mitigation brakes.

The SL-Class’ optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Vantage doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The SL-Class’ optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Vantage doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

The SL-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Vantage doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The SL-Class has standard mbrace, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Vantage doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the SL-Class and the Vantage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The SL-Class comes with a full 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Vantage’s 3 year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

There are almost 26 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Aston Martin dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the SL-Class’ warranty.

The SL-Class has more powerful engines than the Vantage:

On the EPA test cycle the SL550 gets better fuel mileage than the Vantage V8 Auto (16 city/24 hwy vs. 14 city/20 hwy). The SL63 gets better fuel mileage than the Vantage S Auto (16 city/25 hwy vs. 14 city/21 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the SL-Class’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Vantage doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the SL-Class’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Vantage:

For better traction, the SL-Class has larger tires than the Vantage (F:255/40R18 & R:285/35R18 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the SL-Class can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Vantage doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The SL-Class offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Aston Martin doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Vantage.

The SL-Class has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Vantage’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The SL-Class offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Vantage doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The SL-Class has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Vantage doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the SL-Class is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Vantage.

The design of the Mercedes SL-Class amounts to more than styling. The SL-Class has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Vantage (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SL-Class get better fuel mileage.

The SL-Class’ standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Vantage doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The SL-Class has 2.4 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more front legroom than the Vantage.

The SL-Class has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Vantage Roadster (8.5 vs. 5 cubic feet). The SL-Class has a much larger trunk with its top up than the Vantage Roadster (13.5 vs. 5 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the SL-Class offers an optional power rear cargo door, which opens and closes completely automatically by pressing a button on the key fob. The Vantage doesn’t offer a power liftgate.