Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Maserati GranTurismo VS 2014 Mercedes SLS Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Maserati GranTurismo are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes SLS AMG doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the GranTurismo and the SLS AMG 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 Maserati GranTurismo weighs 484 to 573 pounds more than the Mercedes SLS AMG. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

On the EPA test cycle the GranTurismo gets better fuel mileage than the SLS AMG (13 city/21 hwy vs. 13 city/19 hwy).

The GranTurismo stops much shorter than the SLS AMG:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GranTurismo has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch front wheels are available on the SLS AMG.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GranTurismo’s wheelbase is 10.3 inches longer than on the SLS AMG (115.8 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the GranTurismo’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the SLS AMG’s (35.1 feet vs. 39 feet).

The design of the Maserati GranTurismo amounts to more than styling. The GranTurismo has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the SLS AMG (.36). A more efficient exterior helps the GranTurismo go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GranTurismo get better fuel mileage.

The GranTurismo has standard seating for 4 passengers; the SLS AMG can only carry 2.

The GranTurismo has a much larger trunk than the SLS AMG Coupe (9.2 vs. 6.2 cubic feet).

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GranTurismo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The SLS AMG doesn’t offer cornering lights.