Mercedes-Benz SL500 (Old)

The SL500 is a very useable, well-rounded sports car

Published on Dec 10, 2009 08:00:00 AM

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Full of swoops, dips, rises and hooded binnacles, the SL’s interiors are attractive and make the car very look adventurous. The central console with its array of switches look like they were freshly lifted off the Starship Enterprise -the headrests look a generation ahead and the brilliantly detailed tacho and speedo have dials that look great. The ‘recycled’ cheap-looking black plastic buttons and four-spoker steering wheel remain a Merc constant. Strictly a two-seater, the SL however offers space and levels of comfort and convenience not found on other D-segment saloons.

Driver ingress is aided by a steering that gets out of the way and seating only two, the SL has acres of legroom on offer. Everything is adjustable by a phalanx of electric motors. Seat height, lumbar and thigh support, and even the inside rearview mirror is electrically adjustable. You can even have cold or hot air blown out of the leather seats. With the roof, rear windscreen and pillars stowed in the boot, the SL does lose out on boot space which shrinks to a mere 235 litres and restricts the amount of luggage you can carry — a couple of small soft bags at best. Also, no spare — just a collapsible space saver and an electric air pump. But we found these quite easy to use.