The 2007 Mercedes-benz Sl550 Roadster stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s engineering prowess, seamlessly blending a potent V-8 engine with cutting-edge handling technology. This convertible hardtop roadster doesn’t just offer a thrilling driving experience; its striking exterior makes a bold statement wherever it goes. While the SL550 undeniably delivers on performance and curb appeal, a closer inspection reveals an interior that, with its somewhat underwhelming design and complex infotainment systems, slightly misses the mark for a vehicle in its price bracket.
There’s a certain pedigree associated with Mercedes-Benz’s 5.5-liter V-8 engine, finding its home in various models from the stately S550 to the agile E550 and the stylish CLS550. However, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster arguably showcases this engine in its most glamorous setting. During our week-long test drive, blessed with perfect weather for top-down motoring, we fully embraced the iconic roadster experience. While the exterior styling of the SL550 is virtually faultless, the interior ambiance doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its six-figure price tag.
Tech Test: Conquering Canyon Roads in the Presidio
Beyond its attractive facade, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster possesses genuine performance credentials. Its position within Mercedes-Benz’s elite lineup is solidified by the inclusion of Active Body Control (ABC) as a standard feature, a distinction shared only with models like the S55 AMG, S600, and the CL-Class. ABC is an advanced active suspension system engineered to minimize body roll during cornering, acceleration, and braking. Utilizing 13 strategically placed sensors, the ABC system actively detects and counteracts both vertical and lateral body movements by adjusting the suspension through hydraulic servos at each wheel. For drivers seeking a more dynamic experience, the SL550 offers a driver-selectable ABC Sport mode, accessible via a button on the center console. This mode firms up the suspension, catering to those who wish to explore the car’s performance limits in spirited driving scenarios.
Our tech-focused evaluation of the SL550 involved putting this sport mode to the test. We dedicated an afternoon to driving the car assertively through challenging routes, spending half the time in regular ABC mode and the other half in ABC Sport mode. Our objective was to discern and report on any tangible differences between the two settings. San Francisco’s Presidio, located just west of the city’s bustling downtown, offered the ideal proving ground. With its intricate network of winding roads, hairpin turns, hills, and straights, the Presidio was perfectly suited for assessing the SL550’s handling capabilities.
Alt text: Silver 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster navigating Presidio roads during performance testing.
In standard ABC mode, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster demonstrated competent handling. However, rapid transitions between left and right turns felt somewhat less agile compared to more dynamically balanced competitors like the 2007 Jaguar XK. We also noted a degree of steering numbness and noticeable understeer in regular drive mode, requiring more driver input than anticipated for optimal cornering.
Despite its visually lean profile, the 2007 SL550 carries a substantial curb weight of 4,420lbs. This heft becomes apparent when accelerating from a standstill. Even with the stability control disengaged, initiating tire chirp from a complete stop proved surprisingly difficult.
Engaging the ABC Sport mode significantly sharpened the SL550’s handling dynamics. Weight transfer during quick directional changes felt noticeably more precise. In aggressive cornering situations, the suspension provided reassuring feedback, effectively resisting body roll and maintaining the car’s composure and lateral stability throughout the bends.
Alt text: 2007 SL550 Roadster side profile showing Active Body Control suspension.
While ABC Sport mode doesn’t amplify throttle response, it does contribute to a more linear acceleration feel, resulting in smoother power delivery and a perception of quicker responsiveness. Following our tech evaluation, we opted to keep the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster in ABC Sport mode for the remainder of our test period, appreciating the enhanced driving dynamics it offered.
Inside the Cabin: Spartan Sportiness Meets Technology
The interior of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster leans towards a sporty, minimalist aesthetic rather than opulent luxury. Beyond a strip of wood trim on the center console and an optional $900 wood-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, the cabin appointments are predominantly black leather covering the seats, dashboard, and doors, complemented by black plastic trim elsewhere. For those desiring a more lavish interior, Mercedes-Benz offered designo trim packages (Espresso, Mystic White, and Graphite) at an additional $7,850. These packages included upgraded paint, Nappa leather accents, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, a premium roof liner, and designer floor mats.
The most technologically impressive feature within the cabin remains the retractable hard-top roof. Activated by a lever near the rear of the center console, the roof elegantly folds and stows away into the trunk in approximately 15 seconds. Our test vehicle was equipped with the Panorama roof option, substituting the standard roof with a glass panel, enhancing cabin light and creating a more fluid rear silhouette. Even with the roof retracted, the SL550 retains a surprisingly generous cargo capacity, further enhanced by a tilting shelf that automatically lifts when the trunk is opened, improving accessibility.
While waiting for the roof to retract, we took the opportunity to explore the SL550’s dynamic multicontour seats, part of the optional $3,150 Premium I package. This feature allows both occupants to customize seat shoulder width and lumbar support via controls located on the side of each seat. Beyond personalized pneumatic adjustments, the multicontour seats also include a “Pulse” feature designed to mitigate lower back fatigue during longer drives.
Alt text: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster interior featuring Comand system and seat controls.
As is typical in contemporary Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the Comand system dominates the SL550’s dashboard. Its 6.5-inch color LCD screen, surrounded by less-than-premium black plastic buttons, serves as the central interface for most of the car’s onboard technology.
The GPS navigation system comes standard in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster. However, consistent with our experience in other 2007 Mercedes models such as the E550, E320 Bluetec, and GL450, we found the navigation system’s design and usability to be underwhelming. The system lacks a touchscreen interface, requiring destination input via a four-way button cluster located on the unit’s bottom right. While the programming logic is reasonably straightforward, the process is time-consuming, often punctuated by frustrating delays at each stage of data entry. Another notable drawback is the system’s redundant double confirmation prompts for city and street inputs, which can become tedious.
Once a destination is entered, the SL550 requires approximately 8 to 10 seconds to calculate a route and initiate spoken turn-by-turn guidance. Although the system doesn’t offer text-to-speech for reading out street names, it does display the name of the upcoming street and a prominent blue turn arrow as you approach intersections. However, adjusting the voice guidance volume is unnecessarily cumbersome, requiring precise timing to coincide with the voice prompts while manipulating the volume knob.
The navigation maps in the SL550, while visually different from those in other 2007 Mercedes models we’ve tested, are equally unimpressive. A coarse dot pitch results in subpar graphic rendering, further compromised by limited street-name detail even at closer zoom levels. Compounding these issues, the navigation screen can become washed out and difficult to read in direct sunlight when the roof is down.
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster includes a single audio system option: an 8-speaker Bose Cabin Surround system with a dedicated subwoofer. The acoustics are, as expected, immersive given the speaker count within the compact cabin. With the roof raised, the Bose Audiopilot digital processing effectively compensates for ambient noise. Despite impressive specifications, including a proprietary channel assignment algorithm for balanced surround sound and independent front and rear channels for a 360-degree sound field, the system’s sound reproduction is ultimately unremarkable. Bass frequencies can sound muddy and indistinct, and the crisp highs essential for channels like Sirius Symphony can sometimes come across as harsh. A significant ergonomic flaw is the placement of the 6-disc CD changer. Located behind the seats, and crucially, directly behind the driver’s seat, accessing it to change discs requires either stopping the car and contorting awkwardly or exiting the vehicle entirely, especially if driving solo.
Further adding to the audio system’s shortcomings, the SL550 lacks both an auxiliary input jack and an optional iPod adapter. The situation doesn’t improve for video playback. While the owner’s manual indicates DVD playback capability, the system disables video output from DVDs inserted into the disc slot, even when the car is stationary with the engine off. This renders the DVD functionality limited to audio soundtracks while driving.
Hands-free calling in the SL550, consistent with other new Mercedes-Benz models of the era, is another point of frustration. The standard phone cradle is compatible with only a handful of specific cell phone models, forcing owners of other devices to purchase a separate Bluetooth module at an extra cost of $408 for hands-free connectivity. This additional expense feels particularly unwarranted in a vehicle of this price, especially considering that Bluetooth hands-free calling is standard on many vehicles costing significantly less. Even after purchasing the Bluetooth module, voice control, enabling hands-free and audio system operation via voice commands, requires an additional $500 investment.
If forced to highlight a positive aspect of the SL550’s interior design, the pop-out cup holders stand out, notably superior to the less elegant, stick-on solution found in vehicles like the 2006 BMW M6.
Under the Hood: Potent V-8 Performance
As our driving evaluation confirmed, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster is not an outright performance benchmark, but it is undeniably quick and well-suited to its role as a status symbol. Upon ignition, the 5.5-liter V-8 engine may initially feel slightly hesitant. However, beyond 2000rpm, the car surges forward with considerable pace. The SL550 delivers an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride. Even with the top down, cruising at highway speeds remains remarkably serene, with minimal road or wind noise intrusion into the cabin. With the roof raised, the cabin is impressively quiet, punctuated only by a purposeful exhaust note during acceleration.
Mirroring other Mercedes-Benz models equipped with this flagship engine, the SL550 features a driver-adaptive 7-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift manual override. In automatic mode, the transmission employs driver-adaptive programming, purportedly adjusting shift points to align with the driver’s current style. While the effectiveness of this adaptation is difficult to definitively quantify, the transmission consistently performed seamlessly across a range of driving styles, never exhibiting gear hunting. Additional transmission features include a “Shift into Optimum Gear” function, which selects the most appropriate gear for maximum acceleration or engine braking, and Comfort mode, which initiates starts in second gear and upshifts at lower rpms, ideal for relaxed cruising.
Alt text: 2007 SL550 Roadster hard-top roof retraction sequence in progress.
Despite its seven-speed transmission, two-seater configuration, and respectable rather than blistering performance, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster exhibits considerable fuel consumption. EPA estimates rate the SL550 at 14mpg in the city and 18mpg on the highway. Our observed fuel economy during testing aligned with the higher end of this range, averaging 17.6mpg.
In Conclusion: Luxury and Performance with a Price
Our storm-red 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster test vehicle started with a substantial base price of $94,800. Option packages and individual options, including the $3,150 Premium I package (ventilated dynamic multicontour seats, bi-xenon headlamps, corner-illuminating fog lamps, Keyless Go), $1,920 for the Panoramic roof with sunshade, $900 for wood-and-leather trim, $510 for the electric trunk closer, $775 destination and delivery, and a $1,700 gas-guzzler tax, brought the total sticker price to $103,755.
At this price point, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Roadster enters a highly competitive segment. For the same financial outlay, potential buyers could consider alternatives such as a BMW M6, or a 2007 Jaguar XK, potentially with a significant sum remaining. While the SL550 offers a compelling blend of performance, technology, and unmistakable Mercedes-Benz luxury, prospective owners should carefully weigh its strengths against its price and consider whether its particular combination of attributes justifies the investment.
