2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
Not much changes for Mercedes' flagship SL this year. Minor alterations include a new run-flat tire option, a new 18-inch wheel design for the AMG sport package, and the move of some formerly optional items – Keyless Go, the heated steering wheel and corner fog lights – to the SL600's standard feature list.

Advantages of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class:

• Near perfect balance between sport and luxury
• Hardtop coupe to open-air convertible in 16 seconds
• Chock full of impressive techno-wizardry

Objections to the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class:

• All this technology costs money, and plenty of it
• Fussy control layout and operation

Editor's Advice:
Sure it costs an arm, a leg and a kidney (hey, you really need just one, right?), but the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is one of the most beautiful, most desirable cars that we've laid our eyes on in quite some time. Fantastically gorgeous whether the hardtop is up or down, the SL dazzles with its beautifully outfitted interior as well as for its myriad of safety and technological features. The Mercedes-Benz SL is both a grand tourer and a sports car; we found that it surpasses the Jaguar XK and Lexus SC 430 in terms of refinement and can out-handle a Porsche under controlled circumstances. Should you have the means, Mercedes SL ownership will delight.