Jump LinksInfotainment: Two Buttons ReturnPerformance ImpressionsRide and HandlingFuel Economy InfoThe Mercedes-Benz SL is a confusing vehicle. SL stands for Sport Light, but unlike the 300 SL Gullwing models from the 1950s, modern SL generations have mostly been pretty heavy and luxurious. That all changed when the current R232 generation was introduced in 2022, and was only offered as an AMG variant sharing a platform with the AMG GT, bringing the SL closer to its sports car roots. So why then has Mercedes now backtracked on that progress by handing the sporty SL over to its luxury Maybach division? That's the question we seek to answer in a week with the 2026 Mercedes-Mercedes Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series.The SL 680 Monogram Series arrives as the first Maybach-branded SL variant, but it's not the sub-brand's first drop-top convertible. Mercedes previously offered a Maybach version of the S-Class Cabriolet called the S 680, and it also built a special G-Wagon called the G 650 Landaulet.This is, however, the first two-seater in Maybach's long history, not counting the one-off Maybach Exelero, which was not an official Mercedes production. The SL 680 is a rolling contradiction: a convertible sports car built for comfort, not for raw speed, yet it still possesses a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 577 horsepower. Convertible cars like this are rare, as most automakers want their two-seat models to thrill drivers with head-snapping performance. Perhaps the Maybach SL is a breath of fresh air in a speed-obsessed world.2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 hero Exterior Looks: Rolling Fashion Statement The SL is Mercedes' flagship drop-top sports car, but the 680 Monogram Series represents a very different flavor of the iconic nameplate. This is a design-focused car, not a performance-obsessed one, but some of the choices here are bizarre to say the least. A high-dollar Mercedes like this typically offers a wide array of customization, but the Monogram restricts buyers in some odd ways. The hood, for example, can not be painted to match the rest of the car; it comes in black as-standard or for $6,000 extra, you can get Maybach logos that resemble a Louis Vuitton pattern of sorts. Why can't we just order a normal hood? You certainly won't mistake it for a standard SL.2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 frontSpeaking of the colors, only two are available at no cost, despite the car's massive starting price: Garnet Red Metallic (pictured) and Moonlight White Magno (matte). The other 43 MANUFAKTUR colors all cost $9,900, which is a hefty sum, but at this price, what's another $10k amongst friends? There are some fabulous hues in the palette, including Kryptonite Green Metallic, Rosé Gold, Sun Yellow, and Orange Flame to name a few.Oddly, all these colors can only be paired with a black roof bearing a Maybach pattern (like the hood), and there are only two wheel patterns to choose from. The base 21-inch five-spoke Monoblock wheels are interesting but certainly wouldn't be most buyers' first choice, and we imagine most people will upgrade to our tester's optional multi-spoke wheels for $5,000. Interior & On-Board Technology: Lovely But Limited Whereas the exterior offers an abundance of beautiful colors to personalize your Maybach, the SL 680's interior comes in only one color: Crystal White with Maybach Silver Chrome. It's lovely when it's clean, but we don't suggest bringing any kids, pets, or drinks along for the ride because nearly every surface (including the carpets) is white.Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/ValnetWe are also surprised to see such an expensive vehicle offering zero customization for the interior, especially when other Maybach vehicles have multiple leather colors. Unlike the AMG model, which includes a small back seat, the Maybach version only has a leather shelf behind its two seats.2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 seatsSince this is a Maybach product and there are no major options to add to the interior, everything comes standard. This includes the following:Heated/ventilated seats with multicontour massage and Air Scarf neck heating, plus heated steering wheel64-color ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, Maybach logo puddle projectors, and illuminated entry systemManufaktur Nappa leather, top-stitched dash/door/console trim, floral design rear shelf Infotainment: Two Buttons Return The infotainment system in the SL has been updated to the 3rd generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), which we think is simpler and easier to navigate than before. It still lives on an 11.9-inch portrait-style touchscreen which can tilt to avoid glare when the roof is down, a trick that actually works. While Mercedes' all-touch interior is not our favorite, especially the touch-capacitive controls on the steering wheel, we've started to get more acquainted with them over the years and thankfully, the SL now has physical controls for the roof (it used to hide this function on the screen). Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto make the experience more familiar for iPhone and Android users, and a standard Burmester 3D surround sound system produces outstanding audio clarity.2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 infotainment Performance: Personal Luxury Returns The SL 680 is the first non-AMG variant of the SL for the R232 generation, but it slots near the top in terms of output and performance. The Maybach SL uses the same 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine found in most of the AMG models, tuned to the same level of power and torque found in the SL 63. That model is more performance-focused, however, which is why it has a lower 0-60 mph time, a higher top speed, a louder exhaust note, and a firmer ride. Maybach only offers the SL 680 with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, and no V12 engine is available in the SL as of this writing. Performance Impressions 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 engineMaybach did not prioritize performance with the SL 680, but that does not mean this is a slow vehicle. This is evidenced by the car's lack of a Race Start function, a launch control mode found in other SL variants. If you mash the brake and throttle in this SL 680, it builds the revs to around 3,000 RPM, then smoothly takes off to 60 mph in a scant 3.68 seconds in our testing, besting the estimated 0-60 time.That's actually quicker than Mercedes says the SL 55 will hit 60 mph, but we imagine that car is also underrated. If you keep the throttle pinned, the SL 680 would hit an electronically limited 161 mph top speed, making it the slowest SL variant. Ride and Handling The lack of aggression isn't just felt in the acceleration; you notice it the moment the SL 680 floats over a bump. Other SL models are firm, built to attack corners quickly. Maybach wanted its version to glide, effortlessly guiding its occupants around obstacles without disturbing their peace. The SL 680 uses Maybach-specific valves for the damper hydraulics, which are tuned more softly. It also uses hydraulic roll stabilization instead of traditional anti-roll bars to keep itself flat without feeling stiff. This is among the most comfortable convertible vehicles we have ever driven, especially in the available Maybach driving mode, which is softer and more relaxed than Comfort.2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 front 3/4 rollingAs a trade-off for this softness, the SL 680 lacks the sharpness and excitement of the AMG models. The exhaust doesn't bark like a rabid tiger, and the steering doesn't fight back like one either. Everything is lighter, softer, and more mature in the SL 680; this car is built to cruise, not to cause a scene. The exhaust is quiet most of the time, but there is a Sport mode that provides a subtle growl if you want to hear a smidge of the V8.If we had just one complaint, the wind noise with the roof is a little more pronounced than we expected, but if you have the Burmester audio system on at any appreciable volume, this is a non-issue. We'd also love to see Maybach introduce a V12 model, if not just to say such a thing exists. Fuel Economy Info With a twin-turbo V8, the Maybach SL 680 is not a frugal vehicle. It's rated by the EPA to achieve 13 MPG in the city, 20 MPG on the highway, and 16 MPG combined. That's one MPG lower than the V8 SL 55 and SL 63 variants and seven MPG below the four-cylinder SL 43. Verdict & Pricing: The Ultimate SL? $224,900. That's how much it costs (not including the $1,150 destination fee and $1,300 gas guzzler tax) to purchase a 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. In other words, this is the most expensive SL in the Mercedes lineup, above the SL 63 E Performance, which costs $207,900. One could argue that the AMG SL variants offer nearly the same features as the Maybach, more customization, and higher performance, but we'd offer this as a rebuke: if you can afford a vehicle like this, don't you want to be comfortable?2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 heroIf you've worked your whole life to spend nearly a quarter-million dollars on a car, is getting to 60 mph a fraction of a second quicker really that important? We'd so much rather be comfortable on our way to work, or to the golf course, or wherever you take a car like this while cruising with the top down. And let's not forget, it's not like the SL 680 is sluggish. Mercedes only made one mistake with this car: it's not customizable enough for the price. That hood should come in body color and the interior should be available in other colors besides white. At this price, "no" should not be a word any customer has to hear.Aside from that bizarre decision, we'd love to see more automakers build convertibles like this, aimed at cruising a costal road, not attacking a racetrack. And if enough wealthy customers love the SL 680, perhaps Mercedes will truly go all out and build a V12 version. Wouldn't that be something?
