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Key Takeaways From This Review

Until now, Mercedes-Benz had never made a Maybach ultra-luxury SL, making this the sportiest Maybach ever made — but its focus is more on grand-touring comfort than sporting ability.
Styling changes for the Monogram Series include a lot of “MM” logos all over the car to the point that it looks like a Louis Vuitton handbag. Some love it, but most find it a bit tacky.
The Maybach SL680 is undeniably luxurious, with a sumptuously appointed interior that’s just as flashy as its exterior, but some form-over-function materials choices are questionable.

Right now, you’re looking at this 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram Series Roadster and thinking one of two things: Either “What the hell has Mercedes-Benz done to that SL?” or “Oh my God, I have to have that — it matches my Louis Vuitton luggage perfectly.”

There’s really no in-between on this thing because Mercedes has aimed this car at a very specific buyer: one who does not shy away from attention; one with enough disposable income to chase fashion brands making shoes that cost more than most people earn in a month; one whose Instagram is filled with selfies at expensive resorts — possibly with endorsements from sponsors. The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 Monogram is as much a fashion statement as it is a luxury two-door, and as someone who is clearly qualified to comment on fashion, boy do I have some thoughts about this thing.

How Much Does a 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL Cost?

AMG SL43: $113,800 (all prices include destination)
AMG SL55: $146,500
AMG SL63: $189,100
AMG SL63 E Performance plug-in hybrid: $209,250
Maybach SL680 Monogram: $226,150

There are several versions of the SL to choose from, though most are AMG-badged performance models. It starts with the SL43, which is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain making 416 horsepower and enabling a Mercedes-reported 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. Step up to the SL55, and you get a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 making 469 hp, which knocks the 0-60 time down to 3.8 seconds. The SL63 comes next, still with the V-8 but now pumping out 577 hp and blasting to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The top of the AMG-branded SL line is the plug-in hybrid SL63 E Performance, which combines the twin-turbo V-8 with a 150-kilowatt electric motor boosting the rear wheels. It’s good for a total system output of 805 hp and 1,047 pounds-feet of torque, allowing for a 0-60 flight of just 2.8 seconds.

But if the fire-breathing sports cabrio route isn’t as enticing to you as the personal luxury coupe route, there’s the Maybach SL680 Monogram. It’s powered by the twin-turbo V-8 from the SL63, making 577 hp and getting to 60 mph in a more sedate 4.0 seconds.

Logos, Logos Everywhere

Takeaway: The main styling changes that turn a sporty AMG SL into a luxurious Maybach SL involve imitating some high-fashion clothing and luggage brands — that is, using high-quality materials and plastering your logo everywhere possible.

So why is it a Mercedes-Maybach, not a Mercedes-Benz? Well, Maybach used to be a German super-luxury brand on par with Bentley and Rolls-Royce starting about 116 years ago. Daimler-Benz bought the brand in 1960, and in 2002, it made its own Maybach-branded sedan. It was discontinued in 2013, and since 2015, Maybach has been a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, used to designate the ultra-luxurious top trim of a given model.

The Mercedes-Maybach SL you see here is the first-ever application of a Maybach trim to the company’s iconic two-seat flagship roadster. It brings with it a number of visual changes that differentiate it from the “normal” Mercedes-Benz SL. For one, you’ll notice the thing is positively slathered in Maybach logos. They’re all over the soft top, on the tonneau cover, gracing the leather tops of the interior door panels and molded into the lower grille panels. On this particular model, they’re part of an optional black hood package that’s painted in several layers using a unique new process in which tiny dots of paint are located precisely on the hood, covered with several layers of clear lacquer and then hand-sanded over and over again. The result is a car that looks like a Louis Vuitton handbag, with Maybach logos pasted everywhere to ensure everyone watching knows you spent about $17,000 more than someone who opted for the next most expensive Mercedes-AMG SL63 S trim.

What else did they change in the Maybach roadster? There’s a new front end with a big, gaping chrome maw that lights up at night, plus a new chrome strip running along the top of the hood. The back end gets new taillights with the Maybach light signature, with more chrome and a unique rear diffuser panel and tailpipe trim. The wheels are one of two 21-inch designs, featuring either a stunning monoblock style or our test car’s multispoke units. It comes in one of two “ambiances”: White Ambiance, featuring Moonlight White Magno paint, or this car’s Red Ambiance, which is draped in Manufaktur Garnet Red metallic. If you want to spend an extra $10K, you can choose from more than 50 custom colors as part of Mercedes-Benz’s Manufaktur customization program, but red and white are the two no-cost options from the factory.

Overall, the look is … a lot. The SL shape itself is attractive, understated and maybe just a little chunky. If you squint at it, you’ll see the shape of a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. But the embellishments that make it a Maybach push it from under the radar to over the top in short order. You will get noticed in this thing whether you’re pulling up to Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills or buying Dog Chow at your local Petco. Again, this car will appeal to a very specific buyer who finds this kind of look appealing — and they are indeed out there.