KM: Winner
In person, the SL looks like a proper flagship roadster. The Lexus LX 570 prompted me to ask if the market needs a $75,000-plus, low-mileage SUV. The same could be said for the SL, but the car’s unbridled allure overcomes that. The interior wraps just about everything with leather. Open the trunk, and the folded hardtop automatically motors up to allow access to luggage space. The 1 percent have never had it better.

JW: Winner
Thank you, Mr. Romney. The SL-Class was overdue for a redo. I'm still on the fence about its front styling, but there are many improvements, not the least of which is lighter weight. Not light enough, but lighter.

DT: Winner
The current SL is still fun to drive; it just feels outdated behind the wheel. This SL fits like a glove and wraps the driver in a luxurious but sporty interior very similar to the SLS AMG. I love the new Mercedes look applied to the roadster’s exterior, too. This is one of the few cars I sat in and didn’t want to get out of.

MH: Loser
With a car like this, it all comes down to how the car looks and how you look behind the wheel. From a styling standpoint, the new SL is … challenged, specifically because of its ghastly headlights. While the interior and powerful engine check the right boxes, when the design leaves a bad taste in your mouth we've got a problem, Stuttgart.