A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL vs Ford Ranger Platinum: the short answer
Ranger Platinum has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Mercedes-Maybach SL remains close.
Ranger Platinum starts ZAR 3,912,500 cheaperMercedes-Maybach SL from ZAR 5,092,000 · Ranger Platinum from ZAR 1,179,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Maximum Power
Mercedes-Maybach SL430 kW
Ranger Platinum184 kW @ 3250 rpm
Maximum Torque
Mercedes-Maybach SL800 Nm
Ranger Platinum600 Nm
Engine Size
Mercedes-Maybach SL3982 cc
Ranger Platinum2993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Mercedes-Maybach SL7.7 km/l
Ranger Platinum11.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
Mercedes-Maybach SL115 mm
Ranger Platinum237 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL
SL 680 Maybach
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Specification evidence leader
Ranger Platinum
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Ranger Platinum
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Model Introduced Year
2026
2022
Generation
Current South African Mercedes-Maybach SL generation represented by derivative SL 680 Maybach
Current-generation Ford Ranger
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Convertible
Pickup
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Luxury convertible
Pickup
Vehicle Type
Convertible
Pickup
Body Type Cab
-
Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note
-
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
-
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Double Cab Platinum 10AT 4x4
Tare Mass Kg
-
2345 kg
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Length
4705 mm
5350 mm
Width
1915 mm
1918 mm
Height
1359 mm
1886 mm
Wheelbase
2900 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
115 mm
237 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 l
80 l
Boot/Cargo Space
213 l
480 l
Kerb Weight
2050 kg
2345 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
3300 kg
Payload Capacity
400 kg
955 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
3500 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.25 m
12.9 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1024 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
989 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1057 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
879 mm
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Engine
3982/V8
3-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
M177
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Diesel
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
3982 cc
2993 cc
Cylinders
8
6
Cylinder Layout
V
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Common-rail direct injection
Compression Ratio
8.6:1
10.5:1
Bore
83.0 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
92.0 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
430 kW
184 kW @ 3250 rpm
Maximum Torque
800 Nm
600 Nm
Combined Power
430 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
800 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
4WD
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
260 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.1 sec
7.8 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
78.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
255.9 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
No
Not Applicable
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Gearbox
9G-TRONIC automatic
10-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
4WD
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Permanent AWD transfer system
Two-speed electronic transfer case
Differential Lock
No
Yes
Paddle Shifters
Yes
No
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
9
10
Transmission Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
AWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
No
Electronic shift-on-the-fly
4WD Hi Range
0
Yes
4WD Lo Range
0
Yes
4WD Selector
No
Electronic 4WD selector
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
0
2.7
Low Range
0
Yes
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: AWD
Front and rear driven axles
Rear Differential Lock
No
Yes
Transmission Speeds
9
10
Drive Mode Selector
-
4WD/off-road drive mode support
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Claimed Mileage
7.7 km/l
11.9 km/l
City Mileage
7.7 km/l
9.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
7.7 km/l
13.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
80 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
7.7 km/l
11.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
80
Combined Driving Range
0
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Airbags
7
Dual front, front side, curtain and driver knee
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
BA
Yes
Not Available
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
Driver knee
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Alarm System
-
Perimeter alarm
Central Locking
-
Power door dead locks
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Perimeter alarm
Height Adjustable Seatbelts
-
Standard
Tracking System
-
Vehicle locator via app
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Yes
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Seat Material
Nappa leather
Leather-accented upholstery
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Power adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Power adjustment
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Leather-accented upholstery
Front Armrest
-
Centre console
Front Shoulder Room
-
1450 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1440 mm
Cup Holders
-
Standard
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Digital instrument cluster
Interior Colour Options
-
3
Door Map Pockets
-
Underseat stowage
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Ranger Platinum grade before assuming a feature is included.
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Flagship
Price Zar
5092000 ZAR
1179500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current listed price
Starting Price
5500000
1179500
Starting Price Zar
5500000
1179500
Spec
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Ranger Platinum
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Years
5 Years / 100000 km
4 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5 Years / 100000 km
4 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
5 years / unlimited km
Basic Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
4 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
-
4 years / unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Mercedes-Maybach SL and Ranger Platinum comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Mercedes-Maybach SL 100 vs Ranger Platinum 89.
Efficiency index: Mercedes-Maybach SL 38 vs Ranger Platinum 52.
Safety-equipment index: Mercedes-Maybach SL 95 vs Ranger Platinum 93.
Practicality index: Mercedes-Maybach SL 46 vs Ranger Platinum 84.
Ownership-cover index: Mercedes-Maybach SL not separately scored vs Ranger Platinum 76.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Mercedes-Maybach SL and Ranger Platinum image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Ranger Platinum leads by 9 points
Ranger Platinum has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Mercedes-Maybach SL remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Ranger Platinum
Performance
89/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
84/100
Ownership
76/100
Mercedes-Maybach SL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
38/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
46/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexFord Ranger Platinum
leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts
vs 72 pts for Mercedes-Maybach SL
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Ranger Platinum leads. However, Mercedes-Maybach SL may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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