Name: Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster (2016) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
Rating: 52.0

Summary

The the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster was a two-door high-performance convertible – a drop-top derived from the GT Coupé, and Mercedes’ answer to the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.

The GT Roadster arrived about two years after the GT Coupé at the end of 2016, and was discontinued in 2023 ahead of an all-new model launching in 2024.

The standard GT Roadster was around 50kg heavier than its coupé sibling, but used the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. Mercedes-AMG tuned the engine to produce a slightly higher output of 475hp, to counteract the added weight.

Due to this added weight, and the structural disadvantages that come with opting for a convertible, Autocar came to the conclusion that “the GT Roadster doesn’t quite match the GT coupé for outright cornering prowess or overall ride control”, and said that “it can be difficult to manoeuvre around tight spaces due to its elongated bonnet and poor rear vision.”

Auto Express added that the Porsche 911 Cabriolet was the more practical choice for day-to-day travel, though it also explained that the Mercedes-AMG matched the Porsche’s driving dynamics and ride comfort, “but feels more dramatic”, with an “intoxicating” V8 engine soundtrack.

“The 911 wishes it had this much personality”, Parkers asserted, praising the GT Roadster for its attractive muscle car exterior styling, its luxurious interior trim and its electrically-operated soft-top roof that opened or closed in 11 seconds.

As of May 2024, the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 52%. Although it scores well in media reviews, running costs are very high – which drag down our used car scores. We also don’t have reliability or safety data for this model.

GT Roadster highlights

Alluring exterior looks
Very strong performance
Luxurious cabin interior
Improved handling
AMG engine sounds inspire acceleration

GT Roadster lowlights

The GT Coupé has more precise handling
Expensive to buy, base model and up
High running costs
Not too practical day-to-day
Poor rear visibility

Key specifications

Body style: Two-seat roadster
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £115,730 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: 2024

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: GT R
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster is an intoxicating and serious performance car but not one without its compromises.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The awesome Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster offers wind-in-the-hair thrill seekers a genuine rival to the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“On the right road and at a well-chosen pace, the car’s got grip, composure and immediacy to spare – and the chassis provides a fine canvas on which to daub the luridly colourful brushstrokes of that wonderful V8 engine.”
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Model reviewed: GT
Score: 8 / 10
“Although its responses are not quite as intense or as enthralling as its fixed-roof sibling, it is nevertheless as involving and absorbing as any rival convertible over any given road. It is also very close on overall ability and appeal to the significantly dearer GT C Roadster.”
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Model reviewed: GT C
Score: 9 / 10
“I’d want to try a coupé with these revisions before saying whether or not it has the measure of a 911. I suspect the narrower, lighter Porsche would still be the better sports car. But remove the roofs of the two and the cars’ slightly different remit puts the argument in a different light. In terms of sound and drama, the GT would have it covered.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: GT S
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s no doubt the AMG GT S drives like the bespoke sports car that its exotic ingredients and layout suggest it should, and the facelift’s relatively superficial upgrades only enhance that appeal.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster adds further shine to the coupe’s brilliance.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster is great fun to drive at speed and has a comfortable, luxurious interior. But, some awkward features can make low-speed manoeuvres feel arduous.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: GT R
Score: 9 / 10
“As exciting as the AMG GT R coupe, but does come with the usual convertible compromises.”
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Model reviewed: GT C
Score: 10 / 10
“Much improved steering, huge performance, brilliant sports car dynamics.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Mercedes-AMG AMG GT Roadster is a head-turning convertible that is not only very fast but packed with charisma – from the sound it makes to the voluptuous proportions.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: GT C
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes-AMG AMG GT Roadster is properly fast. But it really is firm – too firm.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: GT C
Score: 8 / 10
“Despite pretensions of high-tech performance, the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster is a deliciously unreconstructed muscle car, where ride and comfort take a back seat to all-out performance. Don’t get carried away with muscle for this muscle car, however; the lower-powered standard car is better balanced and a nicer drive.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Dramatic, fast and useable, the Mercedes-AMG AMG GT Roadster has Mercedes’ thoroughness and AMG’s sporting genes.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Most sports convertible rivals offer more involving and agile handling, but the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster is still a lot of fun, and looks and sounds fantastic.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GT Roadster, we’ll publish the results here.