Swanky two-door rear-drive convertible cars aren’t as common as they once were, but a few automakers still build them to appease folks who crave open-air adrenaline. We usually see them parked in front of fancy steakhouses, rolling along Beverly Hills’ streets, or on Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway. Naturally, they’re seldom the only car in the owner’s garage, as they were developed to favor thrills over practicality.

Time was when the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was the segment’s benchmark. Its beautiful design, competent handling, and punchy V-8 made it a favorite among a certain group of buyers, a recognizable symbol that told the world they’d made it to the top. Although the previous generation was a departure from its traditional style, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL63 retains the SL line’s powerful V-8 ethos and a striking design while adding two vestigial rear seats for more perceived practicality. It may not “look” like an old SL, but we applaud Mercedes for giving the famous nameplate another run in an era when SUVs and electric cars make the market’s biggest waves.

Meanwhile, a certain Porsche 911 claims some of the category’s deepest roots. The 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet is markedly different from the SL—it has two fewer cylinders, more power, and its famous rear-engine architecture, plus it’s shorter and lighter than the Mercedes-AMG. But as one of the most popular sports cars on the planet—and with the new SL on hand as part of our Performance Vehicle of the…