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When Mercedes-Benz showed off the redesigned GLS a few months ago, we knew it was only a matter of time before Maybach and AMG models showed up. We first saw the performance SUV in June, and now it's time for the luxury version. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 took a bow today, and it's just as glitzy as we were expecting, with badges everywhere to ensure no one confuses your SUV with a mere Benz (or Bentley or Rolls).
When Too Much Is Just Enough
The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS takes some of the basic elements of the regular SUV, like its stacked-star headlights, piano black grille trim, and full-width taillight panel, and augments them with a large dose of glitzy, chrome-trimmed style. The headlamps, for example, get rose gold accents on the internal brightwork, and the AMG-sourced front and rear bumpers get their own unique textures and finishes. The bumper corner intakes, for example, feature mesh inserts festooned with double-M logos, and both the upper and lower grilles have chrome surrounds and vertical vanes.
The Maybach-signature polished window and B-pillar accents dominate the GLS 680's side profile, with yet another logo showing up on the D-pillar. Two-tone paint is once again an option, with a well-integrated pinstripe separating the upper and lower colorways. Bright-finished dual tailpipes and chrome trim on the diffuser and bumper add some old-fashioned panache to the rear view, which, as on the standard GLS, gets dominated by the sextet of three-pointed-star–shaped taillight elements. Put some respect on those 23-inch forged monoblock wheels, too.
It doesn't take much work to point out all the added branding that Mercedes gave to its largest Maybach model. In addition to the illuminated script atop the front grille (a first for the GLS) and the mesh motif of the front bumper vents, M logos appear on the polished aluminum running boards and as a puddle light animation whenever a door is open. An optional illuminated hood ornament adds a little bit more ostentation for those who want it.
Sybaritic Delights For Four
The 2027 GLS 580 comes standard with a rear bench seat, but if you want the most comfort possible, you'll want to opt for the executive-class, individual rear seats and full-length center console. Go that route and all four passengers get treated to heating, ventilation, and massage, with the titans of industry in back even getting Magic Fingers calf extensions. As on the base GLS, the 2027 Maybach gets a standard MBUX Superscreen infotainment system comprising three individual 12.3-inch displays underneath a single pane of glass. A specific software skin casts each in a rose gold sheen and includes Maybach script and logos for good measure.
The GLS 680 also introduces a few new trim choices inside, including the intriguing high-gloss silver metallic mixed fabric seen on the dash and center console. The textile-like pattern is a rare display of subtlety in the new Maybach, although if it were our money, we might still be tempted to go for wood trim instead. A Mercedes MANUFAKTUR headliner is available as an option, made from stitched leather by a single craftsperson in Sindelfingen, Germany, including their own unique personal signature.
Added insulation in the firewall and transmission tunnel and acoustic foam in key areas of the body structure help reduce vibrations and road noise. Not like that has ever been a problem for a Maybach-branded vehicle, but the GLS 680 promises even more interior serenity than before. That'll make it an even more ideal soundstage for the standard 710-watt, 15-speaker Burmester audio system and optional rear-seat entertainment system, comprising two 11.6-inch displays with their own remotes and wireless headphones.
The Flat-Plane V8 Shows Up Once Again
Powering the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is a tuned version of the automaker's M177 Evo engine. As in the S-Class, GLE, GLS, and their associated AMG models, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 has a flat-plane crank and mild-hybrid capability. The Maybach shares the AMG GLS 63's 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, respective improvements of 53 and 59 over the outgoing GLS 600. However, the luxury sub-brand tuned the engine and transmission to work together with less bombast, giving the powertrain smoother characteristics appropriate for a car wearing the double-M badging.
That's especially true when selecting the trim-exclusive Maybach drive mode, which provides supremely comfortable responses from both the engine and the standard Airmatic four-corner air suspension. The GLS 680's adaptive dampers are cloud-linked, meaning other similarly connected Mercedes vehicles log the location and size of road imperfections as they drive, allowing your car to glide over them with less interruption. E-Active Body Control is optional, giving each wheel individual control over lift, roll, and pitch for a smooth, level ride – GLS 680s equipped with the system will even lean into corners up to 3 degrees to counteract motion sickness.
The Maybach GLS will also include Mercedes' MB.DRIVE Assist technology, including Distronic adaptive cruise control and lane centering tech. An array of 10 cameras, five radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a water-cooled supercomputer also provide hands-free assistance when equipped with the available MB.DRIVE PRO system; eventually, cars with that option will receive point-to-point CITY PRO assist technology via an over-the-air update.
Maybach Versus Bentley Versus Rolls
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 has one distinction that its English rivals, the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, can't match. Assembled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it's arguably the most luxurious vehicle built in America (except perhaps the Cadillac Celestiq). But which luxury SUV should you choose when the new Maybach arrives at dealers later this year?
That's arguably a matter of personal taste, but in our experience, a Maybach offers all the fine craftsmanship and luxury of any other automobile, while also coming in at a price that's (marginally) more reasonable than the Brits. Final numbers haven't been announced, but we expect a loaded GLS to come in at around $240,000, a few grand over the base Bentayga and less than half the cost of a Rolls.
Truth be told, we're not huge fans of "piano black" plastic face that Mercedes is intent on giving all of its cars, and we think that the glut of Maybach logos is a tad excessive on the GLS. But the automaker's fans seem to love the look, and we doubt anyone will be disappointed in the performance and comfort on offer once you're done ogling the styling.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
