Mercedes-Maybach GLS loses seats, packs in comfort

The large SUV builds on the recently redesigned 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS, and offers an even more luxurious experience.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 — *The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is the flagship of Mercedes’ flagship SUVs. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Fresh off updating its flagship SUV, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the most opulent version of the GLS.

The automaker revealed the all-new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680, which is launching for the 2027 model year.

Whereas the Mercedes-Benz GLS offers three rows of seating for six- and seven-seat configurations, the Maybach version knocks that down to just two rows with four seats total. And each seat offers maximum comfort levels.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 front — *The same engine sits under the hood of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 as in the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Powertrain

Before we get into the interior comfort of the Maybach, let’s take a quick look at the powertrain offered on the king of Mercedes’ SUVs.

The GLS 680 is powered by a V8 with mild-hybrid support.

The biturbo eight-cylinder M177 EVO engine produces 603 hp (450 kW) and 627 lb.-ft. (850 Nm) of torque, plus the 48V mild-hybrid offers a boost of 23 hp (17 kW).

That’s the same output as the engine offers in the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 side — *An Airmatic air suspension helps keep occupants comfortable on uneven roads. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Air suspension and more

Just like the other GLS versions in the Mercedes-Benz/AMG range, the Maybach version makes use of the automaker’s Airmatic air suspension with intelligent and predictive damping to cushion occupants from the imperfections of the road.

The vehicle uses real-time Car-to-X information, gaining road information from other Mercedes vehicles equipped with the system on the road ahead about where the bumps in the road are.

The SUV’s optional E-Active Body Control uses five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors to analyze the driving situation 1,000 times per second to also adjust spring and damper forces at each wheel to help improve the ride comfort.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 white rear seats — *The interior of the large Maybach is meant to be a retreat. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Interior luxury

Now, let’s get to the fun part, the interior comfort.

The automaker calls the GLS’s interior a highly refined retreat. Compared to the regular Benz, the Maybach gets more comfort features and more acoustic enhancements to further separate the occupants from the outside world.

The multi-contour front seats have a new vibration massage option in the seat cushions.

The rear seats get even more comfort. The two executive seats in the rear get, for the first time, a massaging feature that even extends to the calves.

There’s a glass-fronted refrigerated compartment between the rear seats. The fridge has space for a pair of 0.75-litre champagne bottles.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 beech brown and macchiato beige interior — *Beech brown and macchiato beige colours are exclusive to the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Exclusive upholstery

The Nappa leather upholstery in beech brown/macchiato beige colours is exclusive to this model.

The Maybach also gets new decorative trim options, including brown open-pore V-groove walnut wood and an exclusive high-gloss silver/black diamond-pattern mixed fabric.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 front seats — *Audiophiles will love the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Enhanced audio

If the regular GLS’s Burmester audio system wasn’t enough, the Maybach gets an enhanced Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos. This system gets two additional speakers in the rear, bringing the total to 15.

The system has a 710-watt amplifier, which is more powerful than in the standard GLS.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 cabin rear — *The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 has rear seats with massage function on the calves. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Electric cabin air filter

Whether cruising in a polluted city, in a wildfire smoke-filled area or wherever, occupants can breathe easy in the Maybach, which gets an advanced multi-stage filtration system that renews the interior air about every 90 seconds.

The system ionizes fine particles and works with a pre-filter that captures large particles before they get inside the vehicle’s cabin.

The interior filter remains active in recirculation mode as well.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 rear-seat console — *The rear seats get access to a fridge and individual remotes to control entertainment and other settings. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Technology

Mercedes fitted the big Maybach with its latest Mercedes-Benz Operating System, which runs various systems, including the MBUX.

Up front, the GLS gets a standard MBUX Superscreen with three 12.3-inch displays.

An MBUX virtual assistant is powered by AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Search and Google Gemni. It can hold complex, contextual conversations.

The rear seat occupants get a pair of 11.6-inch HD displays, each of which has a configurable remote.

Occupants can use these remotes to adjust personal climate control settings, as well as the privacy blinds and rear entertainment.

Integrated cameras in the rear screens also allow for video calls to appear on the rear screens.