The curtain has finally dropped on the 2027 facelifted Mercedes-Maybach GLS680. You didn’t get to wait long for the news. The standard GLS got its refresh just three months ago. But this? This is the version for people who think “luxury” is still a compromise.
Order books open now for buyers in China, the US, and Europe. Australia and other markets will follow suit soon enough. If you’re sitting on a bank account with too much liquidity, this is your moment to act.
Under the Hood: The New M177 Evo Engine
Let’s get the numbers out of the way because they matter to this segment. The Maybach GLS stays petrol-only. No hybrids here, except for the mild-hybrid system integrated into the engine itself.
The old V8 was good. The new one, the ‘M177 Evo’ with a second-generation starter-generator, is better. Mercedes claims it’s smoother. It’s more responsive. It’s more efficient.
We’re talking 450kW of power. That’s an increase over the previous GLS600’s 410kW. There’s also a 17kW boost on tap when you really want to move. Torque? It’s 850Nm. The outgoing model managed 770Nm. Feel the difference in your chest when you merge onto a highway.
Fuel economy is not its strong suit, but at this price point, that’s expected. Expect between 13.3L and 13.7L per 100km. CO2 emissions sit at 304-312 g/km. You’re buying an island of quiet efficiency in a sea of excess.
Suspension That Reads the Road Ahead
This isn’t just about going fast. It’s about not feeling the road.
Standard on the GLS680 is Airmatic air suspension. But it’s smart. It uses Car-to-X data. Yes, your car talks to the Mercedes on the road ahead. If it sees a pothole coming, it tells your suspension to brace for it. It’s proactive, not reactive.
There’s a selectable Maybach drive mode dedicated to “supreme” comfort. If you want the magic carpet treatment, this is where you find it.
Want more? Go for the optional E-Active Body Control. It’s a complex beast. Five multi-core processors. Over 20 sensors. It controls each wheel’s spring and damper forces individually. Your ride height stays constant regardless of load or terrain.
It even helps you out of trouble. The Offroad mode can rock the vehicle back and forth if you’re stuck in sand or mud. It’s absurd. It’s brilliant. It works.
The steering has been revised, too. More direct ratio. Greater agility. The Maybach name usually implies a chauffeur-driven experience, but the driving dynamics have clearly been tightened up for when you’re behind the wheel yourself.
Noise Cancellation: Built-in, Not Added
Mercedes didn’t just slap some foam in here. They went to war with silence.
Additional insulation lines the transmission tunnel. The engine bulkhead is covered in non-woven material. Acoustic foam fills body shell cavities. A heavy mat sits on the engine cover to kill high-frequency noise.
The result? It’s quieter than ever.
Design Updates: Gold Details and Starlight
Exterior changes are subtle but noticeable. The headlights are larger with new internals. Rose-gold detailing accents the front. The bumper has been revised. Tail-lights are now housed in a full-width panel, not separate clusters.
The grille is the new waterfall style, illuminated and bearing the Maybach lettering. The hood ornament is also available with illumination. You want to be seen, right?
You’ll see stars everywhere. The LED daytime running lights? Stars. The tail-lights? Stars. The Mercedes-Maybach logo appears on the front bumper, inside the headlights, on the electric running boards, and in the puddle lights. It’s a lot of branding. It doesn’t hide it.
Look at the wheels. The 23-inch forged alloys feature a center-mounted logo. It stays upright at all times. Yes, even when the car is upside down (don’t do that). A 22-inch option is newly available for those who prefer something slightly more restrained.
New exterior finishes include non-metallic, metallic, and a new two-tone combination. The two-tone option is classic Maybach. It signals wealth before you even open the door.
Interior: The Executive Suite
Step inside, and the changes are just as profound.
New upholstery options include Beech Brown and Macchiato Beige Nappa leather. The inlays are new: open-pore walnut mixed with high-gloss patterned fabric. If you need more customization, the Manufaktur portfolio offers leather interior headliners and more. You can essentially build a private lounge.
The technology is current. The MBUX Superscreen comes standard. It’s not just a single panel; it’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster for the driver and dual 12.3-inch touchscreen displays for driver and front passenger. Maybach-specific graphics animate them. New illuminated air vents flank the screens.
The real star of the show is the second row.
Two 11.6-inch screens are embedded in the front seatbacks. Passengers use them to watch media, adjust climate control, or pull down privacy blinds. These screens have remote controls and integrated cameras. You can make video calls while being chauffeured. Work from the back seat. Live the high life.
Comfort is paramount. The front seats now feature vibration massage in the cushions. The rear Executive Seats? They now massage your calves. Why? “Because no part of the body should be unattended,” says Mercedes. They take it seriously.
Air quality has been upgraded with a new electric cabin air filter. The Burmester 3D surround sound system is better too. It now has 15 speakers, including a pair in the rear. The amplifier is a more powerful 710 Watts. Sound that touches you physically.
Where and How It’s Built
The GLS680 rolls off the line at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. It shares the production line with standard GLS models. But the end is different. Dedicated stations exist where Mercedes-Maybach specialists hand-finish the interior features. It’s not an assembly line robot doing this. It’s human hands.
This model debuted in 2019. It followed the limited-run G650 Ladaulet, which was the first Maybach SUV. For years, the GLS was the only Maybach SUV. Then came the electric EQS SUV in 2023. But for those who refuse to plug in, the GLS680 remains the flagship.
It’s a massive vehicle. It’s expensive. It’s loud in its presence and quiet in its cabin.
The orders are open. The markets are waiting. The question is no longer whether you can afford it, but whether you need the space. Or the status.
Or perhaps just the ability to rock your car out of deep sand with a button press.
Whatever it is, the Maybach GLS680 is ready for you. Just make sure you have a driver. Or at least a very good coffee.
