The Mercedes-Maybach GLS returns with a bold redesign, electrified V8 engine, and a suite of innovations aimed at redefining luxury travel. Orders open in China, with Europe and the US to follow in summer 2026.
The arrival of the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS signals a decisive move in the luxury SUV segment. With its latest update, the German marque has sharpened both the visual presence and technological sophistication of its flagship, blending a powerful electrified V8 with meticulous craftsmanship and advanced digital features. The model is now available for order in China, while customers in the United States and Europe can expect order books to open during the summer of 2026, followed by a gradual rollout to other international markets.
Since its original debut in 2019, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS has embodied Wilhelm Maybach’s vision of creating the finest from the finest. The 2026 iteration amplifies this ambition with a more assertive exterior, highlighted by a newly sculpted grille featuring illuminated contours and a discreetly integrated brand inscription. For the first time, the iconic upright star on the hood can be illuminated in select markets, while DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps introduce subtle rose gold accents—a detail that underscores the model’s attention to refinement.
Distinctive 23-inch forged wheels, equipped with a gravity-centered Maybach star that remains upright as the wheels turn, further emphasize the SUV’s commitment to detail. Entry becomes a ceremony: electric running boards deploy in under a second when the doors open, lighting the step and projecting the Maybach emblem onto the ground with LED illumination.
At the heart of the new GLS lies the M177 EVO engine, an electrified twin-turbo V8 paired with a second-generation integrated starter-generator and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This setup delivers 450 kW of power, with an additional 17 kW available via boost, and a formidable 850 Nm of torque. Enhanced by dual Lanchester balance shafts and improved acoustic insulation, the engine offers immediate, smooth, and nearly silent power delivery—rivaling the refinement of a twelve-cylinder unit.
Driving dynamics are elevated by a revised steering system for more direct response and the AIRMATIC air suspension with predictive damping, which can be optionally upgraded to E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. This advanced system analyzes road conditions up to a thousand times per second, actively countering body roll and pitch to maintain composure regardless of surface.
Inside, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is engineered as a sanctuary of calm, with high-density sound-absorbing materials isolating the cabin from external noise and vibration. The interior is dominated by the MBUX Superscreen, a seamless glass display powered by the MB.OS operating system and featuring the MBUX Virtual Assistant—developed in partnership with Microsoft and Google Gemini—for intuitive, AI-driven interaction.
Occupants are enveloped in exclusive nappa leather upholstery in beech brown and macchiato beige, while a 3D Burmester surround sound system with fifteen speakers and Dolby Atmos technology delivers an immersive audio experience. Rear passengers benefit from Executive seats with extended calf massage functions and a refrigerated compartment designed for champagne bottles, setting a new standard for in-car comfort.
Personalization is central to the Maybach experience. The MANUFAKTUR program allows each vehicle to be tailored to the client’s preferences, including a full leather headliner hand-stitched by a single artisan at the Sindelfingen plant. Final assembly takes place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where a dedicated Maybach team completes the interior by hand, separate from the main production line.
For those comparing the Mercedes-Maybach GLS to other high-end SUVs, the landscape is evolving rapidly. Recent head-to-heads, such as the Ebro S900 and Mazda CX-80 hybrid SUV comparison, highlight how luxury and technology are reshaping expectations in this segment.
With this launch, Mercedes-Maybach reasserts its leadership in the world of luxury vehicles, fusing 140 years of innovation with the latest in digital and mechanical engineering. The GLS stands as a testament to how tradition and technology can coexist, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive opulence.
