The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS brings a series of updates to the luxury SUV segment, pairing a redesigned exterior and advanced digital features with an electrified V8. Meticulous craftsmanship remains part of the package. The model is now available to order in China; order books in the United States and Europe are expected to open in summer 2026, followed by a gradual rollout to other international markets. Mercedes-Benz describes the GLS 680 as the evolution of a flagship luxury SUV that has represented the Maybach name in this segment for about seven years.
Since its debut in 2019, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS has embodied Wilhelm Maybach’s vision of creating the finest from the finest. The 2026 iteration builds on that ambition with a more assertive exterior, including a newly sculpted grille with 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 feature subtle rose gold accents.
Distinctive 23-inch forged wheels feature a gravity-centered Maybach star that remains upright as the wheels turn. 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 LEDs.
Central to the new GLS is the M177 EVO, an electrified twin-turbo V8 paired with a second-generation integrated starter-generator and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The engine is rated at 450 kW, or about 603 hp, and 850 Nm of torque, equivalent to roughly 627 lb-ft; the system also provides the additional 17 kW boost specified for the powertrain. The 48-volt setup adds electric assistance and allows coasting; it also recovers energy and smooths engine restarts. Dual Lanchester balance shafts and improved acoustic insulation help the engine deliver power smoothly and quietly, with refinement comparable to that of a twelve-cylinder unit.
The Maybach’s output places it above the regular 2027 GLS variants: U.S. automotive coverage lists the GLS 450 4MATIC with a 375-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and the GLS 580 with a 530-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. Those figures describe the standard GLS range; they do not apply to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680. The new Maybach is expected to reach U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships later in 2026.
Driving dynamics benefit from a revised steering system for more direct response and AIRMATIC air suspension with predictive damping, which can be optionally upgraded to E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. The advanced system analyzes road conditions up to a thousand times per second and actively counters body roll and pitch to keep the vehicle composed across different surfaces.
Inside, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is designed as a sanctuary of calm. High-density sound-absorbing materials isolate the cabin from external noise and vibration. The interior features the MBUX Superscreen, a smooth glass display powered by the MB.OS operating system and equipped with the MBUX Virtual Assistant. Developed in partnership with Microsoft and Google Gemini, it enables intuitive, AI-driven interaction.
Occupants are surrounded by exclusive nappa leather upholstery in beech brown and macchiato beige. A 3D Burmester surround sound system with fifteen speakers and Dolby Atmos technology delivers an immersive audio experience. Rear passengers get Executive seats with extended calf massage functions, plus a refrigerated compartment designed for champagne bottles.
Personalization is central to the Maybach experience. The MANUFAKTUR program lets clients tailor each vehicle to their 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, away from the basic production line.
For those comparing the Mercedes-Maybach GLS with other high-end SUVs, the segment is developing 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.
With this launch, Mercedes-Maybach reinforces its position in the luxury vehicle market, drawing on 140 years of innovation and the latest digital and mechanical engineering. The GLS brings tradition and technology together in a vision of automotive opulence.
