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When buyers spend a six-figure sum on a Mercedes-Benz SUV, the G-Class is usually top of mind. The ever-popular G-Wagen saw another 23 percent boost in sales in 2025, hitting a record 49,700 units worldwide. While the Mercedes-Maybach GLS cannot rival the G-Class for cultural cachet or sheer popularity, Mercedes hopes that a substantial mid-cycle update will give the 2027 GLS680 a stronger appeal among affluent, status-conscious customers.

Much like the refreshed Maybach S-Class, this SUV aims to turn more heads than before. A newly illuminated frame now surrounds its large radiator grille, which features an internally lit Maybach script. Even the classic Mercedes star ornament can be illuminated as an option. The massive headlamps now emit rose gold highlights reminiscent of designer sunglasses, complete with integrated star motifs. The front air intakes feature the signature double-M Maybach pattern in chrome, complemented by extra brightwork on a redesigned bumper guard. Buyers are advised to skip the standard 22-inch wheels for the 23-inch Maybach forged alloys whose center caps remain upright at all times thanks to ball-bearing mounts.

The anodized aluminum running boards deploy from the sides in under a second, highlighted by an LED strip. At the rear, the redesigned tailgate seamlessly integrates with new taillights that feature intricate three-dimensional crimson stars. The extended paint palette includes Maybach’s signature dual-tone finishes; Mercedes displayed a striking Dark Petrol and Verde Silver Metallic combination at a private residence overlooking France’s Côte d’Azur during the first drive of the Maybach S580 sedan.

An enhanced version of Mercedes’s M177 Evo V8 engine delivers nearly 10 percent more power. The flat-crank, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre unit now produces 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque—an increase of 53 hp and 89 lb-ft. A 48-volt mild hybrid system supplements this with an additional 23 hp boost, while also offering energy recuperation and start-stop functionality.

Mercedes claims that a quicker steering ratio will enhance agility and responsiveness when the Maybach hits showrooms in the fourth quarter. The familiar E-Active Body Control system, integrated with the standard Airmatic suspension, continually adjusts road-sensing dampers up to 1000 times per second to counteract body roll, dive, or lift. A new feature even adapts the suspension based on Car-to-X data transmitted from other Mercedes vehicles ahead. As in the updated S-Class, a special “Maybach” driving mode is designed to deliver an unmatched, magic-carpet-like ride quality.

Inside, the true appeal of the Maybach brand shines through, with this model offered exclusively as a two-row version of the three-row GLS. Among its luxurious touches, a bespoke Manufaktur headliner combines up to 20 individual leather panels, hand-stitched and signed by a single artisan. New interior colour combinations include a tasteful mix of Nappa leather in Beech Brown and Macchiato Beige, complemented by two trim finishes: natural-grain brown walnut wood and high-gloss silver metallic fabric.

Mirroring the Maybach S-Class once again, the latest Superscreen features three 12.3-inch displays set beneath a single pane of glass, with rose gold 3D dials for the driver’s instruments. Its “Zero Layer” interface ensures the most relevant features and recent apps are accessible within one touch. The system runs on Mercedes’s latest MB.OS platform, integrating MBUX infotainment and a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence inspired by ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini.

In terms of space, however, the Maybach GLS680 faces its biggest challenge. The Maybach S-Class sedan benefits from a 7.1-inch wheelbase extension that provides nearly 50 inches of rear legroom, with fully motorized doors adding a dramatic sense of occasion. The GLS680, on the other hand, removes the third row from the standard GLS to increase second-row comfort, but the improvement is modest. Rear legroom increases by just 1.5 inches to 43.4 inches—ample, but still 1.8 inches less than a Ram 1500 Crew Cab. There’s also limited foot space beneath the front seats for those wearing larger designer shoes.

That said, the GLS still offers more rear legroom than either the Bentley Bentayga or Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which provide 40.9 and 42.9 inches, respectively. Optional executive seats recline up to 43 degrees, and the right-side passenger can move the front seat forward for an aircraft-style experience—though it’s still less extravagant than the S-Class sedan. These seats also offer a calf massage function. However, selecting the executive seat package along with the optional champagne cooler—positioned between the rear seats—significantly reduces boot space, leaving less room than a Honda Civic. You’ll fit two large carry-on bags and a couple of backpacks, at best.

For those who prefer to be entertained, an optional rear-seat entertainment setup adds two 11.6-inch HD screens. Passengers can use MBUX remote controls to manage entertainment, climate, seating, and more. The rear cabin also supports video conferencing via Microsoft Teams, and a new wireless charging pad accommodates two smartphones side by side. Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the standard Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos, now featuring a more powerful 710-watt amplifier and two additional speakers in the rear, bringing the total to 17.

Though the Maybach name may not resonate equally across all markets, it remains an integral part of Germany’s automotive heritage. Interestingly, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV has been built in Alabama since 2021, at Mercedes’s global SUV production hub. Official pricing is yet to be announced, but considering the 2026 GLS600 starts at $181,350, only a modest price increase is expected for the new model.

With ultra-luxury SUVs now coming from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, and even Ferrari, Mercedes’s ambition to secure a larger share of this lucrative market is understandable. We’ll reserve final judgments on performance until we drive the 2027 model, but some questions remain.

While it looks significantly more elegant than the electric Maybach EQS SUV—which drew comparisons to a bar of soap—it still lacks the distinctive presence of a G-Class or Range Rover. Those icons carry a level of prestige that speaks volumes without words. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is undoubtedly more luxurious than the G-Class, but transforming a high-end SUV into a true automotive A-lister requires more than just lavish chrome, wood, and leather.