Mercedes Maybach GLS Luxury SUV Revealed With Exclusive Finishes, Customisation Options

Shortly after launching its new top-end GLS SUV and Maybach S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled an amped-up Maybach GLS SUV with a number of material and cosmetic enhancements, improved performance and handling, and more luxury touches everywhere. The new GLS is designed to look commanding, confident and grand while offering power, refinement, and supreme ride comfort.  

The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, for global export. It can already be booked in China, with Europe and US orders opening before the end of July, followed by the rest of the world. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS design

Among the many design refinements compared to the standard Mercedes-Benz GLS, the new Maybach flagship boasts of an illuminated outline around the front grille as well as bold MAYBACH lettering front and centre. The three-pointed star emblem on the hood is also illuminated. Electric running boards deploy and retract within one second, also with their own lighting and a Maybach logo projector. Rose gold accents can be seen within the headlight units, while the new connected taillights have chrome 3D star elements.

New exterior paint options include Dark Petrol non-metallic (also available in dual-tone with Verde Silver), and Manufaktur Patagonia Red metallic. According to the company, almost every Maybach customer chooses at least one personalised design element from the Manufaktur portfolio of customisation options, such as the popular stitched leather roof liner option. Mercedes-Benz also offers the Mercedes‑Maybach GLS Night Series, with dark chrome on the front and sides, and dark anodised aluminium touches and an exclusive dual-tone Obsidian Black metallic and Mojave Silver finish.

The new Maybach SUV runs on 23-inch forged wheels, each with a self-levelling three-pointed star emblem in the centre.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS interior

On the inside, the Maybach SUV has a specially designed acoustic treatment, creating the feeling of being in a calming luxury retreat. Occupants are insulated from road and traffic noise as well as the car’s own engine and transmission.

The driver gets a specially designed digital cockpit and MBUX Superscreen, made up of three 12.3-inch panels beneath a continuous glass surface. Rose gold dials and a Maybach emblem stand out against the combination of gold, rose gold and black on the dashboard. Illuminated air vents flanking the screen have freely moving gondolas rather than standard fins, to direct airflow precisely.

Passengers in the two rear Executive Seats get new massaging calf rests for the first time, while the front seats have vibration massaging cushions. The refrigerated compartment between the seats is covered by a wood and fabric trim.  

The Burmester 3D surround system in the standard GLS has been enhanced with a total of 15 speakers and a 710W amplifier, while a multi-stage filtration system cycles all interior air approximately every 90 seconds.

Maybach owners will see a custom rose gold Mercedes-Benz star avatar on the MBUX infotainment system, for the MBUX Virtual Assistant, which supports ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Search and Google Gemini for natural-language, contextual conversations and personalisation features.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS engine and performance

Mercedes-Benz has refined the GLS’s electrified mild-hybrid eight-cylinder engine, which now delivers 450 kW with a 17 kW boost, and 850 Nm of torque. It is said to be more responsive, efficient, and refined, offering instantaneous and precise power, with almost imperceptible start and stop.

A custom Maybach driving programme has been developed to ensure ride comfort. A more direct steering ratio results in better precision and agility, making handling more intuitive and assured. The Airmatic air suspension uses intelligent predictive damping via a cloud service, optimised for the comfort of rear seat passengers.