The wait is over.
Mercedes-Benz finally pulled the cover off the 2027 GLS. Well, actually, they did a couple of things at once. The base GLS got its update. The Maybach version—the real meat of the matter for people with serious disposable income—landed right next to it.
This is the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680. It arrives later this year. And it brings a heavier foot to the pedal.
Why The Engine Update Matters
Let’s talk power. The old model had 550 horsepower. Fine. Respectable. Boring for a car that costs more than most houses.
The new M1770 Evo twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 screams otherwise.
Mercedes bumped the output to 603 horsepower. Torque hits 627 pound-feet. That is 53 extra horsepower and 89 pound-feet of twist compared to the outgoing model. Where does it come from? Mostly engineering refinement and the new second-generation starter generator. That little hybrid component helps the engine wake up faster.
But raw numbers are only half the story.
Mercedes didn’t just tune the engine; they recalibrated the car’s behavior. The steering system is revised. Standard equipment now includes the Airmatic air suspension, which is standard anyway for Maybach, but there is an option that changes how the SUV feels on the road.
E-Active Body Control.
It actively controls spring and damper forces. It fights roll. It counters pitch. It prevents the nose dive you feel when you brake hard. For a vehicle this tall, that matters. It’s not supposed to handle like a sports car, but it isn’t supposed to feel like a boat either.
The Visual Upgrade: Not Just Chrome And Hope
You know a Maybach is coming just by looking at the grille.
The 2027 model sports an all-new front fascia. The grille surround is illuminated. The Maybach badge lights up. The standing Mercedes-Benz star on the hood? Also lit up. Firsts for the automaker. It looks expensive. Which it is.
If you look closer, you’ll see the wheels.
Standard wheels are 22-inch, featuring a complex 20-hole design. If you want to go bigger, you can step up to 23-inch forged wheels. These have a trick. A precision ball-bearing mechanism keeps the star logo vertically aligned while you drive. It sounds gimmicky. It works. And it looks sharp.
The paint options likely remain as exclusive as usual, though specific colorways haven’t been heavily detailed beyond the general refresh.
Inside The Cabin: MBUX Superscreen Takes Over
Step inside and the air changes. It smells like leather. Old leather. Good leather.
The highlight is the MBUX Superscreen. Three displays. One curved piece of glass spanning the dash. It runs the latest infotainment software. If you’ve seen it in the S-Class, you’ve seen it here.
Mercedes added specific Maybach touches.
Rose gold dials. Not chrome. Rose gold. Illuminated outer climate control air vents that look like jet turbine intakes. And the seats. Improved massaging functionality. Both first and second-row passengers get treatment. Because if you are paying this much, you probably aren’t driving anyway.
The audio situation just got louder.
The enhanced Burmester 3D Surround System now has Dolby Atmos support. They added two more speakers. That brings the total to 15. The amplifier pushes 710 watts. It is louder. It is clearer. It isolates you from the world outside.
Pricing And Availability: The Unanswered Question
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS will start arriving at dealerships later in 2024.
Mercedes stayed quiet on the exact price tag.
We can make an educated guess. The 2026 model started at $181,350, including destination charges. That car made 550 hp. This one makes 603 hp. It has a new screen. Better wheels. A lighter touch on the chassis controls.
Expect a bump.
$185,000 is a conservative estimate. With inflation and the added tech, $190,000 feels more realistic. It is still a bargain compared to some competitors that offer less power and far less substance.
Who Is This For?
It is the ultimate flagship SUV from Daimler. It offers more luxury and features than the standard GLS. More power. A design that doesn’t try too hard but succeeds anyway.
But why buy it over the Rolls-Royce Cullinan? Or the Range Rover SVAutobiography?
You buy the Maybach GLS because you want a limousine disguised as a utility vehicle. You want the driving dynamics of a modern SUV with the rear-seat experience of a limousine. You want to be seen without looking like you are trying to be seen.
It is the height of luxury from Mercedes. And now, it has the power to back it up.
Whether the price hike is worth it remains to be seen. But for those who can write the check without looking at the bank account first… it probably is.
