The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 has arrived, replacing the GLS 600 as the flagship of the Mercedes SUV range. The new name brings 603 horsepower, an illuminated grille and hood star, a triple-screen MB.OS cockpit, and a level of rear-cabin ceremony aimed squarely at buyers cross-shopping the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. US deliveries begin before the end of 2026.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680: what changed and why the new name
The badge change is real, not cosmetic. Under the hood sits Mercedes’ latest twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the M1770 Evo, now producing 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque — up 53 hp and 89 lb-ft over the outgoing GLS 600. A second-generation 48-volt starter generator contributes an additional 23 hp of electric boost on demand, and two new balance shafts smooth out what little vibration the insulation hadn’t already killed. Mercedes quotes 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h, half a second quicker than before, with steering that is now more direct.
Maybach power is supposed to arrive without drama, and the chassis backs that up. AIRMATIC air suspension and E-Active Body Control come standard on the US car, actively countering roll and pitch while predictive damper control acts on road-surface data shared by other Mercedes vehicles ahead — the car-to-X system that debuted on the new S-Class. A Maybach-specific drive mode softens everything further, prioritizing serenity over all else.
2027 Maybach GLS 680 specifications
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (M1770 Evo), 48V mild hybrid |
| Power | 603 hp (+23 hp electric boost) |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.5 seconds (mfr.) |
| Transmission | Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive |
| Suspension | AIRMATIC + E-Active Body Control, predictive damping |
| Wheels | 22-inch standard; 23-inch forged monoblock optional |
| Infotainment | MBUX Superscreen (three 12.3-inch displays), MB.OS |
| Assembly | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| On sale | US deliveries from late 2026 (2027 model year) |
| Price | TBA |
The theater is the product
The details are where the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 separates itself from a loaded GLS, and this update piles them on. The new front end carries a Maybach-exclusive radiator grille with vertical chrome slats, an illuminated surround, and illuminated Maybach lettering — and, for the first time on any Mercedes, an optionally illuminated standing three-pointed star atop the hood. The DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps adopt a twin-star design with rose gold details, and star-shaped daytime running signatures front and rear tie it to the brand’s latest design language.
Getting in is now a small ceremony. Electric running boards in anodized aluminum glide out when a door opens, illuminate after dark, and project the Maybach pattern onto the ground below. The optional 23-inch forged monoblock wheels take the flourish further with center stars engineered to remain upright as the wheel turns — a trick long associated with Rolls-Royce, and its adoption here says exactly which conversation Maybach wants to be in. New Dark Petrol and Verde Silver Metallic paints join the palette, including as a two-tone pair.
Inside: three screens, two craftsmen, one refrigerator
The cabin adopts the MBUX Superscreen — three 12.3-inch displays beneath a continuous glass panel — running the new MB.OS operating system with over-the-air updates and an AI-enhanced voice assistant. The optional rear entertainment package adds two 11.6-inch displays with integrated cameras, bringing video conferencing to the second row. Two wireless charging pads keep rear passengers connected, and the standard Burmester 3D surround system now carries Dolby Atmos through a 710-watt amplifier.
The executive rear package turns the full-size SUV into a four-seater: power reclining captain’s chairs with extendable leg rests and upgraded vibrating massage, a full-length center console with stowable tray tables and dedicated wine-glass storage, and an optional refrigerated compartment. Rose gold dials, illuminated outer air vents, and new MANUFAKTUR upholstery colors finish the room. Every interior is hand-assembled by a dedicated two-person team of Maybach specialists trained in Germany — the wood trim and Nappa leather fitted by hand.
Where the Maybach GLS 680 sits in the market
The Maybach GLS competes with the Bentayga and Cullinan tier of super-luxury SUVs while undercutting both — the outgoing GLS 600 started around $175,000 against the Cullinan’s $400,000-plus. Pricing for the 680 hasn’t been announced, and an increase is likely, but the gap to Goodwood will remain enormous.
That gap is the entire pitch. The GLS 680 delivers genuine hand-finished ultra-luxury, a more powerful drivetrain than the Cullinan’s, and a more advanced tech stack than anything in the class, at a price that reads like a rounding error to buyers considering the British options. It is also, unlike its rivals, built in America — assembled alongside the standard GLS and the Mercedes-AMG variants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with the first US customer cars arriving before the end of 2026.
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680: FAQ
How much will the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 cost?
Mercedes has not announced US pricing. The outgoing GLS 600 started around $175,000, and a moderate increase is expected. Official figures should land closer to the on-sale date.
When does the Maybach GLS 680 go on sale in the US?
US deliveries begin before the end of 2026 as a 2027 model year vehicle, with production in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
What is the difference between the GLS 600 and GLS 680?
The GLS 680 is the facelifted replacement for the GLS 600. It gains 53 hp and 89 lb-ft (603 hp / 627 lb-ft total), a 48V system with 23 hp of boost, the MBUX Superscreen with MB.OS, an illuminated grille and hood star, new wheels and colors, and upgraded rear-seat comfort features.
What does the Maybach GLS 680 compete with?
Its closest rivals are the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, both of which cost significantly more. The BMW Alpina XB7 and Range Rover SV sit below it.
The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 doesn’t reinvent anything, and it doesn’t need to. It takes the formula that already made it the rational choice in ultra-luxury SUVs — Cullinan-grade indulgence at a fraction of the money — and turns every dial up: more power, more light, more ceremony, more hand-finishing. The illuminated star will get the attention, but the predictive suspension and MB.OS tech stack are what will keep it ahead of rivals costing twice as much. Pricing lands closer to launch, and it will be the most interesting number this car produces.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
