Maybach GLS 680: A Quieter Takeover with More Muscle

There’s a new Maybach GLS on the block and it arrives with a subtle swagger. Up front, the grille glows. Inside, screens line up like a small command center. Underneath, the powertrain has been sharpened. This is the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680, a facelift that aims to refine the Grandeur while nudging performance into a more assertive lane.

More thrust, more refinement

Mercedes replaced the old GLS 600’s setup with a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Output now peaks at 603 horsepower and 850 Newton meters of torque, numbers that nudge the SUV forward with noticeably greater urgency. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system remains part of the package, offering a 23-horsepower electric assist that smooths power delivery and tones down low-end fuel demands.

Short and sharp: yes, it goes faster. Longer sentence: the extra 56 horsepower and roughly 80 Newton meters of torque over the previous model give the GLS 680 a livelier presence in traffic and on sweeping country roads, without abandoning the plush cruising manners Maybach buyers expect.

Steering and suspension have been reworked too. The steering ratio is more direct for crisper responses, while the Airmatic air suspension now comes with predictive damper control to cushion bumps before you feel them. Choose the optional E-Active Body Control and the car will scan conditions 1,000 times per second, leaning into corners by up to three degrees to cut lateral forces and improve rear-seat calm. The system runs on a 48-volt architecture with actuators at each wheel coordinated by a central control unit.

Design signals and cabin theatrics

Onlookers will spot the differences quickly. The front end sports an illuminated grille surround, an illuminated grille badge, and an illuminated Mercedes star. Headlights carry a star-studded daytime signature. The grille is larger, the bumper reshaped, and taillights redesigned. Standard wheels are 22 inches, with optional 23-inch rims that feature floating-style emblems for added presence.

Inside, the Maybach leans into technology without losing its dignity. The MBUX Superscreen consists of three 12.3-inch displays under a single pane of glass, forming a widescreen cockpit that feels more like a private jet than an SUV. The virtual assistant integrates AI from multiple ecosystems, including Microsoft, Google, and ChatGPT, and supports online search tools such as Bing Search and Google Gemini. Rear passengers can opt for twin 11.6-inch full-HD displays with configurable remotes.

Audio is already covered: Burmester hardware is standard and includes two extra surround speakers in the rear powered by a 710-watt amplifier. Software evolves over time through over-the-air updates, ensuring the system keeps pace with new features.

Safety and driver aids are extensive. The GLS 680 comes equipped with a dense sensor suite: ten exterior cameras, five radar sensors, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and a water-cooled central computer running MB.OS. Available driver assistance options span MB.Drive Assist, Distance Assist Distronic, City Pro, advanced parking assistants and more. Some features are standard; others are extras you can add depending on how automated you want the experience to be.

When this Maybach reaches U.S. showrooms later this year, Mercedes will announce pricing. Expect it to carry a premium over the outgoing model. For context, the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 carried a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of around €167,400, so the refreshed 680 will likely sit above that mark once final figures are set.

Bottom line: the GLS 680 strengthens Maybach’s argument that luxury can be both serene and potent.