The ultra-luxury SUV segment just got a new performance benchmark with a software twist. Mercedes-Maybach has revealed the heavily updated GLS 680, a 603-horsepower land yacht that now reads the road ahead using cloud data and wraps its occupants in a three-screen digital sanctuary. Arriving for the 2027 model year, the flagship SUV abandons the old GLS 600 badge in favor of a more potent twin-turbo V8, predictive air suspension, and a MBUX Superscreen that finally brings Maybach into Mercedes’ software-defined era. The message is clear: this is a chauffeur’s tool as much as an owner’s indulgence, engineered to erase every bump before it’s even felt.
The facelift isn’t a top-to-bottom redesign. Instead, Mercedes-Maybach surgically upgraded the areas that define the GLS experience: effortless thrust, rear-seat opulence, and theatrical exterior lighting. The result is a vehicle that feels both more technologically contemporary and more unapologetically ostentatious than the outgoing model.
Under the Hood: A New Name, A Lot More Muscle
The biggest mechanical change is the move to the M177 Evo 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, now making 603 horsepower and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. That’s a substantial jump from the previous GLS 600’s 550 hp and 730 Nm. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system adds a temporary 23-horsepower electric boost, but its real job is to smooth out stop-start events, enable coasting, and sharpen low-speed throttle response.
This powertrain isn’t about delivering drag-strip thrills. It’s calibrated to make a three-ton SUV feel weightless. Merging onto a highway or cresting a mountain pass should happen without audible strain or frantic gear changes. The extra muscle also gives Mercedes a stronger pretext for the “680” badge, even though there’s no V12 here like you’d find in the S 680 sedan. For buyers who equate cylinder count with prestige, that might sting. But the mild-hybrid V8 represents a pragmatic middle ground—powerful enough to dominate, refined enough to disappear.
Predictive Suspension: The Car That Reads the Road
Mercedes has been pushing adaptive air suspension for years, but the GLS 680 takes it into genuinely clever territory. The optional AIRMATIC system now uses cloud-based data from other Mercedes vehicles to anticipate road imperfections before the SUV encounters them. If a pothole or speed bump lies ahead, the dampers can adjust proactively, softening the blow before the wheels ever touch it.
For a luxury SUV, this is transformative. Traditional adaptive dampers react; this one predicts. Combined with revised steering calibration, the GLS 680 can maintain its commanding stance while isolating occupants from nearly all surface harshness. Buyers willing to spend more can opt for E-Active Body Control, which can individually manage each wheel’s suspension and even lean the body slightly into corners—counteracting lateral forces in a way that reduces passenger fatigue during long chauffeured journeys.
Of course, sophisticated hardware comes with complexity. Those 23-inch monoblocks look spectacular, but replacement tires and potential suspension repairs outside warranty won’t be cheap. The E-Active system, while brilliant, adds another layer of long-term maintenance exposure.
Lighting and Design: A Brighter, Bolder Statement
Maybach’s design brief was simple: make the GLS 680 impossible to mistake after dark. The facelift delivers. Reshaped LED headlights now feature rose-gold details and a dual-three-pointed-star daytime signature. The massive grille gets illuminated perimeter lighting and a lit Maybach wordmark. An optional hood-mounted star lights up too.
These aren’t just design flourishes; they’re social cues. In a world where EVs increasingly mute brand identity, Maybach doubles down on conspicuous presence. The illuminated grille, chrome-heavy trim, new two-tone paint options (including Dark Petrol and Verde Silver Metallic), and motorized side steps with puddle-light projectors turn every arrival into a deliberate ritual. Detractors will call it gaudy. Maybach’s target audience will call it exactly right.
MBUX Superscreen Arrives: A Software-First Cabin
The outgoing GLS 600 had a dual-screen setup that already looked dated. The GLS 680 corrects that with the MBUX Superscreen: three 12.3-inch displays spanning the dashboard—driver, central infotainment, and passenger. Beneath them runs MB.OS, Mercedes’ new software architecture, enabling over-the-air updates, generative AI voice assistance, and connectivity to ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft services.
For everyday users, this means a voice assistant that understands natural language more fluently, navigation that learns your habits, and a passenger screen that can stream video without distracting the driver. For the tech-savvy, it signals that the GLS 680 is now a rolling software platform, not just a pile of leather and metal. Over-the-air updates could eventually add features, fix bugs, or even upgrade driving-assistance capabilities without a dealership visit.
Crucially, Mercedes retained physical rotary knobs and toggles for the four-zone climate control. That’s a wise concession—no owner wants to hunt through touchscreen menus just to adjust the temperature. The dashboard also replaces the old four central vents with two wider ones, integrating more cleanly with the Superscreen’s horizontal sweep.
Rear-Seat Indulgence: Massage, Quiet, and Air Quality
The GLS 680’s true purpose is best appreciated from the back seat. Mercedes-Maybach added new Nappa leather, improved sound insulation, and upgraded air filtration to make the cabin feel like a private jet’s lounge. The headline feature: massage functions now extend to the calf rests or footrests. For chauffeur-driven owners, that tiny detail can transform a long commute.
A refrigerated compartment between the seats and executive-style accommodations reinforce the message. Rear-seat passengers are the priority. Acoustic refinement is equally serious—more sound deadening cuts tire roar and wind noise to a whisper, while the enhanced cabin air system filters out particulates and pollutants. In congested cities, that’s more than a luxury; it’s a health feature.
Burmester Audio and Driver Aids: Better, but Still Human-Driven
The Burmester 3D surround system jumps from 13 to 15 speakers with a 710-watt amplifier and now supports Dolby Atmos. The extra speakers create a more immersive soundstage, especially for rear passengers. Combined with the quieter cabin, it allows music to be enjoyed at lower, less fatiguing volumes.
On the driver-assistance front, Mercedes expanded its suite of Level 2 features—adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automated parking, and collision mitigation—across selected markets. But this is not autonomous driving. In a vehicle this large and powerful, over-reliance on aids could be dangerous. The technology works best in tedious situations: heavy highway traffic, long interstate slogs, tight parking garages. Just don’t expect it to take over completely.
What the GLS 680 Means for You
If you’re shopping for an ultra-luxury SUV, the GLS 680 demands a test drive—preferably from the rear seat. Its combination of 603 hp, predictive suspension, and rear-focused opulence is unique in the segment. The Bentley Bentayga emphasizes craftsmanship and driving engagement; the Range Rover SV offers more discreet luxury and off-road pedigree; the Rolls-Royce Cullinan remains the apex of SUV excess. The Maybach splits the difference, blending theatrical presence with genuine tech innovation at a price likely to undercut the Cullinan by a significant margin.
For technology enthusiasts, the MB.OS shift matters most. This SUV will evolve over time via software updates, much like a smartphone. But that also raises long-term support questions: will Mercedes maintain its AI services for a decade? How will privacy-conscious owners feel about cloud-based suspension data and always-on voice assistants? These are unknowns that luxury buyers must weigh alongside horsepower figures.
If you value understated elegance, look elsewhere. The GLS 680 is more ostentatious than ever—a deliberate choice that alienates as many as it attracts. And if you’re holding out for an electric Maybach SUV, this isn’t it. The V8 remains front and center, with only mild-hybrid assist. Electrification purists will need to wait.
How We Got Here: The Maybach GLS Evolution
The GLS 600 debuted in 2019 as Mercedes-Maybach’s first standalone SUV, riding on the third-generation GLS platform. It was already more luxurious and powerful than the standard Mercedes-Benz GLS, but the market quickly demanded more—more presence, more tech, more power. The 2027 facelift is a response to rising competition from Bentley, Range Rover, and Aston Martin, all of which have cranked up their SUV offerings.
The “600” badge was always slightly dishonest—it never had a 6.0-liter engine—so the switch to “680” aligns with Mercedes’ redefined naming logic. The engine itself shares DNA with AMG’s 4.0-liter V8, but tuned for torque and silence rather than snarl. Meanwhile, the MBUX Superscreen has trickled down from the EQS and S-Class, bringing Maybach into the era of software-defined vehicles.
What to Do Now
If you’re interested in buying a GLS 680, here are six practical steps:
- Contact a Mercedes-Maybach dealer to express interest and secure an early build slot. These SUVs are typically allocated, not sitting on lots.
- Decide on wheels wisely. The standard 22-inch wheels will offer a more forgiving ride than the optional 23-inch monoblocks, especially on rough pavement.
- Opt for E-Active Body Control if you prioritize ride comfort over long-term maintenance simplicity. It’s the single most transformative suspension option.
- Check privacy settings. When configuring the vehicle, ask the dealer to walk you through data-sharing options for the cloud-based suspension and AI voice assistant.
- Consider extended warranty coverage. Complex suspension, electronics, and the twin-turbo V8 could be costly to repair once the factory warranty expires.
- Compare with rivals. Test drive the Bentayga and Range Rover SV before committing. The GLS 680 excels in rear-seat comfort and tech, but driving dynamics may feel less engaging from behind the wheel.
Outlook: What’s Next for the Maybach SUV
The GLS 680 keeps combustion alive at the top of Mercedes’ SUV range, but it can’t ignore the electric shift forever. A full battery-electric Maybach SUV based on the upcoming electric G-Class or a dedicated platform seems inevitable—likely arriving before the end of the decade. In the shorter term, expect over-the-air updates to expand the MB.OS feature set, possibly including more advanced driver aids, enhanced AI functions, and new entertainment options.
For now, the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is a high-water mark for gasoline-fueled luxury SUVs. It’s not subtle, it’s not cheap, and it’s not for everyone. But for those who want their commute to feel like a first-class lounge and their arrival to look like a red-carpet event, it’s hard to imagine a more convincing package.