Mercedes-Maybach has updated the GLS, its top-end luxury SUV, with a stronger design, a richer cabin, smarter digital tech, steering and a more powerful electrified V8 engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The Maybach GLS has sat at the top of the luxury SUV world since its debut in 2019. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 4Matic is a comprehensive second facelift of the 2021 GLS 600 and follows its minor update in 2024, locally.
Customers in China can already order it. Order books in the U.S. and Europe open at the end of July 2026 and in early 2027 for Australia.
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS price and release date
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS range in Australia now has four distinct variants, expanding the line-up with a returning petrol grade and a new ultra-luxury flagship, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680.
The standard GLS 450 and 450d variants will arrive in local showrooms in November 2026, followed by the high-performance AMG and the ultra-luxury Maybach GLS variants in early 2027.
| Variant | Price (before on-roads) |
|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic (New) | $181,900 |
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d 4Matic (Diesel) | $188,900 |
| 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 S 4Matic+ | $313,900 |
| 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 4Matic | $424,900 |
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS powertrain and performance
The new Mercedes-Maybach GLS uses the latest version of the electrified M177 EVO V8 engine with ISG 2.0. Mercedes-Maybach says the new engine responds more quickly, runs more efficiently and delivers power more smoothly than before.
The 48-volt mild-hybrid system also supports coasting, energy recovery and a smoother stop-start function. The flagship’s two Lanchester balance shafts reduce vibration, and a dedicated Maybach driving program focuses on ride comfort.
| Specification | 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 4Matic |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4L twin-turbo V8 petrol |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Maximum power | 450kW |
| Maximum torque | 850Nm |
| Motor boost | 17kW |
| Transmission | 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 13.3–13.7L/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 312–304g/km (Class G) |
Sharper steering and smoother suspension
The GLS gets revised steering with a more direct steering ratio, which reportedly improves precision, agility and response.
The updated ‘Airmatic’ air suspension uses road-surface information from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles ahead through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. It can prepare the suspension before the GLS reaches rougher sections of road.
Optional ‘E-active body control’ reads the road and driving situation 1000 times per second. It uses five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors. It can reduce body movement, keep the ride height steady and lean the SUV into corners by up to 3 degrees in ‘Curve’ mode.
In Offroad mode, the rocking function can raise and lower the vehicle to help free it from deep sand or mud.
Also read: 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class confirmed for Q4 2026 arrival
Also read: Mercedes-AMG updates GLE 63 S and GLS 63 with revised V8
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS exterior updates
The front end now features a Maybach-specific radiator grille with an illuminated outline. For the first time on a GLS, the ‘MAYBACH’ lettering also lights up inside the grille frame.
The headlamps add rose-gold details, a Maybach emblem and lighting that runs along the star modules and towards the grille. Chrome Maybach patterns sit inside the front air intakes, while the new bumper and chrome-wrapped underbody protection panel give the SUV a stronger stance.
At the rear, Mercedes-Maybach has redesigned the tailgate. A new design panel visually links the tail-lights, while three-dimensional star motifs framed in chrome reinforce the Maybach identity.
New paint choices include:
- Dark petrol non-metallic
- Manufaktur Patagonia red metallic
- Dark petrol non-metallic/verde silver metallic two-tone finish
The Night Series adds a darker look with dark chrome exterior details, dark anodised running boards and exclusive 23-inch wheels. Its paint options include obsidian black metallic, Manufaktur opalite white bright, Manufaktur opalite white magno and obsidian black metallic/mojave silver metallic two-tone paint.
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS wheel designs
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS has added a new 22-inch light-alloy wheel with a 20-hole design.
The 23-inch forged wheels get a more theatrical detail: the centre-mounted Mercedes-Benz star stays upright while the wheel turns.
Illuminated running boards and welcome lighting
The GLS keeps its electric running boards. When a door opens, the running boards extend in less than one second.
They use anodised aluminium, black rubber inserts and a chrome Maybach emblem. At night, an LED strip lights the step, while a Mercedes-Maybach pattern projects onto the ground. When the doors close, the boards slide back into the sill.
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS interior: more comfort
Mercedes-Maybach has focused on improving comfort, refinement and materials in the updated 2027 GLS. The cabin gets a redesigned cockpit with the new MBUX Superscreen. In Maybach form, the display uses rose-gold dials, a gold-coloured Maybach emblem and a gold, rose-gold and black background.
The new illuminated air vents sit inside the glazed dashboard surface. Instead of normal fins, they use moving gondolas to direct airflow.
The cabin also adds:
- New Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather in beech brown/macchiato beige
- Brown open-pore V-groove walnut wood
- High-gloss silver/black diamond-pattern mixed fabric
- A glass-fronted refrigerated compartment between the rear seats
- Space for two 0.75-litre champagne bottles
- New cabin air system that refreshes the air every 90 seconds
- More insulation to reduce engine, road and wind noise
- 2 new rear speakers with the Burmester 3D Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos
The sound system now has a stronger 710-watt amplifier and has 15 speakers in total.
The front seats now offer vibration massage in the seat cushions. In the rear, the two Executive Seats gain a new massage function that extends to the calves for the first time in the GLS.
2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS technology and driver assistance
The new GLS runs on MB.OS and receives OTA updates. The MBUX Superscreen combines three 12.3-inch displays under one glass surface, and the system supports more than 40 apps across audio, video, productivity and entertainment.
The MBUX Virtual Assistant uses Microsoft and Google technology, including ChatGPT, Bing Search and Google Gemini.
Rear passengers get two 11.6-inch full-HD screens with configurable remote controls. They can manage climate, blinds and entertainment. Integrated cameras in the rear also support video calls.
The GLS also gets 10 external cameras, five radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a water-cooled computer. MB.Drive Assist Pro can help guide the car through city streets, but the driver must supervise it. It launches first in China, then the U.S., with other markets depending on local rules.
Parking tech also improves. The GLS can detect spaces on both sides, support diagonal parking, leave a parking space and retrace the last 150 metres while reversing.
Production of the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS
Mercedes-Benz builds the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The plant has produced large Mercedes-Benz SUVs for 30 years, with more than five million SUVs made there.
A dedicated Maybach team hand-finishes the model-specific interior parts. Two trained team members complete each vehicle’s Maybach finishing outside the normal SUV assembly flow.
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