The New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Is the Brand’s New Benchmark

The South of France may be as sweltering as a 100-degree sauna at the moment, but here, luxuriating in the reclining back seat of the newest 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, while we cruise the famous coastline, it is the very quintessence of cool. Frosty air blasts from a multitude of vents, while a polar breeze wafts upward through the perforations in the exquisitely quilted Nappa leather seats.

Reach for the Perrier chilling in the thermoelectric center console cupholder, or, if you’re feeling a little more celebratory, lean back for the bottle of perfect-temperature bubbles waiting in the refrigerated compartment. A toast to beating the heat, courtesy of one of the car’s silver-plated Robbe & Berking Champagne flutes. 

This extended-wheelbase Mercedes-Maybach S-Class comes hot on the heels of the newest Mercedes-Benz S-Class, adopting its myriad impressive technical innovations, while offering buyers new levels of craftsmanship and personalization.

Boasting its most comprehensive update since the introduction of Mercedes-Maybach’s S-Class back in 2014, this latest version is now a real alternative to the likes of the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur.

What’s New

Think of this as a comprehensive refresh rather than an all-new model. Major changes include a new, more powerful and electrified 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 (up 34 hp), a more expressive front-end design to help distinguish the Maybach from its Mercedes-Benz sibling, and some major technical upgrades, such as the addition of a full-width MBUX Superscreen.

While customization has always been a hallmark of the Maybach S-Class, this 2027 version offers much more through the expanded Manufaktur Made-to-Measure program. Engraved Champagne flutes? Just ask.

Design

When it comes to the front of the car, designers have parked a prodigious chrome grille on a nose that’s 20 percent bigger than before, and ringed it with an illuminated surround. Add to that an illuminated Maybach badge in the grille frame, and love-them-or-loathe-them plastic lower intakes festooned with Maybach logos. Pity that the Mercedes three-pointed-star hood ornament couldn’t have been traded for a Maybach version. But with those distinctive, and complex, twin-star-design LED headlights, accentuated by lovely rose-gold detailing and more illuminated Maybach logos, the vehicle does have a stronger, more individual face.

There are new 20- and 21-inch forged wheels too, including a polished 21-inch version with gold accents and Rolls-Royce–style floating center caps. And a Maybach S-Class wouldn’t be the same without two-tone paint. Thankfully, the temptation was resisted to offer the blingy, logo-encrusted hood design that comes with the new Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 roadster, named Robb Report’s Best Convertible for 2026.

But as before, the real Maybach experience comes when you open the door—any door. At the front of the cabin, the focus is on technical innovation, integrating the huge MBUX Superscreen comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 14.4-inch infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger screen—all mounted beneath a single black-glass panel.

The highlight here is the new Mercedes AI assistant. Powered by a water-cooled super-computer behind the dash, it pulls from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini for lightning-fast responses and the spooky ability to hold a conversation. At one point in our drive, the Virtual Assistant, without prompt, said, “That’s an interesting conversation you’re having, can I assist you?”

It’s this advancement in technology that really sets this new Maybach apart from pricier, more seasoned rivals, such as the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur, which both rely on older, hand-me-down tech from parents BMW and Audi.

The Maybach’s rear passenger space is also rich in cutting-edge tech. New 13-inch seat-back-mounted screens have built-in cameras so you can take Zoom or Teams calls, while the rear armrest comes with a pair of docked, wireless controllers that look and feel like iPhones. They control most of the rear-seat functions, plus manage the entertainment, interior climate, and sunshades.

While all this is shared with the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the car stands apart with its Maybach-exclusive craftsmanship and quality of materials. And through the Manufaktur and new Manufaktur Made-to-Measure personalization programs, you get a choice of over 400 interior colors, plus such niceties as personalized stainless sill plates etched with whatever takes your fancy.

Power Train and Other Hardware

Again, this 2027 Maybach benefits from advancements introduced with the latest S-Class Mercedes. These include the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo, flat-plane-crankshaft V-8. Delivering 530 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque, the engine packs more power and torque than before and, with mild hybrid assistance, swifter responses along with added smoothness and refinement. It’s quick too, catapulting the car from standstill to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds—a spirited run indeed for an 18-foot-long, 5,400-pound executive hauler.

As before, the Maybach boasts Airmatic air suspension, but with the addition of predictive damping. This uses information from other Mercedes vehicles driving ahead, sent through the Cloud, to adjust the suspension to better absorb lumps and bumps.

Performance

After taking the helm, we find that the big Maybach feels sure-footed and poised on southern France’s snaking mountain roads. This is most evident in Sport mode, where the car almost shrinks in size. Part of this is down to the rear-axle steering, which improves high-speed stability and makes it easier to dock with its surprisingly tight turning radius.

No, this new flat-plane-crank V-8 is not the ultimate in silent running, sounding a little vocal at higher revs. And it’s certainly no match for electric power that comes with the Mercedes EQS sedans. For the ultimate in Maybach S-Class refinement, however, look no further than the V-12-powered S 680. As before, it delivers an impressive 621 hp and 664 ft lbs of torque, though it is not as rapid to 60 mph as the S 580, taking 4.3 seconds.

Across surfaces that are more broken, we find the car is at its finest in relaxed Maybach—or chauffeur—mode, one of six preset drive settings that prioritize comfort from the air suspension for those riding in the back. Yes, it means slightly more body roll through curves, but the way it seemingly erases rougher road conditions is otherworldly.

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We got a backseat ride in the 12-cylinder S 680 and couldn’t help but be impressed at the engine’s hushed refinement and Teflon-smooth running. The V-12 is unique to the Maybach S-Class, and is still a tempting option for those looking for the ultimate in Maybach quietude, tranquility, and country-club bragging rights.

Is It Worth It?

Deliveries of both the new S 580 and S 680 start stateside by late summer. Official pricing has yet to be confirmed, though expect an increase on the current $208,400 for the S 580 and $245,650 for the S 680. 

Without doubt, this latest Maybach S-Class is the brand’s most opulent and tech-laden production model yet. And the availability of bespoke options through the marque’s new Manufaktur Made-to-Measure program really brings the model much closer to its counterparts from Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Yes, it’s worth it.

Specifications

Vehicle Type

Dimensions

Power Train

Performance

Base price (estimated)

Click here for more photos of the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.