Quick answer: The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 is a full-size, three-row luxury SUV built around a V-8 engine and an adaptive air suspension. It is tuned first for comfort, isolation, and rear-seat indulgence, yet it still has the muscle to move quickly when asked. Pricing and output figures for the 2027 model year are not confirmed, so treat any specific numbers you see elsewhere with caution until Mercedes-Benz publishes them.
Updated for 2026. This page was reviewed for the 2026 model year. Unconfirmed figures are labeled as such.
What the Maybach GLS680 is really for
Most big SUVs try to be everything at once: family hauler, tow rig, weekend adventurer, status symbol. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 narrows that list on purpose. It is a comfort machine in the most literal sense, a vehicle designed so that the people inside notice as little of the road, the weather, and the traffic as possible. The three-row layout keeps it practical, but the priorities inside are closer to a private lounge than a minivan.
That does not mean it is slow or soft in a way that frustrates the driver. The V-8 under the hood gives the GLS680 the kind of effortless shove that lets it merge, pass, and climb hills without ever sounding strained. The air suspension does the rest, smoothing out broken pavement and keeping the body level through corners. The result is a vehicle that can cover a long highway stretch quickly while the passengers in back barely register the pace.
If you are shopping in this segment, you are probably not asking whether it is fast enough. You are asking whether it feels special enough to justify the Maybach badge over a regular Mercedes GLS. The answer, for most buyers, comes down to the rear cabin and the way the vehicle rides, so that is where we spend most of this review.
V-8 power: effortless rather than aggressive
The engine in the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 is a V-8, and that choice matters more than any single output figure. A V-8 in a vehicle this large provides a broad band of torque that lets the transmission hold taller gears and keep revs low. That translates to quiet cruising, relaxed throttle response around town, and an unbroken surge when you do open it up.
Mercedes has not confirmed horsepower or torque for the 2027 model year, and we will not guess. What we can say from the character of the drivetrain is that it is calibrated for smoothness. Throttle tip-in is gentle, gear changes are nearly invisible, and the exhaust note stays distant unless you deliberately push the pedal toward the floor. Even then, the sound is a refined baritone rather than the bark you might expect from a performance SUV.
That effortless delivery is what separates a Maybach from an AMG-badged sibling. The AMG approach is to make every input feel sharp and immediate. The Maybach approach is to make every input feel unnecessary, as if the vehicle anticipated what you wanted and did it before you asked. Both are fast. Only one of them keeps a cup of coffee in the rear console from rippling.
Air suspension and the art of isolation
The air suspension is the second pillar of the GLS680 experience. Adaptive air springs allow the vehicle to raise or lower its ride height, adjust damping on the fly, and respond to road inputs faster than a conventional steel-spring setup. In a Maybach, that hardware is tuned almost entirely toward comfort.
What you notice first is the absence of small disturbances. Expansion joints, patched asphalt, and the kind of ripple that normally transmits a steady vibration through the seat simply fade away. The body stays flat, the cabin stays quiet, and the sensation is closer to gliding than driving. When the road gets rough, the system has enough travel to absorb larger hits without the harsh secondary motion that cheaper suspensions produce.
The payoff shows up on long trips. Passengers arrive less fatigued because the vehicle has filtered out hours of low-level jostling. The driver benefits too, since a calm chassis is easier to place accurately at speed. Corners are handled with composure rather than enthusiasm; the GLS680 will not reward you for attacking a mountain road, but it will not embarrass itself either. It stays planted, stays level, and lets the V-8 handle the hard work on the straights.
The rear cabin is the main event
The reason to buy a Maybach over a well-optioned GLS is the second row. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 treats the rear passengers as the primary occupants. Seats are shaped for long-haul lounging, with generous recline and the kind of cushioning that supports rather than props. Materials are a step above what Mercedes uses in its mainstream models, with a focus on soft leather, open-pore wood, and metal trim that feels cold and solid to the touch.
Separation from the front cabin is part of the design. Rear passengers get their own climate controls, their own entertainment options, and enough legroom that a tall adult can stretch out without touching the front seatbacks. Noise insulation is exceptional, which lets conversation happen at a normal volume even at highway speed.
The third row exists and is usable, but it is clearly a secondary space. It is fine for shorter trips with adults and comfortable for children. In day-to-day use, most owners will treat the third row as an occasional convenience and the second row as the heart of the vehicle. If you need a three-row that prioritizes the back bench over the middle seats, you will find better choices on our list of the best 7-seater SUVs. If you want the middle row to feel like a first-class cabin, the Maybach is the one.
Driving the Maybach yourself
Plenty of GLS680 owners will spend most of their time behind the wheel rather than behind a chauffeur, and the vehicle holds up well in that role. The driving position is high and commanding, visibility is good for a vehicle this size, and the controls are familiar to anyone who has sat in a recent Mercedes. The steering is light and accurate without being nervous, which suits the relaxed character of the chassis.
Around town, the air suspension and V-8 combine to make the GLS680 feel smaller than it is. Low-speed ride quality is excellent, and the drivetrain creeps smoothly in traffic. Parking takes some planning because of the sheer size, but camera coverage helps. On the open road, the vehicle settles into a quiet, unhurried rhythm that makes high speed feel ordinary.
Where it feels least at home is a tight, twisty road driven hard. The body control is good for the weight, but the Maybach never pretends to be a sports SUV, and it does not need to. It is at its best covering ground quickly in a straight line while everyone aboard forgets how fast they are going.
Key specifications and what remains unconfirmed
Mercedes-Benz has not released a full set of 2027 figures at the time of this review. The table below separates what is known from what is still pending so you can plan without relying on guesswork.
| Item | 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Full-size three-row SUV | Confirmed |
| Engine | V-8 | Confirmed |
| Horsepower | Not confirmed | Pending |
| Torque | Not confirmed | Pending |
| Suspension | Adaptive air suspension | Confirmed |
| Seating | Three rows | Confirmed |
| Character | Comfort-first, quick when needed | Confirmed |
| 0-60 mph time | Not confirmed | Pending |
| Fuel economy | Not confirmed | Pending |
| Starting price | Not confirmed | Pending |
We will update this table as official data arrives. In the meantime, the confirmed items tell you most of what you need to know about how the vehicle will behave on the road.
How the GLS680 compares to the alternatives
The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 competes in a thin but intense slice of the market where badge, cabin quality, and ride comfort matter more than spreadsheet numbers. Its most obvious rivals are other ultra-luxury SUVs with large engines and air suspension. Against those, the Maybach makes a strong case with its usable third row and its unusually quiet rear cabin.
Compared with a standard Mercedes GLS, the Maybach costs more and delivers a more refined rear-seat experience, a more distinctive exterior, and a drivetrain tuned for calm rather than efficiency. For buyers who sit in front and simply want a very nice three-row Mercedes, the regular GLS is likely the smarter purchase. For those who want the back seat to be the best seat, the Maybach justifies itself.
If you are weighing whether a vehicle this large and this expensive fits your life, it helps to look at the broader field first. Our guide to the best luxury midsize SUVs for your family covers smaller, more affordable options that still deliver premium cabins and strong comfort. Many buyers discover that a midsize luxury SUV handles their daily needs just as well, with the Maybach reserved for those who want the extra space and the extra theater.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 a three-row SUV?
Yes. It offers three rows of seating. The second row is the focus of the Maybach treatment, while the third row is best suited to children or adults on shorter trips.
What engine does the GLS680 use?
It uses a V-8 engine tuned for smooth, effortless power. Horsepower and torque figures for the 2027 model year are not confirmed.
Is the Maybach GLS680 fast?
It is a comfort-first SUV, but the V-8 gives it enough power to move quickly when needed. Official acceleration figures are not confirmed, so we avoid quoting a specific 0-60 time.
How much does the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 cost?
Pricing for the 2027 model year is not confirmed. Expect it to sit well above a standard Mercedes GLS given the upgraded cabin, V-8, and air suspension, but wait for official numbers before budgeting.
Book the right SUV
Buying a vehicle like the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 is a major decision, and there is no substitute for spending real time in a large luxury SUV before you commit. Whether you want to test how a three-row fits your family or simply experience how a comfort-tuned V-8 and air suspension feel over a long weekend, renting first is the smart move. You can compare SUV rental deals to find a premium three-row for your next trip and decide for yourself whether the Maybach formula is worth the step up.
Written by Jake Ryder
Jake Ryder is the founder and lead reviewer at Road SUV. He has spent more than a decade behind the wheel of everything from subcompact crossovers to full-size 4x4s, logging thousands of highway and off-road miles across the United States. His reviews focus on what actually matters to real drivers: cargo space you can use, safety features that work, and honest talk about fuel economy and pricing.
