MERCEDES BENZ GLS Maybach Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The German automaker decided to use the Maybach name for its most luxurious vehicles, making such a version for the facelifted GLS lineup in the Spring of 2023.

After the dismissal of the Maybach as a brand, Mercedes-Benz tried to keep it alive on its vehicles. Thus, apart from the S-Class, it used it on the GLS, which was its most luxurious SUV. While it wasn't a competitor for a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, it was certainly a vehicle that could threaten a Bentley Bentayga, at least in term of comfort and features. And, while the rest of the GLS range was fitted as standard in a seven-seat configuration, this exclusive model was only fitted with four. But that wasn't the only difference.

Boasting a new front fascia with a bigger grille, the GLS 600 Maybach tried to raise the luxury bar to a new level. Thus, besides the two-tone bodywork offered as an option, it also featured exclusive 21" light-alloy wheels. As an option, customers could opt for a set of 21" ones. Like the rest of the GLS range, the 600 Maybach also featured a new set of 3D taillights at the back. Still, its rear bumper was different than the rest of the range and sported a pair of flat exhaust tips mounted on the sides while the entire apron was chromed.

But where the GLS 600 excelled was on its interior. The leather-wrapped cabin featured four comfortable seats. Those placed in the back were also reclining and separated by a tall center console extended all the way to the dashboard. In addition, those seated in the back could enjoy not two but three touchscreens. Two were mounted in front of them on the front seats' seatbacks, and one between them. It was all about these occupants' comfort on long travels.

Just like the rest of its stablemates, the GLS 600 Maybach featured a twin-turbo V8 engine tuned to produce 550 PS (542 hp) paired with the same nine-speed automatic transmission that sent power in all corners.

Mercedes-Benz didn’t want to waste the Maybach nameplate, and instead of using it for a separate brand, it morphed it into a super-luxurious trim level for selected vehicles, such as the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 600 4Matic.

In a world of super luxurious SUVs, there were just two main contenders: the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, had the reputation of creating one of the most elegant premium SUVs, the GLS. As a result, it took this model as a starting point and then added all the bells and whistles it had in its basket, resulting in the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic. And when it finished the stocks, it developed and added more items to create an SUV that was on par with the other super-luxurious British-branded vehicles.

Any super-luxurious vehicle had to look bold and commanding on the road, and the German automaker tried to achieve that by creating a new front fascia for the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic. The broad grille was adorned by 29 vertical slats flanked by Intelligent Light System LED headlights, which were fitted as standard. In addition, the bumper sported a mesh grille for the wide lower air intake.

From its profile, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS revealed its massive stature emphasized by an optional two-tone paint finish, which customers could personalize according to their tastes. The chromed details on the B-pillars and window surrounding amplified the car’s luxurious status. Mercedes-Benz included the 22” light-alloy wheels in the standard package, while a set of 23” alloys was available at extra cost. On the D-pillar, behind the rearmost side windows, the automaker placed the chromed Maybach logo.

But the most significant upgrade over the regular Mercedes-Benz GLS 600 was inside the cabin. The exclusive leather applied on the dashboard, door, cards, center console, seats, and steering wheel created a luxurious feeling for the brand’s customers. Atop the dashboard was a two-display panel, with the one fronting the driver for the instrument cluster and the additional one for the MBUX infotainment unit. Both of them were standard and were sized at 2x12.3”. But the most essential upgrade was for the rear seats.

While the regular GLS range featured a bench seat, the Maybach version greeted its passengers with reclining individual seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. Furthermore, it wasn’t available with a third-row out back. To ease ingress and egress to the vehicle, the automaker installed power-retractable running boards, which were 2.06 meters (6.8 ft) long and up to 21 cm (0.7 ft) wide.

Under the hood, the automaker installed a 4.0-liter V8 turbocharged powerplant, helped by an integrated starter generator (ISG) unit that added some torque and power for smooth transitions. Power was sent in all corners via a specially-tuned 9G-Tronic, nine-speed automatic transmission.