The Mercedes-Maybach S-class offers a Lufthansa first-class experience for the road. As a more elevated version of the already decadent Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan, the Maybach operates in the highest tier of luxury automobiledom. With an extensive laundry list of standard life-enhancing features and an interior swathed in Deutschland's most elegant finery, there's no bad seat in the house.
The driver is spoiled with a seemingly bottomless well of thrust from either a 530-hp twin-turbo V-8 or a 621-hp twin-turbo V-12, with the power transmitted to the road with all-wheel drive. The Maybach S-class's stretched body opens up extensive rear-seat room, making it ideal for being chauffeured, especially when equipped with the optional reclining and massaging rear seats, which beckon riders to relax and settle in for the long haul.
View Price on AmazonExpert Tip: The Mercedes-Maybach S-class is a worthy rival to the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, but those models carry more brand cachet and bring more stage presence. Compare the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class with the top vehicles in this segment with our new compare tool.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-class has been visited by the plastic surgeon for the 2027 model year. As part of its facelift, the S-class gets a supersized grille that is around 20 percent larger than it was last year. The amped-up grille is fully illuminated and displays the Maybach name proudly at the top. As first seen on the recently updated Mercedes-Benz S-class, the Maybach variant's headlights contain lighting elements inside their clear exterior lenses that are shaped like the Mercedes three-pointed star emblem.
The interior has been reworked as well, with the forward cabin now featuring the MBUX Superscreen that occupies the entirety of the dashboard. Rear-seat passengers enjoy new 13.1-inch displays located on the front-seat headrests and a redesigned rear center console with special cupholders to hold optional silver-plated Robbe and Berking champagne flutes. The only other major upgrade can be found under the hood, where the standard 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 now puts out 530 horsepower compared to 496 in last year's car.
If this year's model is largely unchanged and you're comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it'll cost less than buying new.
Under the hood of the S580 sedan is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that makes 530 horsepower. Going with the S680 swaps in a 621-hp twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 that sounds like all its internal parts are slathered in butter. All models come with Mercedes's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. But effortless power is not the most impressive thing about the Maybach S-class.
During our initial test drive of the 2027 S580, we were impressed with the supremely supple ride quality and the nearly silent cabin. An air suspension and an active sound cancellation system are both standard, helping the car deliver its silky, ultra-quiet ride; the Maybach S-class also offers rear-wheel steering, which helps with navigating this big sedan through tight city streets.
We estimate that the S580 is good for 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined; the S680's fuel-efficiency estimates are 12 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined. When we get a chance, we'll take the Maybach on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with test results.
Source: caranddriver.com
