Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is a two-row ultra-luxury SUV known for its exceptionally plush rear cabin, quiet ride, and strong V8 power. It turns the large GLS into a chauffeur-friendly alternative to a flagship luxury sedan.
The Maybach GLS has focused on passenger comfort since its 2021 debut. It gives up the regular GLS’s third row to create more room and luxury for rear passengers, backed by an active suspension designed to soften rough roads. A 2024 refresh polished the styling and cabin presentation without changing that core mission.
Strengths
- The rear cabin is the main attraction, with 43.4 inches of rear legroom in the 2026 model.
- The active suspension is tuned to smooth road impacts and give passengers a calm, sedan-like ride.
- The 550-hp twin-turbo V8 delivers strong performance without changing the vehicle’s comfort-first personality.
- Standard AWD adds confidence when roads are wet or wintry.
- Handcrafted materials and a quiet cabin make it feel meaningfully more special than a typical large luxury SUV.
Who it's for
It suits someone who wants the space, high seating position, and all-weather confidence of a large AWD SUV but puts rear-seat comfort ahead of carrying seven people or maximizing cargo room. It makes particular sense for owners who are often driven, though its V8 power also gives the person behind the wheel plenty of performance.
Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS lineup
The Maybach GLS lineup has centered on a single version, the GLS 600 4MATIC, so there is no ladder of Maybach trims to sort through. It is the one to pick when the regular GLS’s three-row versatility matters less than a roomier, more lavish second row and a softer ride. Models from the 2024 refresh add updated Maybach styling details and a richer standard cabin presentation, while the underlying comfort-focused character remains much the same across the generation.
Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS generations
From 2021 to 2026, the Maybach GLS spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2021.
1st Generation (2021–2026)
The first Maybach GLS turned the regular GLS into a two-row SUV focused on rear-passenger space and comfort. It used a twin-turbo V8 with mild-hybrid assistance, AWD, and comfort-focused suspension tuning; a 2024 refresh revised the front-end details and cabin presentation.
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2026
Carryover year for the GLS 600, with no significant equipment, mechanical, technology, or styling changes.
2025
A fingerprint sensor for infotainment user authentication became standard; the rest of the vehicle was largely unchanged.
2024Mid-cycle update
Refreshed Maybach front-end details, a newer touch-control steering wheel, standard diamond-stitched upholstery, and animated entry lighting.
2023
Carryover year and the final model year before the 2024 refresh.
2022
The powertrain, two-row cabin, comfort systems, technology, and styling carried over from 2021.
2021New generation
The Maybach GLS debuted in the U.S. as a rear-passenger-focused, two-row version of the GLS with a twin-turbo V8, mild-hybrid assistance, and AWD.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS a separate SUV or a luxury version of the GLS?
It is a Maybach-focused version of the Mercedes-Benz GLS. It keeps the large SUV body, V8 power and AWD, but replaces the regular GLS’s third row with a roomier two-row cabin built around rear-seat comfort.
Does the Maybach GLS have a third row?
No. The Maybach GLS seats five in two rows. Mercedes-Benz removed the regular GLS’s third row to create more rear-passenger space, including 43.4 inches of rear legroom on newer models.
Is the Maybach GLS a hybrid?
It is a gas-powered mild hybrid, not a full hybrid. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 uses 48-volt electrical assistance, but the Maybach GLS does not drive as an electric vehicle or plug in to charge.
Does every Maybach GLS have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Every U.S. Maybach GLS from the first-generation run is a GLS 600 4MATIC, and 4MATIC is Mercedes-Benz’s name for all-wheel drive. A nine-speed automatic transmission is also standard.
What is the Maybach GLS known for?
It is known for quiet, smooth travel and an unusually luxurious rear cabin. Its active suspension is designed to soften road impacts, while Nappa leather and power-adjustable rear seating give it a chauffeured-car feel in an SUV body.
Who is the Maybach GLS a good fit for?
It suits someone who values rear-seat space, ride comfort and rich cabin materials more than a third row or maximum cargo room. It also works for owners who want V8 power and AWD without a performance-first personality.
How many generations of the Maybach GLS are there?
There is one generation covering the 2021–2026 U.S. models. It received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024, but kept the same basic GLS 600 4MATIC identity, V8 mild-hybrid powertrain and two-row layout.
Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS Reviews
What owners are saying about the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS.