The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is Mercedes’ latest reminder that extreme performance and extreme comfort no longer have to live in separate vehicles for the United States (US) market.
The updated flagship luxury SUV now produces 450kW and 850Nm of torque from a more powerful electrified V8 biturbo engine, backed by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can provide an extra 17kW of boost.
That makes the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 considerably stronger than the outgoing GLS 600, which was rated at 410kW. Mercedes has not turned the model into a brash performance SUV, though. Instead, the extra muscle is intended to feel effortless, helping the large Maybach move with more authority while preserving the quiet, unhurried character expected from the brand’s most luxurious SUV.
At the centre of the update is the latest evolution of Mercedes’ 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, described in some reports as the M177 Evo. The engine gains more power, more torque and additional refinement measures, including balance-shaft technology aimed at reducing vibration. It is joined by a recalibrated steering system that should make the GLS 680 feel more precise without undermining its limousine-like brief.
Ride comfort remains a defining priority. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 comes with AIRMATIC air suspension, while E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL is offered to help the SUV better anticipate and manage road imperfections. Mercedes says the Maybach drive programme is tuned for a poised, serene experience, which matters more here than any track-focused statistic.
The exterior changes are designed to make the GLS 680 unmistakable before anyone opens a door. A Maybach-specific radiator grille gains an illuminated surround, and the Maybach name within the grille can now glow as well. For the first time on this model, the standing Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet can also be illuminated. The DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps adopt twin-star graphics with rose gold details, while the rear receives revised lighting and a redesigned tailgate.
Maybach’s taste for extravagant engineering is clearest in the wheels. The standard 22-inch design is joined by optional 23-inch forged wheels with centre caps that use a precision ball-bearing mechanism to keep the Mercedes star upright as the wheels turn. It is a small detail, but one that neatly captures the model’s personality: technically unnecessary, carefully executed and impossible to miss.
Inside, the GLS 680 becomes even more of a private retreat. Mercedes says the cabin is hand-finished by two trained specialists, with Nappa leather, wood trim, expanded colour choices and improved insulation. Rear passengers gain enhanced massage functions, including calf-rest massage, plus two charging pads and the latest MBUX and MB.OS-based digital architecture.
Due to arrive at dealerships in the US in 2026, the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is less a reinvention than a richer interpretation of an already lavish idea. More power gives it extra confidence, but the real achievement is how quietly it wears that strength.
JAC Motors South Africa has introduced two new derivatives to its T9 bakkie range, the Hunter Black Edition and Super Lux Black Edition. These additions form part of the company’s Decade campaign, marking nearly ten years of operations in the country.
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
JAC Motors South Africa has introduced two new derivatives to its T9 bakkie range, the Hunter Black Edition and Super Lux Black Edition. These additions form part of the company’s Decade campaign, marking nearly ten years of operations in the country.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
GWM South Africa has introduced a new 3.0 litre turbodiesel engine across its line-up, fitting it to both the P500 bakkie and the Tank 500 SUV. The P500 becomes the first vehicle in the range to receive the new powertrain, while the Tank 500 gains a diesel alternative to its existing HEV derivative.
