Some brands that come to mind when you think of high-end luxury SUVs are Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and maybe even Land Rover. Even people who really love their brand will admit that Mercedes cars aren’t as good as those ultra-luxury brands, unless they have a Maybach badge on them. As a new model in the updated GLS line, the 2024 Mercedes-Maybach GLS has the most comfortable back seats at a price that seems fair when compared to its competitors’ sky-high prices.
The base price of the Maybach GLS is $170,000. But let’s be clear. It shouldn’t have the word “affordable” written on it. But keep in mind that the base price of a Bentley Bentayga or a top-of-the-line Land Rover SV is around $200,000. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, on the other hand, starts at $374,000 and goes up to close to $500,000 with options. The Maybach suddenly sounds like a pretty good deal. We learned that the GLS 600 is just as luxurious as those other ultra-luxury cars after driving it for a week. In fact, the Maybach is more comfortable in many ways. This SUV is amazingly high-end and top-of-the-line.
Exterior: Maybach Bling
Mercedes made only minor changes to the 2024 GLS family, even the Maybach model. Instead of the big mesh grille, there are now patterned grille inserts with small Maybach logos that look like Louis Vuitton bags but for cars. The front of the car is marked by a chrome grille with vertical slats that is only found on Maybachs. The hood ornament is the famous (but very rare) three-pointed star. This is the blingiest GLS you can get, but compared to a Bentayga or Cullinan, it’s still not very well known.
This one came finished in a free color called Polar White, which looks a lot like the flat grays that Audi and Porsche offer. No matter how much money you have, you can spend up to $18,500 on one of five two-tone color schemes. For an extra $5,500, you can get 23-inch forged wheels, which our tester rode on. They look great when they’re clean, but they’re very easy to dirty. They’re also not very comfortable to ride on. It comes with 22-inch wheels that look good. The amazing Monoblock wheels from last year are no longer available in the US, which is a shame.
Driving Impressions: Zero Turbulence
A well-known 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system gives it power. It has 550 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to get the Maybach GLS from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. It’s almost impossible to notice when the nine-speed automatic changes gears.
The engine is great, but the Airmatic suspension with E-Active Body Control really makes this car stand out. The mild-hybrid system makes the air suspension float over bumps like they aren’t there. There are cameras and sensors on the GLS that look at the road ahead and get the suspension ready for a bump. One thing we think Mercedes has nailed is making it feel like magic. In Curve Mode, the outside wheels can be primed during a turn, which stops the body from leaning. We were most interested in the Maybach Mode, which is below the Comfort Mode by default. It starts the car in second gear and only changes gears when they’re really needed to make the ride smoother. It might not be the fastest way to get around, but it’s sure nice.
Interior: A First Class Experience
Being in the back seat of a Maybach GLS is a lot like being in first class on a long-haul flight across the country. The GLS no longer has the standard seven-seat layout. Instead, it has a less useful but more comfortable four-seat layout with a center console separating the back seats. A five-seat layout with a bench in the back is also free to use. There is a four-seat option that you should definitely choose. It costs $1,800 more, but it comes with pop-out tray tables, a refrigerator, and storage for silver champagne flutes. It’s important to note that the fridge takes up about six sixths of the 18.4 cubic feet of trunk space.
Along with heated and cooled cupholders, a wireless phone charger, and USB-C ports, that console has an ejectable Samsung tablet that can be used to control different parts of the car. Each seat has a massage function, heating, and air flow, and there are also powered ottomans for your feet. There aren’t many back seats like this on the market.
