Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Receiving the keys to a manufaktur red 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 left me completely starstruck. As my first Mercedes review, it felt significant, even if it is technically a bit more affordable than the sedan—which holds the title for the most expensive Mercedes available in the US. Still, the gravity of holding a key fob to a vehicle priced at $224,900, which climbs past $232,000 once you factor in taxes and add-ons, was palpable. To be honest, I felt far more intimidated behind the wheel of this Merc than I ever did piloting the massive Hummer EV.Kristen BrownThe branding on this car is nothing short of intense; the Maybach logo is omnipresent, appearing on the hood, the glossy black grille, and even etched into the soft convertible top. While the oversized wheels projected a clear sense of exclusive luxury, the quad-tip exhaust promised a more visceral experience: the unmistakable, glorious sound of a German V8. This particular SL 680 features a beefy, twin-turbocharged engine that sits low and wide in an enviable shade of red. Before I even stepped inside, I was certain I was in for a wild ride. And I was right. But not in the way you'd expect.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Road Ethos Launches: The New Automotive Lifestyle Site You Should ReadThe Maybach treatment added more than a bunch of monogramsHere's a very interesting and short history lesson: the Maybach version of the SL 680 is designed to be quieter, ride smoother, and appeal to more of a luxury yacht vibe than something you’d sling around on the Nürburgring like the AMG SL 63 platform it’s based on. And if you’re curious about why the Maybach name is associated with that aesthetic and feeling, here’s why: Wilhelm Maybach was dubbed the King of Designers and a close collaborator with Gottlieb Daimler. When he founded his own company in 1909, he didn’t just build car engines; he built engines for Zeppelins and heavy marine vessels. Kristen BrownBecause they were used to building massive, high-torque engines for air and sea, their cars felt unstoppable. While other car manufacturers were focused on being "zippy," Maybach focused on effortless momentum; that sensation of a heavy object moving with total silence and grace is exactly how a super-yacht feels on the water. So, that translates quite naturally to the Maybach SL 680. The suspension is softer, the transmission is smoother, and the hand-built 4.0-liter 577-horsepower twin turbo V8 is fitted with softer engine mounts and a quieter exhaust. It’s powerful, but it was power that was engineered not to be heard, but felt.Interestingly, in Maybach tradition, the owner of a Maybach was never the driver—they were always driven by a chauffeur, so they could truly be spoiled by the luxurious, “floaty” ride. In today’s rendition, the Maybach SL 680 has the company’s Active Ride Control, which is a predictive system that will essentially brace the Merc’s suspension before you hit a bump, to make it seem like it’s gliding over an obstacle. It certainly came in handy in the Bay Area, where every road feels like it’s been through all seven layers of Hell. Kristen BrownThe Maybach-ness meant the V8 was engineered to be felt, not heard. Maybe it’s because I’m not like most of the people who stopped and stared at it as I rolled by, but I like my V8s loud. Even in Sport mode, the SL 680 was much, much quieter than I’d hoped it would be. In the cabin, the sound translated quite nicely, but with the top down or in the driveway, it was incredibly quiet. Most would like that. I was a bit disappointed. If you want loud, look to the AMG SL 63. Though, it won't be nearly as luxurious as this one.The interior, though, felt and looked like it was crafted by angelsI’m incredibly hard on interiors, especially interiors of anything approaching or over six figures. This was the first car in that category where I took a single look around and thought, “Alright, this is exactly how a quarter of a million dollars should look.” I’m always a bit turned off by white leather because I can’t imagine the hassle of keeping it clean, but let’s be real: whoever is buying this is absolutely not driving it to the grocery store or to the gym every other day, or to run errands like I was. They’re driving it to the opera, or to an F1 race, or a movie premiere—somewhere where the car is part of a statement.Kristen BrownAnyway—the interior wasn’t nearly as in-your-face as the Louis Vuitton-esque exterior was. The crystal white leather was wonderfully and carefully accented by silver, black leather, and rose gold. And I normally turn my nose up at iPad-like infotainment screens, but the screen in this one worked. Yes, nearly every single common driver control was implemented into the screen (which is adjustable, by the way), so it was a bit annoying to haggle with when driving, but those controls were permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen. Even if you were using a phone mirroring software. So, at the very least, those controls were always accessible. Unless you were leafing through the settings and making adjustments. Kristen BrownAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking of menus, I most certainly appreciated that every menu was very easy to interpret, and all settings—and there were a lot—were just as easy to fine-tune. I was never confused by a menu or what an icon meant. Everything made sense, and that feels very rare these days. The driver’s seat was a delight to get right and very comfortable, complete with speakers in the headrests for navigation or to enjoy the 17-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system. When I had the top down, which I had down every chance I could because the folding and unfolding was one of the fastest I’ve ever experienced, the sound was just as crisp and clear as it would be with the top up. I was very, very grateful it only rained on the last day I had it. Every other day was bright and sunny. Related: Mercedes-Maybach Lands a Starring Role in The Devil Wears Prada 2The driving assistance technology, though, was downright dangerousMercedes boasts a lot of incredible driving assistance technology, being the only manufacturer in the US that’s approved for Level 4 autonomy in Nevada and California. So, I was eager to test the standard driving assistance features in the SL 680. I only used the adaptive cruise control and lane change assist once during my time with it, because within 10 minutes, it tried to make a lane change into a lane with a car right next to it. The first time, a Jeep Gladiator was merging at the same time as the SL 680, and the Mercedes didn’t sense it and continued the lane change, so I had to manually cancel it. The second time it attempted a lane change, there was a large truck right next to it, in plain sight. It went completely over the line before I stopped it, because I wanted to see if it would correct itself, and it didn’t.Kristen BrownThe adaptive cruise control and traffic assist weren’t much better. I set it to the maximum distance, and the Mercedes continually got incredibly close to the car in front of it before spotting it at the last second and very aggressively slamming on the brakes. When the lead car would continue, it would follow, but it would start from a stop, as if it were being piloted by an angry person. If someone cut in front of me, I wouldn’t notice until the very last second, and it would come to an abrupt stop—not slow down, but stop. So, after almost getting whiplash and being rear-ended by a very confused person behind me, I turned it all off. AdvertisementAdvertisementI was incredibly, incredibly disappointed. Toyota and Subaru’s system was much more proactive, smooth, and reactive than this system was. I figured maybe it was because I was in Sport mode, but even in Comfort, it was very aggressive, abrasive, and abrupt. I was not a fan at all, and didn’t test those systems again during the rest of the week. After almost running into people twice, I didn’t trust it. But maybe I’m judging it too harshly. I know press cars go through a lot of abuse, so maybe a driver or two before me turned a setting on or off that messed it up. Hopefully, it can be fixed with a software update.If you want attention for what you drive, the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 will certainly get it for youI mean it when I say that the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 got more attention than any other car I’ve driven. The only other car I’ve reviewed that got as many smiles, nods, or thumbs up for was the BMW M5 Wagon in Smyrna Green (and who can blame them?). I had neighbors coming out of the woodworks to ask in amazement if it was a real SL 680, if they could take a picture of it, or if they could look at the interior. My daughters couldn’t ride in it because it’s just a two-seater, but they were mesmerized by it. Every time I got in it, someone would spawn out of nowhere to ask me about it. How much horsepower it had, if it was fast, what it was like with the top down, and of course, how much it cost. Kristen BrownTo us common folk, seeing one of these is like seeing an exotic, rare bird in the wild. Or a flower that only blooms once every few years for just a few moments. And that’s because to those in the know, it’s an incredibly rare sighting. Mercedes is, of course, very tight-lipped about how many are in production, but they’re very careful to advertise that the Maybach SL 680 will be a “extremely limited production run” to “maintain its exclusivity” as the first two-seater Mercedes-Maybach. Unless it’s another reviewer, the people of the East Bay will likely never see one outside of a museum, a collector’s garage, an event, or in a showroom ever again. Related: I Drove the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680; Here’s My Honest ReviewFinal thoughtsThe Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 taught me a great deal about the definition of value. While it is difficult for many (including myself) to see the logic in a vehicle that costs as much as a home, I realized that for the right person, this car isn't just a purchase—it’s an extension of who they are, and how they want others to see them. It is designed for those who reach for the most expensive bottle of whiskey on the shelf instead of Jack Daniel’s because they can taste the difference—and to them, that difference matters. Kristen BrownWhile I wasn’t all that enchanted by the machine itself, the true magic and allure lie in its history, its incredible rarity, and the way it connects with people. It may not be for me, but maybe that’s the point. And I can’t deny the high it gave me. For seven days, I wasn’t just a journalist. I felt like someone truly important, driving an exclusive piece of moving art. For those looking for a car that truly puts you on top of the world (and inspires the feeling to match), the experience is priceless.This story was originally published by Autoblog on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.