Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Maybach builds cars to out-luxury everyone, and the refreshed 2027 GLS 680 leans into that mission harder than ever. Mercedes' flagship SUV returns with a stronger engine, sharper chassis technology, and a long list of indulgent details meant to keep it at the very top of the luxury-SUV market. It is a thorough update rather than a full redesign, but nearly every part of the experience, from the wheels to the rear seats, has been touched in some way.2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680Mercedes-BenzA few standout detailsOver-engineered flourishes are a Maybach specialty, and the new GLS has a memorable one. Order the optional 23-inch forged wheels and the Mercedes star at each center stays perfectly upright at all times, held level by a precision ball-bearing mechanism as the wheel turns, a bit like a compass that always finds north. A new standard 22-inch wheel with a 20-hole design rounds out the freshened lineup for buyers who skip the showpiece rims.Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680Mercedes-BenzGetting in has become a small ceremony, too. Standard electric running boards glide out in under a second the moment a door opens, finished in anodized aluminum with non-slip rubber and a chrome Maybach emblem. After dark, an LED strip lights the step while a Maybach pattern is projected onto the ground below, and the boards retract neatly into the side sills once the doors close again. It is theater, but the deliberate kind Maybach does well.A refreshed exteriorStyling changes give the big SUV even more presence up front. Maybach fitted a redesigned grille with an illuminated surround, and for the first time, the MAYBACH name glows from within the grille itself, while the standing hood star can now be optionally lit. Rose Gold accents dress the headlamps, a black panel visually links the lights to the grille, and a new bumper with a chrome underguard sharpens the whole face.2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680Mercedes-BenzChanges continue around back and across the palette. A redesigned tailgate ties the taillights together for a wider look, with three-dimensional, chrome-framed star motifs marking each lamp. New paint choices include Dark Petrol and a rich Patagonia Red Metallic, plus an exclusive two-tone Dark Petrol and Verde Silver finish. Buyers seeking a darker mood can add the Night Series package, which swaps in dark-chrome trim, blacked-out details, and unique seven-spoke wheels.Power and drivingUnder the hood is the headline upgrade. Maybach's electrified twin-turbo V8 now makes 603 hp and 627 lb.ft of torque, gains of 53 hp and 89 lb.ft, and it responds more quickly while running more efficiently than before. Two added balance shafts smooth it further, and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system contributes 23 hp of boost along with coasting, energy recuperation, and seamless stop-start. It is quicker without ever feeling anything less than composed.2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680Mercedes-BenzAdvertisementAdvertisementChassis tweaks aim to match that polish. A more direct steering ratio delivers extra precision and agility, while the standard air suspension now uses cloud-based, predictive damping that reads data from Mercedes vehicles ahead. Buyers can add E-Active Body Control, which analyzes the road 1,000 times a second across more than 20 sensors, counters body roll and pitch, and can even lean the SUV into corners by up to three degrees to ease lateral forces.Inside the cabinComfort is where Maybach spends most of its effort. Front seats gain a new vibration massage in the cushions, and the rear Executive Seats add a massage function that now reaches the calf rests for the first time. Fresh leather colors and new wood and metal trims broaden the palette, a refrigerated rear compartment is hidden between the back seats, and a hand-stitched MANUFAKTUR leather headliner, crafted by a single craftsperson, remains the brand's most requested indulgence.2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680Mercedes-BenzTechnology keeps pace with the plush materials. A triple-screen MBUX Superscreen sits under a single pane of glass, with its voice assistant now drawing on generative AI from ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft. An upgraded Burmester system adds two rear speakers for 15 in total, an electric air filter refreshes the cabin air roughly every 90 seconds, and extra insulation hushes the world outside. Rear passengers can also add twin 11.6-inch entertainment displays.Price and availabilityDespite its old-world air, the GLS is built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at a plant that has assembled Mercedes SUVs for three decades. A dedicated Maybach team, trained in Germany, hand-finishes each interior outside the normal assembly line, with two specialists responsible for completing every vehicle. That attention extends to the extensive Nappa leather and wood trim, all handled with the kind of care the six-figure price tag implies.AdvertisementAdvertisementDriver-assistance hardware is comprehensive, spanning 10 cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and a powerful new onboard computer, with an optional package adding a point-to-point city feature later on. Mercedes has not announced pricing yet, though a flagship Maybach will command a steep premium over a standard GLS, almost certainly well into six figures. It reaches US dealerships later in 2026, and more is available at Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes-Benz.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.