The Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 conveys a sense of wealth and status that few vehicles on South African roads can match. Sitting at the very apex of the Mercedes-Benz stable, the Maybach badge signifies luxury, sacrificing the standard GLS's seven-seat practicality for a four-seat sanctuary built for those who prefer to be driven.
With a starting price of R4 645 966, the GLS600 enters a rarefied atmosphere where its rivals are the most prestigious on the planet. Does it earn its place among automotive royalty?
Fast Facts
| Category | Detail |
| Model Name | Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 4MATIC |
| New Retail Price | R4 645 966 |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Petrol (Mild-Hybrid) |
| Total Power | () |
| Torque | |
| 0-100 km/h | |
| Average Fuel Consumption | (Combined) |
| Standard Service Plan | 5 years / 100 000 km |
The realm of ultra-luxury SUVs has a surprisingly high number of options for the wealthy elite among us. One such product is the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600. Starting at R4 645 966, and being closer to R6.0-million as we tested it, this ultra-luxury SUV trades the standard GLS's luxurious practicality for hyper-exclusive, chauffeur-focused indulgence.
What is Maybach?
The Maybach name carries a weight of history and technical prowess that predates and runs parallel to Mercedes-Benz.
The first era (1909–1940)
Founding: The company was founded on March 23, 1909, by Wilhelm Maybach, previously the technical director of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) and a close confidante of Gottlieb Daimler. Wilhelm and his son, Karl Maybach, initially focused on building engines for Zeppelin airships.
Automotive Shift: After WWI restrictions halted airship engine production, Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH shifted to opulent automobile manufacturing in 1921.
The Golden Age: Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Maybach produced highly exclusive and technologically advanced vehicles, such as the legendary Maybach Zeppelin models. These cars were defined by technical perfection and bespoke luxury, appealing to royalty, bankers, and high society.
The Pause: Car production ceased in 1941, and the company was primarily involved in military manufacturing during WWII. Daimler-Benz acquired the company in 1960.
The second era (2002–2012): The standalone failure
In the late 1990s, DaimlerChrysler (as it was then) revived Maybach as a separate, ultra-luxury car brand to compete directly with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
The brand launched the Maybach 57 and Maybach 62 models in 2002. Although technically competent, they were criticised for sharing too many visual cues and internal components with the standard Mercedes-Benz S-Class, failing to offer the differentiation buyers expected in this segment.
Decline: Due to poor sales, Maybach was retired as a standalone brand in 2012/2013.
The third era (2015–present): The Mercedes sub-brand strategy
Daimler strategically resurrected the name as Mercedes-Maybach in 2015.
Positioning: Mercedes-Maybach is now positioned as the ultimate luxury sub-brand, similar to how Mercedes-AMG focuses on ultimate performance. The strategy is to take existing top-tier Mercedes-Benz models (like the S-Class and GLS) and infuse them with an extra dimension of exclusive space, bespoke materials, and hyper-comfort engineering. This approach has proved far more successful, capitalising on the global reputation of the Mercedes star while satisfying the need for ultra-exclusivity.
What has Maybach done to the GLS600?
The Maybach GLS600 is not a mere badge swap; it results from extensive re-engineering to maximise passenger comfort. The transformation involves key changes across design, interior configuration, and powertrain control:
The executive interior reconfiguration
The most significant change is the dedicated focus on the rear passenger space, achieved by deleting the GLS's third row of seats:
First Class seating: The standard three-row layout is replaced by a two-row design, most commonly featuring two individual, multi-contour Executive seats in the rear. These seats offer electric recline (up to ), heating, ventilation, and extensive massage functions.
Exclusive materials: Every possible surface is upgraded. Padded areas, the dashboard, and door panels are entirely draped in the finest Nappa leather, replacing the less expensive materials used in the standard GLS.
Climate & noise control: An Acoustic Comfort Package uses extensive insulation, laminated glass, and additional sound-deadening layers. Furthermore, a fixed partition is placed behind the rear seats to completely separate the passenger cell from the boot, significantly boosting cabin quietness.
Rear amenities: A fixed centre console (in the four-seat layout) is added, housing heated/cooled cupholders, a removable MBUX tablet for controlling vehicle functions, and optional luxury features like a champagne refrigerator and custom-silver flutes.
Advanced suspension and drive system
The GLS600’s chassis is heavily modified to prioritise the ultra-smooth ride:
E-Active Body Control: While the standard GLS uses Airmatic air suspension, the Maybach features the optional, fully-active E-Active Body Control (E-ABC).
Maybach Drive Program: A unique 'Maybach' Dynamic Select mode is added.
Signature exterior and presence
The exterior is restyled:
Maybach grille: The standard GLS grille is swapped for the distinctive Maybach vertical pinstripe chrome grille with the standing Mercedes Star on the bonnet.
Entry theatre: Electrically extending, illuminated running boards deploy when a rear door is opened, ensuring passengers have a grand, secure step into the elevated cabin.
Bespoke finish: Exclusive touches include the mandatory 'Maybach' badging on the D-pillar, extensive use of high-gloss chrome trim, and the option for two-tone paintwork and unique 22 or 23-inch forged wheels
Interior: First-class travel on the road
The cabin is an exercise in sensory overload, draped almost entirely in Nappa leather and wood trim. The defining feature is the First Class rear compartment. The standard third row is deleted, and the second row is replaced by two individual executive seats that recline. Rear passengers enjoy ventilation, heating, massage functions, and acres of legroom, creating a lounge on wheels. Technology is integrated through the MBUX infotainment system, accessible via a dedicated tablet in the rear.
The ride quality is phenomenal thanks to the E-Active Body Control suspension. This system actively scans the road and adjusts the suspension in real-time to counter body roll, pitch, and dive, ensuring the occupants remain isolated from the harsh realities of the tarmac below. It is, quite simply, one of the quietest and most comfortable cabins on the market.
Engine and performance: V8 velvet
The GLS600’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, paired with a 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, provides smooth and instant power. Despite its significant mass, the system ensures that the GLS600 never feels lethargic, effortlessly pulling away from a standstill. While the second sprint to 100 km/h is respectable, the GLS600’s true driving appeal is its refinement. The sound insulation is superb, and the engine is tuned to deliver power briskly but civilised via the 9-speed gearbox, ensuring maximum comfort is maintained in the 'Maybach' driving mode. It's incredible how this engine can feel so brutal and visceral in some AMG sports cars, and so refined and effortless in a Maybach.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Rear-seat luxury: First Class reclining seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. | Loss of practicality: The ultimate 4-seat configuration sacrifices the third row and a standard-sized boot, thanks to a fridge. |
| E-Active Body Control: Class-leading active suspension provides an incredibly smooth, isolated ride on any road surface. | Thirsty V8: Not that an owner would care, but the fuel consumption is high. |
| Imposing design: The Maybach grille, large wheels, and two-tone paint command huge road presence. | High starting price: The R4.6 million base price is, before, a highly tempting, expensive options. |
| Advanced technology: Comprehensive MBUX system with rear-seat control tablets and full ambient lighting. | Running boards are Slow: The automatic deployment system, while elegant, can be frustratingly slow for impatient passengers. |
Driving impression
The driving experience in the GLS600 fundamentally differs from that of most SUVs. The emphasis here is on absolute serenity, not outright performance. During my time with the Maybach, I got married, and the big Benz was there to chauffeur my wife and me to and from the wedding venue. I can't think of many other cars that could have amplified our special day more than the GLS. It sailed over the light gravel road en route to the venue, providing a tranquil and comfortable ride and making us feel special. I've often written that cars are more than just the sum of their parts because they're vessels in which we create some of our best memories. In the case of the Maybach, all of the attributes that make the brand as aspirational as it is helped me form a lifelong memory, allowing me to combine my passion for the automotive world into one of the most important days of my life.
The suspension masterpiece
The hero of the drive is the E-Active Body Control suspension. This 48-volt powered system actively controls spring and damping forces at each wheel, using a camera to scan the road ahead for bumps and potholes. The system eliminates bumps, allowing the Maybach to glide over rough surfaces. The suspension also features a 'Curve' function, which subtly tilts the vehicle into corners (up to ), drastically limiting body roll to ensure rear passengers remain perfectly level and comfortable. Initially, driving inside the car was a bit disconcerting because it was so smooth and quiet. However, once you've adjusted to this new level of refinement, sitting as a passenger in other cars feels far less comfortable.
The Maybach Mode
For passenger pampering, the dedicated Maybach drive mode is key. This mode tunes explicitly the powertrain for smoothness:
Gear Shifts: Minimise gear changes and start the vehicle in second gear to prevent jolting.
Throttle: Flattens the acceleration curve to ensure a gentle, steady power surge.
Engine Noise: Tones down the V8’s voice further, keeping the cabin supremely hushed.
While the V8 is capable, its performance feels hushed and effortless rather than aggressive. The steering is light and the ride supple, making the large vehicle surprisingly manageable in urban environments. It is a near-three-tonne land yacht built to provide an automotive isolation tank for occupants.
Key Rivals
The Maybach GLS600 is a specialist vehicle, competing with the finest from Britain and Italy:
The GLS600 positions itself as the technological pinnacle—the most comfortable and quiet option for the owner who values being chauffeured in a stress-free environment.
Verdict
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 successfully marries a large SUV's imposing stature and security with the luxury and technological isolation of an S-Class limousine. It’s expensive, exclusive, and unashamedly opulent. If your priority is to be chauffeured in sublime comfort and enjoy a ride quality few others can match, the GLS600 is one of the great automotive flexes.
