The limo has grown up, literally; where once the height of luxury was considered the long, sleek sedan, now it’s the presence of a six-figure SUV which indicates that you have made it. Meet the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV, which goes head to head with recent success from Rolls Royce, Bentley, BMW, and others.
As with the Mercedes AMG, the Maybach doesn’t precisely concern itself with subtlety. The general recipe for aesthetics is to embrace the chrome and then double down on that. The GLS is a bit oversized and then the Mercedes’ luxury arm adds a bolder grille, and a spray of double M-badging, which you won’t recognize unless you know a bit of history first.
Engine and Performance
The Mercedes GLS SUV has a twin-turbocharged V-8, with 558 horsepower and can move the luxury SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The engine is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system which gives an extra shove right from the start. During the first drive, you will be amazed at its silky-smooth ride quality and its amazing handling. An air suspension is standard which erases the bumps in the road.
The GLS SUV has fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. That isn’t particularly efficient, however, big spenders won’t be much concerned about the fuel economy.
Interior
When it comes to the interior, the Mercedes GLS SUV offers just two rows, both of which have heat and massage functions. The rear seats are quite amazing with acres of legroom and two power-adjustable recliner seats. Moreover, the SUV has one of the fanciest first-class cabins. Nappa leather covers the door, dash panels, and seats, while the real wood trim adds a touch of class.
The SUV features a fragrant diffuser that helps the occupants create the sensory oasis they deserve after a long day. However, the Cargo capacity isn’t as much as the regular GLS-class, because you can’t fold the rear seats. Moreover, Maybach claims that there is still around 19 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, offering a good set of custom-fitted luggage.
Infotainment
The dual 12.3-inch infotainment displays use the latest MBUX software interface. Moreover, the rear seats have two 11.6-inch displays which can play movies or control the sound system. A Burmester audio system is also present which has 27 speakers. Moreover, the SUV features multi-color ambient lighting, a panoramic roof, and a 4-zone climate control system as a standard.
Reliability and Safety
Although the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV hasn’t been rated by NHTSA, it should prove to be extremely safe. Its huge size and construction work in its favor. Moreover, it also comes packed with the latest safety tech. Here are some key safety features of the SUV:
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian direction
- Standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode.
Price
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV costs around $162,000. For more information, visit the MBUSA website.
Visually, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV isn’t much different from a regular SUV. However, its spacious interior and outstanding infotainment features set it apart. So, it’s the ultimate luxury SUV and you should buy it.
