Hello, opulence.
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There are some of us who want extra luxurious than a typical Mercedes-Benz can provide. And for them, there’s Mercedes-Maybach. Previously solely the S-Class received this extra-extra remedy however now, Maybach is broadening its attain with the brand new hifalutin GLS600, as effectively.

LikeSumptuous rear seatsExcellent onboard techButtery-smooth transmission

Don’t LikeCompetitors provide extra luxuryPoor gas financial system

This fancy SUV seems like a shiny, shiny silver greenback, full with copious quantities of chrome and an obtainable two-tone paint job. The grille, whereas shiny as hell, is definitely fairly subdued with its easy vertical slats. Yes, they mirror the solar and glint into the eyes of the peons that dare have a look at you, however I actually anticipated one thing much more ostentatious.The silhouette is dominated by my tester’s obtainable 23-inch multi-spoke wheels. Curiously, the middle caps should not self-centering as these on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which is a bummer, as that is a reasonably straightforward function to include. Regardless, once I open the door the GLS lowers itself barely and a working board made from anodized aluminum deploys for simple ingress.

2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS600: When extra is extra however not an excessive amount of
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Inside, the dashboard and entrance seats are basically ripped from the usual GLS, however tweaked ever so barely. My tester has beautiful, open-pore wooden; leather-based at each contact; ambient lighting; ridiculously comfy seats which are heated, cooled and massaging; and heated and cooled cup holders. There’s loads of Maybach badging as effectively and this factor even has its personal devoted Maybach scent piped in by means of the air vents. I’m no bloodhound, however Mercedes describes this aroma as, “The white osmanthus blossom, floral and light, rounded off by a gentle leather note and spicy tea.” So yeah, let’s go along with that.But actually, the spotlight of the Maybach GLS’ cabin is within the again. The normal GLS’ third row is gone and the again seats are moved rearward for improved legroom. You can get a bench seat, however I do not know why you’ll, particularly for the reason that superior four-seat configuration is a no-cost choice. Also, there is a built-in champagne cooler, together with holders in your champagne flutes and cooled cup holders in your extra boring drinks. Go huge, y’all.

This is the place you wish to be.
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The govt chairs in again are supremely comfy — heated, cooled and massaging, natch, with a recline operate and footrest that brings riders virtually half-way to horizontal. At 5 toes, 9 inches tall, I’m in a position to stretch all the way in which out, however taller passengers may discover their toes resting in opposition to the entrance seat. With a delicate pillow in your head and decrease again, it is a place to chill out, for positive.

Should you wish to get some work finished, there are optionally available folding trays for every seat and a pill laptop in case you neglect your laptop computer. You can maintain every thing charged with two USB-C ports in addition to a 115-watt outlet and wi-fi charging.Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system is right here, working on a 12.3-inch display. I normally plug in my cellphone to make use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto when navigating, however I like the digital overlay on the in-dash navigation that exhibits exact arrows for turns and road addresses. The digital assistant can also be fairly good, recognizing pure language and can even let you know a joke or two. The normal 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is nifty, displaying me all the knowledge I may presumably need. There can also be a typical head-up show to maintain every thing at eye stage.23s? 23s.
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I actually take pleasure in Mercedes’ suite of superior driver’s aids and they’re all normal on the Maybach. That means you’ve got received blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping help, whereas the adaptive cruise management works nice in stop-and-go visitors. It may even sluggish the automobile down based mostly info gathered from the in-dash navigation. The steering help helps drivers get down the street and may even change lanes mechanically offered the coast is obvious. However, that is nonetheless a hands-on system and if the GLS thinks the motive force is incapacitated in any approach it is going to cease the automobile in its lane and unlock the doorways so first responders have entry.Where the Maybach suffers, nevertheless, is in cargo house. Behind these govt seats is just 18.5 cubic toes of house and that is with out the rear of the champers cooler invading the cargo space. That’s a bit lower than a Rolls-Royce Cullinan however approach lower than the 24.5 cubes within the Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography. Only the Bentley Bentayga, with 17 cubic toes behind the second row, has much less.If you wanted additional proof that the Maybach GLS is all about being pushed, the SUV has a novel Maybach drive mode that prioritizes the consolation of rear seat passengers. This drive mode begins the GLS in second gear, mutes the throttle and turns off the cease/begin for much less passenger jostling.The V8 engine has mild-hybrid help.
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Of course, the Maybach GLS has loads of energy below the hood, with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 good for 550 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. The engine is supplemented with EQ-Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that may fill in low-rev turbo lag with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The EQ-Boost system additionally makes the cease/begin system extremely {smooth}, virtually imperceptible. Still, even with that hybrid tech, the Maybach GLS is a thirsty gal, incomes a gas financial system score of 15 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 19 mpg freeway and 16 mpg mixed.If you need ridiculous pace and nice dealing with, have a look at the 603-hp Mercedes-AMG GLS63. The Maybach continues to be fast, scooting to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, but it surely’s tuned to be softer total. The Sport mode is not as aggressive, forcing me to decelerate only a bit and never sort out a backroad with abandon. The Curve mode makes use of the air suspension system to sort of lean into turns, which sounds weird, however makes for a much less roly-poly trip. There can also be an Off-Road mode that may bounce the massive SUV up and down to assist get it unstuck from delicate sand, in case your chauffeur did not air down sufficient whereas driving in your non-public seaside. You also can simply bounce as a result of it seems cool, too.I am unable to say sufficient good issues concerning the nine-speed automated transmission. I’ve all the time been a fan of the Benz’ trendy gearboxes, and this one is a delight, providing up {smooth}, quiet shifts precisely once I need them. Similarly, the brakes are easy, with a agency, linear really feel regardless of the Maybach GLS’ 6,000-pound footprint.The two-tone paint is refined however efficient.
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The 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS begins at $161,550 together with $1,050 for vacation spot. My tester wears the $18,500 two-tone paint job and the $5,500 23-inch wheels. The fridge is an additional $1,100 and the champagne flute holders are $800. Finally, the folding tables add $1,800 for an as-tested value of $190,000.If you actually wish to really feel such as you’re using on a cloud, the GLS cannot actually contact automobiles just like the Bentley Bentayga or Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Yeah, these SUVs price an entire bunch more cash, however in the event you’re out there for a super-luxurious SUV, is value actually that a lot of a priority?In reality, that is my one huge situation with the Maybach: It would not go far sufficient. Aside from the trip high quality, the Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography will get you farther off the crushed path and the Bentley Bentayga is extra gratifying to drive. I’d somewhat see the Maybach go even greater within the luxurious division to actually provide one thing distinctive.