2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS680 Gets Bolder Refresh

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS has been on sale in the U.S. since the 2021 model year, and the standard GLS it’s based on has been in production since October 2019. To keep the aging SUV relevant heading into its sixth model year, the Maybach team gave it a second refresh for 2027 — now called the GLS680. The update brings a new name, more power, a bolder front end, and an updated interior with Mercedes’ latest MB.OS infotainment system.

The changes arrive as the GLS competes against the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, and Range Rover SV in a market that still favors large SUVs. The report notes that the 2027 GLS680 is “a bit more in-your-face than its predecessor,” especially from the front.

What’s New on the Outside

Up front, there’s a larger radiator grille with an illuminated outline. The Maybach lettering at the top of the grille lights up, as does the three-pointed star hood ornament. Each headlight contains two three-pointed stars with rose-gold accents specific to Maybach. The glossy black trim that surrounds the grille is carried over from other updated Mercedes models — a design choice that has drawn mixed reactions.

Maybach “Double M” logos sit in the side air intakes of the front bumper. At the rear, the taillights are connected by a black panel and contain more star motifs. A new 22-inch light-alloy 20-hole wheel is available, and wheel sizes go up to 23 inches. Self-leveling wheel badges, a feature borrowed from Bentley and Rolls-Royce, appear on every wheel.

The power running boards remain largely the same. They deploy in less than one second and are surfaced in anodized aluminum with non-slip rubber inserts and a chrome Maybach emblem. An LED strip lights up the step at night.

The side profile, however, looks the most like a standard GLS. Aside from extra chrome window trim and a non-illuminated Maybach logo on the D-pillar, there’s little to visually distinguish it from the regular model. That’s a contrast to the Maybach S-Class, which gets a stretched wheelbase and additional bodywork that make its special status obvious.

Interior and Technology Upgrades

For buyers in this segment, the GLS680’s cabin is where the real selling points live. The rear seats are the focus: two Executive Seats now include a massage function that extends to the calves. Between them sits a redesigned center console with a wireless charging pad large enough for two phones. It also houses small touchscreen remotes — about the size of an iPhone 5 — that control various vehicle functions, in addition to the 11.6-inch displays mounted on the front seatbacks. The setup is identical to what’s found in the S-Class.

The rear center console includes a refrigerator compartment that can hold two 0.75-liter champagne bottles. The report notes that the standard cup holders are positioned too far away to reach while reclined.

Up front, the cabin gets the MBUX Superscreen — three separate 12.3-inch screens behind a single piece of glass that spans the dashboard. The screens feature Maybach-specific design elements, including rose gold dials in the digital gauge cluster. The system runs on Mercedes’ new MB.OS operating system, which supports over-the-air updates. The steering wheel has been redesigned to bring back a few physical controls, such as a volume knob.

Maybach also offers new leather and trim options for 2027, including Nappa leather in Beech Brown/Macchiato Beige. Two new decorative trim elements are available: brown open-pore V-groove walnut wood and a high-gloss silver/black diamond-pattern mixed fabric.

The Manufaktur customization program adds new paint schemes to the regular options list, including Patagonia Red Metallic and a two-tone finish of Dark Petrol over Verde Silver Metallic. Dark Petrol can also be ordered as a standalone color. The full Manufaktur catalog offers dozens of additional paints.

More Power and Updated Chassis

Under the hood, the GLS680 gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a flat-plane crank and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It produces 612 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque — up from 550 hp and 538 lb-ft in the previous GLS600. The added power is enough to move the 6,195-pound SUV from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

That’s still less torque than the V12 available in the Maybach S-Class, but the report notes the GLS has never offered a V12. The engine is the only option for U.S. buyers.

Mercedes-Maybach retuned the steering and chassis for 2027. The updated Airmatic suspension system now uses intelligent damping: it can receive car-to-car information from other Mercedes vehicles ahead via the Mercedes-Benz Cloud, then anticipate the road and adjust damper settings automatically. The SUV also comes with MB.Drive Assist Pro2, which includes a City Pro function that will enable point-to-point navigation after a future over-the-air update.

The GLS680 is expected to begin production soon at Mercedes’ plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Exact timing and pricing have not been announced, but the automaker is expected to release details closer to the official launch date.