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The second generation Mercedes-Maybach S-Class leverages the prestige of the Maybach badge in this super-luxury S-Class variant. Customers get long wheelbase space in the back, some of the greatest rear seats ever to grace a passenger car, a whisper quiet ride and the choice of all-wheel drive PHEV or V8 twin-turbo powerplants.
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Background
Having abandoned its Maybach nameplate as a stand-alone franchise in the noughties, Mercedes revived it once again in 2014, but this time as a Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand, supposed to designate the ultimate versions of its two largest models, the S-Class and the GLS SUV. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was based on the sixth generation 'W222'-series S-Class design and was replaced in 2021 by the replacement 'W223'-series model we look at here, which was updated in Spring 2026 to create the car we're going to look at here.
Lower key it might be than rival Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Ghost rivals but it's beautifully executed. Don't for one moment think that Mercedes has the equivalent of a Ford Ghia badge here. The Maybach S-Class isn't just a normal long-wheelbase S-Class that's had an enthusiastic run at the options list. This one is something very special indeed.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 174790 | 253290 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 50 | 50 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 70 | 307 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 155 | 155 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 5.1 | 4 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 60 | 60 |
| Min | Max |
| Combined Mpg | 20.9 | 91.1 |
| Length (mm) | 5469 | 5469 |
| Width (mm) | 2109 | 2109 |
| Height (mm) | 1510 | 1510 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 480 | 505 |
| Power (hp) | 530 | 621 |
| Torque (lb ft) | 750 | 750 |
Driving experience
Quite a lot's gone on to update the engineering here. The core S 580 model features a new 4.0-litre V8 with mild hybrid tech that now produces 530hp and 750Nm of torque. The alternative S 580 e PHEV 3.0-litre six cylinder version's now a little different too, with sharper throttle response, an improved 577hp output and a 22kWh battery that now offers up to 60 miles of EV range. As for the top S 680 version, well the previous 6.0-litre V12 powertrain that used to drive it is now no longer offered in the UK, replaced by an all-new flat-plane-crank V8 with mild hybrid tech. This advanced M117 Evo unit delivers 621bhp and 900Nm of torque, propelling the car to 62mph in 4.0s.
All powerplants drive all four wheels via the Mercedes 4MATIC system. One advantage of stretching to Mercedes-Maybach spec for your S-Class is that it'll get you two key engineering features that can't (currently) be had (even as an option) on an ordinary S-Class. Namely, 'E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL', which counteracts body lean through the bends and uses 'SURFACE SCAN' camera technology to prepare the AIRMATIC suspension for bumps before you reach them. And Rear-axle steering, which dramatically reduces this car's turning circle; think around 10.9-metres for the V8 model, much like a little A-Class hatch. With an ordinary long wheelbase S-Class, it's 12.8-metres.
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Design and build
The Maybach version of this S-Class makes quite a statement, particularly in this updated form. The huge pinstriped chrome grille is now 20% larger, features an illuminated surround and has Maybach lettering. The three-pointed Mercedes star that sits just above it can now light up too, along with the Maybach emblem on the C-pillar. There are restyled headlights, incorporating three-pointed stars and touches of rose gold. And a chrome fin running down the centre of the bonnet aims to emphasise this car's length and elegance. The 'floating' Mercedes emblem that always remains upright in the centre of the restyled 20-inch wheel rims can light up too.
As before, you can only have this top variant with the lengthier long wheelbase body shape. Which more extrovert top executives can decorate with a two-tone paint finish that others will find rather garish.
You choose this car though, for its rear seat experience. Which starts with rear doors that can electrically open or close themselves with a gentle pull of the handle or a touch of a button, while a Maybach logo is projected on the ground. Inside at the back, the centre console has been redesigned and comes with two detacheable smartphone-style remotes and precisely-formed holders for the optional silver-plated Robbe & Berking champagne flutes. Behind the rear armrest is a 10-litre refrigerated compartment for the required bottles of champagne. If you wish, this fridge can be removed to create more space in the 480-litre boot.
As before, there's a MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment system with now-bigger 13.1-inch screens, one on each front seat backrest, linked into a TV tuner and featuring built-in HD cameras for video conferencing. Another unique Maybach fixture is a 31-speaker 1,750-watt Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system, which adds an extra dimension to the audio experience by incorporating vibrating exciters into each seat, along with ear-level front seat speakers. There's also electrically-opening rear doors and a Rear Seat Comfort package that reclines the backrest and massages you.
Up front, the big change with this updated model is the installation of the Mercedes 'Supercreen' dashboard that sees a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch passenger display bonded together beneath a single piece of glass, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The centre console has also been redesigned and now features dual wireless 'phone charging pads, framed by open-pore wood trim. All the car's screens now use the latest version of the Mercedes MBUX infotainment set-up, which features an AI-powered virtual assistant which combines input from Microsoft Bing, ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
Otherwise, it's as before. The steering wheel rim's finished in wood and leather, the roof's trimmed in suede-like DINAMICA and the floor mats are of the Rolls-Royce-like 'High pile' variety that you just sink your feet into. In addition, there's Maybach Exclusive nappa leather upholstery with the same colour options as for the S-Class, plus one extra shade - silver grey/black. And the cabin inlays are in designo black piano lacquer trim with flowing lines, though you can swap those out for brown burr walnut inlays - or trimming in black poplar wood.
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Market and model
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class pricing starts from around £175,000, which gets you the S 580 e PHEV 3.0-litre six cylinder standard version, which also comes as a mild hybrid 4.0-litre V8. But high fliers are probably going to want to stretch up to the plusher 'First Class' version with its individual rear seats. 'First Class' Maybach motoring comes with the two engine options just mentioined, or you can have the top 621hp S 680 V8 version if you're prepared to find over £225,000. If you don't want the PHEV variant, you can also specify a darker-finished 'First Class Night Series' top trim level.
We mentioned in our 'Driving' section that the standard kit list includes innovations like 'E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL' and Rear-axle steering. And we covered off a lot of the cabin features in our 'Design' section. True VIPs can further upgrade their Mercedes-Maybach to top 'First Class' status, recognisable by an upgrade in size for the forged MAYBACH wheels from 20 to 21-inches. The 'First Class' variant gives you separate luxury individual Executive rear seats separated by an extended centre console incorporating a fridge compartment and champagne flutes. Folding tables retract out of the wood-trimmed designo front seat backrests. There's also a nappa leather roof liner.
On a Mercedes-Maybach 'First Class' model, you can also spend another £28,000 on a 'MAYBACH Exclusive nappa leather design package', which trims the cabin in more unique design crystal white leather, complemented by silver grey pearl trim.
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Cost of ownership
We're not sure who buys a top-end limousine and devotes too much consideration to the fuel economy. Saving the planet? Who needs it? At least the BiK rating for this Maybach model is the same 37% as a normal S-Class: so is the group 50 insurance rating. The S 580 e PHEV is BiK-rated at 9% and will deliver up to 60 miles of EV range. A bigger issue might well be residual value. The previous Maybach S-Class didn't fare too well in this regard, especially when it was compared to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the car it was designed to beat.
What else? Well, there's a thirty year warranty against corrosion (yes, you heard that right). And we'll tell you that the comprehensive three year unlimited mileage warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer. Servicing, by the way, is needed every 12 months or every 15,500 miles, whichever comes first.
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Summary
Where the pre-2021-era Maybach version of this model was a bit 'new money' for many, the second generation Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has ramped up the desirability and looks even more exclusive in this updated form. We've already been utterly seduced by the improved W223-series Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloon and taking that car and adding extra luxury won't spoil the appeal one iota. There's no shortage of people who want luxury but don't want to be ostentatious about the fact, and there doesn't look to be anything that touches the Maybach in that regard.
We think Mercedes may have finally hit upon the right market positioning for Maybach. That said, it's fairly easy to pull off this trick with an S-Class plus twenty percent. Repeating the act on an E-Class or a CLS while still retaining the Maybach badge cachet is going to be altogether trickier.
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