The updated Mercedes-Benz GLS brought plenty of performance, luxury, and tech to buyers when it appeared earlier this year. The one exception was the Maybach version which carried on untouched on the existing hardware.

This dubious status quo is finally lifted with Benz lifting the veil off of the updated 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 which brings more power and a new persona to the ultra-luxury market, while also being a part of a broader suite of planned updates.

New look, same big SUV attitude

A potent calling card of any luxury SUV is its street presence and the 2027 GLS 680 got a makeover thanks to a new front end which comes with not only an illuminated Mercedes logo, but also an illuminated grille surround and Maybach badge. The illuminated badges are the first to be used on a production Benz, and could potentially spread to other bespoke Benz models in the future.

The Maybach gets 22-inch wheels standard with the hoops getting the iconic 20-hole design, but buyers can also upgrade to bigger 23-inch wheels which feature a perfectly balanced emblem in the center cap thanks to a balanced ball bearing mechanisim. The front end is also meaner looking with tweaked headlights and a more aggressively honed lower front bumper.

More tech is always a good thing

Slip inside, and you’ll find the interior continues to be a showcase of elegant design and high quality materials. The SUV gets the MBUX Superscreen standard which uses three different displays to create the illusion of one unified screen. Rose Gold dials and illuminated climate controls spice up the poshness further, and the first and second-row passengers get improved massaging seats.

Audiophiles will also love the new Burmester 3D Surround Audio system with Dolby Atmos technology. The audio system also gained two more speakers in this update for a revised total of 15-speakers with a more powerful 710-watt amplifier also being part of the package.

Performance continues to come from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 but it has been upgraded to produce 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This is a gain of 53 hp versus last year and the engine gets a second-generation starter generator to improve efficency.

When can I buy one?

The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is scheduled to go on sale later this year. The company didn’t reveal any final pricing for it yet, but look for the “base” version to be noticeably more expensive than the outgoing one which starts at $180,000 before options and fees are factored in.