2026 Mercedes-Maybach GLS: Enhanced Design, Electrified V8, and Advanced Technologies

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is set to evolve with a comprehensive update that enhances its design, comfort, powertrain, and onboard technologies. Orders for the model will commence in Europe at the end of July 2026.

Unveiled on July 21, 2026, the latest iteration of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS maintains its luxury SUV status while incorporating several aesthetic, technical, and digital advancements. Among the notable updates is a more powerful electrified V8 engine, improved comfort features, and a revamped multimedia system.

Refined Exterior Design

The exterior of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS features a redesigned front end, showcasing a new illuminated grille. The Maybach name is now prominently displayed in light within the grille frame. Depending on the market, the iconic Mercedes star on the hood may also be illuminated as an optional feature. This new GLS adopts an even more ostentatious style.

The headlights sport rose gold accents, while the rear lights feature a fresh design with star-shaped motifs. The color palette has been expanded to include new shades, such as a striking Dark Petrol solid color paired with Verde Silver metallic.

New wheel options include 22- and 23-inch sizes, with the 23-inch forged versions featuring a Mercedes star that remains upright thanks to a rolling mechanism.

Enhanced Interior Features

Inside, the GLS is upgraded with a new Nappa leather upholstery in Beech Brown and Macchiato Beige, alongside two new decorative trim options in wood or woven metal.

The front seats now offer a vibration massage function, while the Executive rear seats include calf massage capabilities. The Burmester 3D Surround audio system has also been enhanced, adding two rear speakers, a 710 W amplifier, and a total of 15 speakers.

Additionally, Mercedes-Maybach introduces a new air filtration system that renews cabin air approximately every 90 seconds through a multi-level filtration process, ensuring a comfort level that rivals the flagship S-Class.

More Powerful Electrified V8

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is equipped with an upgraded version of its M177 EVO biturbo V8 engine, now featuring a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG 2.0). This setup produces 450 kW, with an extra 17 kW available in boost mode, resulting in a peak torque of 850 Nm.

The steering has also been refined, offering a more direct ratio for improved precision and responsiveness.

Suspension and Driving Comfort

The SUV now comes standard with an updated AIRMATIC air suspension system, capable of adjusting its damping based on data from the Car-to-X system shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

An optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system analyzes vehicle movements up to 1,000 times per second to minimize body roll, pitch, and other dynamics. In Curve mode, the vehicle can lean up to 3 degrees in turns, reducing lateral forces experienced by passengers.

MB.OS and Next-Gen MBUX

The new GLS is built on the MB.OS operating system from Mercedes-Benz, which supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. Inside, it features the familiar Mercedes interior layout, highlighted by the MBUX Superscreen that combines three 12.3-inch displays under a single glass surface. This system includes the Zero Layer interface for enhanced customization and a voice assistant powered by technologies from Microsoft, Google, ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Search, and Google Gemini.

In the rear, two 11.6-inch Full HD screens provide access to comfort functions, entertainment, and video calls.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is equipped with an extensive array of up to ten cameras, five radar units, and twelve ultrasonic sensors for its driver assistance systems.

The MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO system offers SAE Level 2 assistance for urban driving, integrating navigation with driving aids. Initially, it will launch in China, followed by the United States, with further rollout dependent on local regulations.

Additionally, the MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST has been upgraded to handle diagonal parking, detect unmarked spaces, and automatically reverse the last 150 meters traveled.

Ordering Starts Late July 2026

Currently available for order in China, the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS will be available in Europe and the United States starting at the end of July 2026. Production will take place at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where a dedicated team handles the specific finishes for Maybach models.

Conclusion

The refreshed GLS from Mercedes-Maybach leans further into its luxurious identity while brimming with advanced technologies. The model is primarily aimed at the Chinese market, followed by the U.S., with Europe to follow later. The new grille design is notably bold, drawing comparisons to competitors in the luxury SUV segment.

So, which version of the GLS would you prefer: the standard Mercedes, the sporty AMG, or the luxurious Maybach?