LOOK WHO'S 'BACH(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 52

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.

Background word count: 144

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.

Driving Experience word count: 225

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.