2026 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

Mercedes-Benz is rightly recognized for its luxury, having created and refined the S-Class flagship sedan over decades. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class takes that fabulous car, stretches it, adds a greater propensity for cosseting, and throws in the option for an awesome V12 engine. If the usual S-Class is for captains of industry, this Maybach is for the generals.

There are no major changes to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class this year. Well, there is one thing: the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 Edition Emerald Isle, a limited run with only 25 cars earmarked for the United States. It features “hand-crafted details and exclusive finishes” inspired by California’s rugged Central Coast. As opposed to the rugged coast of Ireland, which is the place most people would normally refer to as the Emerald Isle.

None of the typical S-Class rivals, like the BMW 7 Series or Audi A8, have anything quite as regal as the Mercedes-Maybach S. Which puts this conveyance above those contenders price-wise. But here’s an interesting twist — the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is priced competitively against the Bentley Flying Spur and something of a bargain compared with the Rolls-Royce Ghost, while still offering many ultra-luxury features such as a chiller compartment and champagne flutes.

The Maybach S 580 4Matic has a perfectly appropriate 496 horsepower, enough to propel this substantial car from standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Go for the 621-hp S 680 4Matic, and 60 mph will come up 0.2 of a second sooner. Impressively quick speeds, regardless of vehicle size.

True to its high-class reason for being, the Maybach S-Class rides smoothly on an adaptive air suspension. Rear-wheel steering is also standard, which is a boon in tight city streets as well as providing effective cornering talents.

Fuel Economy

This aspect probably won’t keep Maybach S-Class owners awake at night, but it’s good to know everything going in. The V8-powered Maybach S 580 4Matic achieves 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving, while the V12-powered Maybach S 680 4Matic sits at 15 mpg, according to the EPA.

Professional basketball players, take note, because the Maybach S-Class is even longer than its regular stablemate. Which translates to lots of rear legroom. If Shaq can fit in this car, you probably will too.

Once those soft-closing doors have performed their subtle action, Maybach occupants will sink into super comfortable seats covered in fine leather, and generally relish being cut off from the awful outside world thanks to a cocoon of profound luxury. Massaging seats are standard in both rows, and the rear seats have a neck-heating function. Rear passengers also have a tablet to control the infotainment system, as well as their own wireless phone charger. We could go on, but you get the idea.

One thing to keep in mind, before getting completely carried away by the deep-pile carpet and fine leather, is that trunk space is no better than that of a Toyota Corolla compact sedan.

The overall exterior design of the S-Class conveys elegance, authority, and prestige. The Maybach version pushes that expensive envelope even further with its own grille design, bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels, plus chrome for the window surrounds and B-pillars. The whole effect adds up to a greater presence. Yet we can imagine some people might find a Rolls-Royce a little too ostentatious, and would prefer the arguably more tasteful Maybach.

A distinctive Maybach option is the two-tone color scheme, such as Moonlight Metallic/Verde Silver or Sonoran Brown/Obsidian Black Metallic. The Night Series design package involves a lot of gray and black.

Burmester surround-sound
We think Burmester makes some of the best automotive sound systems, and the standard setup in the Maybach S-Class is among the best Burmester has to offer. It consists of 31 speakers handling 1,750 watts, plus Dolby Atmos for an incredibly detailed and immersive listening experience.

Active Parking Assist
Part of the standard equipment inventory, this feature will steer the Maybach S-Class into and out of parallel or perpendicular spaces, taking care of gears and brakes as well. For a car of the Maybach’s size, we would welcome this whenever we drove into the city.

Driver assistance features
We find it reassuring that Maybach S-Class models come standard with a whole array of advanced safety features like evasive steering assistance, cross-traffic functions, adaptive cruise control, and a dash cam.

Executive Rear Seat Package Plus
This option turns the Maybach into a 4-seater, adding folding tables in the back, plus heated and cooled cupholders.

Cheers
They’re both individual options, but Maybach buyers can order a small refrigerator for the rear of the cabin, plus a pair of special Maybach silver-plated champagne flutes with their own special compartment.

V12 engine
A V12 has always been special and is even more rare these days. Yours if you choose the Maybach S 680 version. It sounds awesome and provides serious thrust.

The Maybach S 580 employs a 4.0-liter V8, turbocharged to produce 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. This is augmented by a mild hybrid system, whose electric motor enables a smooth action to the fuel-saving engine stop/restart function, as well as providing brief boosts of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. An electrical compressor also is part of the setup. It’s like a supercharger, working in tandem with the turbochargers.

This system powers the optional E-Active Body Control hydro-pneumatic suspension. It’s typical of Mercedes-Benz to corral technology in the pursuit of comfort and refinement.

The S 680 Maybach employs a fabulous twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 developing 621 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Both cars have a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (known as 4Matic) as standard.

The regular S-Class lineup and the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance each have their own reviews.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car and powertrain warranty on a Maybach S-Class lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Roadside assistance is included. This is the usual arrangement in the luxury sector.

Safety Ratings

The S-Class lineup hasn’t been crash-tested by any independent agencies. That’s a common thing for such high-end vehicles, but shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Mercedes-Benz packs its flagship sedans with an array of standard safety features that’s comprehensive and often innovative, such as the special windshield wiper system that doesn’t mess up vision with indiscriminate splashing all over the glass.