Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS

The new 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is the German automaker's latest and greatest luxury land yacht. Based on the standard Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Maybach ups the opulence with a revised interior and retuned powertrain aimed at making backseat passengers just as comfortable as those in the front. Mercedes expects a significant number of GLS 600s to be driven by chauffeurs, so the aim was to make sure those in the back are as comfortable as possible. It's the same formula Mercedes-Benz has used for years with the Maybach S-Class, though basing the new model on the GLS gives Mercedes much more room to work with.

The third row is gone to make more room for second-row passengers. As such, the Maybach GLS is available in either a four- or five-seat configuration. The four-seat configuration gets fully adjustable and massaging executive seats, separated from the trunk by a wood parcel shelf. An MBUX tablet gives rear passengers control over the car's infotainment. They can also entertain themselves with optional 11.6-inch entertainment screens.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 600 takes one of the best luxury SUVs on sale today and dials up the luxury factor even further. It's not as practical as its three-row brethren, but we hardly think you'll care when you're sipping Champagne from your massaging rear seat with your chauffeur at the wheel.

Which Maybach GLS does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Maybach GLS 600 comes in a single well-equipped trim level. It's powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (550 horsepower, 538 lb-ft of torque) that puts power to the ground via a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Just about everything that's optional or available on the regular GLS is standard on the Maybach.

Standard feature highlights include:

• 22-inch wheels
• E-Active Body Control adaptive suspension (dramatically improves ride comfort and cornering stability)
• 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• Digital gauge cluster display
• 7-inch touchscreen for the rear seat
• Wireless charging pads in the front and rear
• Burmester audio system
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Front and rear heated and cooled cupholders
• Heated, ventilated and massaging seats both front and rear
• Panoramic glass roof

Driver aids include:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Maybach and the car in front)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Maybach GLS 600 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Options include:

• Folding tables for rear passengers (four-seat configuration only)
• Two-tone leather upholstery
• Two-tone exterior paint
• 23-inch wheels
• Refrigerated compartment
• Champagne flutes and built-in holders