Mercedes is finally introducing a proper Bentley Bentayga competitor. The 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS goes on sale later this year, and although it’ll essentially cost an arm and a leg, it won’t be as expensive as other ultra-luxury SUVs.
Mercedes is asking $161,550 for the Maybach GLS, which features just about everything but the kitchen sink. Goodies include heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, interior roof-mounted ambient lights, luscious Nappa leather upholstery, heated and cooled cupholders, and a signature cabin fragrance. Passengers in the back get a 7.0-inch tablet to work with, while a wooden parcel shelf separates the main cabin from the luggage area. Buyers can also select a refrigerated compartment with custom champagne flutes. Meanwhile, the exterior is decked out with a chrome grille, retractable running boards, standard 22-inch wheels (23-inch units are optional), and a hood-mounted Mercedes three-pointed star.
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Buyers looking for more cachet can gravitate to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which starts well above $300,000. The 2021 Bentley Bentayga V8 is more comparable to the Maybach GLS and starts around $177,000.
Under the sheetmetal, the 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 packs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. A 48-volt electrical system allows the SUV to incorporate a small electric motor for “mild-hybrid” functionality. This powerplant delivers 550 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, with an extra 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque available in short bursts from the electric motor. Mercedes claims the SUV hits 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. That sounds reasonable to us given we goaded a 483-hp Mercedes GLS 580 to the 60 mph mark in 5.4 seconds.
The Maybach has a few other tricks up its sleeve. When the doors open, the suspension lowers slightly for easier ingress and egress. It also features a unique drive program that minimizes body roll so rear-seat passengers remain undisturbed during the ride. Both four-seat and five-seat configurations are available. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS goes on sale before the end of the year.
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