2023 Mercedes-Maybach S

The S-Class sedan is already the epitome of luxury, so what happens when you add some Maybach spice? The 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S comes with either a 496-horsepower V8 or a 621-hp V12 engine, with only the highest standard of luxury appointments and finishes. It's naturally very expensive, and the $193k starting price of the Maybach S puts it in the esteemed company of the Bentley Flying Spur, though the S looks like a comparative steal next to the $340k Rolls-Royce Ghost. Is the Maybach worth $70k more than the equivalent S-Class or is it superfluous? Does the Maybach treatment turn the already posh car into a worthy alternative to a Rolls-Royce or Bentley?

The 2023 Maybach S range still comprises the S580 and S680 trims, and they continue unchanged for the new model year, except for a few additional paint and trim options and higher prices. Two limited edition models are to be made available to buyers in the USA, though, with just 150 units of each to be produced. The first celebrates fashion designer Virgil Abloh and the second is inspired by high fashion, named the Haute Voiture edition.

For the 2023 model year, the price of a new Mercedes-Maybach S now starts at $193,400, up from last year's $184,900. This is for the S580 trim; the S680 will cost you $229,000. These prices are MSRP and don't include extras or the $1,150 destination fee.

The V12 engine demands a premium of over $35k, uses more fuel, and is hardly any quicker than the V8, so it's certainly not worth the money in pragmatic terms. But we suspect some owners would just want the ultimate Maybach S, and the whisper-quiet and velvety power delivery of the V12 is second to none. The V8 has all the same features, is significantly lighter on fuel (it can go nearly 90 miles farther on a tank), has a slightly larger trunk, and still gets to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds - it's undoubtedly the smarter buy of the two, though. And because of its 48V electrical system that supports the MHEV starter-generator, it's also the only model that gets access to the optional E-Active Body Control that reads the road with a stereo camera and pre-emptively acts to counter body roll, pitch, and squat. It even leans into corners. The S580 would be our choice.

At first glance, the interior and dashboard of the Maybach S are very similar to those of the S-Class, but you'll soon notice that it's a sizeable step up; naturally, only the finest materials are used. As the soft-close doors quietly click shut behind you, you'll be ensconced in a premium-luxury environment with Nappa leather for the seats and headliner and wood trim. There is plenty of space for the power rear seats to recline, and each has its own power footrest and memory settings.

The pilot is faced with expansive digital screen acreage to control every function, and for chauffeur duty, the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus individualizes the rear quarters even further, also adding active ambient lighting, heated and cooled cupholders, and folding tables. The driver can see precious little out the back with all the second-row window shades drawn, so the Maybach S doesn't only have a backup camera and parking sensors, but also a surround-view camera system, rear-axle steering, and an automatic parking system that can steer the big car into a parking spot by itself.

The Maybach S uses the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class body, and with nearly 134 inches between the axles, there is a ton of interior space in the second row. Even the standard Executive rear seats can recline up to 43 degrees and get powered calf rests and footrests. The right-hand-side rear passenger gets their own controls to move the front passenger seat forward for even more legroom.

By default, a fifth passenger can squeeze in the center rear position, but the seat isn't sculpted for one, even though a seatbelt is provided, so it's for occasional use only for perhaps a child. Unless you need this, it's far better to just spec the Maybach S as a four-seater with the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus to maximize comfort for two people.

Trunk space is poor for such a large car, with a mere 12.9 cu-ft behind the S580's second row. The S680's trunk volume is even worse 12.3 cu-ft. For comparison's sake, a far smaller C-Class accommodates 12.6 cu-ft of luggage, and in the Maybach S's segment, the Flying Spur has 14.8 cu-t and the Rolls-Royce Ghost a generous 17.7 cu-ft. Presumably, the well-off owner will have their luggage delivered in advance via additional transport while being chauffeured around in their Maybach. The second row can't fold to expand luggage space, either.

By contrast, there's quite a bit of storage space inside the cabin of the Maybach, and passengers benefit from a glovebox, a large lidded center-console storage bin, uncovered storage ahead of it, cupholders for all passengers, front seatback pockets, and large door pockets in all doors. The Executive Rear Seat Package Plus replaces the somewhat useless center rear seating position with a console with additional storage and heated/cooled cupholders, in addition to fold-down tables.

As standard, the seats and headliner are trimmed in Exclusive Nappa leather. Various interior colors are offered, the default being black/black, but Sienna Brown/black, Macchiato Beige/Bronze Brown Pearl, Silver Grey/black, or five Manufaktur Signature options - Yacht Blue/black, Pastel Yellow/black, Truffle Brown/black, Deep White/black, or Nut Brown/black - can be had at no additional cost. Crystal White/Silver Grey Pearl costs $13,500, but also requires extended leather, upgraded trim, and the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus for a total outlay of nearly $29,000.

The interior trim is rendered in Slate Poplar wood, but you can opt for the no-cost natural-grain Anthracite Fineline wood or brown Burl Walnut wood. Piano-black Flowing Lines lacquer costs $1,300, black/silver Blended Stainless Steel costs $850, and Manufaktur natural-grain Walnut wood with aluminum lines costs $3,200.

These are just the basics, and various extra-cost upgrades can be made to the interior. The Manufaktur Exclusive Interior package costs $10,500 and trims the seats, armrests, lower dash, and two-tone steering wheel in Signature Nappa leather in any of five contrasting color motifs. The $8,000 Manufaktur Leather package uses Signature Nappa leather not just on the seats but also on the sunvisors, roof pillars, seatback pockets, instrument panel, and the sides of the center console, while also including two throw pillows. The Nappa headliner can be upgraded to a Manufaktur diamond-quilted item in black for $1,100. The steering wheel is naturally also covered in Nappa leather.

The list of luxury features is so long that it would be impossible to mention them all here. The rear passengers are exceptionally well catered for, with two electrically adjustable and power-reclining Executive rear seats. Just like the 12-way power front seats, they feature heating, cooling, and massaging functions while additionally getting a neck-heating function. Four-zone climate control includes air-purification and fragrance systems, and power sunshades are provided for the second row's side and rear glass. Other highlights include heated armrests for all passengers, adjustable 64-color ambient lighting, dual front sunvisors per side, and soft-close doors. Electric rear-door operation and a rear-seat refrigerator with champagne flutes can be added, and various features accompany the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus, including heated/cooled rear cupholders and picnic tables.

As part of the expansive cloud-connected MBUX infotainment system, the driver faces a 3D-effect 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.8-inch central touchscreen. The system can be updated over the air. A few of the standard system features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with augmented video, voice control, and "Hey, Mercedes" keyword activation. Biometric authentication via fingerprint reader and facial recognition, an MBUX Interior Assistant for both the front and rear cabins, Bluetooth audio streaming, HD Radio, and SiriusXM are also included. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 11.6-inch touchscreens and wireless headsets is fitted as standard, and the audio system is a 30-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound setup.

The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine in the Mercedes-Maybach S580 develops 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, assisted by a 48V mild-hybrid EQ Boost system. The S680 is powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 with 621 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque and does without EQ Boost. 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard, and both drivetrains swap cogs via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Strangely, there's not a whole lot in it in terms of performance, and despite the V8's 125-hp power deficit, it's hardly any slower. The Mercedes-Maybach S completes the 0-60 sprint in 4.5 seconds with the V12, but the V8 is breathing down its neck with a 4.7-second effort. It hardly makes all that extra power and fuel seem worthwhile. Top speed is limited to 130 mph. The Rolls-Royce Ghost offers similar performance, but it has to be said that the Flying Spur is much quicker, getting to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with its 12-cylinder engine. Trailering is for trucks and SUVs, and the Maybach S won't be seen dead being so uncouth, so it's not available with a tow hitch and doesn't have an official towing capacity. Just send Jeeves ahead in the Sprinter with the luggage.

Although it's indecently quick, the Maybach S has no sports car pretensions. It doesn't shrink around you and feels even bigger than its size and weight suggest, a bit like a vintage Rolls-Royce. Both engines provide a sustained rush to the horizon with nary a murmur from below the hood to disturb the calm and virtually seamless shifts from the nine-speed automatic. There are driving modes, but they seem superfluous; just put it in Maybach, and everything will be tuned for maximum comfort in the interest of silky-smooth progress. It can hustle when rushed, holding on gamely around corners, but the soft suspension and light steering aren't really meant for such antics. The optional E-Active Body Control might be a worthwhile addition if the driver wants to take the wheel themselves occasionally and leans the car into corners, canceling any suggestion of body roll. It's only available on the V8. Still, it never quite feels as agile as a Flying Spur, and its brakes don't feel as powerful as the Bentley's either. Maneuverability is unexpectedly good thanks to the standard rear-axle steering with up to ten degrees angle. If there's a complaint, it's that the air suspension can be caught out by sudden ridges and joints, allowing them to elicit a thump unbecoming of a Maybach.

As expected, gas mileage goes the way of the S580. Not only is the V8 engine more modern than the V12, but it benefits from a 48V mild-hybrid system, giving the Mercedes-Maybach S580 impressive mpg figures, with 15/25/18 mpg estimates for the EPA's city/highway/combined cycles, beating the V8 Flying Spur by one mpg on the combined cycle. The S680 lacks the MHEV tech and fares a lot worse at 12/20/14 mpg.

This has a huge effect on fuel range, and with the same 22.2-gallon fuel capacity, the S580 can reach 400 miles on a tank, while the S680 runs dry at a little over 310 miles.

There's no safety review of the Mercedes-Maybach S by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, but with all the safety systems and driver assists in the book thrown at it, it's unlikely to be unsafe. The airbag count is a full 15, and ABS, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and backup camera are naturally included.

The driver assists lack for nothing and include adaptive cruise control with stop & go, automatic emergency braking, speed-limit assist, pedestrian detection, active lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring with evasive steering assist and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and crosswind assist. Also included are automatic LED headlights with auto high beams, rain-sensing wipers with Magic Vision Control washers, automated parking, all-round parking sensors, a surround-view monitor, a head-up display, and driver-alertness monitoring. Not a single item is left on the options list.

JD Power's Quality & Reliability rating for the Mercedes-Maybach S is the same 79 out of 100 as the agency awarded the S-Class range as a whole, and it's a decidedly average result. Its recall history doesn't inspire much confidence either, and the 2023 Maybach S has already been recalled four times at the time of writing, for errors in the software of the stability control and the S580's MHEV battery, loss of drive power due to a fuel pump that shuts down, and an improperly secured 12V ground connection. The last two of these mentioned also apply to the 2022 model, in addition to another five problems, bringing the total number of 2022 recalls to seven.

The basic warranty of the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S covers it for four years/50,000 miles, with the same limits applying to the powertrain warranty. The S580's MHEV components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles. Unlike its Silver Spur rival, no complimentary servicing is included.

Unlike the controversially styled Maybachs of the 2000s, the latest Maybach S is essentially just a normal S-Class with Maybach styling features. The body and profile are the same, but the Maybach models are only offered with a 133.7-inch wheelbase. The unique Maybach waterfall grille, the big chromed bumper air intakes, the unique forged 20-inch platter-style alloys, and the distinctive glasshouse treatment with the silver B-pillar are all typical Maybach cues. Some people might be disappointed that it still looks a lot like a Mercedes, so we suggest at least speccing the Maybach-exclusive two-tone paint job to make it stand out more. Both models have all-LED exterior lighting and a power panoramic sunroof, and you can add a decklid spoiler if you want, though that seems a bit out of place on a Maybach.

The Maybach S takes everything that makes the S-Class great and dials it up to the highest degree of refinement and luxury. The S is a great base to work from, and the Maybach is even more comfortable and quiet. But, as we've remarked in our S-Class review, the competition is drawing near, and the biggest Merc sedan is no longer way out in front as it once was. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is expensive, so the Maybach S's closest rival is the Flying Spur, which is more fun to drive, quite a bit quicker, and just as luxurious and comfortable, if not as spacious, in the back row. Crucially, it's its own car and not a light restyle of an existing car. That might be the deciding factor for some people, but Mercedes reckons the three-pointed star carries enough gravitas to compete in this market sector. We'll leave that for you to decide, but there's no doubt the Maybach S is a decadent gentleman's conveyance.