Mega-luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 priced

As SUVs continue to dominate mainstream buying segments, so too are they permeating the top end of town – and the latest super-luxury model, the 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC, lands in Australia in limited numbers from August.

Priced from $358,300 plus on-road costs – more than $100K above the former range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 ($255,700) – the first-ever Maybach SUV is powered by a potent 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine (410kW/730Nm) with mild-hybrid augmentation (16kW/250Nm), driving all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Featuring high-quality fine nappa leather upholstery throughout, heated and cooled massaging seats and more high-definition touch-screens than a JB Hi-Fi superstore (twin 12.3-inch screens up front, twin 11.6-inch screens in the back), the 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is a lavish SUV that will go head-to-head with vehicles like the Bentley Bentayga (from $334,700) and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (from $659,000).

Buyers will be able to choose between a five-seat or four-seat layout, the latter bringing fully reclining executive-level heated and cooled massaging seats to the rear of the vehicle, complete with customisable cushions.

As well as extreme levels of tactile splendour, the German luxo-barge also features high levels of acoustic damping to ensure a super-silent cabin.

However, a 27-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system with 1590W of power is part of the package, just in case.

Other notable features include an electrically-opening panoramic sliding/tilting sunroof complete with opaque roller blind, extending folding tables and a champagne chiller/fridge just for good measure.

Maybach has also fitted what it calls an advanced executive climate control system (ECS) that can “think for itself”, says Mercedes.

By using different sensors around the vehicle it can automatically ionise the air, block outside contaminants, adjust temperatures, close the windows and even perfume the cabin.

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 rolls on big 23-inch alloy wheels and is fitted with AirMatic air suspension and adaptive damping to ensure ultra-smooth ride quality.

An optional eActive body control system also helps the car ‘lean’ through corners to reduce the probability of car sickness.

Measuring just over 5.2 metres in length and weighing almost 2.8 tonnes, the big cruiser also features fold-out side steps that deliver an “incomparable spectacle”, according to the car-maker.

They are designed to make ingress and egress easier and are robust enough to take the weight of two adults on each side, which bodyguards may find useful, for example.

Expect an even heavier bulletproof version of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS in due course.

The Maybach-badged GLS super-SUV will be joined by the new 2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class limousine from around October.