2024 Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV

Like the standard Mercedes EQS SUV on which it is based, the Maybach comes with copious amounts of room, the dashboard-spanning Hyperscreen layout, a good amount of driving range, the latest tech and driver assist aids, and a sumptuous interior. But rear passengers are given special attention in the Maybach version. This is exemplified by the standard four-seat configuration, which outfits the rear seats with all the adjustments and heating, cooling and massaging functions as those in the front. There's no third-row seat like there is in the regular EQS SUV, though a five-passenger configuration is available if you need extra carrying capacity.

Other exclusive touches include abundant Maybach logos emblazoned throughout — it's stitched into the headrests, projected via puddle lights, and even incorporated in the inner lining of the tailgate and the faux air intakes on the front of the vehicle. If you want a car with as much branding as a Louis Vuitton handbag, you've come to the right place.

Assuming you're not blasting from stoplight to stoplight in this thing, Mercedes estimates the Maybach EQS 680 SUV will get up to 373 miles on a single charge, but keep in mind this is using the more generous European WLTP measuring standard. An official EPA estimate, which would be more relatable, was not available as of our review's publication, but we'd guess that it will end up around 300 miles or a little more.

That's a lot of range for a vehicle this large and heavy, and that's partially due to the application of the DCU (or Disconnect Unit) first seen on the EQE SUV. The DCU (not to be confused with the DC Universe superhero film series) functions by decoupling the front motor from the axle, essentially changing the Maybach from all-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive, to maximize range. Disengaging the front motor removes the parasitic draw on range that would occur in a typical all-wheel-drive system. Once you start slowing down, or have a need for more power, the system will automatically re-engage the front motor.

While we think the EPA will rate the Maybach EQS SUV at around 300 miles of range, other Mercedes-Benz models have done quite well on Edmunds' EV range test. We drove the EQS 450+, for instance, a staggering 422 miles before we needed to recharge, versus the EPA's estimate of 350 miles. We are hopeful that the Maybach EQS SUV will also be an overachiever but won't know for certain until we're able to test it later this year.

As wonderful and decadent as twin-turbo V12 engines may be, nothing matches the instantaneous response of an electric powertrain. This is luxurious power. When the specially designed sounds are switched off, as is our preference, the Maybach subtly but significantly piles on the speed. There's no buildup or anticipation here, just power on demand.

Similarly, the brakes are built for smooth, effortless stopping and feature a somewhat softer and longer pedal stroke than you might expect. But there's plenty of power in these brakes. And thanks to the longer pedal travel, you can dial in just the right amount of deceleration, should you not opt for the Maybach's one-pedal driving experience.

On the road, the Maybach EQS 680 SUV is imbued by what a colleague referred to as "road-hugging weight." Its light steering and cushy suspension tuning do well to obscure the Maybach's significant weight, but higher-speed bends and more abrupt maneuvers (like an emergency lane change) quickly remind you just how massive the EQS 680 really is. But it never feels sloppy, only relaxed and sure-footed. Additionally, the vehicle's rear-axle steering system helps make the Maybach far more maneuverable in tight spaces, something valets will likely appreciate.

Whether or not that's simple marketing spin, the Maybach EQS SUV has DC fast-charging capabilities of up to 200 kW. Mercedes estimates that a Maybach charging at this maximum can add 137 miles of range after fast-charging for 15 minutes (again, according to the WLTP measurements) and can go from 10% to 80% battery life in 31 minutes. A standard Level 2 home-charging system will fill from 0% to 100% in a little under 13 hours.

Mercedes is currently investigating a more premium charging experience for EQS Maybach owners, so we'll have to wait and see if that is in addition to two years of free charging on the Electrify America network (you access it through the Mercedes Me charge service) like other EQS owners enjoy. That service also allows you to charge on other networks and simplifies the payment process through one account, and at some stations, you won't even need to swipe your card.

In testing the vehicle in Sport, we thought the ride was a bit too firm for something so obsessed with comfort. The Maybach EQS SUV was more stable when going around turns but we could feel a lot more ruts and bumps in the road. This might be the setting for covering long distances at high speeds on a smooth highway, but otherwise it's a bit out of character.

The Maybach mode does soft right. This setting lets the adaptive air suspension breathe better over bumps and dips, smoothing out more roads and providing excellent isolation from impacts. At first, the extra body lean when going around turns and the squat under acceleration seemed a bit excessive, but we soon came to appreciate the extra movement as an indicator of speed. The Maybach EQS is so silent that a little lean through corners reminds you of just how fast you're traveling. And while it's never sloppy, it does deliver a gentle reminder that you are here to be pampered, not to rush.

Passenger space is plentiful in the Maybach EQS SUV, with comfortable seating in both the front and rear rows. The large-domed exterior shape helps create an abundance of headroom inside. Occupants of all shapes and sizes should find generous accommodations. Every seat in the Maybach is a good one, and with the exception of the driver, it would be forgivable if the passengers dozed off with ease on longer drives. The seats also feature vegetable tanned leather (the tanning agents are mainly derived from coffee bean shells) in an effort to be more environmentally responsible. Furthering that cause are carpets made from recycled nylon and the use of secondary steel and recycled aluminum throughout the chassis.

As with any Maybach, the rear seats are where the real action is. That's where you'll find the reclining lounge chair, Champagne flutes, a rear refrigerator unit that can keep your cheese and non-alcoholic sparkling wine cold, and a tray table that you can fold out from the rear center console. Even the placement of the heavily tinted panoramic roof is ideal, providing dramatic visibility for backseat passengers without letting in too much solar heat or glare.

The overall impression inside the cabin is its decadence. From the yacht-inspired wooden veneers to the supple leather that adorns key touchpoints, all the way to the impressive build quality that ties every nook and cranny together, there have been no shortcuts taken in pursuit of quality. It's a well-balanced mix of the traditional and a nouveau modern appeal. Mercedes-Maybach clearly brought its A-game and then some.

The Mercedes MBUX operating system acts as your personal concierge at the prompt of your voice. It recognizes natural language and can be used to control vehicle functions like seat adjustments, climate controls, radio and navigation settings. Not enough for you? The Maybach EQS SUV is also packed to the proverbial gills with all the modern driver assist features you can imagine.