Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 Review: Check Out The Most Luxurious SUV In India

This is also the current favourite in Bollywood with many actors picking one up. So why does the Maybach GLS cost so much? Let's take a look.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600

Rs 4 cr can get you a nice flat in an upscale neighborhood in many cities but we doubt it would be as luxurious as this fully loaded Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. While prices for this huge SUV start at Rs 2.5cr, the car comes with a long list of luxury additions that adds quite a lot to the price along with changing what 'luxury' stands for.

This is also the current favourite in Bollywood with many actors picking one up. So why does the Maybach GLS cost so much? Let's take a look.

Honestly, you do not even need to open the key as the massive Maybach GLS demands respect and attention when you first see it. It is as long as the standard GLS- which itself is huge- but the Maybach version turns up the luxury level with its new styling.

The grille is all chrome and that lends the Maybach massive presence along with the classy two-tone paint which gives it an authoritative stance. It is big and bold but more chrome is put everywhere along with those massive 22inch alloys (23s optional) that further drive home the point that this is no ordinary luxury SUV. Wherever we went, it attracted loads of attention for sure.

However what's on the outside matters less with this huge SUV as it is about luxury. All those crores go into making this a cabin that is fit for a king and one look reveals why. We will start with the rear seat as that is where the Maybach GLS makes the most sense. You open the big and heavy door while the electric footboard slides out for easy entry.

Then the rear seat is more of a luxurious lounge for a king. What Maybach has done is that they have removed the third row of the GLS and instead pushed back the second row along with making it a more comfortable 4-seater with two massive seats.

You sit and you see proper thick carpets and leather everywhere. We really mean it as leather, wood, and chrome plus metal of high quality is everywhere. So where do I begin? The massive Nappa leather chairs are huge and so comfortable plus having a pillow plus a cushion!

The seats are a private jet style which can be reclined upto 43.5 degrees. That's the start. You push a button and the front seat moves back along with extending the leg rest while you recline for a proper king's nap. There is massage, heated and cooling function while of course storing your favorite seat position is also there. If you want to work, there is also a lovely solid table while a removable tablet also acts as a control package where you can control all the functions there.

Honestly, I fell asleep after sitting for some time at the rear since it's so comfortable. For further relaxation, Mercedes has its special program where the cabin ambient lighting, music, massage, and even the perfume is tuned for a spa-like relaxing experience. Music lovers will like the 27 speakers Burmester audio system while the center console at the rear seats have their special champagne flute holders along with regular cupholders plus a fridge too. Finally there is a massive panoramic sunroof plus sunblinds along with all the usual features.

Upfront your chauffeur will say that it is different from a regular GLS even though the design is the same. We are talking of even more luxurious materials plus leather/wood everywhere again. The dual screens are huge and work very well like in the regular GLS but this one has more Maybach specific features.

Shall I drive sir? Here I took the wheel after having a quick nap at the rear seat. The GLS Maybach gets a much more powerful engine over the standard GLS and that's a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 along with a mild hybrid. In total you get 580 bhp and nearly 1000Nm of torque. There is a standard 9-speed automatic.

First impressions will tell you that there is no sound- nothing to tell you that you are moving. The GLS Maybach has better sound insulation and that works with no sound coming in at all. The SUV feels big but from behind the wheel, it does not with a light steering. Sure, it takes some time getting used to the size but there is so much power that it feels like a sportier SUV in terms of driving it. Put it in Sport mode and it goes very fast as its big engine should suggest.

However, this SUV is about comfort and here it gets a Maybach mode which makes the car comfortable along making the ride soft. Amongst SUVs, this is probably as good as it gets with a very comfortable suspension. In a Maybach there is no standard suspension as along with being an air suspension- which can make the car taller- it also means the car sees potholes or bumps before then adjusts the suspension for better comfort. Then there is the Curve function which reduces body roll. Hence, despite the massive 22inch wheels, the ride is superb with only the sharpest of potholes coming through. There are also plenty of driver assistance features too.

I can go on and on but the GLS Maybach does take luxury to an extreme in a way in which I have never seen on an SUV. A lot of the luxury features are options that add to the price and makes it around 4cr. However, this is not an SUV for everyone but a select few. It's for those who want luxury and exclusivity while the larger Mercedes network also means it has more service support over the niche super luxury SUVs out there. So, there you go, the Bollywood stars do know what they are buying as the GLS Maybach proves money does buy happiness!