The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is now making its way into American showrooms, arriving in the second half of 2026 as one of the most extensively updated versions of the ultra-luxury sedan in years. The update brings a genuinely new V8 engine, meaningful technology upgrades centered on Mercedes’ new MB.OS operating system, and a bolder exterior identity that makes the Maybach easier to distinguish from the standard S-Class at a glance. The V12 — one of the last of its kind in any production luxury sedan — survives for another generation.
Two Powertrains, Two Very Different Personalities
The 2027 Maybach lineup continues in two distinct configurations. The S 580 is powered by what Mercedes calls a technically new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, now producing 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque thanks to the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system. That is a meaningful step up from the outgoing car’s 496 horsepower, and the mild hybrid allows the engine to deliver its power more smoothly at low speeds while enabling coasting with the engine off. The result is a V8 that is both faster — hitting 60 mph in 4.3 seconds versus the previous 4.7 — and more refined as a daily presence.
The S 680 upgrades buyers to the illustrious V12 club. A mere $37,250 separates the S 680 from the V8-powered S 580 sibling, and that additional investment buys more power, fancier leather, nifty suspension tech, and electrically operated rear doors.
The US is one of only a few countries where buyers can purchase a Maybach S 680 with Mercedes’ hand-built 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12. This engine does not meet strict Euro 7 emissions regulations, so buyers in Germany receive the same 4.0-liter V8 as the S 580, just with a slightly more powerful tune. For American buyers, that geographic exclusivity makes the S 680 genuinely special — a car you can only get in its full V12 form in a handful of markets worldwide.
The S 680 produces 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque from the iconic 6.0-liter V12, and the full brunt of that torque arrives from just 2,000 rpm. The power delivery is progressive and tidal rather than immediate — the V12 builds and sustains in a way that the turbocharged V8, for all its technical sophistication, cannot fully replicate.
A Design That Finally Looks Like a Maybach
The 2027 update makes the distinction between the standard S-Class and the Maybach version clearer than it has ever been. The 2027 Maybach uses the S-Class styling updates as its basis, including redesigned headlights now featuring LED signatures mimicking the three-pointed star, with rose gold highlights within the headlights. The grille is now even larger, lit up like the C-pillar Maybach badge, and the optional Mercedes logo stands atop the long hood. Chrome remains in the grille, the door pillars, and the intricate 18-spoke alloy wheels.
Compared to a standard S-Class, the Maybach version is 7.1 inches longer, all of that length found between the front and rear wheels and existing solely to benefit rear legroom. Those back seats recline into positions that rival the finest business class airline cabins, complete with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and custom Maybach crystal flutes for the refrigerator tucked between the seats.
MB.OS and Predictive Suspension
The 2027 Maybach brings Mercedes’ new MB.OS AI software, marking the first time that system makes its way into the flagship S-Class. There are new front and rear center consoles and a standard MBUX Superscreen setup. The MB.OS platform — which also features in the updated C-Class and the EQS — manages the vehicle’s main software domains and supports over-the-air updates across the car.
The updated car also gets an improved Airmatic suspension setup, using predictive damping to improve comfort, especially for rear passengers. That means the car reads road surface data ahead and adjusts damper settings in anticipation of bumps rather than in reaction to them — a capability that makes the already extraordinary ride quality even more imperceptible.
Personalization Without Limits
Mercedes-Benz offers a full range of Manufaktur personalization options, including more than 150 exterior colors and 400 interior hues. Two-tone paint finishes, hand-stitched interior panels, and bespoke trim materials give buyers the ability to create a car that is effectively unique to them — a level of individualization that, at this price point, is expected.
Pricing and What It Means for Buyers
The 2026 Maybach S 580 started at $207,150, with the S 680 V12 kicking the price up to $244,400. The 2027 models will likely increase from there. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 starts at approximately $247,000 before options and custom finishes begin multiplying the total. TFLcarForbes
At that price, the Maybach still positions itself well below a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which starts above $400,000, and broadly comparable with a Bentley Flying Spur. For buyers who want the engineering credibility of Mercedes’ most advanced platform, the exclusivity of a hand-built V12, and the personalization range of a true bespoke luxury manufacturer — all without the full Rolls-Royce price premium — the Maybach S-Class remains the most compelling argument in its segment.
Look for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class to be fully available at US showrooms in the second half of 2026. First deliveries have begun, with full dealer stock building through autumn. Edmunds
What This Means for the Luxury Segment
The 2027 Maybach’s arrival is significant beyond the vehicle itself. It confirms that Mercedes-Benz is committed to maintaining a hand-built V12 option — at least for the US market — even as the broader industry accelerates away from large-displacement combustion engines. At a time when Rolls-Royce has moved its V12 toward mild hybridization and Bentley has retired its W12, the naturally aspirated Maybach V12 is becoming an increasingly rare object in the new car market.
For collectors and enthusiasts who believe in the irreplaceable character of a well-built twelve-cylinder engine at full song, the 2027 Maybach S 680 may represent one of the last opportunities to buy that experience from a volume manufacturer at a reasonable price. Whether that makes it a sentimental purchase or a genuinely compelling one depends entirely on who is asking.
