2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class

Fortunately, with the addition of the V12 trim, you get to choose from 2 options now, namely, the V8 equipped S580 4Matic and the V12 S680 4 Matic. Mercedes is speculated to also release a 6 cylinder motor version namely the S480 which will mostly be exclusive only to China due to high taxes on large capacity engines. The S680 4Matic sits at a premium of almost $30,000 over the S580.

Which trim should you buy?

The S680 Maybach sedan really doesn’t have much to offer over the base S580 model except for the big V12 engine. The V12 powered S680 sees a power jump of 130 hp as compared to the V8 S580. Considering that the Maybach has always been a chauffeur-driven vehicle, the thirst for more power is surely irrelevant. Apart from that you only get exactly two exterior tweaks, which is a chrome grille as opposed to the black-finish grille in the S580, and then there is the option of 20 or 21-inch wheels in the Maybach S680. 

Ignoring all the practical talk above, one can still opt for a V12 motor trim because of one very specific reason. This special reason is the fact that big chunky motors like V12s, V8s, and V10s are being produced in small numbers now due to heavy focus on emission standards and will eventually be discontinued. The Maybach S680 is definitely the last V12 to be produced by Mercedes. As such a V12 Maybach can fetch some really high resale value in the coming years.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class Release date

The 2022 Mercedes Maybach S Class bookings are open for both trims and production has started too.

The Mercedes Maybach S provides a fuel economy of 23mpg and 28mpg on city roads and highways respectively. This comes up to a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. These are very decent numbers for a car of this size and power. Apart from that the electric motor is also capable of providing an extra range which is not yet known. These figures mentioned above stand valid for the V8. The V12 is urely expected to be less efficient than the V8.

A part of living a comfortable life means stopping for lesser fuel breaks. Yes, definitely our chauffeur will fill the car up when you are not around so that it isn't a hassle but still, this is where the Mercedes shines. As you can see, the fuel economy numbers are literally `miles ahead of any of the competition and with the biggest fuel tank, it promises the best range. However, one special mention should be made of the new Flying Spur Hybrid which is a 2.9 liter V6. Now, this one has a combined range of about 435 miles which is nice.

The interiors of the 2022 Maybach S are a very good place to be in. For me personally, it is the interiors of only the Maybach which have a very homely feel complete with the Rounded cushioning of the seats and relaxed ambient lighting and a lot of airy feeling while allowing the perfect amount of sunlight into the cabin. All the other cars in the competition give a rather executive feel and it’s like sitting in your office. In the Mercedes, you really feel like loosening up your tie and spreading out your legs for a nice massage from the inbuilt massage function on the seats. The seats are done up in premium Nappa-leather and get 12-way power adjustment. 

The seats recline at a considerate angle and you can extend the lower base to straighten your legs. There are visors for every single window so that nothing can hinder your privacy. Each and every function can be controlled at the click of a few buttons, all of which are accessible to you without even needing to move an inch from your reclined state. One of these very amazing buttons is the control button for the front passenger seat. According to your space needs in the rear, you can control the adjustments of the front passenger seat from behind. The headrests have the best cushioning you could find on this planet and your head just sinks into it. Even the back of the seats are done in leatherette and all of them get a ventilated seat function.

Enough about the seats, now upfront the dash is very tastefully done and each and everything you can see is wrapped in leather. Even the headliner gets leather treatment and there are no plastic inserts whatsoever. The dashboard has a curvy appearance for its whole length and this flow is broken only by the huge upright LCD screen for the instrument cluster. The AC vents get a chrome finish which perfectly contrasts the piano black treatment of the infotainment system. This Piano-black finish has a nice stripe pattern that extends throughout the cabin and gives the ultimate vibe of being in some cruise ship or upscale yacht.

The Mercedes here is the highlighted winner with tons of space to offer, both in the front and rear. However, the BMW has a massive boot but that is because a fridge takes up some boot space in the Mercedes. The Alpina B7 also gets a five-seats, an option which surely takes the luxurious charm away, but offers practicality.

The Bentley tries to match up to the BMW but still lags behind. We don’t have any information on the Maserati but it surely has the least amount of space as it comes in the smallest exterior dimensions among the lot. Also, the Maserati’s interior is extremely sporty and is way too confusing to match its exterior. Nothing comes close to the Mercedes in terms of interior styling. Some of the key interior features are:

• Urethane Gear Shifter Material
• Dual Zone Front And Rear Automatic Air Conditioning w/Front And Rear Infrared
• Front And Rear Cigar Lighter(s)
• Day-Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
• A 64-color interior ambient lighting system
• Electrically-operated rear doors (optional)
• Air ionizing system with a signature fragrance
• Panoramic Sunroof

How intuitive is the infotainment system on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes Maybach S has a top-of-the-line infotainment system. There are two LCD screens upfront, one is the 12.8-inch infotainment and the other is the 12.3-inch digital cluster gauge. You can control a string of functions like Seat Massage, Drive Modes, Climate control, Vehicle stats, and ambient lighting from the infotainment system. The infotainment system is super responsive and massive enough to be viewed from a distance and it gives out minimum glare even in bright sunlight. The infotainment system also features the MBUX assistant that responds to voice commands and provides rapid responses.

Then there is also the rear row entertainment system with two touchscreens for each passenger for watching content and for controlling the massage functions. The infotainment system can be controlled with the help of a detachable tablet placed in the center armrest at the back. The cabin is filled up with the Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound system which comprises 30 speakers with 1750 W of total output. These speakers are aesthetic in themselves and rotate when they play music. Some of the key features of the infotainment system are:

• 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen central multimedia display
• Steering wheel with Touch Control Buttons
• MBUX Augmented Video for Navigation
• Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wireless Android Auto
• Online Music Streaming
• Mercedes Night Lane Vision

With the new redesign, the Maybach S looks sharper than ever. Earlier it looked like a bulky bulletproof tank-like sedan perfect for ministers and bureaucrats. Now, it looks like the perfect vehicle to transport top-notch businessmen. Amongst the competition, it’s only the Mercedes that goes for such a sleek look. The two-tone exterior really stands out and the color combinations too are very well matched out. My personal favorites are the Tan+Maroon and the Navy Blue+Silver paints which exuberate a very royal look. The S580 comes with 19-inch wheels which can be upgraded to 20” or 21” inch in the S680. The tires are surprisingly low profile which is a sports car touch but it really doesn’t matter as the suspension is top-notch and ensures superb ride comfort. The Headlights and taillamps are well-coordinated and are all LED setups.

The Chrome Grille on the V12 trim might be a bit too loud for the liking of many but the Chrome outlined grille of the V8 is just perfect. Apart from that, the wheels with their uncountable spokes are a delight to look at. We are not sure if the round solid Maybach rims are still available or not. The Mercedes star that stands upright on the hood is obviously the epitome of class and so are the Maybach badges found on the C pillars which light up. The windows are outlined in chrome and look elegant. The only thing which is a sore sight is the front bumper grille which is extremely in contrast to the front. The bumper grille has fine porous treatment which reminds you of AMG cars and is not at all in sync with the elite look of the car.

The Mercedes once again outshines the competition with its XL size and grand stature. The Quattroporte really struggles in the limousine league and really needs to get some updates. The Bentley and BMW are in a heel-to-toe match of their own but nowhere come near the Mercedes. The best part is despite all these dimensions, because of its unique styling, the Mercedes seems like a perfect blend of compactness and humongous size, and one feels super confident driving it even through narrow roads. Some of the key exterior features are :

• Chrome Door Handles
• All-Season Tires
• Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Driver Auto Dimming, Power Folding, and Turn Signal Indicator
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Reservoir
• Programmable Projector Beam Led Daytime Running Headlamps
• LED Brakelights

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach S rides high on safety features and has been the pioneer in introducing new groundbreaking features all the time. Maybachs never lack even one of the safety features which you can find on other cars and being a top segment vehicle, it is bound to have all the safety features one can think of. Also, all safety features are standard so you need not worry about an S580 being any less secure than the S680. Apart from Airbags at all corners, ABS, ESP, 3 point seat belts. Some of the other key safety features include:

• Cruise Control-Steering Assist
• Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning
• Collision Mitigation-Front and rear
• Driver Monitoring-Alert
• Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• 360-degree view camera.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class vs. the 2022 BMW Alpina B7

The Maybach and Alpina lineups, both are legendary luxury divisions of two legendary brands and have an amazing pedigree. Honestly, one really can’t get these two to compete together. The entire decision comes down to what you are looking to pay for your car.

At a $40,000 premium, the Mercedes definitely packs more luxury-centric features and is equal value for money as the BMW. However, the BMW is a way faster and more fun to drive vehicle in case you aspire to get behind the wheel once in a while.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class vs, the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Despite coming from the Volkswagen manufacturing plant, the Bentley has managed to keep its English character intact and the Englishman’s perception of luxury is definitely more refined than that of a German.

Being In the Flying Spur gives you the feel of going back in time, while the cabin of the Mercedes gives you the feel of riding the wave of modernism. With almost similar price tags, it all boils down to what kind of styling you prefer.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class vs. the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo

The Maserati Quattroporte is somewhere in between a sports car and a luxurious limousine. Unfortunately, this dual character of sportiness is limited to the looks and doesn’t extend to the performance making the Maserati a very slow car.

The Italian styling too is a bit loud and isn’t the preferred taste of many. The Maserati underperforms in every aspect and is a hassle to maintain. Although it’s $40,000 cheaper than the Mercedes, the Maybach still is a better catch amongst the two.

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class is definitely a desirable vehicle and despite being an extended wheelbase version of the regular S-Class, it really separates itself from its sibling. If your budget says yes to $200,000 then the Maybach is definitely the best option out there. Anything better than that belongs to the Rolls Royce League which means you’ll have to spend way over $300,000. The Maybach is built like a tank and will last a lifetime. Also, being the last of the V12s from Mercedes makes it a piece of history.