2017 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

Overview

After BMW purchased Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen Group purchased Bentley, Mercedes-Benz traveled back to the 1930s and resurrected the Maybach name in order to take on this pair of British luxury icons. Despite Maybach’s potent mix of bespoke luxury and cutting-edge technology, Mercedes killed its standalone marque after the 2013 model year. Just three years later, the brand was reborn again as the ultimate expression of stolid S-class prestige. Mercedes-Maybach is now a sub-brand of the S-class model much in the same way Mercedes-AMG serves as the sporty performance division. S-class Maybachs run on the long-wheelbase version of the S-class and are designed to be enjoyed best from the back seat; with a 214.6-inch body on a 132.5-inch wheelbase, the Maybach is 7.9 inches longer in both dimensions when compared against a standard S.

What’s New for 2017?

Mercedes-Maybach started its latest venture with just one model, the 2016 S600, offered with a 532-horsepower twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 engine and rear-wheel drive. As Mercedes continues to phase out its biggest engines for cleaner, more rational powerplants, it added the S550 4Matic to the 2017 lineup, utilizing a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 powering all four wheels. For 2017, Mercedes-Maybach also offers the S650 Cabriolet, a convertible limited to 300 units globally, with 75 coming to the U.S. market. Its engine is a 621-horsepower version of the twin-turbo V-12 and comes with a specific 20-inch wheel design and handcrafted leather seats featuring a clever perforation pattern. The S650 offers three color combinations: red over a porcelain and black interior, blue over a porcelain and saddle-brown interior, and white over a porcelain and blue interior.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The smooth-running and more exclusive V-12 engine in the S600 sedan makes it the one to get. It’s not as fuel efficient as the S550’s twin-turbo V-8, but it’s not like any Maybach can be considered truly thrifty.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Mercedes-Maybach S550’s twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 puts down 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission and will reach 60 mph in five seconds flat. The S600’s V-12 generates 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet, powering the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic. This model is marginally quicker, which means both variants accelerate like a muscle car wearing an oversized suit. The S550 does offer a significant fuel economy improvement over the S600, though. As one might expect from a Bentley and Rolls-Royce competitor, Maybach’s chassis tuning favors comfort and stability.

More on the S-Class Sedan

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Maybach S-class is Mercedes-Benz’s most customizable car to date. Even in “standard” form the interior hides every square centimeter of plastic; everything is covered in leather, wood, or metal. Two airliner-style reclining rear seats in the Maybach’s four-passenger configuration have airbags that deploy only if the rear passengers are not upright. Metal folding trays, silver champagne flutes, and a rear-seat refrigerator are among the options. The sedan’s two panoramic sunroofs are offered with variable opacity. The roofline is modified from the standard S-class with a wider C-pillar providing more privacy for rear-seat occupants. Deployable leg-rests have heated, cooled, and massage functions. Mercedes claims the Maybach is the quietest car on the road, with acoustic glass and extensive sound mitigation in the wheel wells and underbody.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2017 Maybach S-class comes with the Mercedes COMAND infotainment system, with a fixed mouse-style controller in the center console. If you like a little bit of theater with your tunes, an optional 1540-watt, 24-speaker Burmester stereo features tweeters that spiral outward from the door panels when starting up.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

For more information about the S-Class’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer’s CPO program.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $177,485 (base price: $167,125)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 285 cu in, 4663 cc
Power: 449 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 132.5 in
Length: 214.7 in
Width: 74.8 in Height: 58.7 in
Trunk volume: 12 cu ft
Curb weight: 5189 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 5.0 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 11.6 sec

Zero to 130 mph: 19.9 sec

Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.4 sec

Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.9 sec

Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.7 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 13.5 sec @ 109 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph

Braking, 70-0 mph: 157 ft

FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA combined/city/highway driving: 19/16/24 mpg
C/D observed: 18 mpg