Which Benz is the most luxurious?
In Mercedes-Benz's current lineup, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sedan is generally considered the pinnacle of luxury, with the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV offering an equally opulent alternative in a larger form. Which one feels the most luxurious often comes down to preference for a chauffeur-focused sedan versus a high-end SUV, but both represent the brand’s top tier of refinement today.
The Benchmark: Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is engineered to maximize comfort, quietness, and exclusive materials for a ride that feels almost automotive lounge-room-like. Its extended wheelbase and tailor-made rear-seat configurations emphasize chauffeur-level luxury and personal space, making it the go-to choice for ultra-high-end travel.
Key luxury features include:
- Executive rear seating with enhanced legroom and optional reclining / massage functions
- Exclusive upholstery options in Nappa or Semi-Aniline leather, plus premium wood or metal trim
- Rear-seat entertainment and climate-control systems with bespoke ambient lighting
- Premium audio systems and advanced infotainment tuned for rear-seat comfort
- Superior noise isolation and an adaptive suspension tuned for a limousine-like ride
- Distinctive Maybach styling cues and exclusive branding
In practice, the S-Class Maybach stands as Mercedes-Benz’s flagship for luxury sedans, offering a refined balance of technology, materials, and rear-seat comfort. As of 2025, it remains the standard by which Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans are measured.
The SUV Counterpart: Mercedes-Maybach GLS
For buyers who prefer a luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS delivers a parallel level of opulence in a larger, more versatile package. It preserves the same emphasis on rear-seat comfort, high-grade materials, and exclusive styling, while providing the practicality and space that come with an SUV.
Key luxury features include:
- Extended rear-seat space with executive seating options and lounge-like comfort
- Maybach-exclusive interior trim, premium leather, and rich wood accents
- Rear-seat control panels for climate, seats, and entertainment, plus a premium sound system
- Exclusive exterior styling cues, distinctive chrome details, and Maybach badging
- Top-tier technology and driver assist amenities shared with the S-Class platform
The GLS may deliver a slightly more rugged, family-friendly experience, but with the same level of interior opulence and screened-out cabin ambiance that defines Maybach luxury.
Limited and Bespoke: Maybach in the Bespoke Realm
Beyond the standard Maybach S-Class and GLS, Mercedes-Benz offers bespoke options and historically rare variants that push luxury into the ultra-exclusive realm. The brand’s Individual program enables a wide range of custom colors, materials, and trim details, while historically notable configurations like the long-wheelbase Pullman editions highlight how far Mercedes-Benz will go for exclusivity.
- Mercedes-Maybach Pullman (historical/rare long-wheelbase configurations)
- Mercedes-Benz Individual customization for leather, trim, and colorways
- Limited-edition finishes and signature styling cues tied to Maybach branding
For most buyers, the standard Maybach S-Class and GLS, equipped with Individual options, offer the best combination of exclusivity, everyday usability, and resale value.
Summary
The crown of Mercedes-Benz luxury currently rests with the Maybach sub-brand. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sedan is widely regarded as the ultimate expression of sedan luxury, especially for chauffeured use, while the Mercedes-Maybach GLS provides an equally lavish experience in SUV form. Either choice can be tailored through bespoke options to match personal taste, but overall, Maybach vehicles define the zenith of Mercedes-Benz luxury in 2025.
