2023 MercedesMaybach S580 Review: Indulgence On Wheels

Publisher rating: 9/10

Research

The first luxury automakers parted ways with fundamental improvements over conventional fares. Dating back to the custom bodybuilding era, this usually meant a lighter feel, touches of finer materials and a little more power to make a statement. All of this is reflected in the bottom line. In modern times, more and more gimmicks are added to the standard optical equipment. Did your car have a telephone? What about navigation? Does it have a rear view camera?

Today, of course, the answer to all these questions is yes, one way or another. Given the rare proliferation of technology, luxury brands have had to work hard to elevate their offerings beyond conventional vehicles, many of which offer technological comfort, smooth ride and performance points.

So what can an automaker do in a connected world where clean tech is no longer the cheat code it once was to make its vehicles fun? Some have redesigned their focus on the basics, with more detail in the cabin feel and a very smooth ride design. Others threw various toys at the wall to see what would stick. Few have done both as well as Mercedes, with mixed results. However, it can finally achieve its full luxury character with the Maybach S580 premium sedan.

the top shelf

The Mercedes-Maybach S 580 represents the pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan. Since AMG is Mercedes for performance, the Maybach badge hints at Mercedes' most luxurious offerings, packed with technology, refined details and quality. Both exclusive options for customization. Setting itself apart from the rest of the Benz family and their formidable competitors.

The Maybach S-Class is available in two versions, with the S580 boasting a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 mated to a 48-volt hybrid system for ease of driving and maximizing fuel efficiency. It has a total of 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, which it sends to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission. For those looking for more horsepower, Mercedes' continuously variable V12 engine is available in the S680, producing 621 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.

take gadgets

As you'd expect, the Maybach S580 is equipped with every imaginable gadget to enhance your ride, be it for safety, comfort or a change of scenery. Taking center stage is a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen in the center of the dashboard, powered by Mercedes' MBUX operating system. It's a system I've criticized in the past that favors style over practicality, but the "Hey Mercedes" voice commands and easily accessible touchscreens make the interface a bit clunky. While not perfect, using natural language commands can help overcome some minor headaches.

The 3D effect on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is a real eye-catcher. It appears to work similar to the Nintendo 3DS, with 2D visuals adding depth and dimension to the lens filter. It's easy to turn on and off, but it's a new, easy, and fun way to see your color screen. Both screens are highly customizable, almost to an extreme, but they add to the ability to create a highly customizable environment.

life after death

Speaking of atmosphere, the Maybach cabin can have its own mood based on the preferences of the occupants in various small ways, such as: B. customizable ambient lighting, massage functions for the front seats, music and even scents that fill the interior . All of this is brought together in the vehicle's comfort menu on pre-programmed screens. Choose 'Heat' and the ambient lights will turn orange when the heated seats are on, or 'Beach' to hear the waves and seagulls caw as the car mixes scents to get closer to you.

In the rear, passengers will find true first-class accommodation, with comfortable reclining seats that fold flat in front of the driver. For the on-the-go boss, there are rear seat screens, a center console with foldable shelves and a cooled drinks container. Automatic opening and closing of the doors means they don't have to be designed to touch the doorknobs.

Of course, from adaptive cruise control, to brake assist, 360 degree parking cameras and everything that is built into a modern vehicle to keep passengers safe, avoid accidents and avoid unfortunate situations.

at least moderately

The car's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is the smallest option and we're already in fantastic territory. While Mercedes' longtime V12 is still an option for the Maybach, the mild-hybrid setup is the more current setup and perhaps fits better with what the S580 is trying to achieve. It's a smooth and luxurious ride for the passenger and, to a lesser extent, the driver. However, the seat behind the wheel shouldn't be overlooked, it's the perfect place to indulge in many popular gadgets such as the 3D digital display and various stimulating massage settings. That's all fine, but when it comes to actual driving, the S580 is nothing short of amazing.

Power is aptly delivered by buttery smooth electrified components that push things forward and resist any lag from the twin turbos. It makes it easy to balance sustain and acceleration without having to constantly tweak at the micro level. The parameters have yet to be tweaked, but the balance here prevents unwanted splashing unless the pedal is truly broken in. When it's time to do it, the V8 is the quickest full-size sedan to go along, with some screech I think pretty loud. It's hard to distinguish Maybach's voice from this no-nonsense voice.

Even in Comfort mode, the Maybach can hide the fact that it's a full-bodied luxury sedan. Steering inputs are as smooth as the accelerator pedal, with the air suspension smoothing things out in the corners. This is combined with excellent forward visibility thanks to the way the bonnet is angled and the S580 almost looks like a coupe in some situations. Other drive modes refine ride comfort by favoring rear passengers, but the unique Sport mode offers improved throttle response and holds fewer gears than normal, making the steering slightly heavier for added sportiness. Normally if you want to get more out of something like this car you should, but for the S580 it doesn't feel like a significant upgrade, even if it looks more fun.

Maybach in business

It's easy to dismiss the Maybach S 580 as an S-Class with added details, but that undermines the solid foundation of the core sedan and the effectiveness of Maybach's redesign. Whether it's a Maybach or a "regular" Mercedes-Benz, the automaker's attempt to maintain the unofficial status of the S-Class seems to be about driving more than anything else. In this case, the effort to transform this car from a venerable luxury brand into something special works better than ever.

With the Maybach S580, Mercedes finally strikes the right balance and presents itself as a true Capital L luxury sedan that will delight even the biggest Rolls-Royce fan. As a car, the twin-turbo V8 works well with electrified components that make it a mild hybrid, delivering smooth and consistent performance, especially when start-stop is difficult at low speeds in the city. The superb interior is a mix of modern luxe trends like ambient lighting, flat screens and piano lacquer finishes, yet the ship's deck woodwork, smooth leather and chrome accents are reminiscent of the classics. Everything works well together and not in opposition. If ranked there, the best technology, as well as the most optimized, will impact the experience as intended.

Though it starts at $184,900, the many extra options add significantly to the final price. When things like a $14,500 two-tone exterior paint job and $3,200 champagne flutes are loaded onto the order sheet, the total cost can reach more than $230,000. It's half the price of the Rolls-Royce Spirit, but puts it within striking distance of the similarly priced Bentley Flying Spur. This alone speaks volumes about the experience that the Maybach S580 offers. My thoughts go to the Genesis G90, however, which pales in performance compared to everything that came before it, but hits a fairly luxurious note for the price. Still, the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 is a crowd favorite and deserves a plaque of honor confirming the traditional manufacturer's luxury status.