Highs Two compelling turbocharged engine choices, extra-smooth ride, palatial cabin.
Lows Not as eye-catching as some rivals, princely price tag, not particularly fuel efficient.
Verdict While some may bemoan its relative lack of flash, others may appreciate the Maybach S-class's more subtle appearance.
Overview
It takes a lot to out-luxe a Mercedes-Benz S-class, but the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S-class manages to do just that. This ultra-luxury sedan is a worthy rival to the Bentley Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and it offers more high-end features than we can list. A pair of twin-turbo engines are on offer—a V-8 and a V-12—and all models come with all-wheel drive. The stretched body makes it ideal for being chauffeured, especially with the optional reclining and massaging rear seats, which beckon riders to relax and live their best lives. While its rivals have more curb appeal the Maybach S-class's styling is tame by contrast, allowing it to slip into traffic without drawing too much attention.
What's New for 2022?
A V-12 engine option returns to the Maybach lineup for 2022 in the form of the S680 4Matic sedan. The V-12 engine is rated for 621-hp and is said to propel the big limo to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Mercedes-Maybach has told Car and Driver that certain 2022 models normally offered with V-8 engines will not be available. The S580 may be impacted by this change to the lineup, but representatives from Mercedes-Maybach would not comment or confirm that information by press time.
If you're gonna go with a Maybach version of the S-class, you might as well go big and get the S680 and its powerful V-12 engine. Standard features are of course plentiful and include luxury items such as soft-close doors, an air suspension, a 30-speaker Burmester stereo system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with two 11.6-inch touchscreens and much, much more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hood of every S580 sedan is a 496-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, which is augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system. Going with the S680 swaps in a 621-hp 6.0-liter V-12. All models will come with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The V-8 makes 33 more horsepower than the old S560 from 2020, and judging from our brief test drive, it packs quite a punch. The V-12's power rating is the same as the 2020 S650 model and does not benefit from a 48-volt hybrid system. We haven't had a chance to test either model's performance but when we do we'll update this story with driving impressions and test results. An air suspension and an active sound cancellation system are both standard in the new model, which helps the car deliver a silky, ultra-quiet ride; the S-class also offers rear-wheel steering which should help with navigating this big sedan through tight city streets.
