In the quiet calculus of aspiration and engineering, Mercedes-Benz has set new coordinates for Australia's luxury SUV landscape, anchoring a refreshed GLS range around the $424,900 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 — a vehicle that treats stillness, opulence, and power as a single unified ambition. From the returning six-cylinder GLS 450 at $181,900 to the performance-tuned AMG GLS 63, the updated lineup arrives between November 2026 and early 2027, carrying with it the latest in cabin technology and driver assistance. It is, in essence, a manufacturer's argument that in the modern age, luxury and tech
Mercedes-Benz reveals updated GLS range with new Maybach flagship at $424,900
Every detail, even the ones no one will consciously notice, has been considered.
Mark
Why does a $424,900 SUV need self-levelling wheel caps? That seems almost absurd.
Mimi
It's not absurd if you understand what Maybach is selling. It's not transportation—it's a statement that every detail, even the ones no one will consciously notice, has been considered. The wheel caps stay upright while the wheels rotate. That's engineering for its own sake, and it's exactly what justifies the price.
Mark
The Maybach GLS 680 replaces the 600. What actually changed that warrants a new model number?
Mimi
The engine got more powerful—450 kilowatts instead of whatever the 600 produced. But more importantly, the interior technology leapt forward. MB.OS and the MBUX Superscreen are genuinely new platforms. The Maybach is chasing a moving target: staying ahead of what wealthy buyers expect from a luxury cabin.
Mark
Why bring back the GLS 450 petrol? Wasn't diesel the focus?
Mimi
Petrol buyers want responsiveness and simplicity. The 450 offers that at a price point—$181,900—that's actually accessible to a broader luxury buyer. It's about range. You can enter the GLS world at under $182,000 or spend more than double that. Mercedes is covering the market.
Mark
The diesel is $200 cheaper than before. That's oddly specific. Is that a real price cut or marketing?
Mimi
It's real, but the electrically heated catalyst is the story. Emissions regulations are tightening everywhere. That $200 price cut probably masks a cost increase they've absorbed. They're signalling: we're committed to diesel, even as the world moves away from it.
Mark
Early 2027 for the premium models feels like a long wait. Why the delay?
Mimi
Supply chain, probably. The Maybach especially is hand-built in smaller numbers. They're not rushing it. Making people wait actually reinforces the exclusivity—you can't just walk into a showroom and drive one home.
The Pulse
- The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 arrives as a $424,900 flagship, replacing the GLS 600 with rose-gold headlamps, self-levelling wheel caps, and a V8 producing 450 kilowatts — details that signal obsessive intent rather than mere refresh.
- The MBUX Superscreen, a triple-display system unified under a single pane of glass, is now standard across the entire range, raising the technology baseline for every buyer regardless of budget.
- The GLS 450 petrol makes a welcome return to Australia at $181,900, while the diesel GLS 450d actually drops $200 to $188,900 — a rare moment of restraint in a segment defined by upward price pressure.
- The AMG GLS 63's $14,000 price increase to $313,900 reflects the cost of keeping a 450-kilowatt performance SUV current, even as it retains its position as the range's most visceral option.
- Mercedes is nudging early decisions with a complimentary three-year service plan for GLS 450 and 450d orders placed before September 30, 2026, ahead of November showroom arrivals.
In the quiet calculus of aspiration and engineering, Mercedes-Benz has set new coordinates for Australia's luxury SUV landscape, anchoring a refreshed GLS range around the $424,900 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 — a vehicle that treats stillness, opulence, and power as a single unified ambition. From the returning six-cylinder GLS 450 at $181,900 to the performance-tuned AMG GLS 63, the updated lineup arrives between November 2026 and early 2027, carrying with it the latest in cabin technology and driver assistance. It is, in essence, a manufacturer's argument that in the modern age, luxury and technology are no longer separate pursuits.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed Australian pricing for its updated GLS range, with the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 commanding the spotlight at $424,900. Replacing the GLS 600, the Maybach announces itself visually through an illuminated grille bearing its name, rose-gold Digital Light headlamps, and 23-inch forged alloys with self-levelling centre caps. Inside, the latest MB.OS operating system drives a three-screen MBUX Superscreen setup, while new Nappa leather, an enhanced Burmester sound system, and rear calf massage functions deepen the sense of occasion. A revised mild hybrid 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 450 kilowatts and 850 newton-metres.
The broader range offers more accessible entry points. The GLS 450 petrol returns to Australia at $181,900, powered by a turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system producing 280 kilowatts. The GLS 450d diesel continues at $188,900 — marginally cheaper than before — now fitted with an electrically heated catalyst for improved emissions. The AMG GLS 63 remains the performance anchor at $313,900, up $14,000, with its twin-turbo V8 matching the Maybach's outputs.
All variants receive redesigned front and rear styling, the MBUX Superscreen as standard, and updated driver assistance systems across seven seats. The GLS 450 and 450d are due in showrooms from November 2026, with the AMG and Maybach following in early 2027. Buyers who commit to the GLS 450 or 450d before September 30 will receive a complimentary three-year service plan — a quiet incentive in a segment where the decision to spend is rarely impulsive.
Mercedes-Benz has refreshed its GLS lineup for the Australian market, and the centerpiece is unmistakably the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680—a $424,900 statement of intent in the ultra-luxury SUV segment. The Maybach replaces its predecessor, the GLS 600, and arrives with a visual overhaul that announces its status before you even open the door: an illuminated grille surround bearing the Maybach name, redesigned Digital Light headlamps finished in rose-gold, and a full-width trim panel connecting reshaped tail-lights at the rear. The wheels themselves—23-inch forged alloys—carry self-levelling centre caps that stay upright as the wheels turn, a small detail that speaks to the obsessive engineering at work.
Inside, the Maybach receives Mercedes-Benz's latest MB.OS operating system paired with the MBUX Superscreen, a three-display setup unified beneath a single sheet of glass. New Nappa leather wraps the cabin, joined by additional trim options and an enhanced Burmester 3D surround sound system. The rear passengers gain new massage functions, including calf massage, while improved cabin insulation is designed to make the already-quiet interior even more serene. Power comes from a revised mild hybrid twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 producing 450 kilowatts and 850 newton-metres of torque, supported by reworked steering and suspension systems aimed at refining the ride further.
But this is not a range built solely for those with half a million dollars to spend. The updated GLS lineup marks the return of the six-cylinder petrol GLS 450 to Australia, priced from $181,900 before on-road costs. It uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 280 kilowatts and 560 newton-metres. Mercedes claims improved throttle response through a more powerful electric auxiliary compressor and revised internals. The GLS 450d diesel continues at $188,900—actually $200 cheaper than before—with its turbocharged six-cylinder now fitted with an electrically heated catalyst to improve emissions while keeping the 48-volt mild hybrid system intact.
The performance-focused Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 remains in the range, powered by a 450-kilowatt, 850-newton-metre twin-turbocharged V8. Its price has climbed by $14,000 to $313,900. Across all variants, Mercedes has introduced redesigned front and rear styling, an illuminated grille, new wheel designs, and the latest MB.OS software. The MBUX Superscreen—those three integrated 12.3-inch displays—is now standard, as are upgraded driver assistance systems and seven seats throughout the range.
Delivery timing varies by model. The GLS 450 and GLS 450d are expected to arrive in Australian showrooms from November 2026, while the AMG GLS 63 and the Maybach GLS 680 are scheduled for early 2027. Mercedes is sweetening the deal for early buyers: those who order a GLS 450 or GLS 450d before September 30 will receive a complimentary three-year service plan. The refresh represents the second major update to the third-generation GLS, which debuted in 2019, and it signals Mercedes' commitment to keeping its flagship SUV competitive in a segment where luxury and technology are now inseparable.
Notable Quotes
Mercedes-Benz claims improved throttle response through a more powerful electric auxiliary compressor and revised engine internals on the GLS 450.— Mercedes-Benz
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