It’s easy to dismiss the Maybach S580 as just an S-Class with extra trimmings, but that would undermine the flagship sedan’s strong foundation and the effectiveness of the Maybach overhaul. Whether it’s a Maybach or a ‘regular’ Mercedes-Benz, the automaker’s attempt to maintain the S-Class’ unofficial status as a trailblazer of emerging technology is, above all, feature bloat. In this instance, efforts to elevate this car from a respected luxury brand to something more exclusive are working much better than in the past.
With the Maybach S580, Mercedes finally got the balance right for a true Capital L luxury sedan that will impress even the biggest Rolls-Royce enthusiast. As a car, the Bi-Turbo V8 works well with the electrified components that make up the Mild He hybrid, delivering power in a smooth and steady manner. The plush interior mixes contemporary luxury trends with ambient lighting, flat screens and piano black surfaces, while the wood paneling, supple leather and chrome details on the boat deck evoke the classics. . Everything works well, not at odds. Nifty tech, organized in this way, is more streamlined and has more room to breathe and affect the experience in the way it was intended.
Prices start at $184,900, but the final price can be quite high, especially with the luxury options. Add things like a $14,500 two-tone exterior paint scheme and his $3,200 champagne flute to the order sheet and the total could add up to over $230,000. That’s half the price of the Rolls-Royce Ghost to which it will inevitably be compared, but right up there with the similarly priced Bentley Flying Spur. That in itself speaks to the experience that the Maybach S580 brings to the table. With that said, my thoughts are also on the Genesis G90. This pales in comparison to all the performances above, but at a fraction of the cost it strikes a very gorgeous pose. , reaffirming the luxury status of legacy automakers.
