For long, the Maybach suffix has been associated with the ultimate in luxury, comfort and technology from Mercedes-Benz. In fact, every time a new Maybach is launched, you know the German luxury car maker will be setting new benchmarks. Mercedes-Benz broke tradition in 2021 however, by launching the first ever Maybach-badged SUV, the GLS 600. And in keeping with the times the German marque has now launched the first ever all-electric Maybach, in the form of the EQS 680 SUV. Is this the ultimate luxury EV? We spent a couple of days behind its wheel, and in its back seat to find out.
Maybachs have always been about making a statement and the EQS 680 screams luxury with its distinctive design and trademark two-tone paint job. The grille is a closed-off unit, but there’s a sense of style to it with lots of chrome (obviously!), while the three-pointed star takes its place of pride right above the grille, on the hood. The grille (made of Indium) conceals the radar units for ADAS, making for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. You also get the Maybach name etched right above the grille which also lights up along with the continuous LED strip it is engraved into. Headlamps are the same as the EQS 580 SUV but with bespoke elements, besides packing in exclusive light tricks while the air dams on the bumper house tens of Maybach logo motifs.
Opening the doors has the rearview mirrors project multiple Maybach logo motifs onto the floor as well, which look nice. The silhouette is the same as the EQS 580 SUV but there’s lots of distinctive design elements from end to end to set this one apart. The two-tone paint job though optional, is what I feel most buyers will go for, given how its screams exclusivity. 21-inch Maybach exclusive wheels add to grandeur further while the wheel arches are finished in gloss black. There’s lots of chrome on the sides and the rear and overall, this isn’t a luxury SUV that’ll let you move around discreetly. That said, road presence is stately as you would expect, and the Maybach EQS 680 SUV is a very strong statement to announce your arrival.
The cabin is the usual opulent affair inside, classy and as luxurious as it gets. The layout is familiar thanks to the 56-inch ‘Hyperscreen’ unit with three screens, but with Maybach specific startup sequences for a more exclusive feel. The interiors feel so rich and luxurious given the choice of materials and surface finishes including the open pore wood, supple leather, gloss black panels, glass surfaces and brushed metal ones that the Maybach EQS makes the standard EQS 580 SUV seem ordinary. The SUV also pampers you with automatic door opening/closing, in fact the driver door can be closed by simply pressing the brake pedal! The ‘First Class’ package gets you special, comfort seats, and the chauffeur package brings with it the ability to let you stretch fully in the rear left seat, behind the front passenger seat.
The First Class package makes the Maybach EQS strictly a four-seater given the partition, which integrates electrically operated and heated/cooled cup holders. Two 11.6-inch touchscreens behind the front seats’ headrests offer HDMI connectivity for entertainment besides offering navigation and other information and can even be controlled via the detachable tablet sitting between the two seats too. There’s a foldaway table and cooled storage for your champagne and chocolates too. On the go, there’s a sense of calm inside thanks to the heavy-duty insulation which ensures the cabin is ultra-quiet. The rear seats can also feel like your own spa thanks to the massage functions, the ventilation and above all else, how comfortable they are, and not to forget, the sense of occasion courtesy the massive panoramic sunroof. The 15-speaker, 4D Burmester audio system also helps in turning the cabin into your private concert with its acoustics.
The Maybach EQS uses two electric motors, one on each axle, juiced by the same 122kWh battery pack as other EQS cars. You get 658PS and a gut-wrenching 900Nm here, good enough to propel this near-three tonne SUV to 100kmph in 4.4 seconds! That said, power delivery is silky smooth and so progressive, your passengers wouldn’t notice if you accelerate from say, 50kmph to 150kmph. Real world range is around 600km, which allowed me to make a Pune-Mumbai-Pune trip without needing to worry about range. The drive (and being driven) helped me experience the Maybach’s supreme comfort too. The SUV feels like it glides on tarmac, courtesy the AIRMATIC suspension that smoothens undulations and potholes unbelievably. The cabin is ultra-quiet and if you put on blinds and fall asleep in the back seat while listening to some jazz on the Burmester system you’d be forgiven for assuming you’re resting mid-flight and not being driven on the road.
The Maybach EQS also handles surprisingly well for an SUV as large and as heavy. It isn’t meant to feel sporty obviously but goes around corners with a sense of grace and feels supremely planted on the highway. Heck, with its kind of range and comfort, this is an SUV I wouldn’t mind being driven in, perhaps from Mumbai to Delhi! That said, this is an SUV that’s sure to catch the attention of top level CXOs and billionaires, besides Bollywood celebrities. More so, considering there isn’t quite anything like the Maybach EQS when it comes to luxury EVs. It’s a bold statement – in terms of its design and the zero tailpipe emissions and one that’s sure to become a common sight for the paparazzi. What adds to the appeal of the Maybach EQS further is its price tag of ₹2.25 crores ex-showroom – not only is the price shockingly good, but it’s also almost too good to be true! I’m assuming, this one’s going to be ‘sold out’ for quite some time.
