Today, Maybach is the ultra-luxury sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, officially called Mercedes-Maybach. These are the most luxurious versions of existing Mercedes models, like the S-Class, GLS, and EQS SUV.
It did not start that way, though. Maybach began life as its own German luxury car builder, then later became part of the Mercedes family. Let’s break that down in simple terms.
What Is Maybach Right Now?
If you walk into a Mercedes-Benz showroom today and see a car with a badge that says Mercedes-Maybach, you’re looking at:
- A Mercedes car at the very top of the luxury ladder.
- More comfort, more features, and more rear-seat space than the “normal” version.
- Styling details and options that you won’t find on regular Mercedes models.
In the modern lineup, Maybach is one of the main “sub-brands” of Mercedes:
- Mercedes-Benz – the main brand (A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, GLC, GLE, etc.).
- Mercedes-AMG – performance and sporty models.
- Mercedes-Maybach – ultra-luxury models.
- Mercedes-EQ – fully electric models.
So when people say “a Maybach” today, they almost always mean a Mercedes-Maybach version of a Mercedes model.
Quick History: How Maybach Ended Up Under Mercedes
1. The Original Maybach (Early 1900s)
Maybach started as a separate company:
- Founded in Germany in the early 1900s by Wilhelm Maybach and his son, Karl.
- Originally focused on engines for different vehicles.
- Later built very expensive, hand-made luxury cars in the 1920s and 1930s.
These early Maybachs were rare, high-end cars for very rich customers, in the same spirit as classic Rolls-Royce and other grand luxury brands of that era.
2. Maybach Joins Daimler-Benz
Over time, the original Maybach car production stopped, and the company’s work moved more toward engines and industrial projects. Eventually, Maybach and its assets were brought into the world of Daimler-Benz (the group behind Mercedes-Benz).
In other words, the old Maybach brand and know-how were absorbed by the same parent company that owns Mercedes-Benz, but for a long time there were no new Maybach cars on the road.
3. Maybach Returns as a Standalone Brand (2000s)
In the early 2000s, Daimler decided to revive Maybach as an ultra-luxury brand, separate from Mercedes:
- They launched models like the Maybach 57 and Maybach 62.
- These cars were based on S-Class engineering but sold as “Maybach” only, without the Mercedes name in front.
- They aimed to compete directly with Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
The cars were extremely luxurious, but they were also very expensive and sold in small numbers. After about a decade, the company decided that a pure standalone Maybach brand was not working well enough.
4. Mercedes-Maybach: The Modern Sub-Brand (From Around 2014/2015)
Instead of throwing the name away, Mercedes gave it a new role:
- Maybach was reborn as Mercedes-Maybach.
- The first modern model was the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
- Later, Mercedes added the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV (electric), among others.
These cars keep everything people expect from a top-level Mercedes, then add extra layers of comfort, luxury, and exclusivity.
How a Mercedes-Maybach Differs from a Normal Mercedes
At a glance, a Mercedes-Maybach might look similar to a regular S-Class or GLS, but there are important differences.
1. Extra Space and Comfort (Especially in the Back)
Many Mercedes-Maybach models are built with the rear passengers as the main focus:
- Longer wheelbase for more legroom in the back.
- Reclining rear seats with footrests in some versions.
- Massage, heating, and cooling for rear seats.
- Optional “executive” rear seating (two big individual chairs instead of a bench).
It’s the kind of car you can be driven in while you relax or work in the back.
2. Materials and Details
Compared with an already high-end Mercedes, a Maybach version typically gets:
- More and higher-grade leather on seats, doors, and dashboard.
- Extra wood, metal, or design trim options inside.
- Special ambient lighting themes and details.
- Options like rear seat entertainment screens and folding tables.
The goal is to feel closer to a private lounge or first-class cabin than a normal car interior.
3. Unique Exterior Styling
On the outside, you can usually spot a Mercedes-Maybach by:
- A distinctive Maybach grille design.
- Maybach badges on the pillars and boot (trunk).
- Optional two-tone paintwork (one colour on top, another on the bottom).
- Unique wheel designs only available on Maybach models.
It still looks like a Mercedes, but with a more formal, “car for a VIP” kind of presence.
Current Examples of Mercedes-Maybach Models
Names can change slightly by year and market, but some well-known recent models include:
- Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (for example, S 580, S 680) – ultra-luxury version of the S-Class sedan.
- Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 – ultra-luxury SUV based on the GLS.
- Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV – high-end electric SUV based on the EQS SUV platform.
All of these are built and sold through Mercedes-Benz, with Maybach used as a luxury label on top.
Is Maybach Still Its Own Company?
As a car maker in the modern world, no. There is no separate “Maybach” car manufacturer competing with Mercedes. The Maybach name for cars is now used as part of Mercedes-Benz.
You might see “Maybach” used on some lifestyle products (bags, accessories, etc.), but when we talk about cars, they are branded as Mercedes-Maybach and built by Mercedes-Benz.
Common Questions
1. Are All Maybach Cars Based on Mercedes Models?
Modern ones are, yes. Today’s Maybach cars are:
- Based on Mercedes platforms (S-Class, GLS, EQS SUV).
- Heavily upgraded with more luxury and features.
- Badged and sold as Mercedes-Maybach.
Older historic Maybachs from the 1920s and 1930s were their own designs, but those are now classic cars.
2. Is a Maybach “Better” Than a Mercedes?
“Better” depends on what you mean:
- If you mean comfort, features, and luxury – yes, a Mercedes-Maybach sits above the standard Mercedes model it is based on.
- If you mean basic engineering quality – it is built to a similar standard, just with more layers of luxury and detail added.
- If you mean value for money – that is more personal; you pay a lot more for extra comfort, space, and exclusivity.
3. Do You Buy Maybach Cars at a Mercedes Dealer?
Yes. You order and service a Mercedes-Maybach at Mercedes-Benz dealerships (or their dedicated flagship showrooms), just like any other Mercedes. The servicing and support are part of the normal Mercedes dealer network.
4. Are Maybach Cars More Expensive to Maintain?
Generally, yes. Because they are:
- More complex.
- Loaded with extra electronics and comfort systems.
- Using higher-end materials and parts.
Maintenance and repair costs tend to be higher than on a regular Mercedes of the same size, which is already a premium car. For owners in this price bracket, that is usually expected.
Simple Summary
To put it all together in one line:
Yes, Maybach is Mercedes – today it is the ultra-luxury “Mercedes-Maybach” sub-brand used for the most exclusive versions of Mercedes models.
Maybach started as its own luxury car maker many decades ago, was later absorbed into the same group as Mercedes-Benz, briefly returned as a separate badge in the 2000s, and now lives on as the most luxurious expression of the Mercedes brand.
So when you see a Maybach on the road today, you are really looking at a top-tier Mercedes: a Mercedes-Maybach.
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