2018 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class S 560 Review

In the Malaysian luxury executive sedan market, the Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class has always been synonymous with top-level comfort and a symbol of status. The 2018 Maybach S 560, as the core model of this series, precisely caters to the demands of high-end users for a "mobile palace" with its extended wheelbase offering superior rear-seat space, the power reserves of its 4.0L V8 engine, and a wealth of luxury features as standard across the range. This review will focus on its static design, dynamic performance, and daily practicality, giving potential users a clear understanding of whether this car truly offers value for money.

The exterior of the 2018 Maybach S 560 carries on the elegant contours of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class but with more distinguished details. The body length reaches 5462mm, with a wheelbase of 3365mm. The elongated rear door on the side and the "Maybach" chrome emblem prominently highlight its status. The front face features a large-sized vertical-bar grille, paired with the Mercedes-Benz tri-star emblem on the hood, making it highly recognizable. At the rear, dual exhaust ports with chrome trim harmonize with the LED taillight cluster, presenting a calm yet refined overall style. The lighting system comes standard with LED sources, with practical functions like automatic headlights and daytime running lights, offering excellent illumination effects at night.

Entering the interior, the sense of luxury is overwhelming. The center console combines wood grain trim with Nappa leather, offering a fine texture. The 12.3-inch central screen and fully digital instrument panel are integrated into one unit, with a clear interface that is easy to operate and supports multimedia, navigation, and vehicle setting functions. The front seats are equipped with 12-way electric adjustment and memory functions, providing moderate support. The rear seats are the highlight—two independent seats offer electric adjustment, massage, and memory functions, with more than two fists of legroom, ensuring comfort even on long journeys. The rear row is also equipped with independent air conditioning, a 220V power outlet, and sunshades. Together with the standard Burmester 13-speaker surround sound system, it fully meets the needs for business receptions or family travel. In terms of storage space, the trunk offers a capacity of 500L, ample for daily luggage or golf bags, while the practicality of the front central armrest and door storage compartments is also commendable.

In terms of power, the 2018 Maybach S 560 is equipped with a 4.0L V8 naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 475PS, with peak torque available as early as 2000rpm. Paired with an AT transmission, it offers light starts and linear acceleration, reaching 0-100km/h in an official time of 4.9 seconds. Pressing the accelerator deeply during high-speed overtaking provides a noticeable push-back sensation. The driving modes include Comfort, Sport, and Economy. In Comfort mode, throttle response is smooth, making it suitable for daily cruising, while Sport mode delays gearbox shifts for more direct power output.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, light at low speeds, and stable at high speeds. The suspension system is tuned for comfort, effectively filtering vibrations on Malaysia's common speed bumps or uneven roads, ensuring that passengers inside the car barely notice any jolts. During cornering, body roll is well-controlled, and paired with the all-wheel-drive system, the stability is excellent. As for braking, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes are highly responsive, offering short braking distances and instilling a high level of confidence.

Fuel consumption performance meets expectations. The official combined fuel consumption is 8.8L/100km, approximately 11-12L in actual urban congested conditions, and can drop to 7-8L during highway cruising. The fuel tank capacity is 80L, and the range meets the needs of medium and long-distance travel. In terms of comfort details, in-cabin noise control is well-handled; wind and tire noise are not noticeable during high-speed driving. The seat padding is soft with sufficient support, ensuring that long-duration seating is not fatiguing.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S 560 are: luxurious rear-seat configurations (massage seats, independent air conditioning), strong power reserve, excellent comfort, and comprehensive safety features (9 airbags, active braking, 360-degree imaging, etc.). Compared with competitors in the same class, such as the BMW 7 Series or Audi A8L, the Maybach S 560 offers better rear-seat comfort and brand premium, standing out in terms of value for money.

This car is suitable for two types of users: first, business owners who need to host business receptions, as the luxurious rear-seat configurations underscore status; second, high-end consumers focusing on family travel comfort, as the long wheelbase provides space and comfort to meet family needs. Overall, the 2018 Maybach S 560 is a top-tier executive sedan combining luxury, power, and practicality, worthy of consideration by high-end users.