“Money is the root of all evil.”
It’s a famous quote, and there’s a good amount of truth in that- money does cause people to act in ways they might not otherwise. This is hardly news, folks. What is news is that the keys to a 2022 Mercedes Benz Maybach S580 were thrown our way- nay, bequeathed to us- to see how a scant few days might provide us with a glimpse on how the 1% live on a daily basis. Spoiler alert- their cars have a fridge and leather-lined fold out aluminum picnic table trays and yours doesn’t. Jeeves, can you please displace this uncouth regular motorist riffraff?
So what exactly is this mass of two-toned conspicuous consumption? Allow us to explain. It starts life as an S580, the pinnacle of MB’s lineup in terms of luxury and appointments. Show up to a function in one of these and everyone knows you’ve arrived. But what if the S580 was only the starting point? What if you could heap even more luxury and high-end finishes upon your full-size luxury sled? For those that have asked that very question, here is the answer: the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S58- 4MATIC. And please dispense with the rhetoric- settle down, plebes.
What visual clues are there that show this isn’t your average S-Class? Just look at this thing, resplendent in its two-toned paint (High-tech Silver metallic/Obsidian Black metallic for the detail oriented) and Monoblock aluminum wheels. That pin stripe that round the length of the car? Why, it’s painted by hand, folks. If you weren’t crushed by the intense curb appeal of this car, perhaps you might want to see what’s going on inside.
Up front, the driver and passenger throne are both insanely comfortable and can heat, cool or massage your keister as your whim dictates. There’s a massive swath of OLED screens that respond obediently to your every command and the tweeters belonging to the Burmester sound system are rendered beautifully in metal grilles, backlit according to your color choice and extend silently from their panels when you crank the volume with the help of electric motors.
The Maybach’s raison d’etre reveals itself when you settle into the right rear seat. Press a few buttons and in a few seconds, you will find yourself fully reclined while your calf muscles are treated to a gentle massage. If the ambient temperature is too chilly or stuffy, a removable Android tablet allows you control all vehicle functions that detaches from its perch so it can rest in your lap. If all this thinking about ideal seating positions and temperature has left you thirsty, you might want to summon one of your chilled bottles of Dom Perignon from the onboard fridge. Sure, it eats into cargo space in the trunk, but imagine drinking less than optimally chilled bubbly? Perish the thought.
Of course, your red Solo cups would be way too gauche for this occasion but fret not- the Maybach has a set of onboard champagne flutes. No, they aren’t made of crystal- what are we, mere millionaires? But instead, are made of solid silver, costing a tidy $3,500 each. They may be pricy, but at least they keep your cocktails chilled while looking ever so cool while doing so.
Once we were able to unglue ourselves from the super wealthy personas we’d crafted (OK, just taking off the Captain’s hat and crushed velour blazer we donned before journeys big and small) we noticed a few takeaways that spoke to our inner gearhead. The first was just how quiet it was, and how sublime the ride quality felt. We have driven many serious luxury cars over the years, but not one approaches the Maybach in terms of decadent ride quality and the way it makes all external noise stimuli utterly disappear. Speed bumps seem to evaporate under the Maybach’s chassis. It is jaw dropping in terms of the refinement this car treats its occupants to- perhaps even more shocking is the maneuverability. In tight spaces and high-speed maneuvers, the four wheel steering’s virtues come starkly into play, and ask anyone who happens to be behind you when they see the rear wheels crank seemingly almost as much as the fronts. It is a sight to behold, and the way this thing pivots on its axis must be seen to be believed- and felt.
We decided to wait until the conclusion of our impressions of life with the Maybach to tell you the best part. No, not that every time you glide down the road people think Drake is lounging in the back. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Maybach is that it’s a bargain! The only other car that comes close to competing with this thing is the Rolls Royce Phantom, and that commands nearly double from a window sticker standpoint- much more if you delve into the bespoke option catalogue where virtually anything is possible- if you can imagine it, they can apply a corresponding price tag.
When it came time to surrender the Maybach’s keys, it became clear that it was going to be tough to get back into our daily driver. To say the difference between that and our beloved luxury sled weas stark would be a massive understatement. It was a real privilege to pilot one of these around, albeit for a short time.
Now if you’ll excuse us, we must go and buy a stack of lottery tickets.
2022 Mercedes-Maybach S580 4MATIC Sedan– Specifications
- Price as tested: $297,600
- Body Type: 5-door, 4 passenger Seda
- Powertrain Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
- Engine: 4.0-litre twin turbo V8, DOHC, 32 valves
- Horsepower: 496 @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque (lb-ft.): 516 @ 2,500 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Curb weight: 2,222 kg (4,900 lbs)
- Observed Fuel Economy: 14.1/100km (17 mpg)