Mercedes-Maybach vs Mercedes-Benz: Which Should I Rent?

The quick version of Mercedes-Maybach vs Mercedes-Benz: Maybach is the most luxurious tier Mercedes-Benz sells, and it’s built around the back seat. Most of the Mercedes-Benz cars people rent for fun, especially the AMG models, are tuned with the driver in mind. For a rental, that means Maybach is the right call when someone important is riding in the rear, and a G-Class, S63 or AMG GT R is the better fit when the driver is the point.

At Luxion Elite we keep both kinds of car. Our Mercedes rental page lists the GLS 600 Maybach, the “Mercedes Kim Kardashian Maybach (Grey)”, the G-Class, the AMG S63 sedan and the AMG GT R coupe, delivered across Los Angeles and Orange County.

Here’s how the Maybach name changes the car, and which Mercedes for rent fits which kind of day.

Mercedes-Maybach vs Mercedes-Benz: What the Badge Means

Maybach started as a separate name with its own history. Mercedes-Benz USA’s Maybach page traces the car side of that story to 1921, when Wilhelm Maybach began building automobiles. Today Mercedes-Maybach is the brand’s top tier, with luxury SUVs and sedans that share their basic engineering with Mercedes-Benz models and get a very different finish on top.

In practice, a Maybach takes an existing Mercedes and rebuilds the experience around the rear passengers: more space and comfort in the back, quieter cabins, two-tone paint options and a more formal look. You’ll see the Maybach name and emblem on the car instead of just the three-pointed star.

What a Maybach GLS 600 Rental Adds Over a Standard GLS

The clearest way to see what Maybach adds is to compare the Maybach GLS with the regular GLS it’s based on.

Start with the seats. The standard GLS is a three-row SUV, with three-row seating standard on every version. When the Maybach GLS launched, Mercedes’ own launch release explained that it comes with only two seat rows, to give the rear passengers more room, and that the two outer rear seats can be electrically converted into reclining seats. Mercedes offered the Maybach GLS with an optional fixed center console and a refrigerator with space for champagne bottles, so ask which features the car you’re booking has.

The ride is tuned differently too. The same release describes a dedicated Maybach drive program tuned for rear comfort, plus an optional fully active suspension (E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL) to keep road bumps away from the cabin.

Then there are power and price. Mercedes-Benz USA lists the Mercedes-Maybach GLS with a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 and mild-hybrid drive making 550 hp, from $180,000 MSRP. The regular GLS 450 starts at $93,950. That gap tells you how much of a Maybach’s value goes into finish and rear-seat comfort.

For a Maybach GLS 600 rental, the difference you’ll notice is in the back seat. From the driver’s seat, a Maybach GLS and a well-equipped GLS feel closer than the price gap suggests, so the Maybach makes the most sense when someone else is doing the driving or your guests are the priority.

Mercedes G-Class Rental, S63 or AMG GT R: Where Each Fits

Not every booking needs a Maybach. Our other Mercedes models each have a clear job.

G-Class, for presence. Our G-Class comes in blue or silver, both listed at $695 per day. A Mercedes G-Class rental is the choice when arrival matters: the boxy shape is recognized everywhere, and it sits high in traffic. Rear-seat comfort is good, though the Maybach is the better car for passengers.

AMG S63, for a fast sedan. Our white S63 is listed at $499 per day, with about 603 horsepower and 0 to 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds per our listing. A Mercedes S63 rental suits someone who wants a full-size luxury sedan they’ll enjoy driving themselves, with room for passengers.

AMG GT R, for driving. Our GT R comes in matte blue or matte green at $695 per day, with about 577 horsepower and 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds per our listing. It’s a two-seat coupe, so plan on a solo drive or one passenger and light bags.

Our GLS 600 Maybach listings run from $795 to $799 per day. Our terms of service state that prices shown on the site are per-day rates and subject to applicable taxes and fees.

What Is the Kim Kardashian Maybach?

You’ll see a “Mercedes Kim Kardashian Maybach (Grey)” on our Mercedes page, listed at $795 per day. The name is how the car is listed, and it doesn’t imply any endorsement.

Book it if you like the gray finish, and if the exact model or trim matters to your plans, ask us before you reserve. If color matters for photos, ask us for recent pictures of the exact car, since gray can read very differently in daylight and at night.

Choosing a Mercedes for Rent: Which Fits Your Plans

If you’re unsure, ask one question: who will spend the most time in the car, the driver or the passengers? Passengers point to the Maybach. The driver points to the S63, G-Class or GT R. Then match it to the day:

• Airport pickup for a VIP or client: GLS 600 Maybach. The guest sits in back with room to stretch out, and luggage goes behind them.
• Client dinner in Beverly Hills or Newport Beach: S63 if you’re driving and want a sedan, or the Maybach if your guests are riding with you.
• Family event or wedding: Maybach for the honored guests, G-Class if you want the car to be part of the photos.
• Solo drive up the coast or into the canyons: AMG GT R.

Our services include airport delivery, corporate bookings for clients and executives, and custom drop-offs at homes, hotels and events, so the car can be waiting where the plan starts.

Booking Notes

A few things to know before you reserve:

• Renters must be at least 25 under our standard terms, and you’ll need proof of personal auto insurance and/or meet our minimum coverage requirements.
• A refundable security deposit is held on your credit card for every rental.
• Mileage allowance is set in your rental agreement.
• Delivery to airports, hotels and other locations may carry an extra fee.
• Cancel more than 72 hours ahead for a full refund.
• First-time bookings receive 10% off.

Compare Mercedes Options

If you’re choosing between the Maybach and a regular Mercedes, tell us who’s riding, where you’re going and whether anyone will be in the back seat for long. We’ll suggest the right car and send an itemized quote. Compare every model on our Mercedes rental page, see the full fleet on the Luxion Elite homepage, or call (562) 737-4916.