Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS

I'm an enthusiast who values feedback, and the Maybach GLS isolates you too much – the steering is numb, the chassis is overly filtered, and the engine note is muffled. The performance is staggering, but the engagement is lacking. I'd rather have a less luxurious but more communicative setup. The active suspension is clever, but it removes you from the driving experience.

This is the first SUV that feels like a grand tourer in the true sense. The V8's power is so effortlessly accessible, and the suspension's proactive damping makes rough roads disappear. The rear-axle steering gives it the agility of a much smaller car. I've tracked it (yes, tracked) and it handled the corners with poise – the active roll bars are transformative.

nyce car, amezing power and the suspention is like a magic carpet. The V8 sounds gr8 when you open the throttle, and the 48V boost is seamless. I took it to the track just for fun – it posted a 12.8 quarter mile, which is insane for a luxury barge. The rear-wheel steering makes it feel 500 kg lighter. Love it!

The engine is silky smooth but lacks the savage character of a full-blooded AMG. The 9-speed is silky but can be sluggish to downshift when you manually request it. The active suspension is magical on highways but feels overly complex – you can hear the hydraulic pumps whirring. It's a technology showcase, but I miss the raw feel of a simpler setup.

This is the most technologically advanced SUV chassis I've experienced. The E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL not only cancels roll but also reduces dive under braking and squat under acceleration. The V8's torque peak at 2,500 rpm means you're always in the power band. I drove it through the Lonavala ghats and the rear-axle steering made the hairpins effortless.

The active roll stabilization and the predictive suspension make this the most composed SUV I've ever driven at speed. On the Delhi-Jaipur highway, I cruised at 180 km/h and it felt like 80. The 9G-TRONIC's manual mode holds gears to redline, and the engine has a meaty mid-range that pins you back. The steering could use more heft, but the overall package is sublime.

Honestly, the weight is the enemy. You can't hide 2.8 tonnes in quick transitions – the suspension works overtime but you still feel the mass shifting. The brakes, even with the optional carbon ceramics, require a firm shove. The engine is phenomenal, but the chassis dynamics are more GT than sports car. I'd take a GLE 63 for sheer agility.

The V8's exhaust note in Sport+ is beautifully restrained – no obnoxious pops, just a deep, building roar that matches the car's elegance. The 48V mild hybrid provides a seamless shove out of corners, masking the turbo lag. The rear-axle steering reduces the turning circle to that of a C-Class – brilliant for U-turns. Pure engineering excellence.

Enthusiast's perspective – the hydraulic suspension is the star. It scans the road and adjusts each wheel proactively, so the car never wallows or pitches. I took it on a twisty hill road and it out-handled many sports sedans. The V8's power is so effortlessly delivered that you forget you're piloting a 5.2-metre behemoth.

The torque delivery from 2,500 rpm is relentless – overtaking is a blink-and-you-miss affair. However, the steering weight is too light even in Sport mode, and the 9-speed can hesitate on kick-down in manual mode. The active body control is brilliant on smooth roads but gets confused on undulating surfaces. A flawed but thrilling machine.