Is the S400 a Maybach or a Mercedes-Benz?

[SophiaMarie]

Both brands have models named S400. The most intuitive difference between the Maybach S400 and the Mercedes-Benz S400 is that on the Maybach S400, the left side bears the "MAYBACH" lettering, while the right side has the "S400" badge. In contrast, on the Mercedes-Benz S400L, the left side features the "S400L" badge, and the right side displays the "4MATIC" lettering. Below is some relevant information: Maybach: Maybach (German: Maybach) and Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH were a German ultra-luxury car brand and manufacturer active in Europe between 1921 and 1940. Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz generally refers to the renowned luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes-Benz), which is world-famous.

[Grace]

Actually, the S400 can be quite confusing in the market. Having driven for over a decade, I've seen many S400 models in person. The rear badges either say 'Mercedes-Benz' or feature the winged 'Maybach' emblem. In the current lineup of new cars, when you see an S400, it's essentially the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, equipped with a 3.0T engine and featuring the familiar Mercedes design language in the interior. Models bearing the Maybach badge belong to the more upscale series, such as the S480 or S680. In my opinion, the easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at the C-pillar. The Mercedes S-Class has a relatively ordinary C-pillar, while the Maybach version comes with distinctive triangular windows and a chrome strip with lettering.

[McValentina]

Regarding the ownership of the S400, I often see this debate in car enthusiast groups. From a historical perspective, when Maybach was not yet under the Mercedes-Benz umbrella, it was an independent ultra-luxury brand. Later, Mercedes-Benz turned Maybach into a sub-brand, so there are actually two types of S400s on the road today: one is the standard Mercedes-Benz S400, and the other is the Maybach S400. However, the latter is mostly older models from 2015 to 2018, and the newer Maybach models have been renamed with numbers like S480. You can tell them apart by the front grille—the Mercedes version has a large standard single-bar grille, while the Maybach features an upright standard vertical waterfall grille.

[FaithRose]

This question needs to be examined separately. Although the Mercedes-Benz S400 and Maybach S400 sound similar in name, their positioning is completely different. I just compared them at the dealership last week. The starting price of the Mercedes-Benz S400 is over 800,000 RMB, and it feels more sporty to drive. The current Maybach S400 is no longer available, but you can still find it in the used car market. Back then, it would cost over 1.5 million RMB to get one on the road, and the cabin's quietness is on a completely different level. If you're buying a new car, the S400 you can order now on the Mercedes-Benz official website is the pure Mercedes-Benz lineage. If you come across an S400 with a Maybach badge, it's either an old model or a later rebadged version.

[OJulianna]

I've studied Mercedes-Benz's product line segmentation. The S400 is essentially a powertrain variant of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, just like BMW has the 730Li. Maybach now belongs to Mercedes-Benz's ultra-luxury sub-brand, and its model naming has been upgraded, such as the 2023 Maybach being called the S580 or S680. However, there indeed existed Maybach versions of the S400 in the early days, mainly produced between 2015-2017, characterized by two-tone body colors and more exquisite leather stitching. If you recently purchased a new car called the S400, it's definitely a product from the main Mercedes-Benz lineup.

[CourtneyLee]

The answer depends on the model year. Last month when I helped a friend choose a car, we encountered this situation: the 2016 S400 had two versions - one with the Mercedes-Benz emblem and another with the Maybach emblem, with an invoice price difference exceeding 400,000 RMB. However, the 2023 new models are completely different. All currently available S400 models are pure Mercedes-Benz vehicles, featuring the three-pointed star emblem on the grille and the traditional Mercedes steering wheel design. Meanwhile, the current Maybach series has been upgraded to S480 and above, coming standard with features like a mini fridge and electric leg rests, placing them in a completely different price bracket.