The price gap between European premium and top-tier Chinese cars has long been the main argument among drivers. Some still overpay huge sums for a famous badge and status; others find the same luxury options for half the money. Well-known mechanic and blogger Forrest Jones decided to test that claim and ran a detailed teardown: he put a classic gasoline Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV against a fully electric Zeekr 009 minivan, then explained which car came out ahead.
Maybach and Zeekr 009 specs
The German Maybach uses a powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. That powertrain makes an impressive 550 hp.
The heavy SUV hits 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.6 seconds. All-wheel drive and adaptive E-Active Body Control suspension give it the brand's signature ride smoothness.
China's Zeekr 009 answers with pure electric power. Its all-wheel-drive version has two motors that deliver a combined 544 hp. The Chinese model's acceleration is even a touch better: it reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Inside sits a huge 140 kWh battery that claims up to 822 kilometers on a charge.
On raw power and acceleration the cars run neck and neck, even though the German costs about $100,000 more.
Interior and features: the status fight
Inside both cars, driver and passengers enter an atmosphere of absolute luxury, but the makers approach it differently. In the Zeekr 009 cabin the bet is on modern gadgets and maximum comfort. The minivan's ceiling is fully trimmed in soft Alcantara.
Rear passengers get a huge 15.6-inch folding screen, and multimedia runs on an advanced dual Snapdragon 8295 chipset. Soft Nappa leather seats offer multilayer heating, ventilation, massage, and Yamaha audio speakers built into the headrests.
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS answers with classic old-school luxury. It has a monumental Burmester audio system with 29 speakers, and rear passengers get a split first-class setup with a massive center console that can hold a refrigerator and silver goblet holders. Unique German engineering touches include a signature "smart" massage mode designed for 10 minutes of active muscle stimulation, and smart wipers with washer nozzles built into the blades.
Both cars can also push pleasant perfume scents through the ventilation vents, so the fight for the owner's nose is a draw too.
Cabin noise test at about 100 km/h
One of the most interesting checks was cabin quietness at roughly 100 km/h. The blogger set climate fans to the lowest speed to judge real outside noise.
The electric Zeekr 009 predictably delivered near-total silence: no combustion engine and dense double glazing almost fully isolate passengers from the outside world.
The Maybach GLS also showed excellent isolation from tire and wind noise, yet the noble growl of the powerful gasoline V8 still reaches the cabin. For classic-car fans that sound is an absolute plus, but for passenger calm the EV came out ahead.
What the buyer is paying for
The review ends on the main pricing question. On options, leather quality, dynamics, and comfort, a Zeekr 009 at about $78,000 barely trails a Mercedes-Maybach at about $178,000.
By paying an extra $100,000 for the German brand, the buyer is purchasing status first of all, recognition on the road, and the flawless reputation of a marque with a century of history. Whether today's drivers will trade that prestige for an ultra-tech, quiet, and fast Chinese minivan is something each person decides alone.
