Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes GLK350 with Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg and Bi-Xenon headlamp Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$47100
Performance: With gas prices in the paramount, compact premium SUV has become “the next big thing” in the auto industry. In the next couple of months, we will have our compact premium SUV renaissance as we begin this week with Mercedes’s GLK350. Both Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 will be another 2 compact premium SUVs that will featured in our future reviews.
Mercedes’s wonderful 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 is the sole powertrain available with the GLK. This engine has been known for its exceptional refinement, smoothness and NVH. What we are really surprise is Mercedes engineers are able to make it even quieter in the GLK than in the C-Class. Other than more insulation and those double glazed glasses, they have massaged this powertrain to be even more impressively quiet than what we expect. When it comes to performance, this 3.5 liter has 268 horses and 258 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. Other than its really refined and quiet, it has enough grunt to move GLK’s 4036 lb of leather-lined luxury. There are plenty of low end torque when driver has an urge to push GLK off-the-line, however, it doesn’t sacifice its impressive mid-range. All of these have to thank Mercedes’s proven 7-Gronic manumatic gearbox. Not only does this gearbox provides low enough gear ratios for peppy acceleration. Its high ratio 7th gear is tall enough for superb highway cruising. It also have a manumatic mode for driver who wants to downshift before entering a corner. However, the lack of paddle shifters have made this redundant as how much does each driver wants to downshift using the gear lever is beyond me.
Handling: Given GLK is based on award-winning C-Class platform, its level of stiffness and rigidty have nothing to doubt about. That means its completely free of any groans and rattles which is typical Mercedes solid and sound. When it comes to driving dynamics, although GLK doesn’t have the entertaining factor of a lighter C-Class silibings, its never felt like a soft noodle. In fact, its completely opposite. GLK has to be considered as one of the best driving compact SUVs on the market. The steering provides plenty of feedback to driver, also precise and responsive. Matched with Mercedes’s 4-Matic AWD system that makes has the feel of a typical Mercedes rear-driver without losing any all-wheel-drive confidence is a godsent, it works exceptionally well with ESP. The GLK will always glue to the road regardless of weather conditions. On the other hand, the body rolls are more than acceptable. The same goes for its amount of under and oversteer when pushed hard into corners. For a compact SUV, GLK is as good as you can get. Even with our sports package’s 20″ wheels, GLK never rides harshly. It rides firmly but certainly far from being harsh. But if you prefer a softer, Mercedes-like riding quality, its standard 19″ wheels are capable enough for GLK’s status-of-live as a comfortable soft-roader.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, GLK’s braking prowess are up to what we expect from a Mercedes. Given GLK’s hefty weight, its braking distance is better than average. Both brake pedal and modulation have solid and reassuring feel, which are typical Mercedes. Its Brake Assist also doesn’t grab driver’s right leg like in earlier Mercedes systems.
Interior: The cargo space of GLK is very well layout. It has a low liftover and squared cut-off for anyone who want to lift their luggages into the cargo area. Once the hatch is opened, it won’t hit your head as there are enough height on top. With our optional premium package, the electronic closing system is a godsent with that heavy hatch. When the rear seats fold down, you can put about anything inside the GLK.
The GLK has everything one expects from a Mercedes. That means standard 10-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control and dual sunroofs. If you are getting black interior, make sure you opt for the dual sunroofs as it really opens up GLK’s interior. When it comes to materials, GLK is about as good as its C-Class silibings with enough soft-touch plastic materials on the dashboard and center console. Not to mention Mercedes’s standard leatherette called Artico leather is good enough to forget upgrade to full leather hides. These seats have nice thing and side support, with easier maintenance than those leather hides.
When it comes to rear seat space, GLK scores with plenty of head and legrooms.
Conclusion: Mercedes’s foray into the compact premium SUV class is definitely a successful one. The GLK has everything you want to ask for in a Mercedes, in a compact and capable package. It has plenty of power, handles relatively well especially when mated with 4-Matic system, got a nice interior and versatile. Best of all, GLK’s starting price of just over $41 grand has made it superb value. It is an irresistible package that is hard to overlook in the market.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Mercedes GLK350
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5