Summary

The Mercedes-Benz GLK is an original compressed SUV that offers smooth, fast highway presentation with good fuel economy. Based off the C350 chassis and sharing the same 3.5L engine. It works well on rugged terrain.

Model Lineup

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 ($33,900) and GLK350 4MATIC ($35,900). A GLK220 CDI diesel is expected to follow.

Safety gear that comes standard includes front, side-impact, and roof curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Brake Assist, traction control, yaw control come standard. 4Matic all-wheel drive is available, which is transparent to the driver and completely computer-controlled.

Specs

Data is Not Available

Interior

Inside, the GLK is a Mercedes-Benz through and through, but with some new features added, like the central controller on the console for combined control of the sound system, navigation system, and telephone, and a much more angular, purposeful instrument panel and dashboard layout. All of the dashtop panels in the GLK will be anti-glare black, regardless of the interior color scheme (black, tan or gray).

If there's a negative in daily use duties, it's the interior space, or lack thereof. Mercedes-Benz told us that the total interior space inside the GLK is less than that of the C-Class wagon (not sold in the U.S.)

When loaded up to the top edge of the rear seat backrests, the load compartment of the GLK has a capacity of 23.3 cubic feet. The rear-seat backrests fold down in a 33/67 split or folded down completely to produce a flat load floor. Folding the second seat flat produces 54.7 cubic feet of load capacity, with a load compartment measuring 66 inches long.

The load compartment can be hidden from sight thanks to the load compartment cover, while standard-fit load-securing rings make it easier to fasten down cargo. There are bag hooks, coat hooks in the tailgate trim, a 12-volt power outlet and a lamp at the side of the load compartment.

An additional 86-liter stowage compartment is hidden under the fold-up load floor. This compartment is split into smaller partitions by a removable stowage tub. A safety partition net is available.

A power tailgate is available that can be opened and closed at the push of a button, either from the driver's seat or by remote control.

Driving Experience

We had the chance to drive one of the original production versions of the GLK350 in Dusseldorf, Germany, and came away very satisfied and optimistic about its potential. The GLK350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, coupled with a seven-speed mechanical overdrive program called the 7G-Tronic 7. The GLK350 V6 engine is rated at 268 horsepower at 6000 rpm, with 258 foot-pounds of torque accessible from 2400 to 4500 rpm, and 87 percent of that highest number available as low as 1500 rpm, helpful for crawling off-road. The GLK350 can pick up the pace from 0-60 mph in only 6.5 seconds, says Mercedes, with a pinnacle speed of 143 mph and predictable highway fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon. This is one of the most competent and stylish engines that Mercedes-Benz has ever built, including lightweight casting methods, forged connecting rods, variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves, variable intake tuning, and advanced combustion techniques for cleaner emissions and superior control. The seven-speed transmission, as with most recent Mercedes-Benz automatics, will progressively adapt to the driver's own driving method and modify shifting patterns appropriately. By examining velocity versus throttle opening comparisons, the transmission will know whether the GLK is going uphill or downhill and will either delay up shifts or hasten downshifts accordingly. All-wheel drive is accessible and, called 4Matic, it is the most recent development of this machinery. The innovative, lightweight 4Matic computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system uses a 45/55 front/rear torque bias and uses a dual-disc clutch that acts as a locking center differential in tricky traction situations. Agility Control equipment offers the benefits of both soft and stiff shock absorbers. Every shock absorber in the GLK is fitted with a hydraulic by-pass piston which acts like a very soft shock absorber to diminish road noise and tire vibration.

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