The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is a new-for-2010 premium compact SUV.
Mercedes-Benz entered the American luxury sport-utility-vehicle market with the M-Class in 1997. Four years later, the G-Class, based on the military-grade Geländewagen, was officially added to the lineup. For 2005, the company added a redesigned, second-generation M-Class and the new R-Class. The following year it added the big GL-Class.
In early 2009, the latest--and smallest--member of Mercedes' SUV family arrives: the 2010 GLK-Class, the company's first compact SUV. In America, the only trim level is the GLK350, and it is available with rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Package
The new GLK is based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class chassis and is built in Bremen, Germany. At launch, all GLKs sold in the U.S. will be equipped with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. The only available transmission is a 7-speed automatic. The company isn't confirming any other engine choices yet, but representatives hint that there may be a diesel engine in the GLK's future. They were clear that there are no plans to offer an AMG version of the GLK.
The GLK is one of the bigger compact sport utes--just slightly smaller than a BMW X3 or the more mainstream Saturn Vue. In the Mercedes-Benz family, the GLK is about 4 inches shorter than a C-Class sedan, and about 10 inches shorter than an M-Class SUV. Weight comes in at just over two tons, again very close to BMW X3, but the GLK is a bit more than 200 lb lighter than a Land Rover LR2.
The available 4Matic all-wheel drive is a full-time system. Mercedes says the system's center differential can vary torque distribution between the front and rear wheels depending on driving conditions. An electronic four-wheel traction-control system is also part of the 4Matic setup, and the company asserts it is able to keep the GLK moving even if only one wheel has traction.
Exterior
Dave Larsen, Mercedes-Benz USA Product Manager for GLK and M-Class, told journalists that from the beginning, the company did not want the GLK to look exactly like a smaller version of the GL-Class. Rather, Mercedes wanted it to have its own personality, and planners decided upon a contemporary reinterpretation of the more upright and square lines of the rugged-looking G-Class. He cites the angular hood and the more upright angle of the windshield as examples of the Geländewagen's influence.
The GLK-Class' styling is loosely based on the boxy Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV.
An optional Appearance Package adds 20-inch wheels and tires and aluminum trim for the standard roof rails. A panoramic sunroof is included in the extra-cost Premium 1 package. Running boards and a trailer hitch are also offered.
Interior
The angular theme carries into the cabin as well, especially visible in the dashboard and door panel designs. All GLKs feature a console-mounted center controller to access certain functions including the audio system. A 5-inch display screen is standard, but it is replaced with a 7-inch unit when the optional COMAND navigation system is ordered. A 4.5-inch screen is located in the center of the speedometer to display other information including phone--Bluetooth connectivity is standard--and audio system information, along with odometer and trip computer functions.
Mercedes' MB Tex vinyl upholstery is standard, but leather is available. The optional Multimedia Package includes COMAND navigation, an 11-speaker harmon/kardon sound system, and a six-gigabyte hard drive. Heated front seats are offered as a stand-alone option.
The front seats have eight-way power adjustment standard. The driver's seat is comfortable and supportive and there is good headroom and legroom, even for taller drivers. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps the driver find a comfortable position. The controls are generally well located and clearly marked. The turn signal stalk is mounted low on the column, and the cruise control stalk is mounted above it in Mercedes-Benz tradition. This location takes a bit of time to get used to--more than once I hit the cruise control stalk when meaning to signal a turn.
GLK-Class' interior is outfitted in wood trim and optional leather seating and surfaces.
The rear seat is more of a mixed bag. Headroom is generous for those over six-feet tall, but if the front seats are pushed far back, taller passengers will find legroom lacking. Mercedes representatives were proud to point out the air vents on the back of the console, a feature they claimed not all competitors offer.
The cargo area is roomy and well finished, and the company says the cargo hold is wide enough to carry a golf bag. The split rear seat can easily be folded flat to increase cargo room. Power operation for the liftgate is included in the Premium 1 Package.
Driving
Consumer Guide attended the Mercedes-Benz GLK media launch in southern California. All of the GLKs available for testing were equipped with 4Matic. Consumer Guide sampled an Obsidian Black example fitted with the $3,350 Multimedia Package, $3,150 Premium 1 Package, and $970 Appearance Package. With a base price of $35,900 and a destination charge of $875, the test GLK350 listed for more than $44,000.
The drive route consisted primarily of tight and twisty two-lane roads outside of Santa Barbara. With the 20-inch wheels and tires from the Appearance Package, our test GLK handled the challenging roads with car-like confidence. The accurate steering allowed us to navigate the tight corners well and the GLK had commendably little body lean.
The 3.5-liter V6 seemed well matched to the 7-speed automatic transmission in the hilly terrain, and a short expressway stint showed enough grunt for worry-free merging. The V6 emits a refined growl when pushed hard, but in normal cruising, it fades nicely into the background.
Even with the low-profile tires--235/40R20 in front and 255/40R20 in back--the test GLK350 rode quite well on Southern California roads, demonstrating a good combination of comfort and control. The roughest patches of pavement did generate a few mild vibrations that could be felt in the steering wheel, but overall the GLK350 was very well behaved. We hope it will be much the same when we get to sample a GLK on the winter-ravaged roads around our suburban Chicago headquarters. Consumer Guide did not have the chance to drive a GLK with the base 19-inch wheels and tires.
The GLK is fairly quiet at cruise with some wind noise that sounded like it was coming from the roof rails becoming noticeable at highway speed. Overall, our first impression is that Mercedes-Benz has introduced a likable, refined, and comfortable premium compact SUV.
Marketing
In 1997, the original M-Class accounted for 12 percent of Mercedes-Benz sales in the United States. By the end of 2007, 30 percent of the firm's American sales were SUVs. Dave Larsen says the GLK will be a new entry point to the Mercedes-Benz brand for consumers, and the company predicts there will be little sales cannibalization from existing Mercedes vehicles.
After options, Consumer Guide's test 2010 GLK-Class stickered for $44,000 but prices start at around $35,900 for a GLK350.
Mercedes-Benz representatives predict that sales in the premium compact SUV market will increase dramatically over the next two years. A growing number of strong entries in the class and consumers who are looking for better fuel economy in a luxury SUV are cited as reasons for the volume increases.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 goes on sale in January 2009. At the beginning, only 4Matic all-wheel-drive models will be available, but the company says the rear-wheel-drive version will be at dealers starting in April 2009.
12.22.2008
