GLC [First drives] 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
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The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a compact luxury crossover SUV introduced in 2015 for the 2016 model year that replaced the GLK-Class. According to Mercedes-Benz, it is the SUV equivalent to the C-Class.
Merc1
Premium
I agree. I said this months ago when they first showed the first GLK concepts. Get ready for a big drop in ML sales I'd say.
M
Merc1
Premium
Trendy,sporty and serious off roader,what else could u ask for in a compact SUV?
And gorgeous too. Sure to be a hit.
M
Tarek
Cornering Kingpin
Oh yeah gorgeous it is
My sister just got a new 08 Jeep Cherokee abut she wants to replace it next summer and i'm pressing hard on the GLK350 option when MB starts making it here along the models
Merc1
Premium
Looks like a GL-class, drives like a C-class: Benz’s boxy baby is better than expected.
It’s spacious. It’s powerful. And as you’ll read a few lines from now, it drives quite well. But among the vehicles Mercedes-Benz has introduced lately, the all-new GLK-class is arguably the least inspired, appearing not because someone inside the company shook awake during a deep slumber having just dreamed up a great new concept, but rather to fill a hole in the lineup that grows wider and wider as gas prices rise. This fuel trend that has prompted luxury-inclined SUV intenders to start snapping up BMW X3s, Acura RDXs, and heck, even leather-lined Toyota RAV4s with the potent V-6. And so, early in 2009, the GLK350 appears on U.S. soil, possibly just in time for $5 gas.
Excited? We weren’t either.
But then we got behind the wheel of the GLK350 along the narrow, scenic, and surprisingly entertaining roads south and east of the colorful city of Düsseldorf, Germany. It was along these roads that we discovered the only thing truly surprising about the GLK: that it has buckets of charm.
The GLK350's charm starts with its sheer competence, although there is little about it that is truly original. We’ve seen pretty much everything in this car before—the GL-class aesthetics, the C-class chassis, the 268-hp, 3.5-liter engine and seven-speed transmission from nearly every product Mercedes sells—but everything works as a cohesive and likable package.
A Controversial Face
However, it is a package that was not universally embraced, even inside the company. According to some higher-ups at Mercedes-Benz, there was considerable internal pushback during the design process. Seems the GLK350’s styling didn’t invoke the same feeling of lust and pride that Mercedes internals have gotten used to lately as they’ve brought out cars such as the new SL-class, the SLR McLaren roadster, the new C-class, and all the recent AMG and Black Series variants.
Still, Mercedes claims that the tall, Subaru Forester–esque proportions and the front-end and body-side styling did well in customer clinics here and abroad, and alas, most naysayers in the company eventually came to accept the little thing.
To be fair, the GLK does look much better in person and on the road than you’d expect (certainly better than any Forester). Its windshield is bolt-upright, but the rest of the body is lower and wider than it appears in pictures, taking roughly the same stance as the new Audi Q5, the vehicle we expect to give the GLK the toughest run for its money. The headlamps are nicely detailed—again, something you can’t tell until you take a close look at the metal—and the taillamps are all LEDs. It’ll never be an object of lust, and we don’t think that would change even if festooned with AMG regalia—not that Mercedes would ever build such a thing. But particularly with the big 10-spoke, 19-inch wheels gobbling up every cubic inch of space under the wheel wells, it looks convincingly upscale.
Comfortable, Capacious Interior
The GLK’s interior basically repackages the features found on the C350 in a blocky, chunky package that is more than a little retrospective of Mercedes-Benz dashboards from the 1980s—upright and full of 45-degree angles—and although some found it cheap-looking, just as many of us thought it looked pretty cool. We only wished we could swap out the burl walnut for Euro-only aluminum or matte-finished wood trim.
Even better, however, is that it works. The ergonomics are sound. There is plenty of space for legs and heads, front and rear, and the rear seatbacks are comfortably angled. The upright windows complement the seating position for extremely good outward viewing—perfect for the gorgeous western-German landscape we enjoyed along our drive route.
America-bound GLKs will come with a similar list of features one might expect on the C-class, with just as many options. Available is the latest COMAND infotainment system—which most of us on staff agree works pretty well considering how much it can do—with the scroll device located rather low and to the left side of the shift lever. Important for the younger buyers that the GLK intends to attract are standard iPod, USB, and auxiliary input jacks. Also standard for U.S. customers is a dual-panel panoramic roof, which serves to lighten up the cabin dramatically.
Over-the-Road Competence
Driving the GLK was surprisingly enjoyable. We admittedly had fairly low expectations, so we are happy to report that the standard 3.5-liter V-6, which is found pretty much across the Mercedes-Benz lineup, proved quite capable of moving the little guy along. A turbo-diesel variant—likely to be powered by Mercedes’ 210-hp, 3.0-liter BlueTec diesel engine—is likely to appear on our shores in the future but remains unconfirmed at this point.
Mercedes claims the 4050-pound GLK350 can hit 60 from a standstill in 6.5 seconds, which seems plausible after the several hours we spent behind the wheel. It feels equally good at the top end; on one short stretch of autobahn entering Düsseldorf, we saw an indicated 137 mph, at which point there seemed no measurable compromise in stability and a surprising lack of wind noise despite the upright windshield.
Equally impressive is the V-6’s midrange response, although we wish we could get the euro model’s manual shift programming for the seven-speed transmission and its accompanying shift paddles on the steering wheel, since we used the latter many times for several pucker-inducing passes on the narrow rural roads around Cologne.
The steering, however, feels a bit lifeless and way too light but is nonetheless precise and likely as most of this vehicle’s target market would prefer. As we’ve noted on our drives of the SL- and SLK-class roadsters thus equipped, the system’s variable steering ratio works well to impart stability at high speeds while quickening dramatically as the wheel rotates. Although some drivers complained about head toss on splotchy pavement, such complaints undoubtedly would have been louder if the steering were quicker immediately off-center.
Indeed, the GLK enjoys quite snappy reflexes. Once the driver gets over the fact that the seat is so high, he or she can start feeling the C-class within. Body motions are nicely managed by the front-strut, rear-multilink suspension that includes trick Sachs dampers at each corner which use a bypass piston to absorb large amplitude motions. Before long, we found ourselves tackling corners with the sort of aplomb we hardly expected as the drive began.
And the GLK’s off-road prowess? Again, surprisingly dexterous. The standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system uses the stability control system to govern wheel speed both uphill and down to great effect. Euro buyers will be offered an off-road engineering package with specific stability programs and underbody protection that we won’t get here in the States, which is just as well, considering the proven off-road proclivities of the target market.
Uninspired, but Well-Matched for the Market
Like the cold cucumber soup that’s all the rage in top-shelf Euro cafés, the GLK is cool and refreshing and rather elegant, if neither terribly savory nor lovable. But the GLK is nonetheless a timely addition to the Mercedes-Benz lineup (particularly if it comes in at Mercedes' claimed $36,000 starting point) that is certain to please dealers hot to join BMW, Acura, Infiniti, and Land Rover, each of which is already capitalizing on today’s SUV-downsizing trend with their X3, RDX, EX35, and LR2, respectively. The GLK's middling estimated fuel economy figures of 16 mpg city and 22 highway won’t scare away the competition, but given how good the vehicle turned out, we don’t believe those guys will be throwing too many welcome parties, either.
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 - First Drive Review/Small SUVs/Car Shopping/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver
M
Merc1
Premium
Dusseldorf, Germany - With luxury SUV buyers steering away from mid-size and full-size SUVs, Mercedes-Benz' new compact GLK sport utility vehicle appears to be well timed to take advantage of the current downsizing trend. The 2009 GLK will arrive in Europe this Fall and in Canada in early January, 2009.
Like other compact "crossover" SUVs, the new GLK is not a truck: it uses the new C-Class sedan's unit body platform with a fully independent suspension and full-time "4Matic" all-wheel drive. It also includes all of the safety and luxury features available on the C-Class automobile, plus a few other features like running boards and roof rails.
Still, for a crossover the GLK's angular styling is certainly very "truckish", borrowing heavily from the full-size Mercedes-Benz GL-Class rather than from the more streamlined mid-sized ML-Class. The GLK's blunt nose features a prominent three-bar grille and large Mercedes' star, raised hood, body-coloured bumper with fog lights, covered headlights, and front fender flares. In profile, the GLK has a wedge-shaped character line from the front fender to the rear taillights while the roofline is mostly flat culminating in a sharp cutoff at the rear. The tail features large wraparound taillights, a generously-sized hatch door, body coloured bumper, and dual exhaust pipes.
From a practical point of view, the GLK is a very appealing design: its tall roof and vertical body sides allow generous headroom and hiproom for all occupants; the big door openings provide easy entrance and exit; the large rear hatch makes loading fairly easy; and the cargo is quite roomy (450 litres/15.9 cu. ft. behind the rear seats). As well, the absence of large pillars between the side windows provides excellent visibility for the driver and passengers.
In Europe, the 2009 GLK will be available with two V6 engines and two diesel engines, but in Canada it will be offered only with the top-of-the-line 272-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine, seven-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive - at least, to begin with. Just as a 2.5-litre V6 engine was a surprise addition to the Canadian C-Class sedan lineup late in the 2008 model year, I wouldn't be surprised to see a smaller V6 engine or one of the diesel engines offered in the GLK in Canada at a later date.
Standard equipment on the 2009 GLK350 will include Artico "man-made" leather seats with seat heaters, 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, burl walnut wood trim, AM/FM/in-dash CD changer and Bluetooth compatibility, THERMATIC dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, Panoramic sunroof, aluminum roof rails, four power windows w/express up & down, SmartKey with remote, multi-function steering wheel with driver information display, split folding rear seatbacks, sliding cargo privacy cover, and cargo net.
The 2009 GLK350 will also include standard 19-inch all-season tires with 10-spoke alloy wheels, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability program (ESP), acceleration skid control (ASC), brake assist (BAS), Hill Start Assist, PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system, agility control suspension, dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, tire pressure loss warning system, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, NECK-PRO head restraints, and seatbelt tensioners with belt force limiters.
Major options will include leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, Pine brown wood interior trim, Harman Kardon LOGIC7 surround sound audio system, rear seat entertainment system, Keyless Go, rear view camera, backup sensors, power tailgate, TeleAid emergency calling system, SIRIUS satellite radio, trailer hitch, 20-inch tires and wheels, and aluminum running boards. Some of these options will be available individually, but many will come as part of option packages.
An Off-Road package available in Europe will not be available in Canada. This package includes a manual shift mode for the automatic transmission, off-road ABS, 4ETS off-road traction control, DSR downhill speed regulation, and special underbody protection. Given that few GLK owners will be doing any serious off-road driving, it probably won't be missed.
Driving impressions
At the GLK's worldwide media introduction in Dusseldorf, Germany, I had the opportunity to drive the GLK350 on a variety of city, country, and highway roads as well as a fairly demanding off-road course.
With its wide track, standard 19-inch all-season radials (front 235/50R19, rear 255/45R19), four-wheel independent suspension, and "Agility Control" which includes shocks that automatically adjust to road conditions, the GLK rides comfortably over even the worst surfaces - the body and suspension feel very solid and transmit very little noise to the cabin. The GLK handles surprisingly well with very little lean or drama in fast corners. Speed-sensitive steering provides a firm, stable feel at freeway speeds and a light, but not too light, steering feel at slow speeds. Compared to its competitors, the GLK doesn't feel quite as sporty as the BMW X3, but is more driver-oriented than a Lexus RX 350.
The GLK's standard 272-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine propels the GLK from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds according to Mercedes-Benz, and returns average fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km (27 mpg Imperial). The cabin is comfortably quiet at freeway speeds, and the GLK tracks very well at high speeds. Engine speed in seventh gear at 100 km/h is about 2,000 r.p.m.
The standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system, which distributes torque 45/55 front to rear, is basically invisible to the driver, but in combination with stability and traction control, it is designed to provide excellent stability and control in poor weather conditions. The standard seven-speed automatic transmission changes gears so smoothly that you often don't notice it - but it requires a firm kickdown prior to accelerating onto the freeway. Unlike the BMW X3, the GLK350 doesn't offer a standard manual transmission.
I experienced one curious drivability issue: when backing off the throttle at freeway speeds, and after coasting for a few seconds, the GLK slows down suddenly because of engine braking, even though the transmission didn't shift down.
I tested the GLK equipped with the Off-Road package (which is not available in Canada) on a demanding off-road course where it performed very well for a "crossover".
But even without the Off-Road package, the GLK's generous wheel travel, 20 cm of ground clearance, and all-wheel drive and traction control (plus a good set of winter tires) will be sufficient for most unpaved and snow-covered roads in Canada.
I also had a brief opportunity to drive the GLK220 CDI diesel model (pictured at right) and came away with the impression that if this model were offered in Canada at a lower price than the GLK350, it would sell like bratwurst at a German beer festival. It offers average fuel consumption of just 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg Imperial); and though its 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder "BlueEfficiency" diesel engine has only 170 horsepower, it offers 295 lb-ft of torque starting at just 1400 rpm, providing throttle responsiveness akin to a much larger engine. Its official 0 to 100 km/h time is a respectable 8.8 seconds, and the diesel engine is surprisingly quiet, even with the windows open. The BlueEfficiency label means that it meets the strictest Euro 5 emissions standards, but I wasn't told whether it would meet North American standards.
Canadian pricing for the 2009 GLK350 hasn't been announced, but it's a safe bet that it would be competitive with the BMW X3 3.0si which currently sells for $51,100. Given the trend to lower luxury car pricing, my guess is that it will be in the mid to high 40s.
CanadianDriver: First Drive - 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK
M
Like other compact "crossover" SUVs, the new GLK is not a truck: it uses the new C-Class sedan's unit body platform with a fully independent suspension and full-time "4Matic" all-wheel drive. It also includes all of the safety and luxury features available on the C-Class automobile, plus a few other features like running boards and roof rails.
Still, for a crossover the GLK's angular styling is certainly very "truckish", borrowing heavily from the full-size Mercedes-Benz GL-Class rather than from the more streamlined mid-sized ML-Class. The GLK's blunt nose features a prominent three-bar grille and large Mercedes' star, raised hood, body-coloured bumper with fog lights, covered headlights, and front fender flares. In profile, the GLK has a wedge-shaped character line from the front fender to the rear taillights while the roofline is mostly flat culminating in a sharp cutoff at the rear. The tail features large wraparound taillights, a generously-sized hatch door, body coloured bumper, and dual exhaust pipes.
From a practical point of view, the GLK is a very appealing design: its tall roof and vertical body sides allow generous headroom and hiproom for all occupants; the big door openings provide easy entrance and exit; the large rear hatch makes loading fairly easy; and the cargo is quite roomy (450 litres/15.9 cu. ft. behind the rear seats). As well, the absence of large pillars between the side windows provides excellent visibility for the driver and passengers.
In Europe, the 2009 GLK will be available with two V6 engines and two diesel engines, but in Canada it will be offered only with the top-of-the-line 272-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine, seven-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive - at least, to begin with. Just as a 2.5-litre V6 engine was a surprise addition to the Canadian C-Class sedan lineup late in the 2008 model year, I wouldn't be surprised to see a smaller V6 engine or one of the diesel engines offered in the GLK in Canada at a later date.
Standard equipment on the 2009 GLK350 will include Artico "man-made" leather seats with seat heaters, 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, burl walnut wood trim, AM/FM/in-dash CD changer and Bluetooth compatibility, THERMATIC dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, Panoramic sunroof, aluminum roof rails, four power windows w/express up & down, SmartKey with remote, multi-function steering wheel with driver information display, split folding rear seatbacks, sliding cargo privacy cover, and cargo net.
The 2009 GLK350 will also include standard 19-inch all-season tires with 10-spoke alloy wheels, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability program (ESP), acceleration skid control (ASC), brake assist (BAS), Hill Start Assist, PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system, agility control suspension, dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, tire pressure loss warning system, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, NECK-PRO head restraints, and seatbelt tensioners with belt force limiters.
Major options will include leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, Pine brown wood interior trim, Harman Kardon LOGIC7 surround sound audio system, rear seat entertainment system, Keyless Go, rear view camera, backup sensors, power tailgate, TeleAid emergency calling system, SIRIUS satellite radio, trailer hitch, 20-inch tires and wheels, and aluminum running boards. Some of these options will be available individually, but many will come as part of option packages.
An Off-Road package available in Europe will not be available in Canada. This package includes a manual shift mode for the automatic transmission, off-road ABS, 4ETS off-road traction control, DSR downhill speed regulation, and special underbody protection. Given that few GLK owners will be doing any serious off-road driving, it probably won't be missed.
Driving impressions
At the GLK's worldwide media introduction in Dusseldorf, Germany, I had the opportunity to drive the GLK350 on a variety of city, country, and highway roads as well as a fairly demanding off-road course.
With its wide track, standard 19-inch all-season radials (front 235/50R19, rear 255/45R19), four-wheel independent suspension, and "Agility Control" which includes shocks that automatically adjust to road conditions, the GLK rides comfortably over even the worst surfaces - the body and suspension feel very solid and transmit very little noise to the cabin. The GLK handles surprisingly well with very little lean or drama in fast corners. Speed-sensitive steering provides a firm, stable feel at freeway speeds and a light, but not too light, steering feel at slow speeds. Compared to its competitors, the GLK doesn't feel quite as sporty as the BMW X3, but is more driver-oriented than a Lexus RX 350.
The GLK's standard 272-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine propels the GLK from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds according to Mercedes-Benz, and returns average fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km (27 mpg Imperial). The cabin is comfortably quiet at freeway speeds, and the GLK tracks very well at high speeds. Engine speed in seventh gear at 100 km/h is about 2,000 r.p.m.
The standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system, which distributes torque 45/55 front to rear, is basically invisible to the driver, but in combination with stability and traction control, it is designed to provide excellent stability and control in poor weather conditions. The standard seven-speed automatic transmission changes gears so smoothly that you often don't notice it - but it requires a firm kickdown prior to accelerating onto the freeway. Unlike the BMW X3, the GLK350 doesn't offer a standard manual transmission.
I experienced one curious drivability issue: when backing off the throttle at freeway speeds, and after coasting for a few seconds, the GLK slows down suddenly because of engine braking, even though the transmission didn't shift down.
I tested the GLK equipped with the Off-Road package (which is not available in Canada) on a demanding off-road course where it performed very well for a "crossover".
But even without the Off-Road package, the GLK's generous wheel travel, 20 cm of ground clearance, and all-wheel drive and traction control (plus a good set of winter tires) will be sufficient for most unpaved and snow-covered roads in Canada.
I also had a brief opportunity to drive the GLK220 CDI diesel model (pictured at right) and came away with the impression that if this model were offered in Canada at a lower price than the GLK350, it would sell like bratwurst at a German beer festival. It offers average fuel consumption of just 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg Imperial); and though its 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder "BlueEfficiency" diesel engine has only 170 horsepower, it offers 295 lb-ft of torque starting at just 1400 rpm, providing throttle responsiveness akin to a much larger engine. Its official 0 to 100 km/h time is a respectable 8.8 seconds, and the diesel engine is surprisingly quiet, even with the windows open. The BlueEfficiency label means that it meets the strictest Euro 5 emissions standards, but I wasn't told whether it would meet North American standards.
Canadian pricing for the 2009 GLK350 hasn't been announced, but it's a safe bet that it would be competitive with the BMW X3 3.0si which currently sells for $51,100. Given the trend to lower luxury car pricing, my guess is that it will be in the mid to high 40s.
CanadianDriver: First Drive - 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK
M
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
The photography of Canadian Driver just annoys me. I mean look at this!
Throw the bottle out!
Throw the bottle out!
justanthony
Highway Hunter
^ There's something about the middle part of that interior. Its kinda tacky. I ges dats what ruins it for most people. Rest of it is nice enough
cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
I agree. That would also be good for the W204 C-Class.
Audi does this on their interiors - they make use of chrome or chrome-imitating plastic. It works.
justanthony
Highway Hunter
^^I think the vents look ok enough, same boxy theme going on as with d rest of d car. Tho some chrome would improve its look of course. But the plastic middle area just looks.... bare/cheap/unattractive. It even manages to look better in d W204
PHYBENZ
G-Class Explorer
There should be wood at least around the AirCon controls like the W204. In some versions I have seen wood there and in others plastic.
I need to see the interior in person, I am not convinced by the pictures and on top of the fact that edmunds said it has cheap plastics inside.
I need to see the interior in person, I am not convinced by the pictures and on top of the fact that edmunds said it has cheap plastics inside.
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Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury
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