2nd place: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC
The GLK's base price is probably what spurred the creation of this comparison test. Its $41,800 MSRP seems affordable both by Mercedes-Benz and by luxury SUV standards. A side-by-side evaluation with rival SUVs would determine if the GLK is a worthy machine to wear a Mercedes logo.
On the outside, the GLK350 looks good, resembling a mini G-Class, with squared-off shoulders and angular proportions. It's svelte and seems smaller than it really is. On the other hand, we were a little disappointed with the interior styling; like in the C-Class, the cockpit feels cold and corporate. Fit and finish, however, is beyond reproach.
One thing that really bugged us is the fat door sills; you can't climb out without rubbing your leg on the rocker panel. You all know what your pants will look like during the winter months.
The centre stack switchgear also drew some criticism. The climate control buttons are small and located too low, while the radio display didn't impress much. The rear bench is accommodating for two adults, but three across is pushing it a little. The cargo area is the smallest of the bunch, but the hatch opening is wide and the power tailgate operates quickly.
The GLK's V6 doesn't feel very punchy, but it didn't prevent the SUV from posting the lowest acceleration numbers; the dash to 100 km/h was recorded in 7.2 seconds with the manual mode, while offering the quietest cabin at wide-open throttle. In addition, the Mercedes' fuel consumption is reasonable, averaging 11.9 L/100 km.
Still wearing its winter tires like the RDX, braking performance suffered a little. Dynamically, the GLK's overboosted steering lacks precision on twisty roads, although it's less of a problem on the highway. The Mercedes doesn't handle as sharply as the CX-7 and RDX, but its ride is more than acceptable.
The GLK350 is an attractive SUV that has a personality which has yet to be identified. Is it a truck or a high-riding C-Class? Probably the latter, but its square-jawed shape ensures that truck buyers will find something that will please them. Unfortunately for the Mercedes, another contender here surpassed it in the final scoring.
"Mercedes chose to give the GLK350 the look of a true 4x4, not a futuristic and streamlined vehicle. And it seems to work!" -Luc Gagné
The GLK's base price is probably what spurred the creation of this comparison test. Its $41,800 MSRP seems affordable both by Mercedes-Benz and by luxury SUV standards. A side-by-side evaluation with rival SUVs would determine if the GLK is a worthy machine to wear a Mercedes logo.
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| With the GLK350, the dash to 100 km/h was recorded in 7.2 seconds with the manual mode. |
On the outside, the GLK350 looks good, resembling a mini G-Class, with squared-off shoulders and angular proportions. It's svelte and seems smaller than it really is. On the other hand, we were a little disappointed with the interior styling; like in the C-Class, the cockpit feels cold and corporate. Fit and finish, however, is beyond reproach.
One thing that really bugged us is the fat door sills; you can't climb out without rubbing your leg on the rocker panel. You all know what your pants will look like during the winter months.
The centre stack switchgear also drew some criticism. The climate control buttons are small and located too low, while the radio display didn't impress much. The rear bench is accommodating for two adults, but three across is pushing it a little. The cargo area is the smallest of the bunch, but the hatch opening is wide and the power tailgate operates quickly.
The GLK's V6 doesn't feel very punchy, but it didn't prevent the SUV from posting the lowest acceleration numbers; the dash to 100 km/h was recorded in 7.2 seconds with the manual mode, while offering the quietest cabin at wide-open throttle. In addition, the Mercedes' fuel consumption is reasonable, averaging 11.9 L/100 km.
Still wearing its winter tires like the RDX, braking performance suffered a little. Dynamically, the GLK's overboosted steering lacks precision on twisty roads, although it's less of a problem on the highway. The Mercedes doesn't handle as sharply as the CX-7 and RDX, but its ride is more than acceptable.
The GLK350 is an attractive SUV that has a personality which has yet to be identified. Is it a truck or a high-riding C-Class? Probably the latter, but its square-jawed shape ensures that truck buyers will find something that will please them. Unfortunately for the Mercedes, another contender here surpassed it in the final scoring.
"Mercedes chose to give the GLK350 the look of a true 4x4, not a futuristic and streamlined vehicle. And it seems to work!" -Luc Gagné
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| The rear bench is accommodating for two adults, but three across is pushing it a little. |