Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

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The GLK is quick but not exceptionally fast. Mercedes figures it will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. I found my AWD test model somewhat slower than that—I clocked it at 7.2 seconds—but competitive with other models in the segment. For instance, Road and Track timed the 2010 Lexus RX 350 at 7.4 seconds in zero-to-60 runs.

In test drives, I found it almost impossible to ruffle the GLK's composure, even on bad country roads. I plunged my test vehicle into potholes, and accelerated over loose gravel and ridged sections of roadway badly in need of grading. The GLK smooths out even deep potholes without the alarming thud you get in a BMW X3. In urban driving, a tight turning radius makes the GLK a breeze to park.

The vehicle's styling is blocky and traditional. Mercedes describes the look as a "modern interpretation of the iconic G-Class," the company's rugged, Land Cruiser-like off-road vehicle. That influence can be seen in the GLK's angular front end, relatively vertical windshield, and squarish shape. The car's interior maintains that theme, with an angular, relatively vertical dash and none of the curving and swooping design elements most luxury vehicles have these days.

The GLK's interior looks classy, even if you don't pay an extra $1,750 for leather seats. Mercedes has developed a premium vinyl upholstery that looks and feels so much like leather you won't know the difference unless you really focus on it. And burl walnut interior trim can be had free of charge.

The front seats are roomy and comfortable. As in other Mercedes, the power seat controls are on the front doors, where you can see them, making it easy to adjust the seats precisely. There's also a lot of travel in the front seats, so there's a surprising amount of legroom for tall drivers, though the center console restricts knee space a bit.

You could cram three passengers into the rear seat, but they wouldn't be quite as comfortable. Shoulder and hip space are limited, and knee space is so tight that Mercedes has put little indentations in the backs of the front seats to eke out a tiny bit of extra room.

I wasn't able to test the GLK on snow and ice, but in past test drives I've found that Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system handles winter driving well. I wouldn't risk scratching up a $50,000 vehicle by taking it off-road, but the GLK has nearly eight inches of ground clearance so it probably could handle fairly rugged terrain. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs., which is about average for this category of vehicle.

Buy it or Bag It?

The GLK 350 is a good choice for a young family or an active retired couple, especially those who are trading down from a larger Mercedes SUV. It has the build quality, smooth ride, and characteristic styling of a big Mercedes packed into a small package. Consider test-driving it, however, against the sporty new Audi Q5 before buying.

The GLK's average selling price, $37,125 with rear-wheel drive and $41,311 with all-wheel drive, according to the Power Information Network (PIN), falls in the middle of the pack. Pricier competitors include the BMW X3, which with standard AWD carries an average price of $43,106 (for the '09 model, the most recent on which data are available), the 2010 Audi Q5 at $43,286, and the 2010 Lexus RX 350 at $42,435 with two-wheel drive and $43,512 with AWD.

Among less expensive alternatives, I particularly like the 2010 Acura RDX, which sells for an average of $35,474, according to PIN, and is available with the same marvelous "super handling" AWD system found in the new Acura TL and ZDX. Acura loads up its vehicles with standard gear and there's only one option package, so an all-wheel-drive RDX tops out at $38,430, 10 grand less than the well-loaded GLK I test-drove. Admittedly, though, the RDX doesn't have the rock-solid feel of a Mercedes.

The main problem I have with the GLK is not its price but its fuel economy, and the Acura doesn't do much better on that count. What I'd really like is to be able to buy a GLK with a fuel-sipping diesel engine.

Click here to see more of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350.

Thane Peterson reviews cars for BusinessWeek.com.

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