Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic is more than just a movie prop - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bill Wood · #1 06-03-2010, 12:10 PM

Filed under: Crossover, Mercedes-Benz, Reviews, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you launch a vehicle during the year's most over-hyped estrogenfest, you're obviously trying to appeal to a specific demographic. Specifically, not us. There's a reason we haven't taken a crack at the Mercedes-Benz GLK until the sequel to Sex and the City hit the screen. It was just too easy to pigeonhole this cute 'ute as nothing more than a boxy four-wheeled trinket - a cynical fashion accessory designed to compliment your rat-faced pooch and Manolo Blahniks (yes, we had to look that up).

But a funny thing happened on the way down I-5.

While blasting the stereo and hauling along at a decidedly Germanic clip, all of the stereotypes about the GLK's target demographic flew out its expansive sunroof. For as much as we dislike the mere idea of "entry-level luxury" - and in particular the scads of pseudo-SUVs that populate it - the GLK started to make sense. It's well proportioned, has adequate power and comes with nearly enough amenities to match its tri-pointed badge. We actually enjoyed it, even though our manhood might've taken a hit in the process.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic is more than just a movie prop

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic is more than just a movie prop originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...

Autoblog
06-03-2010 12:58 PM

cjbrown · #2 12-21-2010, 06:07 PM

Just picked up a 2011 a couple of weeks ago, 1K miles on it so far.
Absolutely love the car. It's smooth and quiet, nice to drive, plenty of room, no complaints so far. Averaging about 19mpg in combined driving, will do 23 on the freeway and 16-17 for city driving.

Most of the road tests rate the Q5 higher. In my ancient memory is the 100LS and 5000, and at that time in history I swore I would never own an Audi, or a Saab for that matter. The other runner-ups are Volvo S60 (too much wagon) Lexus RX350 (is still a Toyota, not that that's bad), and the X3. With the new model X3 coming out it didn't make sense to get an old-style one. Plus they start out about four grand more. Havng owned a handful of benzos it just made sense to go with what I have experience with. Customer service and buying experience was second to none.

Also on my short list was the Cadillac SRX - really nice inside, trendy design lines, but too many complaints about the lack of power and poor shifting. I guess they put the wrong motor in it - they have a 3.6L in the bigger cars, but chose the 3.0 for the SRX, Equinox, and Terrain. It didn't drive too bad in the Terrain, but nothing like the GLK with its 7 speed that is always in the right gear.

I didn't want all of the electronics, and didn't want to pay for them, so mine is a base model with aluminum trim and the roof. $35,500 cap on a lease for $430. I couldn't be more pleased. If it turns out to be a great car I can buy it in 3 years, if not turn it in and get something else. The only thing it doesn't have that I would have liked is the heated seats. With some research there are some good aftermarket options if I just have to have them. So far so good. The MBTex in the new ones is nothing short of remarkable.

Still have my 'vintage' 240. It's parked in the garage now for safe keeping.