Test drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
I was hoping to post my Detroit Auto Show photo gallery today, but I went a little snap-happy with the camera, and now it's taking me for-freakin'-ever to sort through the fifteen thousand or so photos I took. (That's the curse of digital photography -- back when I was shooting on slides and every exposure cost money, I was a lot more discriminating about when I hit the shutter button.) Despite all the doom-and-gloom predictions, there was an awful lot to see at the Detroit show,and I'm really, really glad I went (and not just because of my diesel-and-White-Castle experience).
Meanwhile, Jason Fogelson just posted a review of the Mercedes GLK350 that I wrote for his About.com SUVs site. Now, I'm not just blogging this review as a way to put you off for a day -- I really had intended to talk about the GLK350 here on the Cars site, as I think its one of the few SUVs that could be of genuine interest to those who prefer cars but need something a little bigger and boxier. I'm just talking about it a few days earlier than originally planned. Check it out, and check back tomorrow for Detroit show pix. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some photos to sort through...-- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
Great review. I caught a sneak peek of a GLK at a local auto show last month, and after sitting through the salesman’s pitch for 15 minutes, he signed me up for a no-strings-attached test drive at the dealership. Apparently I was only the 4th person to drive it at their dealer, and they were more interested in getting the word out than selling it right away. Nevertheless, I was more than impressed. It’s definitely one of the most attractive cars I’ve seen in a while…
I’m currently cross-shopping this with the EX35. I like the Infiniti, as it has more sporting intentions, with sharper handling and a more powerful motor. It feels more like a tall wagon than an SUV, and I prefer that. But the GLK isn’t much different. As you mentioned, the motor feels plenty powerful, but the ceiling is almost too high. I like the snug, wrapped-up feeling you get in the EX. However, the GLK has cargo room in spades, and that’s where it absolutely trounces the EX. Your photos do a great job of accentuating this.
I don’t like the X3 (feels like an overpriced CR-V), the LR2 feels overweight, and the RDX tries hard, yet falls just a half step behind in both luxury and sportiness. But to each his own…
Unique? Maybe. Beautiful? I’m sorry, weren’t you talking about the GLK350?
Nice review. I’m surprised about the lack of room in the back seat. It does look like a nice package.
Would be interested in a comparo with the Audi Q5.
Seems like a very nice small SUV. Only problem I have with it is, what’s the point of its diminuative size, if it swills gas like a bigger model…and premium gas, no less!