2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC: Baby G-Class Stands Tall Amongst Compact Luxury SUVs

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class features somewhat of a dual personality for compact SUV shoppers. On the one hand it represents the entry point into the German luxury brand’s family-friendly line-up, essentially standing in for the departed C-Class wagon and offering all-weather capability paired with a respectable amount of cargo space. On the other, its styling is eons away from the next-step-up M-Class and instead mimics the rugged, adventurous G-Class truck that perches at the top of the automaker’s sport-utility offerings. The squared-off, paramilitary leanings of the GLK-Class’ exterior appearance also place it apart from the more fluid lines of competitors from Audi and BMW, giving it an individualistic streak that is rare in the premium SUV segment. In this case, ‘different’ is ‘good,’ as it helps the GLK-Class stand out amongst its contemporaries.

A Pair Of Impressive Engines

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class can be ordered with one of two drivetrains: a 2.1-liter, turbodiesel four-cylinder good for 200 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 302 horses and 273 lb-ft of twist. The vehicle I drove – the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC – came with the latter, matched up with the same seven-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive that are standard across the board for the compact SUV.

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One of the first things I noticed when driving the GLK350 4MATIC was just how quick it is. Torque delivery from the hefty six-cylinder engine is instant, and depressing the pedal to the floor unleashes the kind of acceleration that would have been relegated to the world of sports sedans just a few years ago. This is true even when the vehicle is driven in ‘Eco’ mode, its default setting and one which attempts to squeeze as many kilometres from a tank of fuel as possible (the GLK350 also came with a Sport mode as well as a Manual mode that allowed me to shift through the gears using steering-wheel mounted paddles).

Eco mode also includes an automatic start/stop feature for the GLK-Class’ engine, and while it eliminates idling it’s not exactly the smoothest-operating design, as the starter’s shudder is easily felt through the gas pedal when it’s time to resume forward momentum. Fortunately, it can be disabled, if desired. I saw 15 l/100 km during my time with the SUV, which is fairly thirsty and above its combined rating. Given that the vehicle had a mere 50 kilometres showing on its odometer when I picked it up, I am willing to attribute at least part of the additional fuel consumption to an engine that had yet to be broken in.

I had the chance to pilot the GLK350 4MATIC through some fairly deep snow, and I came away impressed by how the small crossover handled itself. Ground clearance was sufficient to keep the Mercedes-Benz from getting high-sided, and the four-wheel drive system did a top-notch job of grasping for traction at every opportunity. In the past I have done some limited off-roading with the same model, and although I hesitate to label the vehicle ‘trail ready,’ it also acquitted itself well off of the beaten path. On the pavement, the GLK-Class displays competent handling but the stiff suspension system can feel rough at times when traveling over Montreal’s pockmarked asphalt.

Classy, Spacious Interior

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC offers a surprisingly upscale interior for a vehicle that stands as the least expensive Mercedes-Benz SUV. The steering wheel is thickly bolstered and comfortable to grip, the leather seats are supportive and look sufficiently high class, and the COMAND system – once one gets used to the console-mounted rotary dial that replaces the touchscreen interface that most other luxury brands use – is relatively intuitive. The tiny transmission stalk, which juts out of the right side of the steering column, is a little bit unusual as it features a push-button Park selector and requires strong inputs up and down to shift from D to R without getting hung up in neutral. It does free up space, however, which was undoubtedly the intention of Mercedes-Benz engineers. The vehicle’s other non-standard feature is its floating-needle speedometer, which impressed several of my passengers.

The seating position is high and commanding in the GLK350 4MATIC (for the driver), and the dual-pane moonroof helped to substantially increase the amount of light inside the truck’s cabin. Rear accommodations were also more than adequate, with those sitting in the second row of seating enjoying enough legroom to weather longer highway trips. I was particularly impressed with the size of the GLK’s cargo area, as it afforded a significant amount of space between the seatback and the hatch – more than several other premium crossovers and SUVs that I have tested in the past. The GLK350 4MATIC doesn’t trump any of its rivals in terms of total available interior room, but I was able to easily transport a long, framed painting as well as a set of sway bays with the rear seat folded forward.

An Excellent Wagon Alternative

I am a huge fan of wagons, but this places me in the minority amongst North American vehicle buyers. Fortunately, options like the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC are capable of straddling the line between providing the practicality of a traditional wagon and offering the additional capabilities of an SUV. I am completely enamoured of the GLK-Class’ right-angle styling, a look that defies convention and is as sharp as that of its larger G-Class kinsman, and it also helps that the Mercedes-Benz is priced competitively in its class – especially considering the fuel savings offered by its base turbodiesel trim level. When taking into account the SUV’s unflappable four-wheel drive system, luxurious interior trappings, and powerful V6 engine, it’s clear that this is one sub-$50k premium family hauler that is deserving of a long look for anyone in the market for a classy do-everything driver.