Outdoor Sports

All New Mercedes GLK with AMG Package Features LED Lights

As October wound to a close, the Capital District was grazed with the edge of a Waaay Too Early ‘Noreaster. Locations not very far from us were not so much grazed as belted with a baseball bat.

This type of unseasonal weather insult serves as a not-so-friendly reminder that winter — in all its slushy glory — will soon be upon us. The season of slush is a big reason why a lots of people choose to drive SUVs around here. This week, we do too.

Mercedes’ SUV lineup stretches four models wide, including the G, GL and M series models, as well as this week’s test drive vehicle, the GLK.

The GLK is the smallest of the quartet, competing in the largest SUV segment — compacts. First introduced in 2009 as an early 2010 model, GLK returns for 2012 largely unchanged from last year.

This Ute’s full name (GLK 350) bespeaks the engine that powers it — Mercedes’ 3.5 liter V-6. The six produces 268 horsepower (@6,000 rpm) and 258 lb. ft. of torque (@2,400-5,000 rpm). It feels like the ideal size motor to motivate an upscale, compact SUV: smooth, quick (0-60 in 6 1/2 seconds) and largely silent (save the throaty response when you prod it). The automatic transmission is seamless from gear to gear, yet despite its seven speeds, the GLK is unexceptional in its fuel economy. EPA estimates are 16 city and 21 highway (4×4), though 4×2 versions ($35,880) are one mpg better on the highway. Towing capacity for either two- or four-wheel drive versions is 3,500 lb. max.

The GLK’s available 4MATIC All Wheel drive system is a full-time setup that splits power 45 percent to the front wheels, and 55 percent to the rear. There’s 7.9 inches of ground clearance below. The four wheel independent suspension includes coil springs, gas shocks and stability bars. The chassis also features Agility Control, which enables the twin-tube shock absorbers to shift between stiffer and softer settings, in response to road conditions.

The GLK’s ride is car-like, and handling is good for the breed; stable and surefooted. Standard safety features include stability control, ABS, two stage adaptive airbags up front, a driver’s knee air bag, curtain side air bags, belt tensioners, and active front head restraints.

The GLK interior is well crafted and smartly appointed. The interior upgrade ($1,780) offers a nice cut of leather for the upholstery, and the overall look and feel of the cabin is in keeping with a luxury marque. With upscale vehicles come many bells and whistles.

The features make for a lot of buttons and controls, as is the case here, though the layout is generally logical. Stalks for directionals and cruise control are, in the Mercedes tradition, mounted low and a little too close together. Three analog gauges make up the main instrument panel display. A 4 1/2-inch screen is embedded in the speedometer, on which the driver can call up a variety of vehicle information items, by toggling a steering wheel mounted switch.

A 100-watt, six-speaker sound system is standard. The upgrade option is a 510 watt harmon/kardon surround sound setup, with 11 speakers and a subwoofer. Add the Multimedia Package ($3,000) and the sound system will allow you to rip tunes from a CD onto the six gig hard drive. Also included in the package is a navigation system with 7-inch color screen, rearview camera, iPod/MP3 interface, six-CD changer, Gracenote Media Database, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and voice controls for phone, radio and navigation. One interior tweak for 2012 is that the media interface has been relocated to the center console.

There’s ample headroom in both rows. However, leg room in back runs short, as the front seats near full pushback. Cargo capacity ranges from 23.3 cubic feet to 54.7, depending on how you configure the seats. The top hinged liftgate swings high out of the way, liftover height in back is low. The load floor with back seats down is mostly but not completely flat.

Mercedes offers an AMG Styling Package ($1,990), which spiffs up the GLK with 20-inch 5-spoke rims,
LED daytime running lights
,
LED bulbs
for the tail lights, aluminum roof rails and restyled front and rear fascias. Stock or stylized, the GLK350 is a classy addition to the compact SUV segment.

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