The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class makes perfect sense. Look back at Mercedes' history and it seems as if it's been making SUV-like things for more than a century. Sure Mercedes is known as a luxury carmaker in North America, but in the rest of the world it's known for filling virtually every product niche on four wheels. Minicars, midsize cars, big cars, delivery vans, commercial flatbeds, transcontinental semis, go-anywhere Unimogs...Mercedes-Benz builds them all. So why shouldn't it build the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
In North America, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class became the company's fourth entry into the crossover and/or SUV segment when it went on sale during 2009 as a 2010 model. Since the original GLK's unibody structure and suspension systems were both heavily based on the latest C-Class sedan's architecture, it was much more a crossover than it was a hard-core off-roader. Sure, all-wheel drive was an available option, but the ride height was strictly on-road-compliant.
The first GLK's square-cut, somewhat awkward lines may have been designed to elicit images of hardworking safari vehicles exploring the African savannah, but that's not the GLK's forte. The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is more likely to be found in the mall forecourt between Nordstrom and Wetzel's Pretzels.
That first Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class was well equipped for its likely duty. Initially available only as the GLK350, the only power plant offered in North America was Mercedes' ubiquitous 3.5-liter, gas-fired V6 rated at a solid 268 horsepower. And with even the lightest rear-drive GLK350 weighing in at nearly 2 tons, every one of those ponies needed to pull hard through the vehicle's seven-speed automatic transmission. Riding on standard 19-inch wheels and tires, the all-independent suspension was tuned for on-road comfort and just a bit of light off-roading. If there's one word that described the new Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, that word was "refinement."
While it wasn't available at the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class launch, a "Bluetec" diesel V6 would soon be added to the line.
With its structural heft, unmistakable Mercedes character and poised road manners, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class was ready for success the moment it debuted. It may be Mercedes' smallest crossover, but every molecule of the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is pure Mercedes.
