Our review score: 9.5 / 10
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class may be the exact same vehicle as its predecessor, but with such a terrific selection of powertrains and unprecedented interior comfort, it’s almost impossible to dislike it.
Mercedes has redesigned the GLK-Class recently and just last year endowed it with a very efficient diesel four-cylinder engine. This means that the German company had absolutely no reason to revamp this compact, five-passenger crossover for 2015. So, if you already own the 2014 model and for some strange reason you are inkling to switch to the newest version, don’t – because they are nearly identical.
While we tend to push for change at all times, there is just no need for it – at least, not yet. Now let’s look at some of the highlights of this crossover:
Two Awesome Engines to Choose From
There are two versions of the vehicle defined by their engine: the GLK 250 BlueTec and GLK350. The former comes with a 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel that can produce 200 horsepower and impressive 369 pound-feet of torque. It takes roughly eight seconds for the model to reach 100 km/h, which is surprisingly fast – though the vehicle is somewhat outmatched by its peers. The main appeal of this powertrain, however, is its efficiency, carrying a combined rating of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres (11.8 city and 8.6 highway).
When it comes to power, the real star is the 3.5-litre V6 engine. It can produce 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which allow it to accelerate to 100 km/h in less than six seconds. This kind of speed puts the GLK250 in the same category as the six-cylinder models of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, which is great. The fuel efficiency isn’t as appealing here as in the GLK250, delivering a combined rating of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres for rear- and all-wheel-drive models.
The main reason we like this selection is that there is a very clear line between power and efficiency, which means that you can easily put yourself either in one camp or another, depending on your preferences.
Nice and Cozy Cabin
The GLK may be small, but there is plenty of room for passengers. As usual, the two front-seat occupants get the most out of this deal, thanks to the well-bolstered chairs that offer enough room for the tallest of drivers. That said, we wouldn’t mind it if the bottom cushions were a little softer.
The second-row seats offer enough leg and head room for two adults, and three children would fit across the bench just fine too. And if you’re not satisfied with the skimpy 23.3-cubic-foot cargo area, you can fold those seats flat to expand the space to 54.7 cubic feet.
We also like the padded dash top and standard vinyl upholstery – which you can exchange for leather if you’re feeling fancy. The metal-like plastic that breaks up the interior looks surprisingly convincing, and if you don’t like it, you can replace it with real wood.
You Can Use Facebook While Driving! (Yay?)
The GLK may very well have some of the best tech features around. In fact, it’s one of the first SUVs to properly implement social media, and this new model can read back your Facebook feed. Thanks to a little feature called mbrace2 – a mobile-app connectivity suite – you can now access Facebook, Yelp and Google Street View without compromising your driving experience. We didn’t think any of that was necessary, but we like having those anyway!
Final Word
Everything about the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class practically screams “quality.” Yes, it does lack a third row, which is bit grating – especially if you consider the vehicle’s $43,900 base MSRP – but we are willing to let it go. Mercedes has taken a relatively small vehicle and turned into a little condo on wheels – which is more than worth the asking price as far as we are concerned.
