| The days of the huge, ponderous SUV are over. Not | | | | wheel drive model. Most customers seem to prefer |
| so much because people don't want a sport/utility | | | | the latter, giving them the best ride under all sorts of |
| vehicle, but the one that they are interested in | | | | road conditions. And, a pair of off road packages |
| purchasing offers many of the same capabilities in a | | | | allows drivers to take the Mercedes GLK where its |
| smaller package. | | | | bigger brethren roam, just the sort of option needed |
| The compact Mercedes GLK is the newest in a | | | | to win the mud season wars. |
| family of sport/utility vehicles that have changed the | | | | The brake system is yet another area where |
| way people think about Mercedes-Benz. Sure, the | | | | Mercedes shines, which means that the GLK has a |
| safari-like GL remains popular with some buyers while | | | | wonderfully short braking distance. Traction control, |
| the large ML continues to hold sway in a category | | | | brake assist and anti-lock brakes work to bring the |
| where every luxury make has a presence. But the | | | | GLK to a full stop while the SUV's independent front |
| five passenger GLK shows that the same suspension, | | | | and rear suspension help to keep the Mercedes under |
| agility and design afforded to its larger brethren | | | | the driver's complete control at all times. |
| works quite well on a smaller scale. | | | | Let's Take Out The Boat |
| Smaller Scale, Big Cabin | | | | In the GLK, Mercedes has also solved a problem that |
| Although from the outside the Mercedes GLK looks | | | | sportsmen have with most compact SUVs – |
| much smaller than it actually is, it is on the inside | | | | they simply aren't designed with a large towing |
| where buyers learn just how much room is available | | | | capacity. But Mercedes configured the GLK to not |
| to them. Head, shoulder and foot room is more than | | | | only perform well on and off road, but to do so while |
| ample and, with two sunroofs, the interior seems | | | | pulling as much as 4400 lbs of boat or camper behind |
| even larger. | | | | it. Try to find that much towing capability in most |
| As expected, the seating in the GLK is at the top of | | | | compact luxury SUVs and you'll be hard pressed to |
| its game. That shouldn't be a surprise to Mercedes | | | | come up with a comparable package without paying |
| devotees, but it is a refreshing change for a vehicle | | | | extra for it. |
| in this segment. Too often a compact SUV sacrifices | | | | And as expected the Mercedes GLK comes fully |
| some comfort in order to keep its price down, but | | | | equipped with all of the technological gizmos you |
| the Mercedes GLK flies against that trend by | | | | expect from surround sound audio system, navigation |
| delivering full luxury without compromise. | | | | unit, active front head restraints, antitheft alarm |
| Robust Engine, Off Road Capability | | | | system and more – offering perhaps the best |
| Under the hood, the 3.5L V6 engine is paired with a | | | | blend of safety, security, technology and driveability |
| seven-speed automatic transmission, offering the | | | | of any compact luxury sport/utility vehicle on the |
| right amount of power and delivering a combined 18 | | | | market. |
| mpg whether you choose the front wheel drive or all | | | | |