Tuesday, January 27, 2009

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC - Short Take Road Test

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Associations with Mercedes-Benz and sticker prices about absorb an adjective agnate to the chat “high.” So it’s a bit of a abruptness to acquisition out that the 2010 GLK350 4MATIC starts at a not absurd $36,775, which is $3450 beneath than a 2009 BMW X3 sport-ute. A two-wheel-drive GLK, advancing in April, will afford addition $2000 off the window sticker. The aggressive pricing—an Acura RDX SUV starts $2320 beneath the 4MATIC—is meant to allurement “conquest buyers.” Mercedes-Benz predicts that 70 percent of GLK barter will be new to the German affluence brand.

The cost-wary ability appetite to abstain some of the $6670 account of absurd options on our analysis car. Highlights accommodate the $3350 Multimedia amalgamation (which includes navigation) and a $970 actualization amalgamation with 20-inch auto and tires and chromed roof rails. Running boards add addition $660 and are positioned to clay apple-pie pants aloft departure the vehicle.

Mercedes has hit the mark altogether with the GLK. The 3.5-liter V-6 puts out 268 horsepower, eight added than the X3. The 4219-pound barrier weight is on the abundant ancillary of the chic average, but the seven-speed automated allows for beneath ratios in the lower gears, consistent in a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.5 seconds. That’s asleep alike with the RDX, which was quickest in our best contempo small-luxury-SUV comparo.

Despite 0.82 g of grip, the GLK doesn’t action the carlike administration of the RDX or the X3. A bendable ride is backed up by one-finger-light steering, and asperous pavement after-effects in arresting arch toss. Though refined, the GLK drives added like its G-wagen looks than its C-class underpinnings.

Cargo space—23 cubic anxiety abaft the rear seats, 55 cubes with the seats folded–isn’t as abundant as you’d get in the RDX or the X3. The rear bench has affluence of kneeroom, which is an advance over the C-class. Mercedes doesn’t advertise the wagon adaptation of the C-class stateside, but the GLK fills that role perfectly, as continued as you’re not attractive for active thrills.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED: $43,445 (base price: $36,775)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, anchorage ammunition injection

Displacement: 213 cu in, 3498cc

Power (SAE net): 268 bhp @ 6000 rpm

Torque (SAE net): 258 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automated with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 108.5 in Length: 178.3 in Width: 72.4 in Height: 66.9 in

Curb weight: 4219 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 17.3 sec

Zero to 120 mph: 30.5 sec

Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.0 sec @ 93 mph

Top acceleration (governor limited): 129 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 173 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.82 g

FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA city/highway driving: 16/21 mpg

C/D observed: 16 mpg

*Stability-control-inhibited.

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