Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic

[Autos_Editor]

There are cheaper and roomier competitors, but Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh still loves the Mercedes-Benz GLK. The engine is gutsy, the transmission is smooth, controls are intuitive, the ride is great and it's just a satisfying driver, she says.

Read More...

[sailor723]

I've always liked the look of the GLK but only 15 cubic ft of cargo capacity without turning it into a two seater?

Build me this style (and mid/high 40's price point) with some usable utility and I'll even forgive the vinyl seats.

[Ex-airbalancer]

And it is a side show watching a person over 6 ft get into the rear seat

[CanuckS2K]

I've never sat in one, but holy those are some pretty small cargo numbers.  So basically it's a compact sport utility vehicle that put it's emphasis on "compact" rather "utility".  Heck, my S2000 has 1/3 the trunk space of this SUV.   

[RET]

If the diesel version makes its way to Canada this will be my next car.   My local dealer has said 'yes it will' and 'no it won't' so I am not sure now.

RET

[sailor723]

I've never sat in one, but holy those are some pretty small cargo numbers.  So basically it's a compact sport utility vehicle that put it's emphasis on "compact" rather "utility".  Heck, my S2000 has 1/3 the trunk space of this SUV.   

I just checked....so does the Mini convertible!

edit...

I just checked and the Forester,CR-V and the Rav4 all have 30+ cubic feet behind the rear seats. Are we sure that 15.something number is correct or referring to the same dimension?
Seems way out of whack 

[Ex-airbalancer]

It probably has more room the Tiguan

[wing]

According to Merc it's 450L - 1550L  450L = 15.89cubic feet so looks like it.

It is a small SUV which makes it a nice drive... like a car.

Merc's numbers are weird though as they claim on 7cubic feet for the GL class?

The C class has 12.5 and the B class has 19...

[Dante]

I believe that the 15 cu.ft. is measured up to the window/rear seatback level. Usually this is how the cargo is measured in Euro. I believe in NA the cargo is measured to the ceiling.
By the look of it and from my recollection the cargo is not smaller than in other SUVs and hatches that post higher numbers.

[evil_twin]

I believe that the 15 cu.ft. is measured up to the window/rear seatback level. Usually this is how the cargo is measured in Euro. I believe in NA the cargo is measured to the ceiling.
By the look of it and from my recollection the cargo is not smaller than in other SUVs and hatches that post higher numbers.

Agreed.  Those numbers are definitely out of whack.  This thing would hold similar amounts to the other baby utes out there...

...and no more than a small sportwagon.  Which leads me to question why anyone would choose this over an A4 avant or 328xiT?  Though, sadly, money talks - and I see tons of GLKs out there and very few of the wagons. 

[Bluenose]

This is the vehicle that a MB owner hubby buys for his wife. Small, easy to drive and park, high driving position with the MB star on the grill. I don't believe I have seen one on the road yet with a male driver. But $51K as tested and no available real leather seats!?
I just priced out a '11 BMW X3 with similar options but with the 300 hp engine, for only $1K more. Plus it has a longer wheel base, an 8 speed auto transmission and 27.6 cu ft of cargo space with the seats up!

[kicker]

Good thing there is alot of active research into star trek like voice recognition now ,making it alot better soon . Even AT&T is hinting it will put it in pvrs.
The sooner they improve it the better , the current voice recognition is poor . I just say bla bla bla ,to get a live voice because it screws up so much at shaw for 411 numbers. 

[Rolph]

Plus it has...an 8 speed auto transmission...

Anyone here want to own this thing out of warranty with >100K km on it? Bueller? Bueller??? 

[dirtyjeffer]

i really like the GLK, but i admit, the new X3 is pretty sweet too.

[dirtyjeffer]

But $51K as tested and no available real leather seats!?

you can add real leather for $2500.

[Bluenose]

Plus it has...an 8 speed auto transmission...

Anyone here want to own this thing out of warranty with >100K km on it? Bueller? Bueller??? 

If you're talking about the GLK - not me! MB's reliability has been horrible post the Chrysler fiasco. Hopefully the quality is improving, although the interior look is not up to MB look and feel.

[sailor723]

I believe that the 15 cu.ft. is measured up to the window/rear seatback level. Usually this is how the cargo is measured in Euro. I believe in NA the cargo is measured to the ceiling.
By the look of it and from my recollection the cargo is not smaller than in other SUVs and hatches that post higher numbers.

That would make more sense. I read somewhere that the new,larger X3 was only 19 ft or so. Still a very small number compared to Honda Subaru etc etc. Maybe it's a German thing  and they measure differently.

 (or maybe Germans don't bring a lot of luggage with them  )

[Dante]

I believe that the 15 cu.ft. is measured up to the window/rear seatback level. Usually this is how the cargo is measured in Euro. I believe in NA the cargo is measured to the ceiling.
By the look of it and from my recollection the cargo is not smaller than in other SUVs and hatches that post higher numbers.

That would make more sense. I read somewhere that the new,larger X3 was only 19 ft or so. Still a very small number compared to Honda Subaru etc etc. Maybe it's a German thing  and they measure differently.

 (or maybe Germans don't bring a lot of luggage with them  )

I believe it's how they report the cargo space in the spec sheet for the cars on sale in Europe; even the Japanese cars. It's clearly specified that this is what they measure IIRC.

[sailor723]

I believe that the 15 cu.ft. is measured up to the window/rear seatback level. Usually this is how the cargo is measured in Euro. I believe in NA the cargo is measured to the ceiling.
By the look of it and from my recollection the cargo is not smaller than in other SUVs and hatches that post higher numbers.

That would make more sense. I read somewhere that the new,larger X3 was only 19 ft or so. Still a very small number compared to Honda Subaru etc etc. Maybe it's a German thing  and they measure differently.

 (or maybe Germans don't bring a lot of luggage with them  )

I believe it's how they report the cargo space in the spec sheet for the cars on sale in Europe; even the Japanese cars. It's clearly specified that this is what they measure IIRC.

Sorry..."clearly specified" where?  by who?

I went to the MB Canada site and under the technical specifications for the GLK all it lists is "trunk space (L)" and the number ...450 (15.88 cu ft) in this case. ......no asterisks or explanations that I could see

I've always found for SUV's that  refers to the volume either behind the rear seats or (if specified) with the rear seats folded.

[X-Traction]

"a new rear wheel drive version"

I didn't realize there was a cuv besides the Grand Vitara that has a longitudinal engine.  Are there others?