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17 · Wednesday, July 7, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com $ 8 OFF any oil change package Coupon required. Expiry: July,31 2010 Code: 5582 345 Speers Rd. (at Dorval), Oakville 905-842-9299 Valid at all GTA locations. GLK 350 blends SUV ruggedness with sedan civility By Neil Moore Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine A "bargain" isn't how I would typically describe any vehicle with the three-pointed star. Posh and purposeful? ­ positively. Well crafted? ­ without a doubt. And certainly in many cases a good value. But the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 mid-size premium SUV, starting at $42,900, comes in at a price point that had me scratching my head. It is based on the C-Class sedan, but comparing the GLK, which includes M-B's fourth-generation 4MATIC permanent allwheel-drive system, with the C 350 4MATIC sedan, there's nearly a $7,500 price difference in favour of the sport utility. Sure, with the sedan you get a few upgrades and some additional content, like the Harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system, cornering bi-xenon headlamps, power tilt/telescopic steering column and three-position memory, but the GLK gives you bigger alloy wheels (20-inch as opposed to 18's), a higher driving position and surprising off-road ability. That aside, the GLK wears a look that is more truck-like than most car-based CUVs and soft roaders. From the front, its prominent grille with two horizontal bars displays a big Mercedes star, flanked by large trapezoidal headlamps. The side profile is dominated by two beefy fenders that house the now standard 20-inch, twin-spoke alloys (up from 19-inchers). A sharp crease runs upward from the front fender to the rear taillight, and in back, the dual square-tipped exhausts, tucked into the rear fascia, are a nice touch. Standard aluminum roof rails and optional aluminum running boards enhance the GLK's typical SUV proportions. It lacks the gentle curves and soft profile of its M-Class or GL-Class siblings, and instead is more of a nod to the rugged G-Class ­ but in a less military way. The GLK 350 is powered by the same 3.5litre V6 you'll find in the C-Class, delivering 268 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque, but with a 3,500 pound towing capacity. And it is mated to the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic, also found in the C-Class. This transmission, with its quick, tightly spaced shifts, provides almost no interruption in power, and when pushed, can skip several gears when downshifting. It will launch from rest to 100 km/h in a posted time of 6.7 seconds, which is not bad for a sports sedan, let alone an SUV. The standard equipped 4MATIC all-wheel drive system surprised me during the GLK launch event in November of 2008. At the time, my test vehicle was shod with low-profile street tires on 20-inch alloy rims, and was parked in front of an off-road course that was nearly calf-deep in mud. I was, at the time, skeptical that such a civilized vehicle could make it through the muck, but it did so with confidence, neither hanging up in the wheel-swallowing ruts, nor getting stuck part way uphill. Ground clearance of 200 mm, and short front and rear overhangs allow generous approach and departure angles, and with 4MATIC selectively applying braking and power from wheel to wheel, the GLK kept moving up and over some surprisingly steep terrain. One of the things I like best about driving this vehicle is its sedan-like ride. Sure, the same is said about most of today's SUVs and crossovers, and to a degree it's true, but with the GLK, its handling is a cut above most. Much of this can be attributed to M-B's Agility Control suspension, which can adapt to current driving conditions, providing equal ability, and comfort, both on and off road. For example, during spirited driving or more abrupt maneuvers, the dampers adjust to a firmer setting ­ flattening out the corners to a point where it nearly handles like a sport sedan. When driving on rougher roads or going off the grid, the system softens damping to better soak up the bumps. Much of the GLK 350's driving pleasure, however, comes from within. The interior is typically Mercedes-Benz, with high quality fabrics, plastics and soft-touch materials, along with tightly fitted seams, well-placed instruments and loads of buttons and knobs. My tester came standard with burl walnut wood trim, although you can choose the optional aluminum trim, as was fitted when the vehicle launched. I prefer the wood. Continued on page 20 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 At A Glance: BODY STYLE: mid-sized premium SUV DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, allwheel-drive ENGINE: 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 (268 hp, 258 lb/ft torque) FUEL ECONOMY: 13.3 L/100 km city and 9.6 L/100 km highway PRICE: Base $42,900; COMAND Navigation Package $1,800; Premium Package $2,000; Iridium Silver Metallic paint $890; Media interface $375; Panoramic sunroof $1,500; Trailer hitch $675 ­ as tested $50,140 WEBSITE: www.mercedes-benz.ca