2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class - Review

Following last year's design update, the 2014 Mercedes GLK may look somewhat rugged, but it's actually a very comfortable crossover with pleasant driving manners. It's also available with a turbocharged diesel engine now, giving the GLK a greener demeanor than past models.

Nearly every angle, nook and cranny of the GLK was updated for 2013. Almost, that is, except very conventional SUV-style body. Where most other crossovers on the market have gone to the school of egg-shaped smoothness and sloping curves, the Mercedes GLK wears real sport utility design more outwardly than any other vehicle in its class, with exception to the Land Rover LR2. The taller, boxy design offers a little extra interior space, but belies its more gentle road-going experience. However, the interior carries the crossover message home–filled with soft-touch materials, and a large LCD screen that's surrounded by intuitively-placed controls.

Interior room is ample for passengers, and the front seats are supportive and nicely tailored. Finding a comfortable driving position isn't difficult, even for taller drivers. Knee room is fine in the second-row seat, and the angular roofline preserves head room, too. The rear seats fold forward to expand the GLK's cargo bin, leaving 54.7 cubic feet of space if just two passengers are present. With four people on board, the 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space is on the small side for the category. The standard upholstery in the GLK is a synthetic, and most passengers will never know the difference; leather is, of course, an option.

The GLK's standard-equipment list leaves no question that it's a luxury vehicle. It includes 19-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats, and Bluetooth connectivity. Satellite radio is available; so are a power liftgate; a navigation system powered by COMAND; and 20-inch wheels. New this year on all models is mbrace2, the Mercedes connectivity suite that puts mobile apps in touch with the vehicle--so that Yelp, Google search, and Facebook are a voice command or fingertip touch away. No SUV from the past ever did that--but more crossovers in the near future surely will.

After three years of chugging along with a sole powertrain configuration, the GLK divested that engine in 2013 in favor of a new six-cylinder shared with the E-Class, and adopted a long-awaited turbodiesel four from the European lineup. The six? It's more of the same quick-witted power, delivered to either the rear or all four wheels via a seven-speed, paddle-shifted automatic, and configured with stop/start control and direct injection to boost fuel economy (still unannounced as of yet). Performance is gutsy and vibrant, with more pleasant engine noise than before, and 0-60 mph times of 6.5 seconds--a couple of ticks quicker than the prior edition. The BlueTEC diesel is rated at 190 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque, shares the automatic and all-wheel drive, and pulls to 60 mph in about 8.0 seconds, with a hint of 30-mpg highway efficiency.

With either, really, the roughly 4,100-pound GLK feels relaxed and swift in everyday driving. On pavement, the GLK has a car-like cadence to its ride motions and its cornering forces. The steering's gone electric, but hasn't gone completely numb; it corners neatly, though with less heft and feedback than before. The suspension is tuned to be taut but well damped; it doesn't allow much body motion, but soaks up most roughness while the cabin stays tight and quiet. It's not anything like a hardcore off-roader, but its 4WD system will cut its way through foul weather, delivering power smoothly through muddy ruts and tackling the usual all-weather challenges pretty easily.