Hey Cool Car Fans,

Here’s the “Cool Car Shot” of the latest vehicle I got for my wife to drive as a CoolCarGuy.com vehicle.  You’ll seen be seeing Becky cruise around the Front Range in this great vehicle.  Here are the details on this super cool ride that I got from Chris Fulton of Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota, Florida.

I’m having it shipped to Colorado.  They are a really good Mercedes-Benz dealership that was easy to work with for this purchase.  The vehicle included a 100,000 mile certification from Mercedes-Benz in the price of the vehicle.

If you’re looking for a high quality SUV for the money, be sure and check out the Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4 Matic as a serious option to some of the other mid-sized SUV’s on the market.  You can get one loaded with navigation and plenty of great options for about the same price as some of the other brands you may be considering.

Overview

The GLK borrows the appearance of Mercedes’ larger sport-utility vehicles but is actually very manageable size for city-dwellers.

The combination of boxy exterior style and best-in-class aerodynamics should please most shoppers, too. Inside, the GLK feels more car-like, which most buyers will appreciate, along with the brisk acceleration from the V6. The GLK is very competitively priced as well; with its base level of equipment, it’s no more expensive than some of its luxury rivals.

All U.S. GLK models will come in GLK350 trim, including a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 and 7-speed automatic transmission. The base GLK350 comes with rear-wheel drive, but 4MATIC full-time 4-wheel drive is available. Performance is impressive: zero to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, and a top speed of 143 mph.

The GLK is intended primarily for on-road duty, with a 4-wheel independent suspension that’s tuned for a sporty feel on the road; but it does have the ground clearance and skid plates for modest off-roading. The 4MATIC system reverts to sending 55 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels under normal conditions and works with the stability control system to help maintain traction and stability.

The cabin of the GLK was designed to provide a high level of adjustability for the driver, with a comfortable position possible for those 6′-6″ or taller, according to the automaker. In back, head restraints can be adjusted for height and tilt, and legroom and headroom are adequate for adults. The back seats can be folded forward to increase the cargo area from 23.3 cubic feet up to 54.7 cubic feet-and a total of nearly 66 inches of length-for large items. The cargo area also includes coat hooks, bag hooks, a light, and an extra power outlet.

With an overall length of just 178 inches and an upright seating position, the GLK is very maneuverable in city driving and easy to park thanks to the boxy design. And despite the shape, the GLK has the best aerodynamics among SUVs, according to Mercedes-Benz, which should help cut wind noise at highway speeds.

Standard features on the GLK include dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, power front seats, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and an 8-speaker MP3-compatible CD sound system with weather band and an auxiliary input. 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels are standard, though flashier 20-inch seven-spoke wheels are available. Real Sienna Pine wood trim is also included.

As is expected from Mercedes-Benz, safety features are abundant. Front side airbags, head-protecting curtain bags, and active front head restraints are all on the list of those included on the GLK, as are anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and electronic stability control with a trailer stabilization function.

A number of option packages bring related extras together. Among the most noteworthy are the Premium Package, combining a Panorama sunroof, satellite and HD radio and a power liftgate; a Lighting Package, bringing bi-xenon headlamps with adaptive lighting, corner-illuminating fog lamps and LED taillamps. The Multimedia Package includes a navigation system, 600-watt harman/kardon surround sound system, a seven-inch display, a 6-gigabyte music hard drive, and a voice-control interface. Standalone options include heated seats, a Parktronic parking aid, running boards, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The GLK-Class is an entirely new model for 2010. The compact, V6-powered sport-utility vehicle echoes some of the design cues of the larger G-Class and GL-Class but is an all-new design.

The look of a larger SUV
manageable size and maneuverability
interior space
strong acceleration

Cool Car Guy Rating:

***** – Love It!

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Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with his license at a car dealership in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com or Twitter @coolcarguy