2010-2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class | Used Vehicle Spotlight
Before Mercedes-Benz reconfigured its SUV lineup with naming conventions subsequent the exact pattern as its cars — prior to the GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS — there was a humble compact crossover named the GLK. Classy and boxy, the GLK-Class provided an inexpensive entry into the Mercedes ute lineup. The GLK 350 was provided with a V6 and either two- and all-wheel-travel layouts, when the 250 BlueTEC provided a torquey diesel turbo-four.
The GLK was comparatively shorter-lived, promoting for just six product decades in the U.S. It was adopted by the somewhat more substantial GLC-Class, which gave up the squared-off styling for a sleeker, additional rounded seem. The GLK’s styling built a return of sorts with the Mercedes-Benz GLB course.
Why the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
We owned a GLK 250 BlueTEC for about 8 decades, and lastly replaced it with a much larger SUV as our relatives grew. We liked it for a amount of explanations. 1st and foremost, it was a pleasure to travel. Its compact footprint built it maneuverable, and we appreciated its vehicle-like managing.
We also liked the fuel economic system. Although the fuel-driven GLK 350 with its 3.five-liter V6 returned 19 miles for each gallon metropolis (or eighteen with all-wheel travel) and 25 freeway, our tiny AWD turbodiesel was rated at 24 mpg metropolis and 33 freeway, but it was not abnormal for us to regular 38 mpg on extended freeway excursions. That built for outstanding selection, and we could make the 500-mile round vacation to our cottage and back again — plus some driving in in between — with no getting to cease for fuel.
It was also shockingly area economical. I as soon as utilized a GLK to move places of work at a previous publication. I was shocked by the volume of bins I could healthy in it with the rear seats folded. It worked well plenty of for our relatives with two dogs and one particular little one, but sitting in front of a rear-going through little one seat was a tiny cramped. We only moved up in sizing right after getting our second little one.
We also enjoyed the all-wheel-travel capability of the GLK. It was not tremendous robust, and I did handle to get it stuck in the snow as soon as on an aged logging path (that one’s on me), but it furnished a great deal of self esteem on free, soaked or snowy roads.
Which GLK to select?
Get the diesel. The 250 BlueTEC served my relatives well. It was quick plenty of to blend it up in freeway site visitors. The 369 pound-ft of torque was fantastic close to city or when towing a pair of jet skis (like the fuel-driven GLK 350, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds). Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-travel technique came conventional on the BlueTEC, too.
Searching our listings, the lower-mileage styles of both equally the 250 and 350 are in the significant teens to reduced $20k selection. Narrow the choices down by a radius close to your ZIP code, and fork out attention to the deal ranking on every single listing to see how a motor vehicle compares with others in a similar area.
What else to contemplate?
Or you could go with the clear rival, the second-technology BMW X3. The styling is a great deal different, and the X3 provided improved tech and what was arguably a nicer cabin.
Yet another deserving contender would be the Acura RDX, with sporty managing and superior trustworthiness, but it was also reduced on tech, and could only tow 1,500 pounds.
You could go with the GLK’s quick successor, the GLC, if you want a utilized vehicle that’s just a little bit more recent (and more substantial), with a improved interior — but also additional pricey.
Of course, utilized motor vehicle costs are form of mad proper now. As such, it may possibly not be totally out of the issue to use the money you’d expend on a utilized GLK for a down payment on a new Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. It is a little bit of a extend, but you’d get a warranty and fully up-to-date infotainment and basic safety options.
But, truly, if you are taking into consideration the GLK, it’s in all probability the GLK you want, and not one particular of the competition. There’s truly absolutely nothing else like it … Other than possibly that new GLB.
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