A ready-made suit off the rack or a custom-tailored one — everyone chooses for themselves. In the world of SUVs, the situation is similar: for some, a picture and a trendy badge are enough, while others want the car to fit like a glove. And if it's also a current model — that's just perfect. Few brands can afford such luxury. But a buyer of any Mercedes, and certainly of the new GLK, gets almost unlimited possibilities for individual customization.
SPORT-PREMIUM
Our test GLK 320 CDI hides a three-liter turbodiesel under the hood. No other diesel is offered yet, but closer to spring they promise a two-liter with a small tail — 2.2 liters. The price tag starts at $58,067 (464,536 UAH). The sum is steep: for this money, you could move up to the E-Class. But our beauty is no slouch either — the equipment is the richest. The Sport version is taken as a base, but so much exclusive stuff has been added that your eyes widen. The AMG sports steering wheel with a flattened bottom, like on racing cars, immediately catches the eye. Two-tone leather (black with pale beige) on seats with a huge range of adjustments will suit both a tall person and someone of modest build. The front panel with satin aluminum looks rich, the same inserts are on the doors, and the window frames are trimmed with stainless steel (this is an option for $1,378 / 11,016 UAH).
Outside, the sporty message is supported not only by the 20-inch rollers. There's also a small ground clearance, roof rails, side moldings, and chrome exhaust tips. In a word — sport and luxury in one bottle. As for comfort, there's everything you could wish for. Dual-zone climate control Thermatic is standard, and for an extra charge it will learn to regulate temperature and airflow for rear passengers. The trunk door opens hydraulically with remote control, and this is just a small part of what ensures maximum convenience. And if that seems too little, the most demanding can endlessly browse the options catalog. Want a multimedia package: a six-disc DVD changer, a pair of screens, headphones, a remote (from $5,637 / 45,090 UAH). Everything to watch movies on the road and play PlayStation.
But the real pleasure — not virtual, but the most real — you get behind the wheel when you press the gas and play with the paddle shifters. Power is more than enough (the V-shaped six-cylinder produces 224 hp), and the luxurious seven-speed automatic makes driving easy and effortless. Acceleration to 100 km/h is a respectable 8 seconds. Speed builds confidently and smoothly: a kilometer from a standstill in 29.2 seconds. At any moment, there's both a power reserve under your foot and, most importantly, torque. The engine never gasps, and any, even the most non-standard maneuver, is performed quickly and safely. From the first meters, the car shows its friendly nature: the driver immediately appreciates the precise and informative steering and the perfectly tuned suspension. The GLK behaves impeccably — it holds the trajectory clearly and confidently, whether on a highway or a country road, not yielding to sedans. The new Agility Control system works excellently: the suspension follows the road profile, changing stiffness according to the surface quality.
And the steering does not lose sharpness. True, to be completely honest, the chassis is tuned a bit stiffly, and it doesn't always manage to completely hide road irregularities from passengers. However, this is expected, quite justified, and hardly affects overall comfort. Sound insulation is excellent, and there's plenty of space in the cabin. A family of four can easily go on a long trip without getting tired. Everything would be perfect if not for one "but": the spacious cabin was made at the expense of the trunk. Our measurement showed only 300 liters up to the rear shelf level. A bit small.
Competitors — the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander2 — have trunks 30% larger. Here, a couple of bags less will fit. But access to it is very convenient: the door opens by itself, via a button on the remote, and the floor is completely flat. Inside, everything is rationally thought out, there's even a box with sections for small items. It's a pity that the door glass can't be opened separately — it would be more convenient. Safety, as expected, has nothing to criticize. The driver and passengers are provided with reliable protection, and in addition, you can order the Pre-Safe system, which, having "understood" that an accident is inevitable, itself activates a complex of active and passive systems.
 | OUTSIDE — XENON, INSIDE — LEATHER.
Bi-xenon headlights are already standard. Leather seats are also a standard option of the "Special Series". |
| SPORTY ATTRIBUTES.
Large 20-inch wheels with five twin spokes — for an extra charge ($1,148 / 9,180 UAH), standard are 19-inch alloy wheels. |  |
OFF-ROAD
In general, on asphalt, the GLK didn't present any surprises — everything is predictable. It was much more interesting to check if it can transform. It turns out it can. Just order the off-road package ($2,296 / 18,360 UAH), and the German crossover reveals itself from a new side. No, of course, it doesn't stop being itself. Thanks to excellent base settings and huge engineering capabilities, the GLK won't get lost on a race track either. But now it's also ready to tackle any bumps with enthusiasm.
The car is capable not only of light off-roading but also of real off-road feats that an ordinary Mercedes owner is unlikely to attempt. The modern all-wheel-drive system helps with this, which in normal conditions splits torque in a 45% front and 55% rear proportion. The traction of the powerful three-liter turbodiesel is impressive — 540 Nm. To let the GLK fully unleash its potential, an "off-road package" is provided: the engine's response to the gas pedal changes, a special shift program is activated, the sensitivity of ABS and the stability system is reduced, and the all-wheel drive works differently.
On slippery roads, you can partially lock the center differential — traction properties will improve, but handling won't suffer. Short overhangs and high ground clearance noticeably increase off-road capability, but the desire to climb into the wilderness cools a bit when you learn that there's no low-range gear in the transmission. However, the components and units are reliably protected from impacts by durable panels made of a special material, Gemtex. Of course, there are also two systems familiar to this class: a downhill speed limiter and a hill-start assist.
The off-road version of the GLK can be recognized by the same 20-inch wheels, roof rails, bumper inserts, side skirts, and black shields under the body at the front and rear. Inside, there's almost no off-road specificity — only individual details and materials. For example, the display on the central console provides access to additional functions. The large screen shows a compass, altimeter, and GPS coordinates. Navigation works even where there are no maps: it records the traveled route so you can return to civilization along it.
In this configuration, the GLK is in no way inferior to the so-called "real" SUVs. Of course, the off-road version is more expensive, but is that a problem if you're already ready to part with more than 1.5 million rubles?
