Mercedes-Benz has found a silver lining to the economic recession: It’s helping boost sales of its smallest sport utility vehicle in the United States.
In fact, the 2010 GLK has been outselling the other Mercedes SUVs in this country in 2010.

The compact GLK appeals with a starting retail price that’s $11,800 lower than the previous lowest-priced and smallest Mercedes SUV, the M-Class.

Less than 15 feet long from bumper to bumper, the GLK has a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, with destination charge, of $34,775 for a two-wheel drive version and $36,775 for a model with four-wheel drive.
This compares with the starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $46,575 for a rear-wheel drive Mercedes M-Class SUV.
But the test GLK had a final price of more than $48,000 with a navigation system, power liftgate, garage door opener, leather seat trim, premium sound system and other goodies added in.

Still, my lower leg kept hitting the door sill area when I got into and out of the GLK. The sill seemed to protrude more than necessary.
There was a sense of quality in the German-built GLK tester, where all seams and gaps were well-aligned and fit and finish was excellent. Unfortunately, the GLK reminded me of a Toyota SUV in shape and in some styling cues.
Standard safety items include six air bags, traction control and electronic stability control.
Most people don’t use compact SUVs to do towing, but Mercedes reports the GLK can tow 3,500 pounds, which compares with 4,600 pounds in the M-Class.
Consumer Reports says first-year reliability has been much better than average.