Reviews of the Mercedes glk 220. The main problems and disadvantages of the Mercedes GLK with mileage

20.12.2016

It is the smallest crossover of the Mercedes-Benz company, which, in addition, has an atypical appearance for this brand. Most skeptics considered it too boxy on the outside and rustic on the inside, however, this did not affect the popularity of the car and sales. Despite its young age, cars of this brand are increasingly found in the secondary market, this fact makes the reliability and practicality of the Mercedes GLK very doubtful. But what exactly makes the owners part with their car so quickly, and what surprises the used GLK can present, now we’ll try to figure it out.

A bit of history:

The concept was first presented to the public in early 2008 at the Detroit auto show. The debut of the production model took place at the Beijing Motor Show in April of the same year, outwardly, the car was practically no different from the concept. By body type, the Mercedes GLK is a crossover, the reference point for the creation of which was the C-class station wagon. Mercedes S204". When developing the appearance of the novelty, the model "", which has been produced since 2006, was taken as the basis. The technical stuffing is borrowed from C-class e.g. all-wheel drive system 4 Matic without a locking differential, an alternative to which is a rear-wheel drive model. The Mercedes GLK is offered in two versions, one of which is designed for off-road enthusiasts: in this case, the car has increased ground clearance, 17-inch wheels and a special package of options. In 2012, a restyled version of the Mercedes GLK was presented at the New York Auto Show. The novelty received a retouched exterior and interior, as well as upgraded engines.

Advantages and disadvantages of a used Mercedes GLK

Mercedes GLK is equipped with the following power units - petrol 2.0 (184, 211 hp), 3.0 (231 hp), 3.5 (272, 306 hp); diesel 2.1 (143, 170 and 204 hp), 3.0 (224, 265 hp). As operating experience has shown, the base 2.0 power unit turned out to be the most unsuccessful engine in terms of reliability. So, in particular, on cars even with low mileage, many owners began to be bothered by a knock from under the hood during the start of a cold engine. The reason for this knock is a defective camshaft, or rather, its not entirely correct location. Therefore, before buying, be sure to check whether this problem was fixed under warranty. Also, the cause of extraneous noise when starting the engine can be an extended timing chain.

One of the most common drawbacks of 3.0 petrol engines is burnt intake manifold flaps. The complexity of this problem is that the dampers are an integral part of the intake manifold, and you cannot buy them separately, therefore, the manifold has to be changed entirely. Signals about the presence of this problem will be: floating speed, weak dynamic performance of the engine. If the dampers start to burn out, you need to urgently contact the service, otherwise, over time, they will come off and get into the engine, which will lead to costly repairs. Also, after 100,000 km, the timing chain stretches, and the intermediate gears of the balancing shaft wear out.

The 3.5 engine is perhaps one of the most reliable gasoline engines, but due to the high vehicle tax, this power unit is not very popular among motorists. One of the disadvantages of this unit is the fragility of the chain tensioner and gas distribution sprockets, their resource, on average, is 80-100 km. A diesel rumble and a metallic ringing when starting a cold engine will serve as a signal of the need for an urgent replacement.

Diesel engines are quite reliable and rarely present unpleasant surprises to their owners, especially on cars of the first years of production, but only if high-quality fuels and lubricants are used. If the previous owner refueled the car with low-quality diesel fuel, then, soon, you need to be ready to change the fuel injectors and injection pump. Due to the accumulation of soot, the exhaust manifold flap servo may fail. Also, some owners note failures in the electronic engine control. On vehicles with mileage over 100,000 km, problems with the pump are possible ( leak, play or even whistle during operation). On a 3.0 engine with a mileage of more than 150,000 km, you may encounter the destruction of the exhaust manifold and the subsequent destruction of the turbine.

Transmission

The Mercedes GLK was supplied to the CIS market with a six- and seven-speed automatic transmission ( Jetronic). Most of these cars in the aftermarket are offered with all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive cars are also found. The reliability of the transmission directly depends on the power of the installed engine and driving style, and the higher the power of the engine, the less the resource of the gearbox. It is very important to inspect the box, transfer case and gearbox for oil leakage before buying. If during slow acceleration, or during deceleration, you feel that the automatic transmission is pushing at least a little, then it is better to refuse to buy this instance. Most often, the cause of this behavior of the box is a failed electronic board of the automatic transmission control unit. Also, this may occur due to wear of the valve body and torque converter.

With careful operation, the box, on average, will last 200-250 thousand km. In order to extend the transmission service lines, servicemen recommend changing the oil in the box every 60-80 thousand km. The all-wheel drive system cannot be called very gentle, but, nevertheless, we must not forget that this is a crossover, and not a full-fledged SUV, and, for serious loads, it is not designed. One of the common drawbacks of the 4Matic 4WD transmission is the outboard bearing of the driveshaft, which is located in the crankcase. During operation, dirt gets on the bearing from under the wheels, which provokes the formation of corrosion. As a result, the bearing wedges and turns. To avoid serious consequences, many mechanics recommend changing the bearing along with the oil.

Features suspension Mercedes GLK with mileage

Mercedes GLK is equipped with a fully independent suspension: MacPherson strut front and mono-link rear. Mercedes has always been famous for its well-tuned suspension and, the GLK is no exception, the car has excellent performance. Unfortunately, the suspension of this car cannot be called “indestructible”, since the chassis, as for a crossover, is very gentle and does not like driving on broken roads. AND, if the previous owner liked to knead the dirt, a major overhaul of the chassis will not take long.

Traditionally, for modern cars, most often it is necessary to replace the stabilizer struts, about once every 30-40 thousand km. The silent blocks of levers also live not much longer, on average, 50-60 thousand km. The resource of shock absorbers, levers, ball bearings, wheel and thrust bearings does not exceed 100,000 km. The service life of the brake system directly depends on the driving style, on average, the front brake pads have to be changed every 35-45 thousand km, the rear - 40-50 thousand km. Before restyling, the car was equipped with power steering, after - electric, as operating experience has shown, most often bothers owners of a rake with hydromechanical power steering ( rack bushing wear, power steering fluid leak).

Salon

As befits Mercedes cars, most finishing materials are of fairly good quality. But, despite this, on many copies, the leather upholstery of the seats quickly rubbed and cracked, Fortunately, the manufacturer changed everything under warranty. The interior heater motor is located before the filter, which, as a result, leads to rapid contamination and premature failure. An unpleasant whistle during the operation of the ventilation system will serve as a signal about the need for an early replacement of the motor. Quite often, owners blame the failure of the rear and side parking sensors. Also, there are comments on the reliability of the tailgate electric drive.

Outcome:

One of the main advantages is that, often, girls own this car, and they are known to be more careful on the road and more scrupulous about car care and maintenance. As a rule, the owners of this brand of car are wealthy people, which means that the car was serviced only in a good service, therefore, cars in perfect condition very often come across in the secondary market, you just need to look carefully. To avoid serious problems and costly repairs, try to avoid cars with the most powerful engines.

Advantages:

• Rich equipment.
• Original design.
• Comfort suspension.
• Roomy interior.

Flaws:

• High maintenance and repair costs.
• Small transmission resource.
• Failures in electronics.
• A small resource of most suspension elements.

The fashion for compact crossovers is gaining momentum year after year, which is why each of the automakers seeks to bite off its piece from this “tidbit pie”. Mercedes-Benz was no exception, which in 2008 at the Beijing Auto Show put on display to the public its vision of what such a car should be, giving it the name "GLK". Due to its angular design, luxurious interior and decent off-road capabilities, the "German" quickly became one of the brand's most sought-after models.

In 2012, in Stuttgart, they decided to bring the appearance of the crossover in line with current outlooks on life, presenting their creation as part of the New York exhibition. As a result, the design of the Mercedes GLK "floated" on the outside, getting rid of some of the chopped edges, and "melted" inside, becoming less straightforward. The modernization did not bypass the technical stuffing either - the engines, chassis and steering were revised.

The appearance of the Mercedes-Benz GLK successfully combines a bit of the brutality of the Gelendvagen and the elegance of the C-class passenger car, and against the background of its peers it looks cocky and muscular. The confident appearance of the compact "SUV" is created by expressive, angular forms, stretching from the front to the monumental stern.

The “face” of the car is decorated with an impressive radiator grille with a “three-beam star” in the center, rounded headlights with LED “boomerangs” and a relief bumper with “stripes” of running lights. Behind the eye clings to the large lights with a "stuffing" on diodes and a chrome-plated "diffuser" in which the tips of the exhaust pipes are mounted.

The premium SUV in terms of its external dimensions optimally fits into the canons of the class: 4536 mm long, 1840 mm wide and 1669 mm high. The wheelbase does not exceed 2755 mm, and the clearance under the bottom is a solid 201 mm by default, but it can be increased by 30 mm thanks to the off-road package.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLK crossover successfully emphasizes its high status - a beautiful and harmonious design, ergonomics thought out to the smallest detail, and exceptionally high-quality finishing materials. First of all, the atmosphere is created by a three-spoke multi-steering wheel with aluminum inserts and a “smart” instrument panel with three “radii” and a color multifunction display in the middle.

In the center of attention is a presentable console, almost completely devoid of flat planes and sharp edges, exposing a large screen of a multimedia center. Effectively perceived round ventilation deflectors, inherited by "GLK" from the sports models of the brand, below which settled the control panel of the multimedia system, navigation and other auxiliary functions with archaism in the form of a telephone keypad, as well as the "climate" block.

At the front, the premium crossover has comfortable seats with optimal side support and wide adjustment possibilities. Yes, and the rear sofa pleases with a supply of space, however, only two passengers, although if necessary, you can sit down with three of us. Sedokov is surrounded by an atmosphere of comfort and luxury due to high-quality finishing materials: soft plastics, expensive leather, aluminum, natural wood.

The standard volume of the cargo compartment of the Mercedes-Benz GLK is 450 liters, and with the back of the “gallery” folded asymmetrically, it is 1550 liters. In this case, an absolutely flat platform is obtained, and the length of the placed luggage can reach 1674 mm. There is a plastic niche under the raised floor, and a “stowaway” is available as an option.

Specifications. On the Russian market, GLK is offered with one diesel and two gasoline engines. Partnership with them forms a 7-speed "automatic" 7G-TRONIC (on the "top" version - with paddles "petals") and a differential, asymmetric all-wheel drive 4MATIC with electronic expression of cross-axle differential locks. By default, the moment is distributed in a ratio of 45:55 in favor of the back, however, under certain conditions, this proportion can vary from 30:70 to 70:30.

• Under the hood of a Mercedes-Benz GLK250 4MATIC is equipped with a 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder unit with direct fuel supply and turbocharging, the power of which is 211 horsepower, and the peak torque at the level of 350 Nm is realized in the range from 1200 to 4000 rpm. The crossover makes a starting spurt to the first hundred in 7.9 seconds, and the speed threshold is fixed at around 215 km / h. On average, in mixed mode, he "eats" 7.7 liters of gasoline.
• The driving force for the "top" GLK300 4MATIC is an atmospheric gasoline “six” with V-shaped cylinders, a 20-valve timing and direct injection. Its potential is 249 "horses" at 6500 rpm and 370 Nm of torque, which is achieved at 3500-5250 rpm. The automaker does not disclose the acceleration time of the car to 100 km / h, but its “maximum” is 238 km / h, and fuel consumption in the combined cycle does not exceed 8.7 liters.
• There is also a diesel modification GLK220 CDI 4MATIC, the engine compartment of which is occupied by a 2.1-liter turbo engine. The output of 170 horsepower in the range from 3200-4800 rpm and 400 Nm of thrust at 1400-2800 rpm allows the SUV to develop the first 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, gaining 205 km/h of peak speed. As for fuel consumption, every 100 km of the way the tank is emptied by 6.5 liters of diesel fuel.

At the heart of the Mercedes-Benz GLK is the C-class platform. The suspension scheme is as follows - MacPherson struts and levers oriented in different planes at the front and a four-link design at the rear. An electromechanical control amplifier with a variable gear ratio is mounted on the steering rack. The braking system is expressed by ventilated disc devices on all wheels. Naturally, not without modern "assistants" - anti-lock braking system ABS, anti-slip technology ASR, emergency braking system BAS and electronic stabilization control ESP.

Options and prices. In 2015, on the Russian market, the Mercedes Benz GLK250 4MATIC crossover is offered at a price of 2,150,000 rubles, the same version, but with the Special Series package, will cost 300,000 rubles more. The diesel modification GLK220 CDI 4MATIC is priced at a minimum of 2,550,000 rubles, and the “maximum” GLK300 4MATIC is priced at 2,890,000 rubles.
Basically, the most affordable car is equipped with seven airbags, a dual-zone “climate”, leather trim, bi-xenon front optics, premium “music”, 17-inch “rollers”, full power accessories and a set of systems that provide active and passive safety.

➖ Rigid suspension
➖ Visibility
➖ Problem parking sensors

pros

➕ Patency
➕ Light
➕ Design

The advantages and disadvantages of the Mercedes GLK 250, 350 and 220 diesel are identified based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of the Mercedes GLK 3.5 and 2.1 gasoline and diesel with automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive can be found in the stories below:

Owner reviews

Salon after faceless Japanese women looks rich. I got used to the gear shifter on the steering wheel on the second day. This is how all cars should be!

I got used to the ability to confidently accelerate to hundreds, as well as on the track at any speed to confidently bypass hitches - I got used to it so much that I refused potential buyers twice on further sales. In general, the car has served faithfully for two years.

Passed the next MOT. Oil from replacement to replacement 15 t. Km. stood tight and did not think to leave, even with active driving on the highway (160-200 km / h). In general, a lighter machine without any problems.

And yet, a small fly in the ointment can be called a harsh setting of the front suspension. When passing a small hole at speed, it was easy to get a breakdown of the suspension, which resonated in my heart with pity for the car. They say that is the price of stability on the road.

Well, the back seat is a little cramped … for three. Driver's seat for landing on an amateur. Well, let's just say, they are more comfortable. In general, everything is short.

Advantages: design, dynamics, reliability, ergonomics. Cons: contrived.

Review of Mercedes GLK 350 (249 hp) with automatic 2012

Video review

Diesel rides very cheerfully! Accordingly, the consumption is now in the combined cycle 8.2 liters. I went to Pskov at the weekend, on the highway - 5.3 liters.
+ Permanent all-wheel drive 4 Matic, without any clutches.
+ Enough good visibility — do not interfere with the rack.
+ AFL light is the bomb! Automatic high beam, cornering lights and more! Turned on automatic mode and forgot!
+ Speedtronic - maximum speed limit. A necessary thing abroad, so as not to get carried away.
+ A bunch of glove compartments and pockets.
+ Hold function - holding the car on the brake without holding it (for example, at traffic lights).
+ The rain and light sensor works very well (compared to Astra).
+ Short overhangs, decent cross-country ability for SUV. Excellent turning radius.

— Parktronics live their lives in winter.
— Really infuriates start / stop (ECO function).
— Native brakes are terrible! Already replaced in a circle!
- Not always adequate operation of the machine, it sometimes dulls. Fixed with new firmware.
- Soft windshield, I have five chips already.
- Native rugs are leaking, there is a swamp at the feet. Purchased rubber...
- Dead zones in the side mirrors, but I'm used to looking 2 times already (maybe it's just me?)
- Parking is problematic without a rear camera.
— 19th wheels, harsh, especially in winter.
- Leatherette seats...
- Well, and most importantly, if the dealer is serviced, then get ready for financial injections. The price tag is wrong!

Artem, review of Mercedes GLK 220 diesel (170 hp) automatic transmission 2013

It was sad at first, because it seemed to me that the car does not steer, does not go and does not brake, but I think it was against the backdrop of owning a 285-horsepower BMW with M-suspension and good brakes. Now I'm used to it and it seems to be normal.

But in winter, when it snows, when parking in uncleaned yards, as well as when moving through sand and mud, driving ceased to be an adventure, becoming just a boring movement from point A to B. I don’t need a full-fledged SUV, but four-wheel drive is a cool thing!

In my opinion, the main disadvantage of the car — it's penetrating suspension. I read about it, but I did not think that it was so obvious. Everything is fine on a rough road, but if there is a large hole, then the breakdown is very strong, somehow it is strange ... Another of the oddities is buggy parking sensors, especially the front one and especially in winter. I understand that this is a disease of all GLA. The disadvantages also include the extremely poor quality of the seats, which are already torn to 50,000 km ...

But the consumption of an almost 2-ton car with not the best aerodynamics is only 6-6.5 liters on the highway and 9-10 liters in the most severe traffic jams. The power reserve of more than 700 km is good news, for which I really fell in love with diesel!

There were fears that in winter the diesel engine warms up slowly, which means it will be cold in the cabin for a long time, but this is not so. Although the diesel really heats up for a very long time, and in winter it often didn’t warm up to the operating temperature for me during the trip, but an electric hair dryer is responsible for heating the cabin, so it gets warm inside very, very quickly.

Review of Mercedes GLK 220 diesel with automatic 2013

Comfort.
+ Manageability.
+ Excellent light. Pleased with adaptive headlights.
+ I have no complaints about the sound - I'm satisfied.
+ A useful feature was the control of "dead" zones.

Flaws:

- Unreliable electronics.
— Shumka could be better.
— Cramped on the second row (my height is 172 cm).
— Small trunk.
— Visibility interferes with the A-pillar when turning left.
— Not enough is the usual heating of the windshield. In frosty weather, the glass frosts over.
- Pants regularly get dirty on thresholds. There was no such problem in Freelander - there the door closed the threshold.
- The database of the navigator is very problematic to update.
- Adaptive cruise control refuses to work when another car suddenly takes root in the distance chosen by it or the car suddenly bounces on bumps.

Iskandar Bikmullin, drives a Mercedes-Benz GLK 2.0 (211 hp) AT 2013

The car has good ergonomics, although time will tell how good it is. Road lighting pleases. Convenient auto-light function and auto-switching from far to near. The HOLD function is also very handy. The lack of a gearshift lever in the usual place is also a plus. The engine, I think, can also be attributed to the merits: no failures, torquey, starts at -30 confidently (yet).

A year later, the merits diminished ... Avtosvet is sometimes buggy, sometimes the distant one turns on, and there is a passing car in front of you (here, the drivers of these cars, I think, speak affectionately when they hit the far mirrors).

When cornering, the car is not stable - it skids. Anti-skid operation is not felt. I suspect it doesn't work. And if it works like that, then it's terrible! When maneuvering back and forth in a limited space or when you need to quickly turn around, the box slowly fires.

There is no heated wiper area. Windshield blowing is not important. On the driver's side, the upper corner does not warm up. Even worse is the glass of the driver's door - always fogged up in the lower half, because of which you can not see a single light in the outside mirror!

Disgusting in this model with airflow! Either open the glass, or turn the stove to the whole temperature, too. Completely profanity! And this is with a slight minus and with snow. And since there is no heating, the rubber bands on the windshield wipers freeze and begin to smear, which is why the rain sensor makes them wave, to no avail for the driver. When it doesn't snow, everything is more or less. At speeds above 50 km / h, the glass of the driver and passenger begins to tighten above the mirror.

Parking sensors are sometimes buggy. Too small a glove box and a box in the armrest - there is nowhere to put a few discs, even nowhere to put glasses!

Oleg Anikin, review of the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Klasse 2.0 with a gun in 2014

So, exactly one year has passed since we became friends with the GLK-220. During this time, they managed to remove it from production and, perhaps, the reviews became not so relevant. But still.

We survived the winter. As you know, winter for a car is a kind of moment of truth. It is at this time that all sorts of bad things come out, which in the summer did not cause much trouble.

I was worried about how the diesel would behave (there was no experience). I was almost ready to install a pre-heater, but strangled the frog - expensive. ..full text of the Mercedes GLK review

Alexander from St. Petersburg

Average rating: 2.95

Mercedes GLK

Year of issue: 2011

Engine: 3.0 (231 HP) Checkpoint: A7

Everything is fine. I want to tell Dmitry from Rostov about the twitching of the box. There is nothing wrong with this. But the reason for the twitching is the valve body in the box. If the car is under warranty insist on replacing it. And everything will pass. I am the owner of the GLK 300. There was the same garbage. Changed it and it's gone. Before that, there were four more Mercs, and one of them had the same thing. It could also be a torque converter. But this is rare. Basically, the hydraulic block twitches. Believe me.

Review about Mercedes GLK left: Igor P from Moscow

Average rating: 3.18

Mercedes GLK 2.2CDI

Year of issue: 2010

Engine: 2.2 (177 HP) Checkpoint: A8

I had such a nightmare for a long time. First, the front struts at 60,000, then the parking sensors, twice, then at 78,000 km the engine knocked, three months after the end of the warranty, there was no desire and time to sue, and therefore 280 thousand rubles, and forward for new troubles, most recently a pump and yesterday the heating radiator dripped, with tubes and work, this is another 35,000 rubles. Damn that day....

Review about Mercedes GLK 2.2CDI left: Mikhalych from the city of Saratov

Average rating: 2.82

Mercedes GLK

Year of issue: 2011

Engine: 2.2

In addition to the running gear, I’m happy with everything, Oleg correctly said that sometimes you “swallow” large potholes, you don’t notice, and sometimes on a small bump it hits the front suspension so much that your back fogs up. I still sin on R19 wheels. Otherwise, I'm satisfied and I don't see any competitors in this class yet. Mileage 35600 km, did nothing - did not break. Good luck to all.

Review about Mercedes GLK left: Peter from the city of Samara

Average rating: 3.31

Mercedes GLK 220

Year of issue: 2011

In general, it would be a good car if it were not for the suspension, I am very disappointed, I agree with Stanislav from Donetsk that there is a strong resonance in the steering and racks, and everything is felt through the steering wheel. The impression that the front is not twisted or broken. At TO they said that there is such a problem because of the sports package. I don’t know, maybe many don’t notice, or in fact, something is wrong with the car from the first kilometers. I've driven a lot of cars but never had this problem. Moreover, the GLK goes through some holes, but on some it behaves very badly, some kind of suspension .... do not believe the managers, but go through a test drive, where the road is not ideal, and you will understand everything yourself.

Review of the Mercedes GLK 220 left: Oleg from Saratov

The automotive world in which we live is in constant competition between the largest automakers. It all comes down to who gets the most out of a niche model and which company makes the best offer in a particular market segment.

Difficult choice

The compact luxury SUV segment is on the frontier, where competitive advantage outweighs all other considerations. Automakers also refer to it the ability of a vehicle to arouse in the future owner a sense of pride in the purchase made.

If you put yourself for a moment in the shoes of a man choosing between the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, and Mercedes GLK 220, then it becomes clear that he is facing a mind-bogglingly difficult task. There is only one reason for this - the overall package.

10 years ago, manufacturers differentiated cars by focusing on one aspect that offered a competitive advantage: comfort, price, economy, performance, and so on.

Today, the main representatives of compact luxury crossovers cannot be as easily distinguished from each other as it was ten years ago. If we compare the characteristics of the Mercedes GLK 220 and the specifications of the aforementioned SUVs on paper, the manufacturers offer almost identical solutions, forcing potential buyers to focus on personal preferences rather than differences in vehicle parameters.

Therefore, the question arises: is there any point in buying a gelendvagen-lux-compact? The short answer is yes, the car is at the top of the segment, next to the Range Rover Evoque. The reasons for this are detailed below in the review of the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI 4Matic BlueEFFICIENCY.

Cosmetic changes

Gone for the 2015 model is the black plastic front bumper, round fog lamps with off-road body kit, obnoxious square air vents, overly thin steering wheel, and not-so-exciting rectangular tailpipes.

The "Mercedes GLK 220" gained stripes, two aluminum horizontal chrome slats that support the three-pointed star and a more dynamically styled front bumper.

Visual differences on the sides are not significant, it has gained a clearer outline, and rectangular exhaust pipes are now combined with a mudguard. Needless to say, the exterior lighting system front and rear has been updated.

The tail lights use fiber optics and LEDs. At the front, the manufacturer has equipped the Mercedes-Benz GLK with standard reflective-type headlights that look awful. Much better looking is the optional ILS smart lighting system, which combines bi-xenon high and low beams, LED fiber optic cables for position lights and LED turn indicators. All this costs 1395 euros, so why not also get the adaptive high beam assist system for 100 euros, which eliminates the need to switch between two headlight modes, providing full illumination of the road and without dazzling oncoming drivers?

Aesthetics or quality

In any case, you should refrain from purchasing the smallest set of alloy wheels (17 inches), because the square arches do not fit well with a small rim. A set of 20-inch, five-double-spoke wheels with 235/45 front and 255/40 rear tires looks good.

But while this set improves the look of the car, it comes at the expense of ride quality due to shorter tire sidewalls compared to 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin

Fans of the more eagle-looking Mercedes are well aware that the 2015 model's vents are a tribute to a classic - the 1965 full-size W111 luxury sedan, the honorary predecessor of the W116 - the original S-Class.

It goes without saying that the chrome framing of the air vents, along with the aluminum trim that runs from one edge of the dashboard to the other, harmonizes with the overall design of the cabin.

The steering wheel is thicker and better profiled than before, and the Mercedes GLK 220 shifter finds its place on the steering column. Despite the fact that at first glance everything seems perfect, there are some details that the manufacturer forgot to take care of.

Button vintage

In typical German fashion, someone at Mercedes really likes the buttons on the center console and doesn't like the touchscreen technology. For those who do not see this as a problem, there is a standard 5.8-inch display of the Audio 20 CD infotainment system.

For 800 € spent on this device, which also provides satellite navigation, the user will receive graphics that are reminiscent of classic MS-DOS games. There is also the possibility of a three-dimensional display of buildings, which makes it difficult to read street names and everything else while driving around the city.

Mercedes GLK, the price of the basic configuration of which is 37,400 euros, in the modification of 220 CDI 4Matic BlueEFFICIENCY with all optional additions will cost 56,940 €. With all this, someone in the company for some reason thought that manual seat adjustment for that kind of money was normal.

Expensive Extras

Another puzzling thing is the rear vents. If Mercedes took the time and effort to replace them at the front, why did it leave the boxy plastic design elements at the rear?

By the way, the luggage cover is not included in the base price of the car and has to be bought separately for 50€. The interior can be upgraded with a double powered transparent sunroof (€1420) and black Artico artificial leather seats (€450). A rear-view camera and parking sensors for the Mercedes GLK class, whose price is 496 and 730 euros, respectively, are also among the additional options.

Visually enhancing footpegs with aluminum trim and rubber studs for 470 € should be ordered in any case. It must be remembered that people of small stature, getting into and out of the car, run the risk of soiling their trousers.

Design magic

Despite all the strengths and not-so-strengths of the crossover, being behind the wheel is a real pleasure. This is the magic of Gelendvagen - being in an SUV of this type makes the driver feel successful and free.

The chauffeur or passenger seats in the BMW X3, Audi X5 and Volvo XC60 don't offer the same cozy feel as the GLK or Evoque. As for the Macan, the extra €28,000 for a Porsche makes the comparison simply unfair.

But do you know what makes the Mercedes-Benz GLK outshine its competitors? Its angular, G-Wagen-style body is missing from the M-Class and the German equivalent of the Cadillac Escalade, the GL-Class. Compared to the fashionable Evoque, the soft silhouette of the Q5 and the quirky X3, the designers of this model have achieved a perfect interweaving of elegance and classic Gelendvagen design.

Priced at €37,425, the 2015 Mercedes GLK 220 CDI with rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual, 143 HP 2.1-liter turbo-diesel engine is no different from what Audi and BMW are asking for their Q5 and X3, respectively. .

Power point

Don't make the mistake of not buying a GLK 200, 200 CDI or 220 CDI because who can imagine a compact luxury crossover with rear-wheel drive and a shifter? In Europe, the most popular model is the Mercedes GLK 220 CDI 4Matic BlueEFFICIENCY with a cost of 44,149 euros.

Of course, you can choose a turbocharged V6 petrol or a V6 turbodiesel, but then again, this model is not one of the slow ones.

So why is the Mercedes GLK 220, whose diesel engine has a volume of 2.1 liters, 4 cylinders and a power of 170 liters. With. (400 Nm), became the most popular in the old continent? It's simple: it's powerful and economical.

Whether accelerating past a green light or overtaking at high speeds, the performance of the Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 allows the car to move 1,880 kg with ease, even when the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission is set to the smoothest, not the fastest changes.

Suspension

The improved 4Matic platform associated with the now defunct W204 (C-Class) is said by owners to be inferior to the all-wheel drive BMW X3 or Porsche Macan.

Overall, Mercedes' permanent all-wheel drive system has a transfer case integrated with the main transmission via a double clutch disc and two main torque-lock axles. Under normal conditions, the 4Matic is set to send 45% of the engine's torque to the front and 55% to the rear. This guarantees well-balanced driving stability.

Although the GLK 4Matic, according to users, does not shine on the road, the car has other qualities.

While other automakers interpret their own as the raison d'être, the compact is less rigidly sprung and mature enough to keep the driver from feeling like an old man.

The Mercedes GLK 220 was a breath of fresh air at a time when most crossover manufacturers were obsessed with Nürburgring lap times and a few other useless features that didn't apply in the real world.

Thanks to the standard suspension with swing-independent dampers and torsion stabilizers front and rear, linked lower arms and twin-tube gas springs, the GLK irons out bumps in the road exceptionally well, without isolating the driver from what happens to the front wheels when they hit a pothole. It's a good blend of comfort and road feel.

Unsportsmanlike ideal

For dynamic drivers who don't prefer a laid-back ride and don't push the gas pedal all the way, users are advised to rein in the GLK's dexterity so that the car embraces a wider range of driving styles. That's why a diesel with 4Matic all-wheel drive system can be classified as an almost ideal all-rounder for most car enthusiasts who have no intentions of getting into motorsport.

Drivers note that when driving over rough terrain, the Mercedes GLK 220 will not hit its face in the dirt. Soft and light off-road driving scenarios are not enough to make the car sweat. The premium crossover, with no all-terrain tires, negotiates swampy potholes and sticky slurry like it's child's play.

The car body exudes the purebred strength of the Gelendvagen, and the details personify its refined persona, not as rough and intimidating as that of the G-Class - the GLK speaks of individuality, desirability and status elegance.

Since most of its competitors are much younger in design and technology, the GLK may seem dated to the uninformed buyer. A skeptic can call a local dealer and make an appointment for a test drive. The driver will be pleasantly surprised by the experience, no matter how demanding they are with cars in this segment.

The last representative of the K-class

The GLK is built on the previous generation's C-Class platform and all-wheel drive technology, although the chassis, on- and off-road capabilities and overall driving experience are what refresh this crossover.

After 7 years of production, the Mercedes-Benz GLK (X204) was replaced in June 2015 by the second generation - the X253 model. In accordance with the manufacturer's new nomenclature strategy, the GLK-class has changed to GLC.