The GLK350 looks larger than the C-Class sedan in photos, but the two cars share a platform. The GLK is actually slightly shorter from nose to tail and from axle to axle than a C350.
The GLK's roof sits almost 10 inches higher than the sedan upon which it's based. That gives the driver more headroom and a higher, more commanding seating position.
The GLK350 is available in both rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive trims. The 4MATIC system features a permanent 45/55 front/rear torque split, but can shift up to 70 percent of power to either axle.
An optional $990 Sport Appearance package replaces the stock 19-inch wheels with these 20-inchers. For $1,000 more, you can have AMG-style 20s and an AMG-inspired body kit.
Eight-way power adjustable seats are standard on the GLK350, but you'll need the Premium package to add three-position driver's seat memory, lumbar support, and a power adjustable steering column.
However simple, I found a few frustrations with these controls. For example, there's no dedicated button for skipping forward and back. Instead, Mercedes-Benz expects the driver to handle that via a menu or a dashboard button.
The full array of media sources includes AM/FM, SiriusXM, USB, iPod, Bluetooth Audio, SD card, analog auxiliary, a 10GB hard drive, and a single-slot DVD player, but you'll need both the Premium and Multimedia packages.
With phones that support it, the COMAND system is able to download and display incoming text messages. If you're driving, the text will be hidden, but a tap of the COMAND controller will cause the message to be read aloud.
Additionally, you can view the last few user reviews for each destination. This would be especially useful for choosing restaurants on the go, if it weren't so slow and tedious.
The GLK350 is available with a wide array of convenience and safety features including adaptive cruise control and an automatic parallel parking system. However, checking too many option boxes can push the GLK right out of your price range.
