There was a slight decline, and sales of new cars fell by 5.5%. The general downward trend in sales can be divided by sector: B+ class cars fell by 15.5%, C+ and D+ segments by 12 and 19%, respectively. The statistics are disappointing. And only crossovers with SUVs not only retained their previously won positions, but even distinguished themselves by an increase in sales by 16%. It is typical that premium models from manufacturers such as BMW and AUDI, X1 and Q3 dominate. Keeps up with them Land Rover with the Evoque crossover. But the most prominent player in the SUV market is Mercedes-Benz with the new Mercedes car. In some ways, the car repeats the parameters of the 5-door GLK, but overall it is an independent, larger and more representative crossover of the Mercedes dynasty.

Clearance

At first glance Mercedes GLA is an A-class hatchback with increased ground clearance. Indeed, Mercedes Benz GLA, whose ground clearance is 157 mm, looks exactly like this. The car is raised and that's it. However, if you take a closer look, the expert's opinion may change. The Mercedes GLA, whose ground clearance in the package off-road version is already 187 mm, makes a slightly different impression, much more impressive. The variety of proposals for the model makes you wonder what, for example, a sports suspension, which is meaningless for an SUV and officially included in the list of options, is worth? In this version the model Mercedes Benz GLA ground clearance is 142 mm. Perhaps in the future the situation will become clearer, and it will become clear why and why the sports suspension is mentioned.

Exclusivity level

However, for the Mercedes GLA crossover, ground clearance is not everything. The model is distinguished by its original hood, bumpers and optics. The door contours are also exclusive. The dimensions have increased noticeably compared to the dimensions of its predecessor, the length is 4417 mm, which is 125 mm more, the width has increased by 24 mm and is 1804 mm, the height has increased by 60 mm - up to 1494 mm. With all this, the wheelbase new Mercedes Benz GLA and Mercedes A-class completely identical - 2699 mm. The height of the interior space in the Mercedes GLA (clearance does not play any role) has increased significantly: in the area driver's seat and the front passenger seats by 38 mm, and in the rear part of the cabin by 19 mm. The luggage compartment has increased to 421-1235 versus the previous 341-1157 liters.

Old and new options

As for the interior of the new crossover, it is unified with the A-class, this is obvious. Therefore it is worth talking about technical parameters GLA. In this aspect, the differences are quite noticeable; the body has become much stiffer than that of the hatchback, thanks to the use of transverse profiles on the bottom, molded from high-strength steel. The share of stringers increased from 67 to 73%. Chassis new car has no fundamental differences from A-class suspensions, the front suspension is Pherson, the rear is multi-link with transverse stabilizer sustainability.

However, manufacturers were concerned about increasing the level of comfort of the Mercedes Benz GLA, and the crossover received structurally new shock absorbers and springs, and the amplitude of travel of the suspension arms was also increased. Thus, the chassis has been updated in the most radical way. The same cannot be said about the steering mechanism, which moved to the new model unchanged, with the already proven electromechanical power steering and variable steering, changing the ratio gear ratios mechanism depending on the speed of movement.

Power point

The purposeful GLA goes along the highway selflessly, expecting control from the driver, but it hardly wants to be obedient right away. Although in a split second he will obey. This is the high class of the car, its design essence. And fuel consumption (20 liters per 100 km) no longer matters - any criteria recede before the magnificence of the Mercedes Benz GLA.

Advantages and prices

So, the Mercedes Benz GLA class 2014, whose ground clearance (140 mm) is hard to call ground clearance, dressed in the model suit “GLA 45 AMG”, reached 100 km/h in 4 seconds and continues to soar through the air. And if you press the accelerator pedal to the floor for a minute, the car will easily overtake the Lotus-Elite running in the right lane at a speed of 250 km/h. This is such a difficult line, which includes Mercedes GLA 2014 cars, the ground clearance of which, as it turns out, does not always matter.

Mercedes Benz GLA prices for Russian market are quite adequate for the class of cars offered. The price scale for the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG is still unknown, but sales of the most popular models have long since gained momentum. The most affordable GLA 200 will cost about 1 million 380 thousand rubles. A GLA 200 CDI with a turbodiesel will require money of approximately 1,430,000 rubles. And the all-wheel drive GLA 250 4Matic will cost 1 million 540 thousand Russian rubles. The prices are clearly “biting”, but all the listed brands can deprive any skeptic of arguments.

Equipment

The kit includes 7 airbags, three of them are frontal, located in the steering column, at the level of the driver’s feet and in dashboard in front of the front passenger seat. The seats themselves are of an injury-proof design, shatterproof, and do not break upon impact, but only become deformed. The chassis is equipped effective system stabilization, bi-xenon headlights, all heated seats, 17-inch wheels and many more useful little things, without which a car is just a means of transportation. Difficult, often controversial, the Benz GLA feels confident on the Russian market, modifications are varied, and the equipment does not leave much to be desired. Reviews about the Mercedes Benz GLA are only positive.

5 / 5 ( 1 vote)

The crossover has acquired a retouched appearance, interior and improved power units. It’s interesting that the Mercedes GLK crossover was presented at the same time as tests of the updated off-road vehicle G-Class.

With decisions like this, the company wants to make it clear to everyone that GLK is a worthy member of their off-road class, and not a simple premium SUV. But there is also a small percentage of guile here, because after restyling, the car became much lower to the road surface. The entire Mercedes-Benz model range.

Exterior

The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz GLK perfectly combines the brutality of the Gelendvagen and elegant features passenger cars C-class. When compared to its equal cars, it looks cocky and muscular.

The compact SUV's confident appearance is achieved through distinctive, angular shapes that extend from the nose to the majestic rear. The “face” of the car is formed by a massive radiator grille with a 3-ray star in the center.

Mercedes-Benz GLK

There are also round headlights with LED “boomerangs” and a raised bumper with “lines” of running lights. Front bumper received aerodynamic side elements and strips of daytime running lights.

There is also a powerful air intake, an abundance of massive chrome elements that effectively emphasize the aggressive qualities appearance cars. When the new appearance of the GLK-Class was being developed, the design team of the model decided to move away from the strict, straight lines that are inherent in past models and create a more rounded and smooth appearance of the car.

Mercedes-Benz GLK side view

If you look at the restyled Mercedes-Benz GLK from the side, it looks a little like the older brother of the Mercedes-Benz GL, and very successfully. This can be seen in the long hood, chopped shapes, straight lines, wheel arches, which more closely resemble a massive German off-road vehicle.

There is a stylistic line starting from the middle of the front wheel arches, which merges upward into top edge rear-mounted lights. But our ward looks much more harmonious than his large-caliber relative.

Mercedes-Benz GLK front view

The rear part of the updated Mercedes-Benz GLK crossover has large lights with LED filling, which distinguishes it from the previous model, as well as a chrome “diffuser” in which the tips of the pipes are integrated exhaust system cars.

The rear bumper received a stylish metal trim, on the side of which the aforementioned exhaust pipes were placed in chrome. If you buy a crossover, you can choose body paint colors from 3 non-metallic ones.

Mercedes-Benz GLK rear view

This will be the presence of fire Opal (red), polar white and black. Next will be metallic enamels in 9 different colors, including the presence of silver diamond, silver iridium, silver palladium, gray tenorite, gray luzonite, white diamond, blue cavansite, brown cuprite and black obsidian.

Dimensions

A premium SUV car from German manufacturers, its dimensions fit well within the limits of its class. So, it is 4,536 mm in length, 1,840 mm in width, and 1,669 mm in height. The wheelbase is no more than 2,755 mm, and the height ground clearance under the bottom is about 201 mm, which is not bad.

However, that's not all, the car can also be raised by an additional 30 mm using a special off-road package. The car has good off-road characteristics - the German can overcome a water barrier of 30 mm, it has departure and entry angles of 23 and 25 degrees, respectively, and the body cross-country ability is 19 degrees.

I would especially like to mention large selection light alloy wheels, where there are more than 15 variations. The wheel diagonal varies from 17-20 inches, with different variations of design patterns.

Interior

The changes that have taken place in the updated GLK model indicate that the company is returning to the beginning of the classic style of the brand. Details of this style in the restyled salon of the brand can be considered the presence of round-shaped air ducts with clear cross-shaped grilles.

The car received a brand new three-spoke steering wheel, cut into the lower part, there is also an updated dashboard with larger instruments, which are now mounted in chrome wells. The instrument panel itself, together with the synchronized console visors installed in the center, looks quite nice.

Mercedes-Benz GLK interior

Below is the color screen of the COMAND APS multimedia system, which also supports touch input. The design of the multimedia and climate control control units, which were placed on the center console, was modernized by the design team.

If previously there was a gearbox shift lever on the central tunnel, now it has migrated to the steering wheel, in the form of a steering column selector lever. And in its place they installed a niche for various small things.

Mercedes-Benz GLK interior

In the cabin you can see more wood inserts. Quality, as well as the materials used in the premium Mercedes-Benz GLK. The level of sound insulation is at the highest level.

In the restyled version of the Mercedes-Benz GLK, front seats were installed in a new shape, which have well-defined lateral support. They are electrically driven and heated. The second row of seats is very wide, three adults can comfortably fit there.

Luggage compartment of Mercedes-Benz GLK

The seat backs can be folded in a 40/60 ratio to create a flat loading surface. The luggage compartment provides 450 liters of volume, and if necessary, it can be increased by folding the same backrests, which will provide about 1,550 liters of useful loading space, which is quite a lot.

Specifications

On the market Russian Federation, the German crossover will be offered with one power unit running on diesel fuel and two on gasoline. The connecting link will be a 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC gear shift (the top version will have paddle shifters) and differential, asymmetrical four-wheel drive 4MATIC with electronic locking cross-axle differentials.

IN standard version, the torque will be realized in a 45:55 distribution in favor of rear axle, but under certain conditions, this ratio can vary from 30:70 to 70:30. The list of power units starts from the “weakest” diesel engine GLK220 CDI 4MATIC, which is represented by a 2.1-liter turbocharged engine.

Mercedes-Benz engine GLK

It develops 170 horses and reaches the first hundred in 8.8 seconds. The maximum speed is 205 km/h. Every 100 kilometers of road traveled, about 6.5 liters of diesel fuel will be spent.

The petrol engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit with direct fuel injection and turbocharging. It produces 211 horsepower. It covers the first hundred in 7.9 seconds, and the top speed is 215 km/h. This engine consumes about 7.7 liters per 100 km in combined mode.

Photo of Mercedes-Benz GLK

Next comes the naturally aspirated petrol top-end V-shaped six-cylinder GLK300 4MATIC, which has a 20-valve gas distribution system and direct injection. It already produces about 250 horses. 7.5 seconds, exactly how much a heavy crossover needs to reach a speed mark of 100 km/h, and maximum speed will be 238 km/h.

He eats not much more than his “relative” - namely 8.7 liters in mixed mode. The Mercedes-Benz GLK was based on the C-class. If we talk about suspensions, the McPherson struts are oriented along different planes with levers in front, and at the rear there is a four-link design.

Crossover Mercedes-Benz GLK

Steering is carried out using an electromechanical power steering with a variable transmission ratio. As a braking system, ventilated disc devices are installed on all wheels.

It is logical to conclude that a German-made car also has modern “assistants”. Among them is the presence of anti-lock ABS systems, anti-slip technology ASR, systems emergency braking BAS and electronic
ESP stabilization control.

Specifications

Modifications	Engine type	Engine size	Power	Transmission	Acceleration up to 100 km/h, sec.	Maximum speed km/h
Mercedes GLK 250 AT	Petrol	1991 cm³	211 hp	Automatic 7st.	7.9	215
Mercedes GLK 220 CDI AT	Petrol	2143 cm³	170 hp	Automatic 7st.	8.8	205
Mercedes GLK 300 AT	Petrol	3498 cm³	250 hp	Automatic 7st.	7.5	238

Options and prices

Already standard equipment The German crossover Mercedes-Benz GLK received rich equipment, which is very typical for the company. That's why, basic equipment comes with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, on-board computer, high-quality audio system, color screen, size 5 inches, heated electric mirrors, alloy wheels wheels, 17 inches diagonal, adaptive braking system, traction control system, systems directional stability, instant braking systems and parking sensors.

Updated Mercedes-Benz GLK

There are also 7 airbags, leather interior trim, bi-xenon front optics, and a full electrical package. Seems to be added to top-end configuration nothing, but it's not true, she has even more wide range options, the list of which could take a very long time. Mercedes-Benz GLK costs from 2,150,000 rubles in Russia. The top-end option, with the most powerful power unit, will start from 2,890,000 rubles.

Prices and options

Equipment	Price	Engine	Box	Drive
250 4MATIC	2 150 000	gasoline 2.0 (211 hp)	automatic (7)	full
220 CDI 4MATIC	2 550 000	diesel 2.1 (170 hp)	automatic (7)	full
300 4MATIC	2 890 000	gasoline 3.5 (250 hp)	automatic (7)	full

Pros and cons of Mercedes GLK

Pros of the car

• Beautiful appearance of the crossover;
• Aggressive and dynamic front end;
• Abundance of chromium;
• Large wheel arches with equally massive wheels;
• Stylish stampings on the hood and doors;
• Attractive food;
• High level of ground clearance (can be further increased by 30 mm);
• Stylish and ergonomic interior;
• Finishing materials and level of fit are at the highest level;
• Abundance of wood inside;
• Nice instrument panel;
• There is a touch color display;
• Comfortable front seats with well-defined lateral support;
• A large number of adjustments for the front seats;
• The rear sofa can comfortably accommodate 3 adults;
• Good luggage compartment, which can be increased by folding the rear seatbacks;
• Powerful power units;
• Good automatic gearbox;
• An abundance of various driver assistants;
• Good crossover dynamics;
• High level of security;
• Availability of all-wheel drive system;
• Excellent sound insulation;
• Abundance of equipment levels even in the basic version;
• Low fuel consumption;
• German quality.

Cons of the car

• High cost of the car;
• As an SUV, you don’t always want to use a crossover, it’s so good;
• Sometimes the set ride height may not be enough, as for a crossover;
• Expensive maintenance and components.

Let's sum it up

To sum it up German crossover Mercedes-Benz GLK, I would like to say that the car turned out to be very modern, despite the fact that the company made the design more classic. According to him appearance It’s clear that he strives for speed and is not afraid of light off-road conditions.

Front lighting received bi-xenon. Large wheel arches with equally massive wheels only complement the gracefulness. The stern looks normal and has a good tailgate and clear tail lights. The manufacturer has equipped the crossover with enough high level ground clearance, which can be further increased by purchasing an off-road package, which will result in an increase of 30 mm.

Mercedes-Benz GLK 2013

The all-wheel drive system will allow you to feel confident in light off-road conditions. The salon turned out to be in the usual style for the German company, everything is high quality, expensive, in its place and intuitive. It is very convenient to control all systems and there is no need to reach. The instrument panel is extremely comfortable, the center console is rich in door inserts and has a color touch screen.

The front seats are very comfortable and have good lateral support. The car is equipped with an abundance of different systems designed to help the driver when driving. Power units provide sufficient dynamism, which is exactly what stylish updated crossover.

Photo Mercedes-Benz car GLK

The engines have low fuel consumption, which is very important in our times. Mercedes-Benz GLK will allow not only the driver, but also the passengers sitting next to him to feel confident and safe. The luggage compartment can be increased by folding the rear seatbacks, so this car Can be recommended to family people.

Mercedes-Benz GLC– an all-wheel drive premium SUV in the mid-size category, combining “thoroughbred” design, high-quality interior decoration, productive technical “stuffing” and innovative equipment… TO target audience This crossover, as a rule, includes wealthy urban residents (regardless of gender), who tend to spend their time actively and do not want to sacrifice anything in everyday life...

A significant event took place on June 18, 2015 in Stuttgart - Daimler AG, on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, “pulled the covers off” the new premium crossover, which replaced the GLK. The car not only changed radically externally and internally, but also received the name “GLC” as a result of rebranding. The international premiere of the model took place at the autumn motor show in Frankfurt, after which it went on sale in the world's leading markets (and not only).

On the last day of February 2019, during an online presentation, the Germans declassified the restyled crossover, which already made a full-scale debut on the stage of the Geneva Motor Show in early March. As a result of the update, the five-door was “refreshed” on the outside (due to new bumpers, optics, radiator grille and wheels), acquired a more “advanced” interior, received many new options and was “armed” with a modernized range of engines.

The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC is designed in a completely new, sportier style, which is free from the angularity and roughness of its predecessor, which is trying to carefully resemble the Gelendvagen. The appearance of the crossover is dominated by rounded, streamlined shapes and smooth lines, and adjacent to them are “family” features reminiscent of latest models brands - compact headlights and stylish lanterns (in both cases - with full LED “filling”), a large radiator grille with the brand emblem in the center and embossed sidewalls.

The domed upper glazing contour, a pseudo-diffuser with a pair of exhaust pipes in the rear bumper and beautiful rims.

This is a mid-size crossover with corresponding external dimensions: 4655 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, 1644 mm in height. Wheelbase The car fits into 2873 mm, and the ground clearance depends on the version: “in the base” - 181 mm, with air suspension - from 147 mm in loading mode and up to 227 mm for off-road conquest.

When equipped, the weight of the five-door varies from 1800 to 1845 kg, depending on the equipment option.

In the interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, one can instantly discern a close relationship with the C-Class, both in terms of architecture and design. The instrument cluster, instead of the three “wells” of the previous model, is represented by an informative and strict scheme with a pair of different-sized dials and a color display in the center, and as an option it can be completely digital (with a 12.3-inch display). The three-spoke steering wheel, familiar from other representatives of the brand, not only looks stylish, but also carries a high functional load due to the control elements (some of them are touch sensitive).

The top of the chic curved console in the center, which without exaggeration is endowed with reference ergonomics, is “occupied” by a large “tablet” of the multimedia complex, the diagonal of which, depending on the configuration, is 7 or 10.25 inches. Just below are three “round blocks” of the ventilation system, and even lower are neat control units for the “climate” and audio system.

Quality interior decoration fully corresponds to the premium essence Mercedes GLC– several types of high-quality leather or suede, natural wood, carbon fiber and aluminum.

By default, the interior of the premium crossover is five-seater, with sufficient space provided in both rows of seats. In front there are ergonomic seats with unobtrusive lateral support bolsters, optimal rigidity filling and a large number of adjustments. In the back there is a comfortable sofa with a folding armrest and individual ventilation deflectors, but the tunnel is also too high and wide, disturbing the middle passenger.

Capacity in five-seat layout luggage compartment the car has 550 liters, and the two-seater has 1600 liters. The backrests of the “gallery”, divided in the proportion 40/20/40, can be brought to an almost vertical position (the so-called “cargo mode”), freeing up several liters of volume without damaging the seats.

On the Russian market, the restyled Mercedes-Benz GLC is offered with two four-cylinder engines (but in four modifications), each of which is coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with imitation of cross-axle differential locks via electronics, distributing traction between the wheels in ratio 45:55 in favor of the rear axle:

• Petrol versions are equipped with a 2.0-liter M264 unit with a dual-flow turbocharger, direct injection fuel, a Camtronic variable valve timing system and a 16-valve DOHC timing system, which by default is also supplemented by a belt-driven starter-generator with a capacity of 14 hp. and 150 Nm, operating from a 48-volt electrical system. The motor itself is stated in two boost levels:
  • on the GLC 200 4Matic version it produces 197 horsepower at 5500-6100 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 1650-4000 rpm;
  • and on the GLC 300 4Matic – 249 hp. at 5800-6100 rpm and 370 Nm of peak thrust at 1650-4000 rpm.
• Under the hood diesel modifications hidden is the OM654 engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters with turbocharging and battery “power” technology Common Rail and a 16-valve timing structure, also available in two “pumping” options:
  • 194 hp at 3800 rpm and 400 Nm of rotational potential at 1600-2800 rpm;
  • or 245 hp at 4200 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 1600-2400 rpm.

From zero to 100 km/h, the mid-size SUV accelerates after 6.2-7.9 seconds, and accelerates to a maximum of 215-240 km/h.

On average, gasoline cars need 7.4 liters of fuel for every “hundred” of mileage in the combined cycle, and diesel cars – 5.4-5.9 liters.

It is worth noting that before the update, the all-terrain vehicle was also equipped exclusively with 2.0-liter “fours”, but its gasoline units produced 211 and 245 hp. (GLC 250 4Matic and GLC 300 4Matic), and diesel – 170 and 204 hp. (GLC 220 d 4Matic and GLC 250 d 4Matic). In addition, we were also supplied with a hybrid version of the GLC 350 e 4Matic (320 hp and 560 Nm).

Mercedes-Benz GLC is built on a modular “rear-wheel drive” MRA platform, which implies an independent spring suspension on both axles - four-link at the front and five-link at the rear. “In the base” the car is equipped with springs and electronically controlled shock absorbers, optionally (but not for Russia) available pneumatic system Air Body Control with five operating modes, variable ground clearance.

An electromechanical amplifier with an adjustable gear ratio is implanted into the steering mechanism of the five-door, and its braking system is represented by disk devices with circular ventilation, complemented by modern assistive electronics.

In Russian Mercedes-Benz market The GLC is offered in three fixed trim levels to choose from – “Premium”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus”.

• A premium crossover in the initial configuration will cost 3,650,000 rubles, regardless of the modification - be it GLC 200 4Matic or GLC 220 d 4Matic. By default, it has: seven airbags, all-LED optics, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch for the diesel version), MBUX media center with a 10.25-inch screen, rear view camera, heated front seats, servo drive for the fifth door, keyless entry and engine start, parking assistant, premium audio system and much more.
• The “Sport” version (available only for the GLC 300 d 4Matic) costs a minimum of 4,160,000 rubles, and its features are: external AMG body kit and corresponding interior decor, 19-inch wheels, electric front seats, heated steering wheel, navigator and contour lighting interior
• The “Sport Plus” version (exclusively for the GLC 300 4Matic) cannot be purchased for less than 4,200,000 rubles, and its distinctive features include: extended dashboard graphics, black decor and a more advanced sound system.

It took place simultaneously with the test of the restyled G-Class SUV. This is how Mercedes is trying to show that the GLK is a worthy member of their off-road family, and not just another premium SUV. However, now there is a certain amount of slyness in this statement, because during the update the crossover has become significantly closer to the asphalt.

At the time of its appearance on the market in 2009, the GLK truly laid claim to the title of the most “off-road” crossover among its premium brethren. It had almost 20 centimeters of ground clearance, permanent all-wheel drive with traction distribution in a proportion of 45:55 percent in favor of the rear axle, as well as an optional “off-road” package with underbody protection and a special algorithm for the control electronics. Now the base ground clearance has decreased by 20 millimeters - to 177 millimeters. According to engineers, to improve handling and reduce fuel consumption, but in reality - because GLK owners too rarely leave asphalt roads.

Ground clearance situation new Mercedes-Benz GLK in general turned out to be somewhat confusing. In official press materials, 177 millimeters of “basic” ground clearance is valid for rear-wheel drive versions with a 2.2-liter diesel engine. At the same time, data on the clearance value all-wheel drive modifications are indicated with the Offroad Engineering package already installed, which now includes a ground clearance increased by 30 millimeters.
This is 207 millimeters for diesel versions and 210 millimeters - for a car with a gasoline V6.

If you subtract 30 millimeters from these figures, which the off-road suspension adds, you get the same 177 millimeters for a diesel engine and 180 millimeters for gasoline car. However, for some reason such indicators are not indicated anywhere in official Mercedes-Benz documents.

By and large, all work on the chassis in the restyled GLK was reduced to an easy update of the suspensions. Due to the changed kinematics, the springs and shock absorbers were recalibrated on all versions, but no “mechatronics” is still provided for the Mercedes-Benz crossover chassis: only pure mechanics and hydraulics of self-adjusting shock absorbers, changing their stiffness only by changing the cross-section of the bypass valve in stock.

The range of engines has been updated slightly. The petrol 3.5-liter “six”, popular in Russia, is new, equipped with direct fuel injection. In our market it will be available in two boost versions: with a power of 306 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque (GLK 350) and a power of 250 horsepower (350 Nm), which will replace the three-liter V6 on the GLK 300 version. Diesel is offered to Russians in one variant - a volume of 2.2 liters with a power of 170 hp, but in Europe there will be as many as four of them: three variants of a 2.2-liter engine with a power of 143, 170 and 204 power, and a diesel V6 with a power of 265 power, which develops 620 Nm of torque moment. We won't have basic rear-wheel drive versions of the GLK either.

What else is new?

First of all, design. The appearance of the updated GLK now has fewer chopped edges, slightly similar to the original Gelandewagen, but even more chrome: shiny grille bars and bumper trims, chrome trim for LED foglights. The headlights have become more rounded, and the “drips” in their corners have become even more expressive.

“The previous GLK divided potential buyers into two camps: some definitely liked its rough, chopped design, and others definitely didn’t like it,” Mattias Sobota, GLK project product manager, explained over dinner. - By developing the updated crossover, we tried to blur the line between these customer groups. His appearance is now more universal, but at the same time, it seems to us, no less expressive.”

Sobota may be right, but the Mercedes-Benz GLK has less charisma in its appearance, and it looks best from a ¾ rear view, where its angularity is still clearly visible.

But restyling only benefited the interior. Here, at first glance, there is not a single old detail left at all: a new steering wheel, a dashboard from the updated C-Class with a color screen in the center of the speedometer, a large LCD display navigation system, very dear quality materials finishing and... not a single flat plane, not a single sharp edge! Even the ventilation system deflectors were changed to round ones with aluminum trim - like on the SLK and SL roadsters.

The automatic transmission selector has moved from the central tunnel to the steering column, freeing up space for cup holders and the joystick for the COMAND multimedia complex. The COMAND system itself on the GLK is now also the latest, with voice control, Internet access and the ability to use online applications for reading news and, and even searching for free parking spaces.

How does the new GLK drive?

Comfortable as before. Changes in the suspension did not affect the smoothness of the ride: the GLK still smoothes out any road surface, even the most mediocre in quality. And along the mountain dirt road, which was part of the test route in the foothills of the Alps, the Mercedes-Benz crossover rushes with enviable equanimity. The energy consumption of the chassis is excellent. The GLK is not afraid of bumps or potholes, absorbing most bumps elastically and almost silently.

With the off-road package, the crossover without hesitation storms rocky roads with difficult terrain: a ground clearance of 21 centimeters is enough almost everywhere if you drive headlong. There is only one drawback - the travel of the car's suspension, essentially, is too small. Therefore, the shock absorbers sometimes respond a little harshly during rebound, and on large potholes the wheels hang in the air early. However, the GLK is not afraid of diagonal hanging: crunching the brakes, it is able to crawl almost anywhere. Especially if it is shod with more or less “evil” tires.

On the asphalt there is the traditional Mercedes softness in behavior. The empty, light steering wheel responds to the driver's actions with laziness, but when cornering it becomes quite informative. The rolls are small, but you don’t want to drive really fast in the GLK even with the top-end 306-horsepower gasoline engine. Its baritone, pleasant for observers from the outside, sounds flat in the cabin due to good noise insulation, responses to the gas pedal seem slightly damped, and the automatic machine in “drive” mode relaxes through higher gears.

You can slightly cheer up the GLK by switching the transmission to “sport” mode, but the character of the crossover will not fundamentally change. Much more noticeable is the difference between gasoline and diesel car: The GLK 220 CDI with a 170-horsepower engine turns out to be a little tighter in terms of suspension, and in terms of the assertiveness of acceleration in the mid-speed zone, it is in no way inferior to the more powerful V6 thanks to 400 Nm of torque, available already from 1400 rpm. It’s just that the sound lets us down - during active driving, its ugly rattling still makes its way through the soundproofing mats.