Motoring

TEST DRIVE: Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDi Sport

April 11, 2012 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The GLK is Mercedes-Benz’s compact-size SUV. Size-wise and price-wise, it competes against BMW’s X1 and X3 as well as Audi’s Q5. Retailing for a heady P4,480,000, the GLK 220 CDi is roughly four inches longer, an inch wider, and about as tall as the best-selling Hyundai Tucson – just to put the GLK’s dimensions in perspective.

I was never a fan of the GLK’s styling – at least not at first glance. I found it a bit too boxy and angular, especially compared to the X1’s sleek, flowing lines. But upon closer inspection – and especially when you’ve been seeing it in your garage for a few days – the GLK’s sheetmetal takes on a more attractive and purposeful look. While the side windows still seem uninspired, the big square fender flares and the bold character line that connects them become much more compelling. Ditto the front end, with its trademark big Mercedes grille, expressive quad xenon headlamps, and that heavily detailed front bumper with large mesh air intake and distinctive LED fog lamps.

The rear end is perhaps the least eye-catching angle of the GLK. It’s not ugly, mind you; perhaps just a little too safe – a square tailgate with minimal sculpting bracketed by Mercedes’ signature taillamp design. The biggest highlight at the rear are the twin chrome tailpipes that give the GLK a measure of subtle sportiness.

Of course, speaking of highlights, nothing takes the cake more than my test unit’s optional 20-inch (yes, 20!) AMG twin-spoke alloy wheels adorned with ultra-grippy 235/40R-20 tires. (The GLK 220’s standard footwear are 17-inchers wrapped by 235/60R-17 all-terrain rubber.)

Styling aside, the GLK 220 CDi consolidates its strengths on its mechanical aspects. It’s powered by a 2143cc inline-4 engine developing a respectable 170ps and an absolutely stunning 400 Nm of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. This kind of torque output can only be realized by a common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel engine. And it’s enough to propel the heavy 2-ton GLK from a standstill to 100 kph in a brief 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 205 kph.

Transmission is via Mercedes’ cutting-edge 7-speed 7G-Tronic gearbox, which is a paragon of smoothness and efficiency. The GLK’s brochure claims that the 220 CDi can achieve the equivalent of an impressive 11.6 kpl in European city driving – something that I observed was entirely achievable in Metro Manila driving.

Like most modern CRDi engines, the 220 CDi’s motor was impressively muted and vibration-free. Inside the cabin, you’d be hard-pressed to tell that there was a diesel engine up front. The only downside I experienced was the engine’s occasional tendency to stall, which is probably a glitch in my test unit. At first I thought it had one of those economy-enhancing auto-engine-stop systems becoming popular in Europe (it usually restarts the instant I step on the accelerator), but when it stalled even when the vehicle was in motion, I figured it was a rare glitch. It’s something I have yet to take up with the distributor’s technical people, but I suspect it shouldn’t be too difficult to fix.

On smooth roads, the GLK rode reasonably comfortably despite the ultra-low-profile tires. There was some ride stiffness, but it never approached the level of being punishingly harsh. Just don’t venture too far off road on those pavement-biased 40-series tires.

Inside, the GLK exhibited typical Germanic functionality. I applaud its door-mounted pictogram buttons that adjust the seats. The leather seats are firm and very supportive. The only downsides to the cabin are the rather limited rear seat legroom and the huge and woefully uninspired steering wheel. It looks like something you’ll find in a Mercedes-Benz bus or truck. Then there are the seatbelts that seem to have a life of their own. Every time you buckle up, the seatbelts suddenly tighten – really tighten – for a couple of seconds, then relax the tension to the usual slackness. It’s a bit unnerving the first time you experience it.

More pluses come from typical Mercedes-levels of safety features, both in terms of number of features and in the level of technology used. Simply put, the GLK is easily one of – if not the – safest vehicle in its class.

The highs

• true luxury car build quality

• phenomenal fuel efficiency

• impressively responsive handling

• strong acceleration

• advanced all-wheel-drive system

• numerous cutting-edge features and specs

• tons of safety features

The lows

• engine stalling issues

• huge, uninspired steering wheel

• limited rear-seat legroom