2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class vs. Its Competition

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class RWD 4-door Side Exterior View

Meta Rating 8.2 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Feb 13, 2012

Among luxury brands, the crossover's brought more new customers in through the doors than any other kind of vehicle.

Even the Germans have cute utes--in fact, BMW was the first to jump in with its X3, though it's hard to see today's fairly large, very powerful and very capable five-seat crossover as "cute." Audi's Q5 is sleek and not at all trucky to look at--but its ride can be harsh, and its pricetag is high.

The Land Rover LR2 looks and feels a lot like the Benz GLK, with its more SUV-like shape and its in-line six-cylinder engine, while the Infiniti EX is the opposite--a tidy, very compact crossover in the loosest sense, with great handling but not much more cargo space than a sedan.

On the domestic side, the Cadillac SRX has been a strong seller, and it's a spacious, sharp-looking crossover with a new V-6 engine for the new model year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Audi Q5 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 BMW X3 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Cadillac SRX Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Infiniti EX35 Get FREE Price Quote	2011 Acura RDX Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.2 Rugged looks and lower gas mileage put the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class in an SUV state of mind, but its ride and handling are more carlike than you'd think.	8.2 The 2012 Audi Q5 is one of the	8.4 A great-looking crossover with its most carlike performance yet, the BMW X3 also has more interior room and better materials than before.	8 With a smooth new engine and a rich, uniquely American interior, the 2012 Cadillac SRX appeals to those who want a lot of luxury and flair but don't require driving excitement.	8 With tight rear seats and a small cargo area, the 2012 Infiniti EX35 is less like a sporty crossover, more like a high-riding sports sedan.	7.8 The 2011 Acura RDX is delightfully frisky and nimble, but it doesn't feel as lavish as other luxury crossovers.
MSRP From
$35,880	$35,600	$37,100	$35,985	$35,800	$32,895
Gas Mileage
16 MPG City / 22 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Turbocharged Gas I4	Gas I6	Gas/Ethanol V6	Gas V6	Turbocharged Gas I4
EPA Class
2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	4WD Sport Utility Vehicle	4WD Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD	Small Station Wagon	Sport Utility Vehicle
Style Name
RWD 4dr GLK350	quattro 4dr 2.0T Premium	AWD 4dr 28i	FWD 4dr Base	RWD 4dr	FWD 4dr
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	All wheel drive	All Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Crossover	4 Door SUV	4 Door
Transmission
Automatic	Automatic w/Manual Transmission	Automatic	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Automatic w/OD	Automatic w/OD