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The Autoextremist.com gave this recent review of the GLK at the NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show), which along with the pics at the show, seems about accurate:

We Gotta Better Idea, Turn This Thing Into a Boat Anchor And Drop it in the Detroit River. Scoring a rare clean sweep of our least desirable manufacturer awards - and with more creases in its bodywork than the table cloths at a dry cleaning convention - the Mercedes-Benz GLK smaller crossover is an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions and winner of the 2008 Autoextremist Answer to the Question that Absolutely No One is Asking Award (but Best Imitation of a Subaru Masquerading as a Mercedes). How this company can put a three-pointed star on this abomination and call it "good" is beyond me. And judging by the tone and tenor of the murmurs around the vehicle, I was certainly not alone in my opinion. And of course it didn't help that Mercedes enlisted long-past-her-prime Kim Cattrall to help introduce the GLK in a (painfully) scripted interlude with Dieter Zetsche, either. Ungainly, homely and a flat-out insult to the once proud Mercedes-Benz brand, I can just imagine the runaway delusional thinking that went into the development of the GLK (let's see, how 'bout we just make a Junior G class! Ya!). Mercedes has now officially become the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde car company, swinging wildly between The Good - the S class and the AMG stuff - and The Bad - the trucks, SUVs and crossovers, R class, etc. - with the GLK being the new low point. These just guys don't get it. And even worse, they think the rest of the world is out of sync with them. All together now, Not Good.

Again, this is from their website (www.autoextremist.com), all credit must be given to them. Usually, they're spot on about cars and trucks, but you may differ.

lkchris

Automotive News' Richard Truett:

Here's the most revealing picture yet--shows the small size and definite Subaru look:

mbslk350

I must admit...I'm disappointed with the looks of this thing. The wheels are way too big, they're out of proportion and they look cheezy. The interior is a nightmare, especially the "shoulder pads" on the seats. (Are they really going to offer WHITE interiors? It takes me back to the 70's.) I only like the front end because it resembles a GL. They should have made the whole thing look like a mini-GL, IMO.

Your opinion may vary.

But I would disagree with the article's contention that all MB trucks and SUVs are Bad.

carpersn

IT IS A FREESTYLE VERSION...meaning, that most of the interior touches are for show...and the wheels also.

As for me, a current GL owner, i think the thing looks darn good, and if it has the interior of the new C (which i think it does), it will do well in it's intended price range. The only complaint i had with the new C loaner when i had it was the switchgear for the heated seats felt cheap and the unlocking mechanism for the smartkey was too loud...otherwise, i was blown away from the last C loaner i had about a few months back. I predict that, especially if they offer diesel, they will have quite the winner on their hands...

chilledbenz

Yes the wheels are most certainly for show and won't make it to production..heck they won't even let U.S. spec AMG cars get the 21'' option, they surely wouldn't let these pass.

That new pic of someone actually standing beside it gives you an idea of its size. Its looks to be the same size as an C class Estate wagon, but super sized. Makes sense seeing how the U.S. market won't be getting an Estate wagon.

lkchris

Someone? That's Dr. Z!

chilledbenz

I know...but if he had anything to do with this...I don't want to give him any credit

oknish

And his mustache

polarbexar

I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. Get this for my wife instead of the crappy Avalanche she wanted.

Germancar1

Its a concept, of course it won't have a white interior or shoulder pads on the seats.

M