What does it look like and where do you turn it on and off. Might I be able to swap a 2013 heated one for my 2012 standard one. Are there shift panels on the wheel - I would have to remove to work on my 2012 and probably get a wire feed for the heating element, I love a heated wheel my hands are always cold.

You turn it on on a stalk on the left hand side under the turn signal. It will be possible to retrofit, contact MBenzNL on this site for details.

It will be pricey, a heated wheel for my R costs $1,045 (or was it closer to $2k?). You then need the wiring and module to all hook up with each other and this may or may not require STAR programming. If you're serious about it and a beginner, I'd highly recommend contact MBenzNL and buying the parts from him as he's really experienced with these types of things and knows exactly what you need and how to install it. He helped me out with my ventilated front seat retrofit and I sure wouldn't have been able to do it without his expertise and part sourcing.

Edit: Did they ever offer this option on any GLK from any region?

Heated steering wheel? Wear gloves if it's that cold out. I'd much prefer a cooled wheel for the days when the car is sitting in the sun and you can barely touch the wheel.

Offered, accordingly to the German "Konfigurator", in Norway and Europe (for all I know): Heated steering wheel, code 443, conditionally with either of three (two) options. Approx. $510, current exhange rate.

I think it's part of the convenience package in Canada. I had it on my old old Infiniti I35 back in the day and loved it

Yes, Canada has it.

Canada only has it for the new 2013, not 2012. My wife's did not offer it as an option.

My ex-wife's 2007 BMWX3 has a heated steering wheel (rear heated seats too) and when it is very cold out holding on to a wheel colder than ice is not comfortable for short trips - do you really like driving a car with heavy gloves on? I don't and loved the heated steering wheel. So finally in 2013 the GLK gets it only if in Canada and not a US option on the GLK here. I guess we are lucky to even have heated front seats in the US production.

I really don't like driving a car with gloves on if I have the luxury of a heated steering wheel. I just feel like my grip isn't as good as there's some wiggle room in the winter gloves that doesn't transfer into the feedback of the wheel as well. Good luck with your search (BTW you got PM).

For some reason they don't offer those here in Los Angeles...

.... or they don't offer those in all of the US.