2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Road Test Ratings

What is essentially a tall C-Class wagon manages to be functional, comfortable and entertaining in equal parts. The same cannot be said of other premium-brand compact SUVs that tend to be one-dimensional. Besides the less-than-beautiful exterior, there are just a couple aspects of the GLK that keep it from benchmark status.

The corporate 3.5L/268-hp V6 offers adequate power for the GLK, and the standard seven-speed automatic is terrific when paired with either "4Matic" all-wheel-drive or the standard rear-wheel-drive GLK models. Expect about 18 mpg in mixed driving. There's more athleticism in this compact SUV than many similarly positioned vehicles, and that makes the GLK fun to drive. Brakes, too, are over-built to handle everyday chores as well as the 3,500-pound tow rating. Light-duty off-roading only.

For what is essentially a really tall C-Class sedan with a big box on top, the GLK rides remarkably well on a wide variety of surfaces -- which cannot be said of the similarly built BMW X3 or Infiniti EX35. That said, the driving position is a little upright and trucklike, and the rear seats are especially difficult to enter/exit due to the small doors and diagonal door cuts. Also, skip the optional step-rails that'll only make ingress/egress harder on you and your pant legs. Otherwise, the GLK just might be the class-leader in terms of its balance between thrilling dynamics and everyday comfort.

Typical, compact-SUV functionality brought to you, for the first time, by Mercedes-Benz, which is to say, optional upgrades, though largely worthwhile, will begin to add up. Cargo room grows from 23.3 cu-ft to 54.7 cu-ft when you stow the second-row seats that go almost-flat. No third-row is available. All the built-in bits (e.g. IP, switches and audio) are very intuitive and operate with precision.

It'll never win an beauty contest, but the form-follows-function tenant is strongly represented in the GLK. Also, the interior materials and overall build quality are outstanding -- especially at this price.