Smallest Mercedes SUV is sales star

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz has found a silver lining to the economic recession: It's helping boost sales of its smallest sport utility vehicle in the United States.

In fact, the 2010 GLK has been outselling the other Mercedes SUVs in this country in 2010.

Shorter than most major competitors, including the Lexus RX and Infiniti's EX35, the compact GLK appeals with a starting retail price that's $11,800 lower than the previous lowest-priced and smallest Mercedes SUV, the M-Class.

The five-seat GLK also is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine and offers the status of a Mercedes, plentiful standard safety equipment and a comfortable ride without all the heft of the bigger Mercedes SUVs.

Just don't try to fit more than five people inside — four is best — and don't expect a low price if you insist on a GLK with all the bells and whistles. Also, don't look for big savings at the gas station.

Less than 15 feet long from bumper to bumper, the GLK has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, with destination charge, of $34,775 for a two-wheel drive version and $36,775 for a model with four-wheel drive.

This compares with the starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $46,575 for a rear-wheel drive Mercedes M-Class SUV.

But the test GLK had a final price of more than $48,000 with a navigation system, power liftgate, garage door opener, leather seat trim, premium sound system and other goodies added in.

Meantime, GLK competitors include the 2010 Audi Q5 (with standard all-wheel drive, and 270 horsepower); its starting retail price is $38,175. The 2010 Infiniti EX35 starts at $34,665 with rear-wheel drive and 297 horsepower. An all-wheel drive EX35 starts at $36,065.

The 2010 Lexus RX 350, which has been the segment leader for years, has a starting retail price of $38,500 with front-wheel drive and $39,900 with all-wheel drive. The RX has a 275 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6.