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Thank the four ladies from Sex and the City for this very early sneak peek of the Mercedes-Benz GLK, Stuttgart's new compact CUV that wasn't supposed to be seen in public until the Geneva Motor Show in March. The vehicle's being used in the upcoming Sex and the City movie and was snapped completely free of camo on an open set.
Without all of the covering and cladding, it's now apparent just how sharp and chunky the GLK's styling is. Some have described it as Jeep-like, though we think it's a bit more complicated and busy than a simple slab-sided Jeep.
Curiously, the GLK will not be sold in right-hand-drive markets like the UK because its 4Matic four-wheel-drive system can't be made to work with the steering wheel on the right. Where the GLK is on sale, it will be offered with a smattering of engines, including two gas-powered V6s, a diesel V6 and diesel four-cylinder.
Considering that the GLK has long been considered a response to the BMW X3, we're wondering how you think it stacks up, at least in the area of styling. We've always considered the X3 awkward-looking, but the GLK is also a little too butch for our liking. So we guess the question is, which one's less ugly?
[Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Dave @ Dec 16th 2007 2:51PM
This thing is pretty interesting looking. I have a 2002 Saturn VUE, and a 2008 smart fortwo on the way. I was planning on replacing the VUE with a MB C300 in a year or two, but if this thing is decent, it might take the spot.
John @ Dec 16th 2007 2:52PM
I think I'd go with the curves of an Infiniti EX.
John R @ Dec 16th 2007 4:53PM
Me, too. It'll probably be faster and handle better also.
Mehul @ Dec 16th 2007 6:07PM
Make that three... Inifiniti looks a lot better. (And judging from the Infiniti M and E class, Inifiniti will 'probably' have better reliability too)
Vivek G. @ Dec 16th 2007 7:40PM
I don't think I would - for some reason, the GLK looks the best of all the CUVs I've seen thus far. The Acura RDX is pretty sleek and high tech looking, and the EX had some nice curves, but I mean, its an SUV, and you don't buy an SUV based on looks or handling. If you did, you'd buy the sedan version, like the TL, or G35, or 3 series. The GLK looks really butch, which I like.
And with the way new Mercedes Benz cars are going now, this is going to have excellent build quality and decent driving dynamics. Not going to be the best handling truck in the class though, with the SH-AWD system in the RDX and the Infinity EX, but it won't be bad.
Who else really wants to see the AMG 6.2L V8 in this thing? That would be SERIOUSLY awesome, and seriously quick to boot.
LOLWUT @ Dec 16th 2007 2:52PM
FUGLY
frew @ Dec 16th 2007 5:45PM
i would have to agree. its far to over-decorated, just like the C
eddie @ Dec 16th 2007 2:55PM
That's horrible. Its like a Lexus GX, MB C300 and a Suzuki had a mutant offspring.
J.Crew @ Dec 16th 2007 2:55PM
The front is typical new C-class sport, but the side profile reminds me of a Subaru Forester with an extra bit of a sharper edge thrown in. I am not a fan of this, but need to see it in the flesh to make a fair judgement call.
link to Forester - see the side profile:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/ViewModelDetail/make=Subaru/model=Forester
stefan @ Dec 16th 2007 3:04PM
I rather have a infiniti EX.
Larson @ Dec 16th 2007 3:05PM
and it's rocking X3 Rims, niiice
The styling is definitely on par with the X3's.
futurama @ Dec 16th 2007 3:08PM
this thing is so wrecked! so fugly. no thanks.
chrisb @ Dec 16th 2007 3:09PM
Not good, way too clunky looking. And why is MB trying to slap a TR7-like wedge crease on their cars, it'sjust crude and un-resolved.
Tim @ Dec 16th 2007 3:10PM
Mercedes are getting uglier and uglier.
Moe @ Dec 16th 2007 3:19PM
The back reminds me of the previous generation Toyota Highlander. It's not bad-looking, but it's certainly not Merc-like in any way. The X3 may be extremely bland, but it's still very BMW. The LR2/Freelander is still my pick of the premium cute-ute bunch.
Aetius @ Dec 16th 2007 3:19PM
Thats a 'compact' CUV?
Cajun_Mike @ Dec 16th 2007 3:20PM
What's it going to take for us to get some spy shots of the 2009 Infiniti FX37 and FX50?
That's what I'm waiting on. All other midsized CUV's are a snooze.
SOhp101 @ Dec 16th 2007 3:21PM
C class + GL class = GLK.
Mike @ Dec 16th 2007 3:43PM
lol
More like Lexus GX + C Class = GLK
SOhp101 @ Dec 16th 2007 5:09PM
Either way, SUVs are just plain ugly.