<img style="float: left;" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/aug/SMD-Logo.gif" alt="" width="150" height="65" />Capable yet compact, the GLK Class would have been the perfect medium-sized luxury crossover, but, unfortunately, Mercedes only made it in left-hand-drive and we were left out. The Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and BMW X3 ran amok and captured hearts in the meantime. Now, however, there&rsquo;s a new one. And, Mercedes has got it right.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jul/Mercedes-1.jpg" alt="" />
This is the GLC, the off-road ready C-Class, named in line with Mercedes&rsquo; new nomenclature system. It&rsquo;s only available with four-cylinder motors and nine-speed transmissions, that is, until you start looking at the AMG version. For now, that&rsquo;s still on the shelf. What are ready to roll are the petrol and diesel versions: the GLC 220 d turbo-diesel and the GLC 300 turbo-petrol.
<img title="Snazzy 18-inch wheels are shod with tyres that are easily available" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jul/Mercedes-2.jpg" alt="Snazzy 18-inch wheels are shod with tyres that are easily available" /> Snazzy 18-inch wheels are shod with tyres that are easily available
Chances are if you&rsquo;ve seen the GLE-Class and stared into the beautiful eyes of the new W205 C-Class, you would identify it immediately once you process the difference in size. There are obvious differences that are telling of its added multi-terrain capability, such as the higher ground clearance and higher-profile tyres. The fact that there is a &lsquo;G&rsquo; in its name is enough &mdash; or so they hope &mdash; to evoke thoughts of the evergreen Gel&auml;ndewagen: the iconic G-Class. The standout details are the smart front end with the beautiful C-Class LED eyes with the Intelligent Lighting System and the suave two-slat grille. The proportions are more butch estate-like and less rounded, which makes it unmistakable as the GLS&rsquo; younger sibling. The Offroad package is standard for India, and that brings a stylish front bumper which allows a better approach angle &mdash; worry less about those massive speed humps &mdash; together with underbody protection, running boards, 18-inch wheels with 235/60 R18 rubber, and further-tweaked electronic aids in the form of three additional drive modes &mdash; Off-road, Incline and Slippery &mdash; as well as tweaked ABS, ESP and traction control, plus Downhill Speed Regulation and more intelligent lighting. Oh, and you also get 20 mm more ground clearance, so that&rsquo;s 201 mm. India doesn&rsquo;t get the Air Body Control, so there are no adjustable air springs here.
<img title="The interiors are well-appointed as expected in a Merc. Pics/Sanjay Raikar" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jul/Mercedes-3.jpg" alt="The interiors are well-appointed as expected in a Merc. Pics/Sanjay Raikar" /> The interiors are well-appointed as expected in a Merc. Pics/Sanjay Raikar
We were driving the GLC 220 d from Kodagu to Mangaluru and we managed to cover some 80-odd kilometres in the car over what was mostly winding mountain road. We stand by our sentiments about the cabins of new Mercedes-Benz models: they have a certain air of quality that is hard to match.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jul/Car-table.jpg" alt="" />
Space is good, thanks to the long wheelbase, with the rear feeling even better than it does in the C. Knee-room is more than adequate and the seat angles seem comfortable and ergonomic enough for long drives in the car. Cabin sound insulation, as always, is top-notch and ride quality is fantastic even with the standard spring setup. The Dynamic Select has five drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. These are apart from the Off-road special menu.
Mercedes has brought in the GLC with two driveline choices: one petrol and one diesel. The diesel variant, the GLC 220 d, continues to have the 2.2-litre in-line four turbo-diesel motor making 170 PS and 400 Nm, but is now paired to the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and 4MATIC intelligent-all-wheel-drive. The all-new &lsquo;300&rsquo; petrol finally makes its Indian debut. Gone is the old 228-PS naturally-aspirated V6 last seen in the previous-generation W221 S-Class and in comes a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo unit. Seen in the CLA-, C- and E-Class cars as the &lsquo;200&rsquo; with 184 PS and 300 Nm, the &lsquo;300&rsquo; gets 245 PS and 370 Nm.
The GLC 220 d 4MATIC is comfortable pottering at city speeds as well as triple-digit ones on the open road. It&rsquo;s a sensible car and, at Rs 50.7 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, is priced rather competitively too. The three-pointed star has struck at the burgeoning luxury compact SUV segment, and it looks set to leave a mark. Yes, we&rsquo;re happy to finally see it here.

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Mercedes GLK Class is class apart

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Mercedes GLK Class is class apart

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