04Jun
Mercedes-Benz is a respected luxury brand in Nigeria and around the world. Any Mercedes-branded car, even up to five to six years old, earns its owners a level of respect you don’t usually expect from many other brands milling around Nigerian roads. The German brand is a status symbol in Nigeria, just like Cadillac is a symbol of success in the US. Although nearly all modern Mercedes models are sought after in Nigeria, the GLK-Class has a special place in the hearts of younger drivers especially.
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 is a luxury compact SUV with elegant styling, advanced technology, and outstanding performance. Introduced in 2009, the GLK 350 quickly became a popular choice among Merc fans looking for a versatile and comfortable three-pointed-star-branded SUV that looks good on the parking lot while also capable of handling a variety of driving conditions.
With its powerful V6 engine, smooth ride, and luxurious interior, the GLK 350 offers a driving experience that is both refined and exhilarating. In this article, we will take a closer look at the features and trump cards of the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, why it has become such a beloved vehicle among luxury SUV enthusiasts, and how much the SUV goes for in the Nigerian used car market right now.
Related: The 10 Most Reliable SUVs For Nigerian Roads
A Brief History Of The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was first introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, and it went on sale the following year as a 2009 model.
The automaker designed the GLK to fill the gap in the company's lineup between the smaller ML-Class and the larger GL-Class SUVs. It was built on a modified version of the C-Class platform, making it the smallest SUV in Mercedes-Benz's lineup at the time.
The GLK's unique appeal is largely thanks to its design inspired by the larger G-Class SUV we know as G-wagon, with boxy lines and a rugged, off-road-ready look.
However, the GLK was intended more for on-road use, and it offered a comfortable ride and a luxurious interior with high-quality materials and advanced technology features.
Over the years, the GLK received various updates and upgrades. In 2013, the GLK underwent a mid-cycle refresh, which included a redesigned front end with a more modern look, as well as updates to the interior, including a new infotainment system.
In 2015, the GLK was renamed the GLC as part of Mercedes-Benz's new naming convention, which placed all of its SUVs under the "GL" umbrella.
Today, the GLC remains a popular choice among luxury compact SUVs, offering a combination of style, performance, and comfort that has made it a favorite among drivers.
Features Of The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 is a well-equipped luxury compact SUV that offers a wide range of features and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Some of its key features include:
1. Powerful Engine:
The GLK 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, providing plenty of power and acceleration on demand. The engine features a DOHC (dual overhead cam) design with four valves per cylinder and comes mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The GLK 350's V6 engine provides plenty of power and acceleration on demand, propelling the SUV from rest to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds. It also features variable valve timing and direct injection, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
2. Advanced Safety Features:
The GLK 350 comes with a variety of safety features, including stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a suite of airbags. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
3. Luxurious Interior:
Mercedes-Benz adorned the GLK 350's interior with high-quality materials and attention to detail, including real wood trim, leather seats, and a user-friendly infotainment system.
4. All-Wheel Drive:
The GLK 350 comes standard with all-wheel drive, providing enhanced traction and stability in a variety of driving conditions.
Although the GLK 350 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, it can get equipped with Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC all-wheel drive system for enhanced traction and stability in a variety of driving conditions.
5. Advanced Technology:
The GLK 350 comes with a range of advanced technology features, including a premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera.
Optional features include a panoramic sunroof, a navigation system, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
Infotainment System:
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 uses an intuitive, easy-to-use infotainment system. The system features a 7-inch color display screen sitting pretty in the center of the dashboard and controlled via a rotary knob and buttons located on the center console.
The GLK’s infotainment system supports a range of features, including Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls and audio streaming, a USB port for connecting external devices, and an auxiliary input jack.
It also includes a premium sound system that delivers high-quality audio through a set of speakers located throughout the cabin. The optional tech features include a navigation system that provides turn-by-turn directions to your destination, voice-activated controls, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
Additionally, the system is also compatible with Mercedes-Benz's mbrace® connected services, which lets you remotely access and control certain features using a smartphone app.
For example, you can use the app to remotely lock or unlock your doors, locate your vehicle in a crowded parking lot, or even start the engine from a distance.
Related: The 10 Coolest Features Of The Lexus RX350
6. Spacious Cargo Area:
Despite its compact size, the GLK 350 offers a spacious cargo area, with up to 54.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 offers a combination of performance, comfort, and luxury that has made it a popular choice among drivers looking for a versatile and capable SUV.
What Is The Mercedes-Benz GLK 4MATIC Model?
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 4MATIC was a compact luxury SUV that Mercedes-Benz produced from 2008 to 2015.
The "4MATIC" designation refers to the vehicle's all-wheel drive system, which was standard on all GLK models. The GLK 4MATIC featured a boxy, angular exterior that gave it a rugged and distinct appearance. It was available in two models, the GLK 350 and the GLK 250 BlueTEC (diesel).
The GLK 350 got power from a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLK 250 BlueTEC got its motivation from a 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that produced 200 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Both models held hands with a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The GLK 4MATIC had a spacious and comfortable interior with plenty of amenities, including a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a premium audio system.
Its safety features included stability and traction control, antilock brakes, a rearview camera, and a full complement of airbags. The GLK 4MATIC was well-regarded for its handling and all-weather capability, as well as its comfortable ride and luxurious interior.
The Mercedes-Benz GLK Production Years
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was produced from 2009 to 2015. The automaker introduced the first generation GLK-Class for the 2010 model year and offered it from 2009 to 2012.
The GLK-Class received a facelift for the 2013 model year, which included exterior styling updates, a revised interior, and updated technology features. The facelifted GLK-Class enjoyed a three-year production run from 2012 to 2015.
As mentioned earlier, the GLK-Class got renamed the GLC-Class for the 2016 model year as part of Mercedes-Benz's new naming convention placing all of its SUVs under the "GL" umbrella.
As the successor to the GLK-Class, the GLC shares many of the GLK's features and characteristics. There were identifiable reasons behind Mercedes-Benz’s decision to quit making the GLK in 2015 and replace it with the GLC.
One factor was that the GLK got built on an older platform that isn't as versatile as the new platform used for the GLC. The GLC offered more space, better fuel efficiency, and a range of new features that were not available on the GLK.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz wanted to streamline its SUV lineup and create a more consistent naming convention across its models.
Customers and the industry saw the GLC as a more modern and refined version of the GLK, and it has since become one of Mercedes-Benz's most popular SUV models.
How Much Is The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 In Nigeria Now?
The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was a popular luxury SUV in Nigeria and was available for purchase through authorized dealerships.
A foreign-used GLK 350 cost an average of ₦9 million to ₦16 million, depending on the model year, equipped options, and the overall vehicle condition.
You can get a Nigerian-used model for as low as ₦5 million, as long as you memorize this wise saying; "You get what you pay for."
In some cases, location can actually influence pricing, which is why local man should probably avoid shopping for a luxury vehicle like the GLK in Abuja.
Furthermore, we'd recommend checking with authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Nigeria for the most up-to-date information on pricing and availability, but they typically don't stock older models like the GLK 350.
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