2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

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Rating7.7

Ranked #7 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$35,880 - $37,880
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Impressive high-speed stability

Cramped rear row and cargo area

No significant changes for 2012

Superb driving dynamics

Disappointing gas mileage

Comfortable ride and interior

Specs & Features

$35,880

price

268 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.5L 6cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class SUV is a proud member of the compact SUV segment, locking horns with cars like the BMW X3 SUV, the Audi Q5 SUV, and the Infiniti EX SUV. With standalone trim, the GLK-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP of $35,880. Its 3.5L V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 7.2 seconds and boasts a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the GLK-Class manages to get a combined EPA rating of 18 MPG, a poor number for the class, giving its rivals an edge. It also has a ground clearance of 7.9 inches.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class SUV is a luxurious and comfortable vehicle offered in a single trim. However, we recommend adding the Premium 1 package ($3,200) which adds a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, a power-adjustable steering wheel, driver memory functions, and more.

Trims

    350
    $35,880 onwards
    • Engine: 3.5L 6cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 268 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.79 sec
    • Top Speed: 147 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$35,880- $37,880

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.68

Horsepower

268 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$32,895- $37,995

Gasoline

7.87

240 hp @ 6000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,600- $43,000

Gasoline

8.11

211 hp @ 4300 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$37,100- $42,700

Gasoline

8.24

258 hp @ 6600 rpm

221 lb.-ft. @ 2750 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,985- $49,585

Gasoline

7.99

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,800- $39,500

Gasoline

7.36

297 hp @ 6800 rpm

253 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,700

Gasoline

7.68

230 hp @ 6300 rpm

234 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,300- $48,150

Gasoline

8.32

240 hp @ 6400 rpm

236 lb.-ft. @ 3200 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.79 sec13.9 sec147 mph
    5.4 sec14.1 sec-
    6.6 sec15.2 sec-
    2012 BMW X3

    Ranked #3

    6.7 sec15.1 sec122 mph
    2012 Audi Q5

    Ranked #5

    7.5 sec15.7 sec120 mph
    7.8 sec15.3 sec116 mph

    2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      16 mpg22 mpg18 mpg17.4 gal.278.4/382.8 mi.
      2012 Audi Q5

      Ranked #1

      20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg19.8 gal.396/534.6 mi.
      2012 BMW X3

      Ranked #2

      19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg17.7 gal.336.3/442.5 mi.
      19 mpg24 mpg21 mpg18 gal.342/432 mi.
      19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/462.5 mi.
      17 mpg24 mpg20 mpg20 gal.340/480 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        178.2 in.79.4 in.66.9 in.7.9 in.108.5 in.
        190.3 in.75.2 in.65.7 in.7 in.110.5 in.
        2012 BMW X3

        Ranked #2

        183 in.74.1 in.65.4 in.8.4 in.110.6 in.
        182.5 in.73.6 in.65.2 in.6.3 in.104.3 in.
        182.3 in.71 in.62.6 in.6.5 in.110.2 in.
        2012 Audi Q5

        Ranked #5

        182.2 in.74.7 in.65.1 in.7.9 in.110.5 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          23.3 cu.ft.-54.7 cu.ft.
          18.6 cu.ft.88.5 cu.ft.47.4 cu.ft.
          2012 BMW X3

          Ranked #2

          27.6 cu.ft.90.1 cu.ft.70.8 cu.ft.
          30.8 cu.ft.99 cu.ft.67.4 cu.ft.
          26.7 cu.ft.-58.9 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi Q5

          Ranked #5

          29.1 cu.ft.101.5 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            54.7 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.54.7 cu.ft.-
            58.9 cu.ft.26.7 cu.ft.58.9 cu.ft.-
            20.6 cu.ft.27.8 cu.ft.60.6 cu.ft.-
            2012 Audi Q5

            Ranked #4

            57.3 cu.ft.29.1 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.78 ft.
            2012 BMW X3

            Ranked #5

            70.8 cu.ft.27.6 cu.ft.70.8 cu.ft.-
            80.1 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.47.4 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3500 lbs.1388 lbs.3979 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1107 lbs.3764 lbs.
              2012 Audi Q5

              Ranked #2

              4400 lbs.1047 lbs.4090 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1100 lbs.4255 lbs.
              2012 BMW X3

              Ranked #3

              3500 lbs.904 lbs.4112 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1279 lbs.4277 lbs.

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