Mercedes-Benz GLK 2008

The Mercedes-Benz GLK X204 crossover, first shown at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, was given a separate model line. It was designated Gelandewagen Luxus Kompaktklasse, which the author takes as an immediate indication not to expect off-road abilities.

Nevertheless, an all-wheel-drive version was available.

The five-seat compact GLK used the W204 C-Class saloon platform and is regarded as a typical city car. Its range of six-cylinder petrol engines gave it lively performance. For promotional purposes, the GLK appeared in the popular romantic film Sex and the City. In the film, blonde Samantha, played by Kim Cattrall, drives one; the author sees this as evidence that the car was primarily aimed at women.