2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

It is no accident that the GLK350, Mercedes-Benz' smallest and least expensive SUV, leaped into the crowded compact crossover market last year as an immediately desirable contender. After all, Mercedes-Benz pioneered the combination of SUV utility and luxury-car trappings with its M-Class SUV in the late 1990s. About five years ago, Mercedes-Benz showed it could put together an excellent full-size luxury SUV as well with the GL-Class. The company still lacked an entry for the growing small crossover segment, however. So last year the GLK350 came along to fill the gap.

Drawing from Mercedes-Benz' well-stocked store of components, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is based on the C-Class sedan and features Mercedes-Benz' familiar 3.5-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic transmission. And despite being one of the cheapest Mercedes-Benz models, the GLK-Class is built to such a high standard that its price premium over most similarly equipped competitors seems well worth it. Go over railroad tracks and the body doesn't flex a bit, nor does any jiggling greet your backside. This little SUV feels like you could drive over a land mine and experience nothing but a muted "thump." The GLK350 might not be perfect, but when it comes to meticulous build quality, it simply has no equal in this segment.