Mercedes GLK Class is class apart

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's a new one. And, Mercedes has got it right.

This is the GLC, the off-road ready C-Class, named in line with Mercedes' new nomenclature system. It's only available with four-cylinder motors and nine-speed transmissions, that is, until you start looking at the AMG version. For now, that'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.

Snazzy 18-inch wheels are shod with tyres that are easily available

Chances are if you'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 ‘G' in its name is enough - or so they hope - to evoke thoughts of the evergreen Geländewagen: 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' younger sibling. The Offroad package is standard for India, and that brings a stylish front bumper which allows a better approach angle - worry less about those massive speed humps - 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 - Off-road, Incline and Slippery - 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's 201 mm. India doesn't get the Air Body Control, so there are no adjustable air springs here.

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.

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 ‘300' 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 ‘200' with 184 PS and 300 Nm, the ‘300' 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'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're happy to finally see it here.