Model Year | 2012 | 2014 | |
Model | Mercedes-Benz GLK | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 268 hp@6000 258 lb-ft@2400 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 7-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 109.8 in | -1.3 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 191.1 in | -12.8 in |
Width | 72.4 in | 75.8 in | -3.4 in |
Height | 66.9 in | 68.1 in | -1.2 in |
Curb Weight | 4034 lb. | 4454 lb. | -420 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 17.4 gal. | 19.2 gal. | -1.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 40.7 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.2 in | 59.3 in | -4.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 57.2 in | -4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.8 in | 44.2 in | -2.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.7 in | 39.9 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.4 in | 59.6 in | -4.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.5 in | 57.1 in | -4.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.1 in | 38.4 in | -3.3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 35.9 in | -35.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 45.6 in | -45.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 27.7 in | -27.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.9 in (over 2 rows) | 110.3 in (over 3 rows) | -33.4 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 23.3 ft3 | 13.8 ft3 | 9.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 23.3 | 42.3 ft3 | -19 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 54.7 ft3 | 83.7 ft3 | -29 ft3 |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2011 | Expect the GLK to grow when it is next fully redesigned. A smaller MLK is on the way to battle the upcoming Audi Q3 and just-arrived BMW X1. For 2013, the GLK's body structure remains essentially the same, so rear seat knee room remains just sufficient for a man of average height sitting behind another such man. (Headroom, on the other hand, is abundant.) Among competitors, only the Infiniti EX37 has a tighter rear seat. The Audi, BMW, and Volvo all offer knees another inch or three. Seat comfort is debatable. To my bottom, the GLK's seats feel overly firm. Cargo space is similarly short of the segment average. The GLK's 54.7 cubic feet isn't far behind the Audi's 57.3 but well below the X3's 63.3. That truncated tail has a downside beyond aesthetics. But do these shortcomings really matter? For most people nearly all of the time, there's enough space. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I have a problem with headroom. So many cars give me less than a half inch from my scalp to the frame on the sunroof. That hurts over bumps, not to mention what my hair looks like when I get out. GLK has over an inch of space for me. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 168hp 2.1L I4 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
We are a couple with no kids and we rarely have visitors so the cramped rear seating is not a problem. Someone with teenage kids will want to seriously reconsider before getting a GLK. I know my Mom would not appreciate the ingress/egress ease as she has some limited mobility. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2011 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
If you are 6' plus like me, you will have to adjust the front seat forward if you want passengers to ride with you unless they are quite small. But this is a perfect city hauler for a single or couple. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Toyota replaced the 2013 Highlander's rear struts with control arms to enable a three-inch-wider third-row seat, and then used the extra space to cram in a third seating position. So if you need seats for eight people, only the Highlander will do in this threesome. A top-of-the-line Santa Fe only seats six. Other eight-pass options include the Honda Pilot and GM's large crossovers. But those three people best be small, as the Highlander doesn't have nearly as much rear legroom as the Pathfinder or the Santa Fe. To fit children of even middling size in the third row it's necessary to slide the second row well forward. The second row seat cushion is mounted too low for adult comfort. The Nissan's second row suffers from a similar shortcoming, but the Hyundai's does not. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Perfect for two car seats. Really neat trick - the middle seat for the 2nd row rolls up into the center console. I did not remove it nor attempt to sit in it but that does make the 3rd row more likely to be used for those with car seats. I did not attempt to sit in the 3rd row (looked at it before folding into the floor for cargo space for the entire trip) so cannot opine on it. Use at your own risk. see full Toyota Highlander review |