Much like its Germanic competition, Mercedes has been rolling out diesel versions of its cars and SUVs in the U.S. Benz will be getting the jump on the luxury compact crossover segment with its 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec, set to arrive next spring. While it certainly appears the Audi Q3, VW Tiguan, and BMW X3 will eventually get diesel options here as well, like those annoying Internet commenters, Mercedes gets to say first! We recently sampled the refreshed GLK lineup, which will come with two updated engines. Benz's 3.5-liter V-6 with 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft is the base engine while the 2.1-liter turbodiesel I-4 with 190 horses and an impressive 369 lb-ft powers the GLK250. Both engines are mated to the automaker's tried-and-true, seven-speed automatic. It's not quite as quick as the 3.5-liter, but the diesel is still plenty fast and it performed just as admirably during our mountain road runs.

Its quiet rumble is refined enough to fit well in a luxury vehicle, but the muted sound still reminds you it isn't a gas engine. While the diesel is down on horsepower compared to the gas engine, its tradeoff is way more torque. It seems perfectly matched to GLK, almost like it was designed for the SUV from the start. It's also likely to be more fuel efficient than the gas engine, although we don't have any numbers yet. Both models use stop/start Eco mode and, in the vehicles we drove, the transition proved seamless. Electromechanical steering is also now part of the GLK package. While it performs as intended for the most part, we felt the steering response to be a bit too slow at lower speeds. The GLK250's 2.1-liter turbodiesel has been around in Europe since 2008, where it has powered the C- and E-Class, and even the S-Class.

The engine's recent refinements focused on improving overall drivability, fuel economy, and emissions. It also met EU6 regulations before that standard had been made law. As U.S. EPA and European standards move closer to each other, it's becoming easier to make diesel engines emissions-compliant on both continents from the get go. This gave Mercedes an opportunity to bring the diesel here with less expense. As is the case with the automaker's 3.0-liter diesel, in the GLK250, the 2.1-liter will require use of the urea-based AdBlue solution in order to further reduce the diesel's particulate emissions. In addition to the upgraded engines, the 2013 GLK also receives a number of other updates, including more than 1000 new parts in total. On the outside, the GLK gets a revised front end with daytime LED lighting, more chrome in the grille, and restyled taillights and wheels. Inside, there's a redesigned layout with a redone center stack, gauge cluster, and color combinations in line with sedans and other SUVs in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Our test vehicles came with tasteful combinations of brushed aluminum, dark wood inserts, black leather seats, and leather-wrapped steering wheels. New features in the cabin include mbrace2, COMAND Online that allows in-vehicle internet access, and safety systems such as Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Active Parking Assist.

The GLK's refresh for the 2013 model year -- a major interior makeover and some exterior changes -- played a big part in the sales surge. The line also adopted the more efficient and more powerful direct-injection gasoline V6 engine in the GLK350 and GLK350 4matic models that went on sale last summer. Now comes the capper, the latest diesel powertrain in the Mercedes fleet, in the form of the GLK250 Bluetec 4matic. It's the same 2.1-liter inline four Mercedes will offer in the E250 this fall. In the GLK, the dual-stage turbodiesel produces 200 hp and what Mercedes says is a class-leading 369-lb-ft of torque, the maximum twist coming at a mere 1,600 rpm. What's it like to drive? There's plenty of power to push the 4,000-pound ute to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, slower than the 6.4 seconds posted by the gasoline V6, but responsive enough to handle most everyday traffic situations. Power is also ample at higher speeds, coming on strong as the seven-speed automatic downshifts. The engine is so refined and insulated from the cabin that it's hard to detect any 鈥渄ieselness.鈥?Brakes are responsive, the steering steady and sure, the body control good. Nothing seems to upset the serenity of the driving experience, much like the unwavering steadiness of its big brother GL. Inside, the revamped cabin is buttoned up and sharp, with new retro-aero dash vents, a color instrument panel, and a new steering wheel. With the shifter relocated to the steering column, space is opened up for a handsome roll-top center console cubby. Do I want it? If you're frugal, you'll love the diesel's fuel economy, 33 mpg on the highway and 28 combined. That's the GLK250's key advantage over competitors like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5 hybrid, BMW X3 and others.