The Mercedes-Benz GLK first went on sale at the beginning of 2009 as a 2010 model, which means Mercedes鈥?baby G just celebrated its third birthday. So the corporate parent is lavishing some attention on its littlest SUV. Outside, there鈥檚 more chrome, LED lighting front and rear, and a slightly redone front end. Inside, the driver is presented with a new dashboard with a sportier, richer-looking instrument cluster, and bisected by a large trim piece featuring prominent, round air vents. The GLK350鈥檚 3.5-liter V-6 is a new, direct-injected unit, and with it, output increases to 302 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque 鈥?up from 268 hp and 258 pound-feet. The seven-speed automatic returns, although a dainty little column stalk now handles gear selection, as per popular Benz practice. Mercedes鈥?automatic stop/start system comes standard with this engine. The system works well, although it鈥檚 not quite as seamless as you鈥檒l find in the best hybrids. The bigger powertrain news arrives in January, in the form of a diesel engine option. Unlike the six-cylinder oil-burner in the ML and the GL, this is a four-cylinder diesel, the first four-cylinder diesel in a U.S.

Mercedes since the 1984 190D. Although a four-cylinder diesel is unusual for a Mercedes-Benz in the USA, that鈥檚 hardly the case in Europe. Indeed, the 2.1-liter turbodiesel that we鈥檙e getting in the GLK250 CDI is widely used in the home market, where it鈥檚 found under the hood of Benzes big and small, from the A-class right on up to the S-class. In the GLK250, it makes 190 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the gasoline V-6, which is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the diesel will be 4Matic only. In a test drive in the French Alps, we found the diesel鈥檚 characteristic clatter to be quite muted, but it鈥檚 there. In contrast, the super-smooth gasoline engine emits a subtle growl when provoked. Although the hefty torque makes the turbodiesel generally quite responsive, in flat-out acceleration it can鈥檛 match the much larger gasoline engine. Mercedes estimates a 0-to-62 mph time of 8.0 seconds for the diesel, versus 6.5 seconds for the V-6. In most other ways, the GLK is as we remember.

On the tightly coiled mountain roads it exhibits a fair degree of body roll 鈥?it鈥檚 not as athletic as a BMW X3. The ride is firm and controlled but not harsh, despite the standard 19-inch wheels 鈥?twenties are optional. Electric power steering is new for the GLK, and its efforts are natural enough to pass for a well-tuned hydraulic system; the electric assist also enables a newly optional automatic parking feature. As before, the GLK feels small from behind the wheel. The upright windshield makes for a shallow dash, and the windshield itself is quite narrow. The side glass, though, is relatively large, which staves off claustrophobia. Also, the rear seat is surprisingly roomy. The cargo hold, though, is quite petite, unless the rear seats are folded. One thing we definitely did not remember was how the GLK handles itself off road, probably because 鈥?like most owners 鈥?we had never driven it off road. The additional equipment is perhaps a sign that Mercedes-Benz is looking to make the Baby G more of a full-fledged member of the family. But what the GLK needs most in order to be a more convincing Mercedes is to trade its dowdy look for some more stylish duds. That day, unfortunately, is still a few years off.

Key off-road details, like the approach and departure angle and tall ground clearance have all been maintained, however. Beneath its newly-designed headlamps, the GLK Class features LED daytime running lights framed in chrome. The standard automatic headlamps feature LED daytime running lights and locator lighting, while the optional Lighting Package comes with bi-xenon headlamps with active curve illumination, Active Highbeam Assist and a headlamp cleaning system. Brushed aluminum running boards with rubber studs and a power panorama sunroof are both available as standalone options, as is an AMG Styling Package with 20-inch wheels replacing the standard 19-inch units. Standard infotainment equipment for the new GLK includes a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and central controller with a 5.8-inch color display. Audiophiles can opt for a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system with 12 speakers, as well as a Multimedia package with a larger 7-inch display, rearview camera, enhanced voice control and the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation. The new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class goes on sale this summer in GLK350 trim only. The GLK250 BlueTEC arrives in showrooms early next year. Pricing and EPA-rated fuel economy figures should be announced closer to launch. Sadly, right-hand drive markets miss out as Mercedes is waiting until the launch of its next-generation GLK to implement both right and left-hand drive configurations.