There's no question the GLK350 is a worthy contender in the compact luxury crossover segment thanks to its comfortable ride, quiet cabin and smooth powertrain. It's a logical addition to Mercedes' lineup, and one that should have come along sooner.

Now that the brand with the three-pointed star has an offering in this segment, there's a whole lot more pressure on models like the BMW X3 and upcoming Audi Q5. The only thing Mercedes needs now is buyers willing to plunk down serious money to take a GLK350 home. The recession, however, could prove more formidable than the GLK350's actual competitors.