Mother Proof's view

I’m the biggest pop-culture loser on the planet, as I’ve never watched a full episode of “Sex and the City.” As a homework assignment last summer, I went to the movie theater to check out Mercedes’ new GLK350 small SUV in the movie version of “Sex and the City.” Despite it only getting a brief cameo as one of the ladies loaded shoes into the back, I was super-excited to test-drive this sexy-shoe-mobile. I’ve never seen one on the road before, so I couldn’t wait to drive carpool with it while wearing a pair of Manolos (if only), turning heads all the way.

With its comfortable, sporty ride and sleek car-like feel, my week-long fantasy as an urban, single gal with ridiculous amounts of disposable income (which you’ll need in this small SUV, with its EPA-estimated 16/21 mpg city/highway) concluded with only one major complaint: I didn’t turn a single head. That’s right, folks, not even one. Maybe that was because of my totally expected daily routine of driving to and from my daughters’ school, the grocery store and swimming lessons, with a day at the stock show and rodeo thrown in for good measure – I can’t believe those cowboys weren’t impressed! Maybe it was the boring, just-like-every-other-suburban-mom’s-car metallic tan color, aka Sand Beige, that my test car came in.

Despite that, the new GLK350 is a great SUV that’s equally functional for sexy-shoe shopping or simply schlepping the kids to the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza. Ay, ay, ay, arriba!

Exterior

The GLK350 sported a luxuriously boxy exterior with huge, expressive tires that were the perfect juxtaposition of femininity and gusto. It seemed to be saying, “I could hang with a Land Rover in the mud if I wanted to, but I’d rather hit the spa with a glass of bubbly in hand.” I knew we had a lot in common from the get-go.

Next to the seeming lack of head-turning ability, which quite frankly I don’t get – it’s sharp and unique-looking – I have one other complaint about this car: The door sills on both the front and rear doors are so wide and deep that it was nearly impossible for either me or my children to get in or out without brushing a pant leg on the exterior. I never thought I’d say this, but it’s a good thing I reverted to wash-and-wear clothing with the births of my children, or my dry cleaning bill would have been astronomical after a few days in the GLK350; it’s hard to be as stylish as Sarah Jessica Parker when everything I own gets thrown into the “mixed-load” cycle alongside Little Mermaid undies.

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Groove On

Interior

The simplistic but perfectly usable space inside the GLK350 quietly and confidently transported me with my children in tow. It was equally intrepid during a rare single mom’s night on the town.

During my mom-time, the GLK’s expandable pockets on the seatbacks swallowed anything and everything my kids threw at them: books, toys and shoes alike (oh no, it might be genetic). The kids also appreciated the fold-down center armrest in the middle of the backseat that had two perfectly reachable cupholders, as well as a little storage cubby for more stuff (just what I was hoping for – more stuff). The expansive rear cargo area easily carried the shocking amounts of luggage required for my younger daughter’s first sleepover away from home. The rear seats fold flat (in a 60/40 split) just in case more luggage is required.

Despite my girls’ booster seats settling nicely into the backseat, the slightly recessed seat belt receptors made it tough for them to buckle in. Because I refused to revert back to the days of doing everything for them, I turned on some groovy tunes and just waited for them to buckle up. Eventually they got it.

Parents installing child-safety seats with the Latch connectors might find their patience tested (especially if they’re sleep-deprived parents) when installing car seats. The Latch connectors were wedged pretty tightly into the seat, which made them nearly inaccessible.

With the kids safely transported to their dad’s house for the weekend, I removed the booster seats, vacuumed out more than a few crumbs, slipped on some sexy shoes – natch – and drove myself to a date in the city. I opened up the expansive dual moonroof shades (after accidentally pushing the Tele Aid button and getting the kind Richard, a response specialist, over the speaker asking me what he could do to help), and enjoyed the ambience.

The best part was the great feeling I had driving my date around in this Benz (it was necessary once I saw the state of his car).

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

Safety

The GLK350 sports all the active safety systems you’d expect in a modern mom’s car (especially a Mercedes): six airbags – including dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows – stability control, traction control, a brake assist system, antilock brakes, active front head restraints and more.

Let me catch my breath…

If you’re in the mood for a macked-out Benz complete with matching child-safety seats, you’re in luck. You can order Mercedes-Benz-branded infant, toddler or booster seats to complete the safety-chic ensemble when you buy your new GLK.

FAMILY LIFESTAGE

In Diapers: There’s enough room for rear-facing infant-safety seats.

In School: There’s loads of cargo space for backpacks, sports gear and more.

Teens: They’d be happy to roll up to school in this Benz.