Mercedes-Benz mbrace Plus: Worth the cost?

Kevin Link, marketing head at Hughes Telematics, punched a button in the overhead console of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. He was in the driver’s seat; I sat shotgun. It was around 11 a.m. on the second media day at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, and a few journalists still trolled the Mercedes display outside our car.
 
Moments later, the E-Class patched through a perky operator. She asked Link what he’d like. He wanted coffee. She sent directions to the nearest Starbucks to the car’s navigation system. Anything else?
 
I pitched a curveball: Say, what’s Google stock running at right now? Could we buy some shares?
 
A moment of silence.
 
She piped up: “As of 10:54, I have the price of Google at $613.39, which is down $3.06 today.”
 
“Would you like to buy any?” Link said, grinning. Not right now, I replied.
 
So it goes with Mercedes’ mbrace Plus.

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Mercedes GLK

“1st Benz” from Denver is a self-proclaimed car nut, owning nearly as many cars as years I’ve been alive. After seven months with a new 2010 Mercedes GLK, 1st Benz is ready to tell the world that this luxury crossover is the best ride he has ever purchased. The car has tanklike construction, but the gas mileage could be a bit better. Read the full review to find out how this Germanic creation fares in the eyes of this humble Denverite. Once you’re done with that, post your own reader review here.

Luxury Car Sales Rebound in September

Do you ever watch the business news and wonder who’s making money in the stock market when most people you know are cutting back? Inexplicably, luxury automakers saw sales bounce back in September.

While sales of Toyota were down 19% in September, Lexus saw sales go up 7%; that’s mostly because of the new RX crossover, which had an uptick of 70%.

Ford sales were down 6%, but sales at its Swedish Volvo brand were up 16%, thanks largely to the new XC60 crossover.

With relatively no new models in its lineup, BMW sales were up 3%.

Even at GM where sales were down 45%, Cadillac sales were down just 8% because of swift sales of the redesigned SRX crossover.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Video

Cars.com Reviewer Mike Hanley recently reviewed the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, and he dutifully filmed a video to help our users learn even more about the new German SUV. A winter drive in Chicago put the heater to the test, but there’s plenty more to go over in the GLK. Check out the video for Hanley’s take, including what he thinks you’d realistically end up spending on the Benz SUV.

Cars.com Reviews the Mercedes-Benz GLK350

The compact luxury crossover segment has several new entries this year, including the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. Also entering the fray is the newest entry from Mercedes-Benz: the GLK350.

Does the GLK have what it takes to run with — or maybe even beat — its competitors? Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley test-drove the GLK to find out just that. Find out more about what Mike thinks in his latest review.

Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Review