Compact SUVs from Mercedes and Porsche

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Today's car stylists are greatly constrained by the corporate need to shape bodies by wind tunnel testing with the goal of improving or maintaining propulsive efficiency.  Packaging considerations further constrain the basic shapes of vehicles.  This combination is especially constrictive where sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) are concerned.

The present post deals with entry-level SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche that reached the market in the mid- 2010-2020 decade.  Mercedes' SUV is the GLA-Series (Wikipedia entry here), the Porsche Macan's brief entry is here.

The GLA is the SUV version of Mercedes' entry-level A-Class.  Its initial wheelbase was 106.3 inches, 2966 mm, compared to 110.5 inches, 2807 mm for the Macan.  Therefore, the Macan can be considered in the next higher class of SUV.

Nevertheless, the two models are worth comparing because they are from storied German brands, because they are near-contemporaries, and because they offer perspective on German solutions to the SUV styling problem.

Also included are images of the concept version of the GLA and of the redesigned 2021 GLA.

Gallery

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept
This publicity photo presents an aggressive image of the proposed A-Class SUV.  As is the case for many concept cars, the body is essentially that of the forthcoming production version.  The main differences in this frontal view are grille details and those of the frontal ensemble.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Headlights, air intakes, and side sculpting are in line with recent worldwide styling fashion.  But note the shape of the passenger greenhouse towards the rear.  Even though SUVs are a breed of station wagon (break) and might be expected to carry tall cargos, the GLA features a definite tumblehome that slightly lessens potential carrying capacity.

2015 Porsche Macan
The Macan has a highly aggressive-looking grille ensemble.  The headlight assemblies are a compromise between current fashion and Porsche tradition in order to produce a Porsche "look" to the overall design.  There is greenhouse tumblehome aft, but perhaps less so than on the GLA.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
The redesigned GLA has less-extreme side sculpting than before, though the frontal details are variations of the earlier theme.  The overall effect is softer and the car seems smaller.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Besides at the front, the production GLA is virtually the same as that of the concept car when viewed from the side.  The aft door/backlight is sloped, not vertical, yet another restriction on carrying capacity in addition to that of the side tumblehome.

2019 Porsche Macan
The aft greenhouse slope of the Macan is slightly more extreme than that seen on the GLA, providing a quasi-sedan appearance suggesting that load-carrying is not this SUV's chief priority.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
The redesigned GLA's aft has less slope and a touch more carrying practicality.  The design of the side windows is a bit more complicated than before, somewhat contrasting the sculpting simplification.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept
Close to the production version, but with a few car-show-jazz touches.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Production version.  Note the tumblehome in the area of the C-pillar.

2015 Porsche Macan
The aft slope shows up clearly in this view.  Clean styling here, but the 2019 facelift added a (unnecessary, in my opinion) bar connecting the tail light assemblies.  A nice touch is the contrast between the heavy, busy, bold front and the simple rear styling.  Photo is of a British-delivered Macan.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
The redesign alters details while preserving the previous aft theme, as was the case for the front.  Tail light assemblies are noticeably smaller, and have less detailing there and the surrounding area.  This extends the simplification from trendy clutter.  That said, the shape of the assemblies is trendy and I think M-B stylists might have come up with something better, more distinctive.

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