The new Lada Granta Cross 2022 model year is offered by official dealers in six versions: “Classic”, “Comfort Light”, “Comfort”, “Quest”, “Luxe Light” and “Luxe” for 669,900 - 781,900 rubles. In this article we will list what is included in the maximum “Lux” package, how it differs from the previous “Comfort” and “Luxury Light” equipment levels, and also compare it with its closest competitors: Ravon Nexia P3 “Optimum”, Renault Sandero Stepway “ Life" and Kia Rio X "Comfort".
Engines
There are 2 well-known engine options available for Granta Cross:
- 8-valve with index 11183 with a capacity of 87 hp. With.
- 16-valve 21127 for 106 l. With.
In our case, a 16-valve engine is installed - an excellent engine that suits this car. Thanks to the intake receiver with variable length geometry, the 127 engine turned out to be very elastic with a more even torque shelf than the same Priora 126 engine.
He picks up well from the bottom and spins vigorously at the top. Combined with the light weight and dimensions of the car itself, this engine is quite impressive in terms of dynamics, both in the city and on the highway.
The claimed acceleration time to 100 km per hour is 10.8 seconds. In reality, a little more than 11 s. The engine is technically reliable with a good service life, and the cast iron block means it is maintainable.
Photo
Photo of the interior of the Lada Granta Cross 2022 in the maximum configuration with orange inserts.
The price of this version is from 619 thousand rubles !!! Below is outdated information known before the official presentation!!!
Transmission
At the moment, there are 2 transmission options for Granta Cross:
- The good old manual gearbox VAZ-2181.
- Robotic mechanics of VAZ-2182.
Moreover, the robot has not been installed on the Lada Vesta for a long time, but it is still available for the Granta. For some reason, they decided not to install a Jatko assault rifle on the Cross version. It is only available for the sedan, liftback and hatchback.
Mechanics
Cable shift drive. I remember the moment when the first Kalinas arrived with new boxes. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements: gears began to shift clearly, went into place perfectly, shift strokes decreased.
There is less vibration on the lever. It wobbles less when in gear. After the 12th box with a traction drive and a stick shifter, the cable gearbox began to be perceived as on a foreign car. It really added comfort and ease of use.
When talking about the VAZ gearbox, one cannot ignore the most painful topic - functional noise. On the new Lada Grant in 2022, the gearbox was slightly modernized. A new main gear with a gear ratio of 3.9 instead of 3.7 was installed. This made it possible to increase acceleration dynamics and reduce noise levels.
To be fair, it must be said that the noise has really become less. It has not disappeared completely, it can be heard when releasing the gas, especially in 2-3 gears. But the box has become really quieter. Gone is that drilling, high-frequency sound that got on the nerves of many drivers.
It is a fact that the situation has changed for the better. Especially considering that there are no complaints about the box from car owners. Technically, this is a reliable unit. All the sore spots in the form of weak synchronizer rings and shaft bearings have been corrected, and no problems arise.
In terms of maintenance, it does not require special attention. Periodically, you just need to check the oil level.
The semi-synthetic material that is poured into it is designed for its entire service life and does not require periodic replacement. This is stated in the service book.
Design Features
There is nothing revolutionary in the design of the Lada Granta FL chassis. This can be understood by looking at the diagram below (Figure No. 1).
Fig.1
At the front there is another variation of MacPherson struts, at the rear there is a semi-independent suspension with a transverse beam and trailing arms. These are common technical solutions found on many cars.
Front suspension
In Figure No. 2, the design of the A-pillars developed by AvtoVAZ specialists is shown in more detail.
Fig.2
The numbers on the drawing indicate:
- The nut that secures the shock absorber strut to the upper mount.
- Bolts securing the support to the body.
- Upper support housing.
- Strut support bearing.
- Top insulating pad.
- Shock absorber spring.
- A casing that protects the shock absorber rod from dust.
- Shock absorber strut.
Section B - B, numbered 9, 10, 11 and 12, shows the nuts and bolts securing the shock absorber strut to the steering knuckle. The upper bolt (No. 11) is with an eccentric. Next come:
- Rounded fist.
- Drive shaft.
- Anti-roll bar.
- Diagonal stretch.
- Lower suspension arm (transverse).
- Spherical bearing.
- Wheel hub.
- Hub fastening nut.
- Ventilated brake disc.
- Compression buffer.
- Spring cup (upper).
- Compression stroke limiter.
- Upper support limiter.
- Nut for securing the shock absorber strut.
The front suspension of the Lada Granta FL has been improved by installing springs with changed characteristics and a different shape of the upper coil. As a result, the upper support housings on cars before and after restyling are not interchangeable.
Rear suspension
Everything at the rear remains unchanged. The suspension diagram and details are shown in Figure 3.
Fig.3
Strictly speaking, the choice of technical solutions used by AvtoVAZ designers is due to technological simplicity, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of finished products without significant damage to the driving performance of the car. In addition, the MacPherson suspension is successfully combined with other components and assemblies of front-wheel drive vehicles.
Steering
This is the weakest side of the Lada Granta. Taxiing is not particularly clear, blurred in the central position, the steering wheel is very light. Therefore, feedback from the wheels is lost. You don’t always understand how far they are turned out, the steering wheel is empty.
When changing lanes or maneuvering, you have to give a large angle of rotation of the steering wheel. It's not so much about the settings of the steering mechanism, but about the design itself. All automakers have long been installing the steering mechanism on a rigid subframe, as is the case with Vesta, X-Ray, and Largus.
Nothing has changed on the Lada Grant since the G8: the rack is attached to the body panel. As a result, the structure does not have the required rigidity. There are gaps that lead to blurry taxiing.
When cornering, noticeable rolls appear, but given the high ground clearance, this is quite natural.
Electronic assistants and brakes
Nowadays, all VAZ cars are equipped with an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution as standard. It is paired with an auxiliary braking system. It reduces braking distance in emergency situations.
These are extremely useful systems, and it’s good that they exist. But there is another point with which I do not completely agree, and I think that it should be corrected. The fact is that there is no exchange rate stability system. This is what I consider the most important and useful, especially taking into account the chassis settings and its behavior at increased speed.
Interesting point : even the cheapest Classic version of the Lada Vesta has this system by default. Moreover, it is available on the Grant sedan in a luxury version.
It remains a mystery to me why Grant Cross Lux does not have this system. Who knows, write in the comments. If this is a matter of saving, then it would be better to save on rain and light sensors, or on something else, but not on such an important system, which in some situations saves human life.
Do you think this car needs a stability control system? Or am I exaggerating its significance?
You can equip Grant with this system yourself. You will need a new valve body, 2 brake lines, a different master cylinder and a steering column connector with a steering angle sensor. But I wanted to have such things in a factory version.
The new Grants are equipped with a vacuum booster of increased performance, thanks to which it was possible to reduce the force on the brake pedal. The brakes work effectively, especially when we brake hard. For a car of this mass and size, they are quite enough.
But there is one point that needs to be improved. At the beginning of the press there is a slight idle, during which nothing happens. Only then does the braking begin.
How Granta Cross 2022 will differ from Kalina Cross
By and large, the differences will be minimal: a slightly modified exterior in the signature X style, and, possibly, the appearance of new options. There are no photos of the new Granta Cross yet; the official presentation is scheduled for August 2022.
The photo shows the new face of the sedan, but the Lada Granta Cross station wagon will receive exactly the same
Suspension and ride quality
Granta Cross has an increased ground clearance of 198 mm. This is slightly less than Niva. That is, it justifies its prefix Cross in the name. The increase in ground clearance was achieved by changing the welding height of the spring cups of the front struts and rear shock absorbers. The radius of the wheels with tires measuring 195/55 R15 has also been increased.
Interesting point : to prevent the new large wheels from clinging to the body in extreme positions, a new steering rack with reduced travel was installed.
The suspension of this car was definitely designed for rough terrain and light off-roading. I want to say that it works really amazing. We have squeezed out everything that it can give from the “eight” suspension.
It is very energy-intensive, comfortable, and quiet. In my opinion, the suspension is even quieter than on the Vesta SV Cross.
Unlike the regular Granta, new damping characteristics were made for the front struts and rear shock absorbers. The camber angles of the front wheels were also increased. In my opinion, Granta Cross has the best ride quality of all Lada models. It feels very comfortable on rough terrain.
When driving on a poorly paved road with amplitude loads on the suspension, the cabin remains really quiet. It feels like the body and interior are damped. There is a certain feeling of the integrity of the car. Unpleasant sounds and squeaks do not bother you. No matter what anyone says, AvtoVAZ is really improving the build quality of its cars.
The wheel arches have soft felt fender liners, which also have a positive effect on acoustic comfort in the cabin. A test drive of Grant Cross showed that they dampen sandblasting and gravel impacts on the wheel arches.
Grant without guarantees - when will cars from Tolyatti stop being so different?
Kalina Cross, whom we have known for a long time, has changed her facial expression and name - now she is Granta Cross. And I have two news for you on this matter: good and... However, the second is not news at all.
Let's start with the good one. Of the entire optimized grant family, I like the ex-Kalinas more than, in fact, the Grants. And Cross's version is probably my favorite. Yes, I still think that the Vesta-style front end looks comical, visually unbalancing the car. Yes, I regret that the plant decided to save money on cool Kalinovsky headlights with separate lamps for high and low beams and install simple optics with a single light source. Last time I indicated that this is an H4 standard lamp - and I was wrong: now it is called H19. Essentially the same H4, but with a 20% increased luminous flux. Subjectively, I didn’t notice this: the lighting became much worse than Kalina’s. But I know for sure that the H19 lamp is not easy to find on the open market, even in Moscow. Not to mention Adygea, where this test took place.
True, the need for invention is tricky: instead of H19, you can adapt an H4 lamp - you just need to bend a couple of antennae on the base. But technically this is an unauthorized modification to the design, so shhh, I didn't tell you about that.
By the way, Adygea has a lot of interesting roads and beautiful views, and the walk along the Guam Gorge really impressed me. But in order to drive on these roads acceptable, you need a cross-suspension: without normal energy consumption, entry into Adygea is prohibited. Behind the bend, a step ten centimeters high or a springboard depression may await you. The heat and timber trucks are to blame: high-quality mountain forests are being rapidly cut down, although locals say that the situation has now become better and the number of illegal plots has decreased.
The cross does not travel on these roads - it flies. Is it really possible that this impending ravine will not cause either a breakdown or an impact? Indeed! And at the same time, the Granta Cross does not have excess rigidity on small sharp bumps, which so tired me while driving a regular sedan and liftback. And again I was pleased with the noise insulation: Granta Cross is quieter than most foreign cars of class B+.
Even on rough roads, ex-Kalinas were pleased with the silence of the interior panels and suspension operation
In addition, Kalina is Kalina, even if it is now a Granta: as was the case in all previous years, it is more pleasant for the driver. Less laziness when entering corners, more connection to the steering wheel and the mood to drive. It is clear that the Cross can hardly be called a car for enthusiasts, but the depressing despondency with which the two Grants in the Zhiguli Mountains imbued me is not even close. Or is the whole point that I was unlucky with a copy then, but now I got a lucky one?
Familiar Kalinovsky interior
Alas, friends, the second news is that the four Crosses I tested were significantly different from each other. However, for VAZ vehicles this, unfortunately, is the norm. The seats are all different - somewhere harder, somewhere softer, somewhere the back is concave, somewhere convex. And if you can still check the seat at the stage of buying a car, then what to do with the suspension and electric power steering? Just believe in luck. The Kaluga company Autoelectronics would be better suited to produce encryption equipment - its amplifiers are so good at misrepresenting the reactive action. I came across one cool car - by Tolyatti standards, of course. Equal effort in both directions, no information content, no shocks on the steering wheel. But on the other Grant Cross the steering wheel was spinning viscously to the right (to the left is normal), the third was throwing pokes at it... Somewhere the tight and long-travel brake pedal was upsetting, especially in contrast to the soft and precise one. There is less variation in the suspensions, and in general I rather liked all the Crosses for their smooth ride. However, it’s still a shame to get a more rolly car when another one holds the body in corners and is not at all stiffer. In this case, the numbers on all parts match until the last line of the barcode.
The updated devices surprised us with constant glare from the sun - in summer they are almost unreadable
How AvtoVAZ lacks strict selection of components and careful work with suppliers! The VAZ workers themselves counter – they say, this is exactly what they are doing now. They say that the tolerances themselves are small, but when the details of opposite extremes coincide, the results are not very good.
If you are going to buy Grant, try the version with the AMT “robot”: it’s good now. The lever does not have a separate parking position, so you need to either turn off the engine in gear or apply the handbrake in neutral
But they can, as happened with the “robot” AMT. With the firmware updated last summer, it works logically and clearly. A soft start from a standstill immediately after releasing the brake, and unlike Vesta, there are no vibrations. Shifts are fast, and downward also with over-throttle, so you won’t nod your head. And the best part is that even in extreme heat in the thirties and aggressive driving on mountain roads, the gearbox never malfunctioned.
There is an acceptable amount of space in the back for people of average height, while tall people will ask those sitting in front to make room.
For comparison, I drove a Cross with a manual transmission and the same sixteen-valve engine 21129 with a power of 106 hp. And I didn’t understand why I needed to constantly depress the clutch pedal and move the lever. In the mountains, the engine is frankly sluggish, every now and then you need to turn it down... So let the “robot” do it! The only pity is that, unlike Vesta, there is no Auto Hold function here, when after releasing the brake pedal on a slope, the car continues to stand for a second or two so that you have time to put your foot on the gas. In such cases, it is safer to hold the grant with the handbrake.
According to our measurements, there are only 434 real liters in the trunk of the station wagon versus 533 for the liftback and almost 600 for the sedan. There is a 14-inch rolling wheel under the floor, there is an opening button on the lid
And they don’t yet offer a stabilization system for the Cross - the car itself, of course, is not “arrogant,” but the buyer still needs to be given a choice. Three trim levels are now available: the Classic version with the well-deserved 1.6 eight-valve engine with 87 hp. costs 554,900 rubles, the optimal Comfort with a “robot” and a more powerful engine is 618 thousand, and the most expensive Cross is priced at 644 thousand. Let me remind you that now all VAZ engines have counterbores on the pistons, which save the engine if the timing belt breaks.
Compared to a regular station wagon, you need to pay about thirty thousand rubles for an additional 23 mm of ground clearance, a nice body kit and wheels. Quite a lot - considering that the Granta station wagon without the Cross prefix has quite a respectable 175 mm of ground clearance and a fairly energy-intensive suspension. And if you remember the prices of 2015, when Kalina Cross first appeared, then... It’s better, of course, not to remember: then it could be bought for 409 thousand rubles.
There haven't been prices like this for a long time. But there are no guarantees that for your money you will get a “successful” Granta Cross with a very good level of consumer qualities inherent in it. And by God, it’s time to do something about this.
Question of price
Let's be objective - no other automaker will be able to offer something similar when it comes to new cars. I think that the Granta is quite a decent car for its class and level. Let's just pay attention to the equipment: heated windshield, seats, mirrors, climate system, cruise control, rain and light sensors, full power accessories, rear parking sensors, standard multimedia.
In terms of appearance: alloy wheels, body kit, roof rails, station wagon. And technically they also worked on the car. We eliminated old problems, installed a plugless piston, modified the gearbox, squeezed maximum comfort out of the suspension, improved sound insulation, and improved build quality. Why not a worthy car?
If only they had made a galvanized body like Vesta’s, it would have been great! I wanted more attention to little things, such as the rattling of locks, the rattling of glass and some other points. But it is on all these little things that the price of the car is determined. If all this is refined and brought to perfection, then the price will inevitably go up. And no one wants this.
Write what you think about this car. There will be many interesting reviews ahead.
Main changes and facts about the new model
Nothing unexpected happened in the car. Even without a list of new elements, you could say what exactly the concern will change in its car with the Cross prefix. However, let's look at some of the features of the new car. The vehicle can hardly be called completely new; the concern did not change engines or add a new sports body kit. Most of the changes are due to the fact that the car looks a little more confident on the road, thanks to the increased ground clearance.
More specifically, the changes are as follows:
- ground clearance of 183 mm - this parameter is unlikely to surprise anyone, but for a station wagon with the most affordable price tag in its class, this is quite good; it is enough for rural and country roads;
- a narrow plastic protective strip along the lower part of the body, which is gray on the bumper and black on the sills and arches, looks quite impressive, but not too modern;
- the slightly raised design of the front part makes the car more serious, it seems that the size of the headlights and radiator grille has increased, but this is an optical illusion due to the raised ground clearance;
- the interior has a slightly different upholstery option, and the interior design also changes slightly for a number of models, but in general everything remains the same as in the regular Grant station wagon model;
- new colors appear that have received interesting names, for example, the popular golden color will be called Aurum, such a car will receive slightly changed interior colors.
The car buyer will be pleased that the manufacturer creates a certain stylization for its models. In particular, the exterior paint colors will also be present in the interior. Of course, this also means that we will only get the Granta Cross in expensive trim levels, so we shouldn’t count on a car for 500,000 rubles. While there is no official information about other changes, other characteristics remain the same as on the standard version of the station wagon.
