Which of the cars participating in the next Autoreview test would you give preference to?
Our used car expertise
The best Autoreview materials are in your inbox
By providing an e-mail, you confirm your agreement with the terms of the privacy policy
Find out which cars are currently being tested
Where do Autoreview journalists work right now?
Does Lada XRAY claim to be a crossover? Lada Kalina Cross, Lifan X50 and Renault Sandero Stepway enter the battlefield along with the newcomer.
LADA > XRAY
Lifan > X50
Renault > Sandero
LADA > Kalina
Rivals:
- Lifan X50 - petrol, 1.5 l (103 hp), 5-speed manual, Comfort, RUB 499,900.
- Lada Kalina Cross - petrol, 1.6 l (106 hp), 5-speed robot, Norma, RUB 523,100.
- Lada XRAY - petrol, 1.6 l (114 hp), 5-speed manual, from RUB 589,000.
- Renault Sandero Stepway - petrol, 1.6 l (82 hp), 5-speed manual, Confort, RUB 637,470.
Since 1891, in accordance with the Treaty of Madrid, sparkling wines produced exclusively in the province of the same name in France can be called champagne. Is it a coincidence that this decision was made almost simultaneously with the appearance of the best brand of champagne in the Russian Empire? After all, sparkling wines produced near Lake Abrau were rightfully considered not inferior to French ones, or even superior to them.
History repeats itself! Russian manufacturers again started from the French formula and implemented it in their own way. The recipe is simple: take a regular hatchback, add ground clearance, and decorate it with an all-terrain body kit. A bright color and a new name will also come in handy, preferably with the letter X. Done! Meet the front-wheel drive crossover Lada XRAY, derived from the Renault Sandero Stepway.
- Another native of the Volga region is the Lada Kalina in the Cross all-terrain version, with a 16-valve engine and a robotic gearbox. Well, the Russian bottling will be diluted by the next X-hatchback from China - Lifan X50 (1.5 l, 103 hp).
Fifty Shades of Gray
45-lifan_zr-02_16
Lifan X50
Externally, the Lifan X50 is quite good, although there is a bit of plagiarism: you can feel the motifs of the Opel Mokka crossover in it. It's a pity, the dark gray color neutralizes the nuances of the body lines. The interior is also fifty shades of gray. Only the scarlet instrument cluster catches the eye.
Dimensions
The Lada Xray is slightly larger in size than the car from Renault, based on the same platform. The length of the Lada is 4165 mm, the width is 1764 mm, and the height is 1570 mm. The car has a ground clearance of 195 mm. The front track width for fifteen-inch wheels is 1592 mm, the rear one is 1532 mm, and for sixteen-inch wheels these parameters are 1484 and 1524 mm.
The front overhang has a height of 830 mm, the rear overhang is 743 mm. When the weight is empty, the entry and exit degrees are 21 and 34.
The luggage compartment of the Lada X-Ray has a volume of 361 liters, and with the rear seats removed it reaches 1207 liters.
Dimensional parameters of the Cross version of Lada Xray have not yet been disclosed, but most likely they do not differ much from the dimensions of the original, since the same B0 platform is used.
53-lifan_zr-02_16
The engine lives up to its stated power—acceleration is brisk. It's a pity that after 4000 rpm his enthusiasm sours. The gears are selected well, the shifting mechanism is quite accurate - no problems. And everything is not bad with the brakes (Lifan was the only one in the test with rear disc mechanisms). The mediocre information content of the drive prevented us from receiving a higher rating.
The X50 is not afraid of broken roads, except that the vibrations transmitted to the steering wheel are too much. But you need to be careful: the engine oil pan and the gearbox housing are not covered with anything. And actively turning the steering wheel is contraindicated - during the test, the front wheels repeatedly clung to the arches.
In general, everything is more or less. With the exception of sound insulation, it seems to be completely absent. At any speed, be it 40 or 140 km/h, you can hear absolutely everything except your own voice. The engine growls, the gearbox shift mechanism clicks. But a pebble flew out from under the wheel into the arch and... I think I heard it plop onto the road.
Conclusion? It is quite possible to consume Chinese cars, seduced by colorful packaging and a pleasant price tag. This might work.
Orange mood
Interior and photo of salon
The new body also influenced the interior. A photo of the Lada XRay interior clearly demonstrates that this is truly a modern car. The interior of the Lada X-Ray is quite consistent with the appearance of the car. The interior of the cabin looks noble and modern. Everything is quite laconic - the devices are immersed in wells, on the right is the on-board computer screen. The original ventilation deflectors look stylish. In front of the driver is a four-spoke steering wheel, in top versions there are multimedia control keys on it.
The center console in top versions houses a 7-inch infotainment system display and climate controls. In basic versions, this is a radio tape recorder and control of the “stove” or air conditioner.
The interior is decorated with textured plastics, the seat upholstery is fabric, there are many different places in the cabin for storing small items: pockets, a box under the passenger seat, cup holders, etc.
The front seats have a wide range of adjustments, the rear sofa is quite spacious and roomy. When the rear row is folded, a flat surface is created; under the floor of the luggage compartment there is space for a spare wheel.
The interior dimensions will make the trip comfortable for 4 passengers. Two people will feel quite free in the back, but three people can sit in it. The dimensions of the space in front of the cabin allow the driver and front passenger to feel comfortable, regardless of height and weight.
27-kalina_zr-02_16
Lada Kalina Cross
After the “Chinese”, Kalina gives the impression of a finished product. And it looks bright - thanks to the orange color and the “cross” plastic body kit. The interior has also been refreshed with orange touches.
Lada XRay: technical specifications
The platform for the car was taken from the Renault Sandero, which already means energy intensity, excellent handling and high ground clearance of the Lada X Rey. The bottom and the power component have changed little. The body received increased rigidity thanks to the subframe, which also performs other important functions. The suspension, body and some components have been modified. The range of engines has changed.
The model range will be represented only by the “hatchback” body type; “station wagon” and “sedan” are not provided. The body was designed with the help of Renault and Nissan using innovative digital technologies. With a common platform with other AVTOVAZ models, manufacturers tried to achieve maximum external differences and improve technical characteristics.
It is stated that the design contains about 600 original parts, which are used for the first time at VAZ. The manufacturer plans that more than 70% of components will be manufactured at Russian factories.
Dimensions of Lada X Rey
Dimensions of Lada X Rey:
- Length/width/height – 4165/1764/1570 mm.
- The wheelbase is 2592 mm.
- The front/rear wheel track size is 1484/1524 mm with R16 wheels and 1492/1532 mm with R15 wheels.
- The clearance of the Lada X Rey is 195 mm when unloaded and 170 mm at maximum load.
- The weight is distributed between the axles in the following ratio: front – 51%, rear – 49%.
- Front/rear overhangs – 830/743 mm.
- The approach/departure angles are 21/34° (without loading).
As you can see, the XRay Lada, the dimensions of which we have given above, can be classified as a front-wheel drive compact crossover.
Lada X Rey pendant
The front suspension of the Lada X Ray is independent, MacPherson type. It has significant differences from all front-wheel drive Lada models produced today. The modified suspension features levers that are attached to the subframe using silent blocks. At the end of the lever there is a ball pin. The rear suspension is a semi-independent torsion beam. This suspension is reliable and improves driving performance.
What engine does the Lada X Rey have?
The manufacturer settled on three possible engine options. All of them are gasoline and quite powerful:
- The basic VAZ-21129, which has proven itself and is widely used in other AVTOVAZ models.
- Modernization of the intake system made it possible to increase engine power from 98 hp. up to 106 hp At low speeds, air is supplied through long intake channels, and at high speeds, through short ones, which ensures a change in the composition of the fuel mixture. The engine works with a 5-speed gearbox from Renault, which is assembled at AVTOVAZ.
- Gasoline engine developed by Renault-Nissan (Nissan calls it HR16, Renault calls it H4M). The development of 2006 is widely installed on cars. The engine works in tandem with a 5-speed manual transmission from Renault.
- The modern and most powerful VAZ-21128 engine. Engine performance has been improved through a redesign aimed at increasing the piston stroke. The connecting rod and piston group from the Federal-Mogul company is used, production is carried out by a subsidiary of AVTOVAZ.
The engine is paired with a robotic automatic transmission. AMT (robot box) is a domestic development. The VAZ manual transmission was taken as the basis, and the German company ZF worked on the control electronics. The box is assembled in Tolyatti.
38-kalina_zr-02_16
Driving does not evoke any vivid emotions. One hundred and six forces are almost completely dissolved in the transmission - the VAZ robot is thoughtful during shifts. However, this is a characteristic feature of all transmissions of this type. A modern automatic or dual-clutch transmission would solve the problem, but it is fantastically expensive.
And in terms of acoustic comfort, the Cross is far from ideal: the engine is well insulated, but the “noise” of the arches and bottom is unimportant, and extraneous sounds are heard through the door seals.
In general, you won’t get any fervent drive from Kalina. But how good it is in our “directions”, be it broken asphalt or a primer! Easily “smoothes out” small irregularities and allows you to confidently rush through the pits. I wish I could “untie” the steering wheel from the road! He, like Lifan, receives noticeable shocks.
As you understand, Kalina is also not without its shortcomings, but it leaves a slightly more subtle aftertaste, which is well worth the additional payment of 20 thousand rubles. And if you take a car with a manual transmission, then the price difference with Lifan will completely disappear.
Car : Renault Duster. Asks : Alexander Anatolyevich The essence of the question : Help me decide between Renault Duster or Lada X-RAY?
Hi all! I will repeat the previous speaker: what to take? But everything else is different. In short, the question arose about choosing a machine for an active fishing and barbecue holiday!
The first option is Renault Duster, because it is rumored and has been in production for long enough to identify problems that seem to have not been identified globally...)))
I was almost ready to order, but then oops! ….. Lada X Ray…. What kind of animal? But who knows? Those who bought it praise it because they bought it, but I want to buy it deliberately... Although it may not be a bad car. Help, good people, what is better to take? Naturally, I'm interested in all-wheel drive, climate control, cruise control wouldn't hurt. What about prices and equipment? Which is better for me to take: Lada or Duster?
Lada X Ray Cross
It is already clear that I would like to see a car that has the characteristics described above (suspension, engine, body geometry, etc.) in a 4x4 version. The all-wheel drive version was announced by the manufacturer for a long time; the start of production was planned for 2016. Judging by the description, the SUV was supposed to have similar technical characteristics and design, and the Renault Duster was supposed to serve as the basis for it.
However, according to the latest data, the project has been frozen. There are no plans to release a car with all-wheel drive. Therefore, there is no need to guess what kind of drive the new product will have. The Lada X-Ray Cross will have front-wheel drive and the same dimensions, the only difference being the presence of basic roof rails and a plastic body kit.