Owner reviews of Kalina-2 and a little independent tuning

When starting any tuning, trying to improve or redo something, first of all, you need to remember the principle of “do no harm.” The Lada Kalina-2 car is a modern AvtoVAZ model, released after the Lada Granta and in many ways similar to it. Nowadays, different configurations of station wagons and hatchbacks belonging to the “berry” family are offered, and any buyer can find a suitable option. But owners who are completely satisfied with the driving performance may be annoyed by small little things like short mudguards, lack of protection for the rear arches, etc. Let's look at how to deal with this problem below.

Reviews Lada Kalina Station Wagon

A total of 154 reviews were found for the Lada Kalina Station wagon

Reviews shown: from 1 to 10

Reviews from owners allow you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the Lada Kalina Station Wagon, and will also help you evaluate the reliability of Lada Kalina Station Wagon cars. Reviews from Lada Kalina Universal owners, which were positively rated by other readers of our portal, are highlighted in blue. We will be glad to see your reviews, ratings and comments.

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Year of manufacture: 2016

Engine: 1.6 (86 hp) Gearbox: M5

The car is already 3 years old. I bought it at a car dealership. No complaints, a decent car for the money. I didn't do anything other than replace consumables. I'm very pleased with the car. I have never regretted the purchase. I have experience in operating foreign cars, so I have something to compare with. Minor nuances of the car’s character don’t bother me; I even regard them with some nostalgia (the first car was a VAZ 2108). There is not even a hint of rust anywhere on the body, although friends claimed that it would rot within a year. Father's second Kalina, almost 5 years old. The picture is the same, no complaints. Even a slightly damaged wing due to personal negligence is intact and without beetles. It’s a pity that the latest restyling A-LA VESTA changed Kalina’s appearance. ..full text of the review about Lada Kalina

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2008

Engine: 1.4 (89 hp) Gearbox: M5

Mileage 100,000 km, purchased new from an official. In the first six years, two ball bulbs, low beam and parking lamps, and rubber floor mats were replaced. Well, oil and gasoline don't count. Annual mileage is about 11 thousand km on average. After 60 thousand, replacing the piston, I installed a plug-free STK, the reason for the replacement was that a knock appeared on a hot, warm engine, I didn’t wait for oil to burn to avoid boring, I measured and changed the piston. Well, at the same time, a pump with a belt and rollers, a generator belt, oil in the box and two gearbox seals. Specialists did the repair for me under Euro 2, the temperature of the radiator fan was reduced to 95. ...full text of the review about Lada Kalina Sedan

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2016

Engine: 1.60. (106 hp) Gearbox: A5

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The car is exactly 1 year old, mileage is 20,000 km. During operation and long journeys, nothing broke, the driver’s position is comfortable (12 hours behind the wheel and no problems).

But there are also some disadvantages: Most importantly, there are no spare parts in car dealerships (a gust of wind tore off a piece of slate from the roof of a residential building, which hit the side pillar, the side trim was crushed and the glass of the passenger door was severely scratched. We had to wait for the trim and glass for as long as 5 months ). ..full text of the review about LADA Kalina

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2012

Engine: 1.6 (81 hp) Gearbox: M5

In operation since October 2012 with a one-year break. I bought it without a choice - I was kicked out of the store yard, sat down and drove away. As of March 2016, the mileage is 149,100 km. Engine operation is a bit barbaric - there is practically no maintenance, from time to time, without following the factory recommendations. During operation of 101 thousand km, the expansion tank leaked, then the right door window lifter button broke. At 125 thousand km, charging on the generator disappeared, at 141 thousand km the right front pillar began to leak. Nothing else broke. Repair costs for this mileage are less than 10 thousand rubles. I understand that nothing lasts forever, but from my operating experience (8 cars, 3 of them foreign) the most durable car - the reliability is simply amazing, even with all the breakdowns I returned home under my own power. ..full text of the review about the VAZ 1117

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2015

Engine: 1.6 Gearbox: M5

This is already my 14th car. Of these, 6 are foreign cars. Driving experience 45 years. In addition, I do computer diagnostics of cars and minor repairs. Before Kalina Cross there was a Chevrolet Aveo 16-valve. The unreliability of the Chevrolet and the weak suspension were tormenting me, this is with a mileage of 68 thousand km, although the car is comfortable. By chance I saw Kalina Cross at a car dealership, although I came to look at Grant, but rejected it because of the very stiff suspension. I liked Cross right away and after getting to know him in more detail, the choice was Kalina Cross. I like almost everything, but there are some things I don’t like, annoying shortcomings.

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After a week of use, my impressions are as follows. ..full text of the review about LADA Kalina Cross

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2014

Engine: 1.6 (106 hp) Gearbox: M5

Restyling definitely benefited Kalina. The car began to look more modern and attractive. A lot can be said about our automobile industry, but the fact remains that now domestic cars are already quite comparable in quality to budget foreign cars. And this, I must admit, makes me happy.

I don't like the quality of the plastic in the interior; it scratches very easily. The dashboard, of course, is simple, but the information is easy to read from it. The chairs are comfortable. They are moderately hard and at first it seemed to me that they were of little use for long trips. But no, even after 5-6 hours of continuous taxiing, nothing hurts or becomes numb. ..full text of the review about Lada Kalina Universal 1.6

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2015

Engine: 1.6 (118 hp) Gearbox: M5

It's time to exchange your old car for a new one. I estimated the budget, studied the prices and came to the conclusion that the domestic auto industry is everything to us. I was choosing between a regular Kalina and a sports one. And yet I decided to take the last option.

The suspension is quite adequate, just quite stiff. It’s understandable, it’s “Sport” after all. But when cornering, even at speed, the car practically does not roll. But! This version of Kalina loves exceptionally good, smooth asphalt. Because any flaws or pebbles are felt personally by the driver and passengers. Some of the blame for excessive rigidity also lies with the standard Nankang tires. ..full text of the review about Lada Kalina Sport

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2015

Engine: 1.6 (87 hp) Gearbox: M5

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Since the budget was seriously limited, at first I looked at used foreign cars. I studied the advertisements and looked at the market. The priority was Ford Focus (2nd and 3rd), Lancer, Sid and Cruz. But it turned out that these cars have a lot of problems. Much more than it might initially seem.

In the Lancer, the engine begins to “eat” a lot of oil over time; Focuses have problems with the headlights and steering rack. Sid has a very weak chassis and so on. In general, I was upset. It turned out that you had to buy a car and immediately invest a decent amount in its repair. The realization has come that a budget car is also a budget car in Africa. ..full text of the review about Lada Kalina Cross

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2015

Engine: 1.6 (87 hp) Gearbox: M5

It’s strange that such a car has only appeared now. A compact, inexpensive station wagon with increased ground clearance is almost an ideal option for Russia. Before Kalina Cross, I had a regular Kalina. The car was generally satisfactory and rarely broke down, but after purchasing a summer cottage it became obvious that the trunk was small. I started looking at station wagons, Largus is too big for me, you can’t always find a parking space in the city, and then Kalina Cross appeared. The design of this car is more interesting than that of the station wagon on which it is based, and the ground clearance increased by 2 cm will not be superfluous. ..full text of the review about Lada Kalina Cross

Average rating: 3.03

Year of manufacture: 2005

Engine: 1.6 8 cl.

I am the third owner, the car was 5 years old, there were no questions. In the eighth year it started: replacing the generator, set it to 120A from Priora, it lived and lives its own life, it gives a charge when it wants, it doesn’t give it when it wants, replacing the power steering, replacing the vacuum brake booster, replacing the fuel hose from the pipelines to the ramp with injectors (almost caught fire car, smart engineers laid wiring for the injectors under the hose). The heater is a fairy tale; at -27 it just got airy. I wanted to have heated seats and steering wheel in my car, it took me 3 days to get rid of the air lock, the front suspension is very interesting, for some reason every hole or bump on the road hits the steering wheel, the bump stops in the front pillars break within a week, it feels like the springs only work when The car stands still, and when moving, the shock absorber constantly hits the spring. Mileage 110,000 km. ..full text of the review about LADA Kalina 1118

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Is it worth buying a second-generation Lada Kalina?

When AvtoVAZ presented the second generation Lada Kalina, many who were not indifferent to the products of the domestic automobile industry immediately stated that the new product could easily compete with foreign cars in terms of consumer qualities. If we talk about ergonomics, dynamics, spaciousness and controllability, then this is really true. Foreign "state employees" with a noticeably higher price were clearly not head and shoulders above Kalina. But with reliability, everything is no longer so clear. Many were afraid to purchase a domestic car only because of frequent breakdowns.

Protecting the body from dirt

We have already discussed the method of installing plastic lockers. Actually, by protecting the rear arches from dirt, the tuning can be completed. But some owners don’t stop there, continuing to improve the standard design by replacing mudguards. We are, of course, talking about front mudguards, which should stop dirt flying out from under the drive wheels. The standard rubber “barriers” mounted on the body of the “second Kalina” have a smaller area than was typical for cars of the first family. However, using mudguards of a larger area than those provided by the factory is not a solution to all problems. If you do this, dirt will begin to accumulate on the rubber surface, which will need to be cleaned very often.

Mudguards Kalina-1 and Kalina-2, comparison

If these arguments do not frighten you, read on. We look at how the “second Kalina” is being finalized today:

• It will be easy to install front mudguards from Lada Grants, produced by Petroplast. They are attached with 4 self-tapping screws. In theory, you can agree with the dealer to have the specified part installed immediately (upon purchase). And retail prices for Petroplast mudguards are the highest;
• The mount on the universal Elegant mudguards coincides with the VAZ mount at three points. The fourth screw will have to be screwed in by drilling a new hole, or try to hook onto the front locker. Here we were talking about the Elegant N1 model, available from spare parts sellers;
• On the universal mudguard “SRTC” the mount fits perfectly, but with the design everything is a little worse... However, the tuning option in question has already been implemented by many;
• Ultimately, you can use larger mudguards inherited from the “first Kalina”, but here you will have to work with a cutter (see photo above).

Conclusion: now you can buy either something universal, or, but at an inflated price (if not through a car dealer). Decide for yourself which is better. In addition to the four listed, there are probably other suitable options. We are waiting for your feedback about them in the comments to the review.

The lineup

To be honest, the second generation Kalina is not a completely new model. This is nothing more than the result of a deep restyling of the first generation car, which debuted in 2004. Many changes were made to the design, which also affected the reliability of Kalina 2. The problem of unpredictable breakdowns, due to which many people ignore AvtoVAZ products, was practically solved.

Lada Kalina 2 station wagon

Lada Kalina 2 hatchback

The “second” Kalina model range consisted of a hatchback and a station wagon. Subsequently, on the basis of the latter, an all-terrain version of Cross was created, differing from the original by increased ground clearance and a modified appearance. Kalina Cross is most popular in the secondary market. Kalina is supported by the fact that this model is assembled using modern equipment, thanks to which the notorious human factor during assembly is practically reduced to zero.

Lada Kalina is painted using an automated complex. So you won’t be able to find fault with the quality of the painting. However, on used copies it is better to monitor the condition of the enamel. It is better to touch up deep scratches and chips. Owners of Kalina will not have any major problems with corrosion, but additional anti-corrosion protection will still not hurt a domestic car.

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Fighting squeaks

The dashboard may begin to creak in the cabin of the Kalina-2. More precisely, the lining of the standard radio most often creaks, if we talk about “Lux” trim levels. We looked at how to disassemble the central part of the console earlier. Having removed the cladding, it can be covered with a self-adhesive foam profile from the inside along the perimeter. After which, the unwanted effect disappears forever.

Well, if the seats emit a characteristic metallic squeak, they can also be easily modified (this applies not only to Kalina-2). You will need to unscrew 4 bolts that serve to secure the entire structure to the floor, and then fill the holes with the same WD-40. After assembly, according to reviews, nothing creaks at all.

Technical characteristics of a used Lada Kalina 2

Steering gear and chassis

The suspension of Kalina, as well as that of the Cross version, copes well with our roads. Frankly, there are no weak points in it. Provided you use high-quality consumables, you will have to remember about it no more than once every 70-80 thousand kilometers. Shock absorbers, ball joints and silent blocks have approximately the same service life. Suspension arms give up later - only after 150 thousand kilometers. Those who want to save money can find frankly cheap and not very high-quality Chinese spare parts, but their replacement interval will also be reduced. As a result, there will still be no significant savings, and you will have to spend more time visiting the service.

The weak point of the used Lada Kalina 2 is the rack and pinion steering mechanism. It can start knocking after 50 thousand kilometers. Most often, tightening the mechanism helps get rid of knocking. If not, then you will have to contact the experts to rebuild it. Fortunately, this procedure for Kalina is not very expensive.

Motor reliability

The base engine for the second generation Kalina is the 87-horsepower eight-valve VAZ-11186. This engine has low-end torque and revs well at high revs. So, despite not the highest power, it can be fully recommended for Kalina. The main thing to remember is that in this engine, when the timing belt breaks, the valves bend. The conclusion suggests itself - it’s not worth waiting until the factory-recommended mileage of 60 thousand, at which time the timing belt needs to be serviced. It is better to protect yourself and do this after the mileage exceeds 50 thousand kilometers.

In addition, owners should definitely monitor the condition of the rollers and water pump. If there is a backlash in the pump, then under no circumstances should you postpone visiting the service. Immediately after starting, the used Kalina 2 engine may make a characteristic clicking sound. Many owners are sure that these sounds are made by hydraulic compensators, but in fact this is a clear hint that the valves require adjustment. If nothing is done, then after 40-50 thousand kilometers the valves will burn out.

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The second power unit available for Kalina with the same volume of 1.6 liters develops 98 horsepower. It doesn't make much sense to pay extra for this motor. In terms of dynamics, it is only slightly better than the 87-horsepower power unit. It's another matter if you are looking for a Kalina with an automatic transmission. In this case, there will be no alternative to the 16-valve 98-horsepower engine.

The most powerful Kalinovsky engine with a volume of 1.6 liters develops 106 horsepower. The motor turned out to be very flexible and is excellent even for the relatively heavy Cross version, but the problem with valves bent when the timing belt breaks is also typical for it. If we talk about the general disadvantages of VAZ engines, then they include an unreliable thermostat. Sometimes used engines start to misfire, which can be treated by replacing spark plugs and ignition modules.

Video: Lada Kalina 2 (expert opinion)

Possible problems with electrical and gearbox

The weak point in the electrical system of a used Kalina 2 is the generator. On average, it lasts 3-4 years. Although there is hardly any need to be seriously upset about this. The cost of a new generator and its replacement is low. After a mileage of 75 thousand kilometers, the oxygen sensor will need to be replaced. From time to time you will have to clean the throttle valve, which will help avoid floating speed. If this does not help, you need to replace the idle speed and throttle sensors. Sensors for Kalina are inexpensive.

The most common transmission on Lada Kalina is a 5-speed manual. And if on cars of the first generation it often reminded of itself, then on the “second” Kalina the seriously redesigned mechanism is distinguished by quite high reliability. Thus, the clutch can last 100 thousand kilometers, and the gearbox itself will require repair only after a run of 200 thousand kilometers.

There are no complaints about the Jatco automatic transmission either. With proper operation, it will not remind you of itself before a run of 200-250 thousand kilometers. There is also no need to worry about possible repairs to the machine. Due to the simple design of the box, it will not be so expensive. And they will take it up in any service that deals with similar problems.

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The third transmission option is a robotic gearbox, where the clutch automatically closes and opens using servos. And if the “robot” does not work the best on the Vesta model, then on the lighter Lada Kalina there are much fewer complaints about it. Due to the fact that the electronics handle the clutch extremely carefully, its service life on the robotic Kalina is often even higher than on cars with traditional “mechanics”.

For a poor buyer who counts every penny, a second-generation second-generation Lada Kalina can be an excellent car for every day. For the same money, of course, you can buy a Renault Logan, but other things being equal, it will be worse equipped and have a higher mileage. And in terms of reliability, foreign cars do not have a noticeable advantage. As it turned out, Lada Kalina 2 is far from those “semi-finished products” that were produced at AvtoVAZ not so long ago. So you can safely buy domestic “berries”.

Video: Lada Kalina 2 in every detail