Lada Granta, Kalina: detailed comparison of cars

Competition of popular domestic models

Every year AvtoVAZ saturates the domestic market with new Lada models. Some of these cars are budget cars, and often different models fall into the same price segment. So, in 2011, Grant came off the assembly line, the base for which was Kalina. After 1.5 years, AvtoVAZ updated the previous model Kalina, releasing the second generation of cars.

Both car models fall into the budget price segment, so most potential buyers cannot decide which one is better. Each car has its own advantages and disadvantages that you need to know about before making a purchase. This will help you choose a car that suits the needs of a particular car enthusiast.

Car appearance

Machine sizes

By creating the design of both models, the plant's designers took a big step forward. For their category, the cars look quite modern; their external outlines show the influence of such European brands as Renault Logan and Renault Sandero. At the same time, they did not lose the characteristic features of Russian cars, standing out from their predecessors.

Kalina 2 is very similar to the previous generation model, but there are some nice changes. For example, the car body has been redesigned in such a way that the car now looks more like a sports car, and aggression has become felt in the design. Grant's appearance has several original solutions. The first thing that catches your eye is the shape of the front and rear headlights, as well as the overall fit of the body.

Lada Granta is the only liftback in the AvtoVAZ model range

The Granta was created by the manufacturers as an affordable and functional car that meets all the requirements of modern drivers. Its main advantage is its affordable price and a large selection of configuration options.

Many buyers are also attracted by the Granta’s stylish appearance, spaciousness and comfort in the cabin, practical spacious trunk and much more. We propose to find out in more detail what is the fundamental difference between the Liftback and objectively compare the Lada Kalina and Lada Granta liftback point by point

What's under the hood of cars?

Both cars have fairly similar 4-cylinder engines, having the same volume - 1598 cm3. Three trim levels have maximum engine power, which is 87, 98 and 106 hp. With. At the same time, Granta has a basic configuration with an 82 hp engine. With. Car engines run on gasoline, their torque reaches 4200 rpm. at 148 N.m in the most expensive configuration. Fuel consumption is 8.5 liters in urban conditions, 7.3 liters in the combined cycle and 5.7 liters per 100 km outside the city.

The engine allows you to reach a maximum speed of 175 km/h for Granta and 171 km/h for Kalina. The higher speed of the first model is due to the optimized aerodynamic characteristics of the body. In general, both cars are equipped with engines that differ little from each other. According to the head of the Grant and Kalina projects, Oleg Grunenkov, the cars are equipped with an updated type of suspension, the development of which was focused on the suspension of budget cars produced in Russia. This means that both cars have an upgraded suspension with increased service life.

Speaking of transmission, it is worth mentioning that there is no clear leader in this issue either. The latest configurations of both models are equipped with a modern 5-speed manual transmission. Gears shift quite smoothly, and there is no unnecessary noise or rumble while driving. Each of the cars has special configurations with automatic 4-speed gearboxes from the Japanese manufacturer Jatco, which specializes in manufacturing automatics for foreign cars such as Nissan Tiida and Nissan March.

Under the hood of Kalina

It is necessary to dwell separately on the Granta generator, since it fails on almost all cars produced in the first half of 2012. Owners complain that the breakdown is detected after 3-5 thousand kilometers, and dealer service stations refuse to fix it, citing a lack of spare parts.

Choice by eye: review

An attempt to compare cars, one of which has been on the market for several years, and the other is only a potential rival, is not entirely correct. However, certain features of each of them should be noted. Lada Kalina 2 station wagon generally looks harmonious. But it is necessary to note such a feature as its dependence on color. Subjectively, a car in bright color looks very tall, and only soft tones from certain angles make it balanced and bright.

At the same time, the Lada Granta station wagon visually seems noticeably longer, and it is the large, solid rear that clearly stands out. The car has clearly outgrown class B, to which the younger model should be classified. However, here again we need to remember such a trump card in Kalina 2’s sleeve as the developed modification with the Cross index. It is giving the appearance of the car a touch of an SUV that brings it closer to an attractive crossover. And if the car also gets all-wheel drive, then it will be successful.

Thus, the element of the universal version of the Grant model should be recognized as a good highway, where you can travel any distance without obstacles. But the fate of Kalina 2 is suburban roads and the way home from work. But the car can also become a good city car. As for the modification of the Lada Kalina Cross, this car received not only additional plastic body kits and increased ground clearance, but also a number of improvements that are designed to eliminate shortcomings that are possible when operating in difficult conditions. Door creaks, short-travel suspension - these and other similar little things have been slightly modified.

Can we say that a car was identified that turned out to be better than its rival? Probably not. We can say with confidence that both models turned out to be worthy. Machines cannot oppose themselves technically. But due to the differences associated with geometric parameters, trunk capacity, and behavior on the road, each of the models occupies a certain place and finds its buyer.

The cars are also comparable in terms of price. The optimal Luxury package in both cases will exceed 400 thousand rubles. But the cost of modification of Kalina Cross only starts from this mark. In particular, the Norma equipment will cost 470 thousand rubles. But the car has not yet become familiar on the streets, and the additional advantages will attract many buyers.

Body quality

After the release of the Grant, most owners began to measure the thickness of the body metal. It was discovered that the metal of the Granta body has become much thinner compared to the previous generation Kalina. AvtoVAZ engineers commented on this fact, noting the improvement of the alloy that is used to cast the body of the new model. According to them, new technologies have made it possible to equalize the body strength of the new model and the first Kalina model. But test drive results indicate the opposite.

The thin metal of the body is quite easy to bend; there is no modernization in the alloy. It is clear that the plant tried to save resources on the production of this model. The body of the new Kalina model is cast from the same metal that was used for the previous generation; there is no decrease in density.

Under the hood of Grants

Grant's lock mechanism is also not of high quality. At first, the doors close quite simply, but the locks wear out quickly, as they are made of cheap plastic. The 2nd generation Kalina has no problems in this regard, since it has a silicone locking mechanism installed.

Spacious interior is one of the undeniable advantages of Granta

Thanks to the increased base, even a large person can easily fit behind the wheel of the car, and passengers will not have to be crowded into a narrow space. Driving in a car is also more comfortable because the plastic in the cabin does not creak or rumble, and sounds from outside are muffled by high-quality sound insulation.

If we compare which is better than the Granta liftback Priora and Kalina, then the Granta is much ahead in terms of silence in the cabin of its fellows. Otherwise, the liftback's interior is not much different from the Kalina and even has some absolutely identical elements.

Model options

The new Kalina is equipped as standard with electric power steering, a shortened steering rack, an airbag, sun-reflective glass, electric windows on the front doors and 14-inch wheels. All these improvements are missing on the Granta.

It is not advisable to compare the most expensive car configurations, since they have a large difference in price. It makes sense to compare the top version of the Granta and the mid-range version of the Kalina, since they fall into the same price segment.

In addition to the above improvements, both models have the following equipment:

heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors;
fog lighting;
power windows on the rear doors;
exterior mirrors;
door handles are painted in body color;
built-in on-board computer;
alarm on the control panel;
heated front seats;
cabin air filter and air conditioning;
ABS+BAS;
touchscreen multimedia system with LCD display.

In addition, Kalina 2 is equipped with a windshield heating system, which Granta does not have.

Transmission Grants Liftback

The gearbox on the car is completely identical to the Kalinovskaya. The buyer can choose a manual or Japanese automatic.

The second option is fully justified in urban conditions, but makes the car consume more fuel. The mechanics are equipped with a new cable drive and work perfectly. A robotic box is also installed on Lux class Grants.

Cabin interior and noise insulation

The instrument panel on both models has similar characteristics and contours. The only difference is in the design of the ventilation devices, which have a different shape on each car. The new Kalina model is equipped with seats that adapt to the anatomical features of passengers, as was the case on the previous model. Grant's seats are made of cheap material, they look plain and are not very comfortable.

A test drive on different road surfaces showed that noise insulation in Granta is performed at an extremely low level. Kalina 2 has average performance in this regard. In general, the sound insulation of both cars leaves much to be desired.

The interiors of both cars have impressive volumes both in the rear and in the front. The legs of the driver and passengers are positioned quite freely. It is no secret that in order to reduce the cost of the car, AvtoVAZ installed low-quality cladding in the Grant, which quickly wears out and looks unattractive. Both generations of Kalina are equipped with good quality plastic casing, which does not cause any complaints.

Technical characteristics of Lada Kalina (sedan)

Let's look at Kalina. Here the choice of power plants is wider. The basic unit is the VAZ-11186 with an 8-valve head. Its maximum power is 87 horsepower with a volume of 1.6 liters. The engine is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission with a cable drive, or a four-speed automatic transmission from the Japanese company Jatco.

The next in the line was the engine with index 21126. This is a 16-valve engine with two camshafts. These minor modifications made it possible to increase engine power to 98 horsepower while maintaining the volume of 1.6 liters. This unit is equipped only with automatic transmission. “Mechanics” is not even available as an option.

The difference between AvtoVAZ vehicles

These cars also have distinctive features. Kalina 2 differs from Grant in the following:

Higher price.
Less fuel consumption.
Available in the form of a hatchback and station wagon (the second model is in the form of a sedan and hatchback).
Less fast and maneuverable car.
More economical to drive: fuel consumption is 0.4 l/100 km lower.
Less weight.
Worse chassis.
The body is made of thicker metal.
The trunk volume is almost two times smaller.
The seats are more spacious and comfortable, allowing you to feel comfortable even on long trips.
More attractive appearance.
The equipment in the maximum version is worse.
Better paint, plastic, seats.
Higher noise insulation parameters.

Renault Logan or Lada Vesta which is better

This comparison is intended to help potential buyers figure out which is better: the French Renault Logan or the Russian Lada Vesta. I would like to immediately note that in the Russian Federation they really love the Logan model from France, but the domestic brand also offers its customers excellent comfort and equipment, no less rich than that of its competitor. Everyone will decide for themselves what is better, but there are some facts that can immediately identify a leader.

Let's try to identify the leader

Lada Vesta, as well as Renault Logan, which has been represented on the domestic automobile market for about 10 years, have many advantages over many other modern cars, which puts them an order of magnitude higher in our market segment. The Lada model immediately became popular, and its sales are incredible, but the Renault model is also consistently the best-selling foreign car in our country. Opinions differ here, which is better? It's worth continuing the comparison.

So, Lada Vesta is larger in overall dimensions than its competitor, and has 100mm more in all parameters. This makes the car belong to class B+, but Renault Logan does not have a plus sign. This allowed Vesta to get a large luggage compartment and a spacious interior. And the car itself, which is equipped with sports overhangs, despite the fact that its dimensions are impressive, looks respectable.

If we compare cars from the point of view of the interior and its design, then the representative of France becomes the undisputed leader. Although the first generation car is more suitable as a family car, which is reflected in the interior design.

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Officially, Renault Logan engineers position it as a budget model, so inexpensive materials were used in the finishing.

What speaks most about a car is its comfort and driving dynamics. This is evidenced by the power of the power plants of the Lada Vesta and its competitor. Lada presented its car with a series of power plants, of which there are 4 types, with a capacity of 87 l/s, 102 l/s, 114 l/s and 128 l/s. The Logan sedan is equipped with only 2 units, with a capacity of 82 l/s and 102 l/s. Because of this, the comparison is in favor of the Russian model.

If we talk about objectivity, then West should have been compared with the latest version of Logan. The power units remained unchanged, but a nice, modern, new design appeared. More expensive materials were used in the decoration. And most importantly, for the powerful 102 l/hp engine, a variator was introduced.

If you pay attention to the exterior of the Lada Vesta and Renault Logan, then it is indeed extremely difficult to decide which is better and which to choose for yourself. Both models are clear examples of the latest European design trends, and in their configurations they have the latest technologies and options, and this can now be offered to customers

The Frenchman is still let down by the materials used for finishing. Despite the rather beautiful plastic, it is very hard and not very pleasant to the touch.

If we compare the dimensions, the Renault Logan has a small but advantage over the LADA Vesta model. The domestic model, as before, is larger in size relative to Logan. This sedan from France does not boast a spacious interior and a spacious luggage compartment, but this makes the maneuverability of the car much better, and it is also much easier to park in such a car, which has been very important lately.

The driving characteristics of the Renault sedan have become better than those of the 1st generation, however, the model does not lag behind the Lada, and offers buyers modern engines and transmissions.

In total, only 2 power plants are offered for foreign cars, while Russian cars have 5 of them. In addition, Russian engines are more dynamic and responsive, which makes domestic developments the leaders.

Let's sum it up

Both cars presented in the review, Renault Logan and LADA Vesta, are undisputed leaders in their segment and are truly extremely popular among buyers in the Russian Federation. At the same time, the domestic model became the winner in many respects, but it’s up to you to decide what to choose.

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