Lada Granta pros and cons of the car

The first generation of the budget front-wheel drive car LADA Granta appeared in 2011 and was produced until 2021. This model was produced on the basis of the Lada Kalina, which it replaced on the assembly line shortly after its debut. Compared to its predecessors, Granta received an improved modern interior, as well as a new level of safety. Buyers were offered several configuration options, ranging from the simplest basic ones to top-end modifications, which made driving this car somewhat easier. The new model was in excellent demand among buyers, which is explained by its affordable price, as well as good engines and performance characteristics.

Comparative characteristics

The advantages of the Lada Granta lie in its dimensions: length - 4260 mm, width - 1700 mm, height - 1500 mm. Ground clearance is 170 mm. The original hood and aerodynamic front bumper are the external features of the Lada Granta sedan model. The luxury version is equipped with PTF. Any model of the family under consideration is equipped with numerous galvanized parts. The car body is treated with a special anti-corrosion substance.

Granta is easy to maintain (unlike Kalina). The number of parts in the 1st car is much less than in the other model. Due to the reduction of parts (from 59 to 39 pieces), the new torpedo is presented in the form of a monolithic structure. The quality of the plastic elements used in the interior of the Lada Granta has significantly improved; there are no gaps. The dashboard with a minimal number of information instruments replicates the Kalina torpedo.

Due to the large side mirrors, the driver has a good view. Other advantages include the presence of an immobilizer, an LCD display and a spacious interior of the car. It is equipped with a spacious trunk with a volume of 480 liters. The rear seat can accommodate 2 passengers up to 180 cm tall at the same time, and if necessary, it can be easily folded.

Among the disadvantages of the design, Lada Granta car owners highlight the close location of 2 cup holders near the gearbox. In practice, using such niches is inconvenient. During use, the upholstery of soft seats wears out. The manufacturer did not provide lumbar support and head restraints in the rear seats.

Car appearance

The body of the Lada Granta has changed little in appearance. As before, there are several body styles. This is a sedan, a sport, and also another interesting modification of the Lada Grant - Liftback . The latter option is considered universal, while the sports model will certainly be of interest to those who often go out of town to the highway. The front part of the car has undergone the most significant changes - an updated radiator grille and bumper have been used here. The sedan's lights, bumper and even trunk lid have also changed slightly in shape.

The new body of the Lada Granta boasts a spacious trunk. Its volume depends on the type of model. For a sedan this is 520 liters. But in the Liftback it is a compartment with a volume of 440 liters, and if the driver folds down the rear seat backs, the trunk volume can be increased to 760 liters. In this case, its cover will open together with the rear window. Thanks to the design features, loading things into the trunk will be convenient and practical.

The company has not yet released the promised crossover. As planned, the car will be very different from all previous versions.

As for the design of the Granta, the manufacturer provides such body colors as white, orange-brown, purple, light and dark shades of blue, blue-green, gray, including those with a brownish tint.

Basic configurations

Lada Granta is produced in 4 trim levels: Luxury, Sport, Standard and Norma. Each version is equipped with an engine of a certain power and corresponding options. The 2013 Granta is available with a new suspension. The production model has negative camber on the rear wheels. The Lada Granta has created a new type of electric booster, the gear ratio of which is 3:1. This value significantly increases the information content of control, reducing the labor intensity of driving.

The Lux model is equipped with the ABC system from Bosch. The vehicle is equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 4 cylinders. The Grant sedan configuration is equipped with a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 82 hp. With. and 5-speed manual transmission. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds, with a top speed of 165 km/h. With mixed driving, fuel consumption fluctuates within 7.4 liters per 100 km. Owners of the new Lada Granta claim that under operating conditions the car consumes an average of 7-8 liters of gasoline per 100 km.

In 2012, sales of Granta Sport began with a 1.6-liter engine producing 120 hp. With. and with a 5-speed manual transmission. This model can accelerate to 200 km/h. The difference between a regular Grant and a Sport is a charged engine, rigid suspension, original appearance, and sports wheels. Any modification of the vehicle is subject to tuning. Modernization of the VAZ Sport involves the installation of new turbines that increase engine power to 210 hp. With.

The big disadvantage of Granta is the flaw in the electronic gas pedals. The throttle valve responds slowly to the accelerator, resulting in delayed acceleration. To modernize this system, car owners install a booster on the gas pedal. If necessary, the computer device is re-flashed. Tuning the Lada body involves installing the correct body kits, wheel arch trims and volumetric sills. Modernization of the Granta interior consists of installing designer comfortable chairs.

The budget option Standard is equipped with an engine with good traction. The light steering wheel greatly simplifies the process of driving. Any model in the family under consideration is equipped with a standard 5-speed manual transmission. Long throw design shifts with effort. An alternative option is a 4-speed automatic transmission from the Japanese manufacturer Jatco.

Disadvantages of Lada Granta

The disadvantages of the 1st generation Lada Grant include the build quality and the cheapness of the plastic used, which led to the rapid appearance of “crickets” in the cabin, which were extremely difficult to deal with. One could not expect comfort and good handling from this car; the car was clearly not intended for high-speed driving on country highways.

Also, the disadvantages include the mediocre corrosion resistance of the body. After several years of using the car, the first traces of rust appeared on Russian roads, which forced expensive repairs. The same applied even to minor damage to the body; if the car owner did not repair such scratches and chips in a timely manner, then soon the rusted body panels would have to be replaced.

Car owners note that under significant loads on the engine, the timing belt broke, after which the valves bent, and the engine required major repairs. It was necessary to constantly monitor the level of engine oil, which often leaked through leaky gaskets and seals. Another weak point in this car is the cooling system pump, which quickly wore out, requiring timely replacement.

24.01.2021

Reviews from Granta car owners

The Granta can easily move on roads with poor quality surfaces. The rear beam is factory configured (positive toe angle - +100 degrees, negative camber angle -10 degrees). Such characteristics provided the car with good stability. When driving at a speed of more than 110 km/h, the car begins to sway when turning. When the engine is running, vibration is felt inside the vehicle, which is transmitted to the gearbox and seats.

The engine is unable to idle smoothly. The noise insulation of the Granta interior is high. The heating unit works well, but the windows fog up in bad weather. Lada Granta car owners note several disadvantages of this vehicle:

the steering wheel has slight play in the zero position;
there is an opening between the roof and the windshield;
poor quality door handles;
low number of reversing lighting equipment.

Granta did not get rid of Kalina's problems, since the technical part remained the same. The advantages of Lada Granta include:

minor body overhangs;
spacious trunk;
high ground clearance;
good review;
modern dashboard from Renault Logan.

Price of the Lada Granta Standard configuration with an engine power of 82 hp. With. (2013 release) equals 279 thousand rubles. The car is equipped with an unpainted bumper, 175/70 R13 tires, steel wheels, and an airbag for the driver. For a car with the Norma configuration you will need to pay 307 thousand rubles. This vehicle is equipped with an 87 hp engine. p., central locking, on-board computer, adjustable steering column, front windows.

Not long ago AvtoVAZ presented a global update of its budget model range. During the optimization of the line with the conveyor, the Priora and Kalina models disappeared, and instead of all these budget proposals, only Grant remained. It received three new bodies, changed its design, and became more pleasant in terms of appearance. The car has definitely become better than before, given the total obsolescence of all the features of the previous generation. The new model has good signature style features that make Granta one of the important steps towards the personal style of the Russian corporation. Now this is a kind of mini Vesta that motorists with a very modest budget can buy. Of course, we are not talking about total cheapness, but Granta remains traditionally one of the most affordable cars on the Russian market overall. So the popularity of the machine is guaranteed, and this is proven by the first sales figures, which are breaking all possible records.

Advantages of the LADA Granta car

The advantages of the first generation Lada Granta include its affordable price and high ground clearance, which is important when operating the car on broken Russian roads. The cost of spare parts for the Grant is not too high, and its repair and maintenance is not particularly difficult. With powerful 16-valve engines, this car showed good dynamics, which significantly simplified its control in city conditions.

The car turned out to be quite economical, both in terms of fuel consumption and the car owner’s costs for servicing the car. This is an inexpensive, roomy and versatile sedan that was often used as a car for the whole family. This model was perfect for use in the Russian climate; it had a powerful stove that quickly heated the interior.

Equipment and equipment – what can you buy in the showroom?

The sedan remains the cheapest representative; other solutions will cost a little more. In its base, the machine costs 435,000 rubles, but taking into account various programs and promotions from both the state and the manufacturer, you can save up to 70,000 rubles. This is a good opportunity to get a car very inexpensively. Everything about the technical specifications is quite complicated, as always with Lada. However, the machine was qualitatively modified to create a new model.

It is worth noting the following characteristics:

all engines are naturally aspirated, have a volume of 1.6 liters, there are options for 87 hp. for the basic version, 98 horsepower for the automatic and 106 horsepower for the top versions and for those who love drive;
a 5-speed manual is installed as the base box, the best solution would be a 4-band classic automatic, and there is also a proprietary AMT robot for the powerful engine;
There are many configurations, you can choose the optimal set of equipment for yourself and buy something separately, the list of configurations contains everything you need for your comfort in the car;
the company presented the car in 8 colors, of which only 4 really look good, the rest are quite strange, but they are also ordered, as was the case with the previous model;
the most expensive version with a 98-horsepower engine, automatic and in the Luxe configuration will cost the buyer 624,800 rubles, and this is a very reasonable price if you look at the competitors.

The expensive version comes with a good set of airbags, an alarm system, DRLs, PTF, ABS and even BAS (braking assist). An on-board computer is installed, and there is a 12V socket in the cabin for phones and other devices. The steering wheel is power-assisted, there is climate control, a beautiful folding key, adjustments for everything that can be adjusted, heated front seats, cruise control with a speed limiter and other interesting things. There are even 15-inch alloy wheels with a pretty good design.

Breakdowns and maintenance

Over 20,000 kilometers, nothing broke in the grant. No matter how spiteful the AvtoVAZ haters are, the car regularly drives around the city and on the highway and my brain can’t stand it. The nervousness before trips, which was all over the place, disappeared. Now you don't need to listen to the sound of the engine or noises under the hood. I just sat down and drove off.

The first maintenance for sixteen-valve engines should only be done at 15,000 km or a year after purchase. And all because there are hydraulic compensators and there is no need to adjust the valves. Despite this, I still went to the service center at 3,000 km and changed the oil. This will make the engine feel better.

After zero maintenance

The year of operation and 15,000 km of mileage arrived at the same time, so my first maintenance went according to schedule. In addition to the scheduled filter and oil changes, they also lubricated the rear suspension, which after a year began to sometimes creak. From that moment on, nothing creaked anymore.

There is also a second photo - for reporting purposes

I also went to the service to find out: “What’s that beeping sound on the computer when it starts up?” The service people couldn’t answer this question right away. But later it turned out that this signal is emitted by the immobilizer when it recognizes the key. In the end, the ride was in vain, but the car was rinsed with water every time. It's a small thing, but it's nice =)

And just recently the first trouble happened - another stone that flew into the windshield caused a chip, which caused a crack. I'll change the glass soon, otherwise they won't let me through at the border.

The main disadvantages of the new model - what should you remember?

As soon as you get into a car of a higher class, you understand why the Granta remains a budget vehicle and will never compete with more expensive foreigners. Everything here looks pretty nice, but it's best not to touch anything. The assembly is pretty disgusting, but slightly better than the old Granta. The car shows a bunch of minor flaws, but the price allows you to forgive most of them.

We will pay attention to the most unpleasant moments:

the car's handling remained at a terrible level, since AvtoVAZ decided to use the old platform and practically did not fundamentally change anything in the implementation of the steering;
H19 lamps in head optics - it is very difficult to explain why the concern’s engineers decided to install these particular lighting devices in the car, they are expensive and quite difficult to change;
The inside door opening handles have become beautiful, but very inconvenient, it takes a long time to get used to the fact that you have to aim at the handle, and not everyone’s fingers can fit into the small slot;
the comfort of the seats has not become much better, but the shape of the seats has been slightly improved, so that now your back will not ask for a stop every 50 km of the trip, but you can’t expect high comfort;
quality of plastic - we expect a little better quality from a concern that claims to be completely rebooted and working for the client, so this point is a little striking.

Problems with directional stability when driving fast

Another reminder that this car is not intended for reaching high speeds: at speeds over 120 km/h it begins to have problems with directional stability, and the faster you accelerate, the more serious they will be. The car literally starts to sway from side to side even on a straight line, on a good road - and it’s quite difficult in turns or on an average surface. Interestingly, loading improves stability, so you can accelerate a little faster with passengers.

The main advantages of the new product from Lada

The Granta model is very important for the concern. The company strives to remain a leader in a challenging market. Therefore, the corporation presented many interesting advantages for its new car. The transport can please you with its technical characteristics: the engines are very durable, the gearboxes are high-quality, the suspension is energy-intensive and impenetrable. By the way, the classic Jatco unit is used as an automatic machine.

Among the advantages it is worth noting the following features:

the new Granta is much quieter than the old one, now it will add more comfort, since in the car you will not constantly hear noise from under the wheels or the roar of the engine, sound insulation is at a good level;
the design has become more modern, many lines have received interesting sporty outlines, the design of the main body elements has turned out beautiful, stylish and memorable;
the interior looks good, the ergonomics are clearly better than in the old version of the car, the approach to creating interior space is much more interesting than in the concern’s older models;
modernity has become one of the important advantages of the car, since in this price class we usually get outdated and low-quality cars with a bunch of problems already when leaving the showroom;
practicality - the car has retained good ground clearance, practical engines and gearboxes, good suspension, reliable peripheral equipment that does not break down very often.

LED interior lighting contributes to the creation of modernity and efficiency. You should also pay attention to the dashboard. Now the screen here does not shine with terrible green numbers, but has a modern layout in black and white. The instruments are easy to read, every button and every implemented function works perfectly. It’s also good that at the purchase stage you can purchase many options that will make the car better and more comfortable.

Savings on interior

There are many shortcomings - mostly minor, but annoying - related to the interior. It is strongly felt that the manufacturer saved money on it. For example, the handle for adjusting the seat often breaks - it must be handled very carefully. And the gear lever cover is made of low-quality material, so cracks quickly begin to appear on it.

The interior of the car looks unconvincing: the upholstery is made of fabric, plastic is of low quality, the instruments are designed simply and are not durable. Considering the cost of the car, there is nothing terrible about this, what is much worse is that after six months, fragments of the interior begin to make various noises - everything becomes loose, and it is extremely difficult to deal with this. The door seals begin to let in a lot of dust, and this is also not very pleasant. Window regulators are prone to rapid breakdowns: when lowering the glass, jamming or squeaking is common.

Competitors - is there anyone better than Granta?

It will be very difficult to find competitors for that kind of money, so we will slightly expand the search range to the cost of the most expensive configuration. Within the range of 600,000 rubles, Granta really competes with many representatives of the car market and can move them with its sense of novelty. Of course, buying a Granta will not always be the best decision, and this becomes clear after a specific comparison with competitors. It should be noted that there are a lot of budget sedans on the market.

Grant's main rivals are as follows:

Ravon R4. The car sells from 489,000 rubles in a good configuration, and for 600,000 you can buy an excellent automatic version with a very decent engine, a good gearbox, and in general in the best configuration. The comfort of the trip cannot be compared.
Renault Logan The car starts from 564,000 rubles, but already in the database it offers more features than the Granta in average trim levels. The car has been tested on our roads, it is quite durable and of high quality, it can easily compete with the Grant.
Datsun on-DO. Many people prefer to buy Datsuns because they are Japanese, but by and large this is the same Granta. The car has only a slightly different design and a slightly modified interior. Overall, the car is of high quality and durable, but it’s hardly any better than the new Granta.
FAW V5. If you are not ashamed of the Chinese, there is also a brainchild from FAW. The car is good in terms of equipment and price, there are no problems with the equipment. The assembly is of quite high quality, so you can safely compare this car with Granta and consider it as an alternative.
Lifan Solano. Another Chinese with good sales in Russia, but with a price tag of 679,000 rubles. Of course, it competes with the Granta conditionally, since it costs more than even the most complete version of the Russian sedan. However, you can also consider it.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of competitors, and there are also quite worthy options for consideration. It all depends on the purpose for which you are buying a car, as well as how much you can stretch your budget. Sometimes, just by adding a few tens of thousands of rubles, you already get completely different options for using your car. But in general, Granta’s competition will come not from new, but from used cars with approximately the same price tags as in the showroom for a Lada Granta.

We invite you to watch a short video review of the new product:

conclusions

The only undoubted advantage of a used Granta is its cost and inexpensive maintenance. With a purchase budget of 200 thousand rubles, you need to understand that to bring Grants into decent condition, you will need to invest another 30-40 thousand. Even a major overhaul of the engine will cost no more than 25 thousand rubles, ridiculous prices by today's standards. True, even after bringing Grant into perfect shape, there is no guarantee that another breakdown will not appear in a week.

Therefore, if possible, it is better to prefer a new copy, where all emerging faults will be resolved under warranty. Having an amount of about 250 thousand rubles, Logan will be much more interesting: although much older, but less problematic.

Let's sum it up

The Russian concern began to make good cars. This can be seen in Vesta, X-RAY, and now in Granta. The car turned out to be not just budget-friendly, but also beautiful, practical, relatively reliable and quite presentable in all its qualities. The concern is unlikely to improve its image with this machine, but it can significantly increase overall sales and influence on the market. Budget cars in Russia are still the most important class, and for us Granta continues to be a people's car in all meanings of the word. So it’s hard to call the model unsuccessful or not good enough for Russia.

Frequent gearbox breakdowns

When driving aggressively, the Granta's gearbox does not hold up for long: the gears begin to “die” one after another, the lever simply does not lock in the desired position. The first two gears usually fail first. The problem with the car is hereditary, it was typical for Kalina, but the manufacturer was never able to solve it - or did not want to.

The reasons for gearbox failure are failures of synchronizers and gears; again, it comes down to the desire to save money. If you drive quietly and don’t bounce on bumps, problems with the gearbox may not arise at all, but fans of fast driving should know that the gearbox on this car under their control is unlikely to last more than a year.

Cuter

Until recently, we believed that it would be naive to count on something “designer” in the most affordable segment. Steve Mattin buried this stereotype with his Vesta and Xray. Grant was painted before his arrival at AVTOVAZ, and now the eminent artist has improved the appearance of the car as best he can.

VAZ cars have also reached the budget Grants. It suits her!

Lada Granta design: features and nuances

The updated Lada Granta car has acquired an attractive front part, which includes:

stepped front bumper architecture with chrome X-shaped trims;
increased hood slope with large stamping lines;
large head optics with running lights;
wide radiator grille;
elongated lower air intake with a pattern and fog lights mounted at the edges.

The front of the car boasts:

widened wheel arches,
large line of front stamping,
two-tone exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators.

The rear part of the car can be proud of:

small spoiler on the trunk lid,
dark lower insert on the surface of the stepped bumper,
stamped niche for attaching a license plate,
enlarged rear lights.

The car interior deserves special attention. The interior update was aimed at ensuring maximum comfort and achieving ergonomics. The interior of the car received:

massive center console with enlarged control keys,
spacious glove box,
wide instrument panel with anti-glare protection,
improved seats with increased lateral support,
special fender liners for noise protection,
two cup holders on the central tunnel,
inertia door closers,
additional niches for placing and transporting things.

More practical

Granta always had everything in order when it came to practicality. Crossover ground clearance, low maintenance costs, a good range of available options - the car retained all these virtues after the update.

A useful addition was the seal along the leading edge of the hood. It is designed to reduce the amount of dirt falling from the road onto the units. Looking at the editorial Grant with a mileage of over 100,000 km, I confidently say: modernization is necessary!

Finally, electric trunk opening buttons have begun to be introduced in Togliatti! Granta didn't have her for seven years.

And replacing the dashboard gave the driver an additional glove compartment. A small box with a lid is located centrally under the windshield. The old car had an open niche there. Things from it tried to “escape” at turns, and it was dangerous to keep something more or less valuable in front of everyone.

Salon - Interior - Ergonomics

The main principle that the designers implemented in the Lada Grant in relation to the interior of the cabin is minimalism, according to the principle “the simpler the better.” This approach helps both reduce costs and pay more attention to sound insulation, although the sound of a running engine can still be heard inside the car. The interior of the Lada Granta is quite spacious, so the driver does not feel cramped. The ceiling inside is quite high. This is important for tall drivers. And in general the car has become more ergonomic.

The interior of the cabin is well thought out. It is finished with high-quality plastic, and compared to previous models, it should be noted that it looks better. In addition, the casing is now made at a higher level, and its parts do not creak during operation. Inconspicuous fastening materials were used to secure the elements, and some brackets were improved.

As for ergonomics, there are no special surprises in the basic configuration of the Lada Granta. But in the “Lux” configuration there are many little things that make the trip more comfortable - these are heated seats, the presence of a sun visor, the possibility of folding the rear seat and the presence of a headrest on it.

Even the Norma Classic package already includes an on-board computer. It is located between the speedometer and tachometer. This is a convenient place to display vehicle data on the screen.

But most of the changes still remained cosmetic. In particular, the steering wheel and gearbox were redesigned. The trunk shelf is trimmed with new material. The body was strengthened in the area where the engine mount passes. Theoretically, all this should fit better into the interior than it did in previous Granta models. But, of course, it all depends solely on individual preferences.