The pride of AvtoVAZ
Lada Priora is a fairly high-quality domestic car that has a pleasant appearance and a relatively low price. But when choosing a car, car owners are wondering which body to prefer: hatchback, station wagon or sedan? To answer this, it is worth considering the features of each configuration. It is important to make the right choice, because you want the car to please you for many years.
By choosing any Priora car, you will be satisfied with the quality and comfort. The model that best meets your requirements will provide you with maximum convenience. And here it is important to understand which type of body is best suited to achieve your goals.
Each of the presented body types has certain characteristics that distinguish it from the rest. When choosing, it is very important to consider not only ride comfort. It is necessary to pay attention to the capacity and maneuverability of the vehicle.
Who is the hatchback suitable for?
You need to choose a car, first of all, based on your own preferences, lifestyle and who you are and what position you occupy in society. That is, if you are a fan of street racing and rarely go out with your whole family on picnics (and if you do, it’s not in your car), or you are a student who likes to take the girls for rides, or maybe you have a dacha where you Every year you carry huge luggage, then choose a hatchback. And if you are a businessman and often make business trips, or a family man who takes his family to the zoo or circus every Sunday, then the best option, of course, would be a sedan. When going on a trip to Europe, it is better, again, to prefer the body type in question, because Europeans leave the best reviews about such cars. They adore the hatchback, and they will appreciate you if you arrive in such a car. And in general, just figure out what is more important to you: beauty or practicality.
Purchasing a car in today's market turns out to be a difficult task for buyers - among the offers of different concerns you can find such a variety that it becomes difficult to decide on a model. But this situation on the market does not frighten potential motorists, because it only increases the possibilities of selecting the ideal transport for you. Today we will find all the reasons when choosing a body – a sedan or a hatchback.
Often this question becomes the main one when purchasing a car of a certain make and model, which is available in several body styles. For example, Ford Focus has a sedan and a hatchback in its model line, which allows the buyer to choose a body in any configuration and for the same money.
Specifications
In reviews of the technical characteristics of the Priora hatchback, users note that the car is fully consistent with the stated price.
For example, a model with a 1.6-liter engine has a power of 106 horsepower. The maximum speed to which the car can accelerate is 183 kilometers per hour. The car accelerates to one hundred kilometers per hour in eleven and a half seconds. She has a gasoline engine.
Consumption on the highway is 5.6 liters per hundred kilometers, and in the city - 8.9 liters. With combined driving, the approximate consumption is 6.8 liters per hundred kilometers.
The car has front-wheel drive. There are options with manual and robotic gearboxes.
Among other characteristics of the Priora hatchback, reviews note a gasoline engine type and a fuel tank volume of 43 liters.
Hatchback advantages
- Compactness
. The body has a shorter length, which makes the car more maneuverable. Such a vehicle is easier to drive in dense city traffic and easier to park. It’s no wonder that 80% of densely populated Europe has switched to hatchbacks. - Huge trunk
. The seemingly small dimensions of the car provide the car owner with a spacious luggage compartment. If you fold down the rear passenger seats, you can easily transport a refrigerator or small furniture. - Ideal for novice drivers
. In such a body, the dimensions of the car are very clearly felt, which is a significant advantage when learning to drive. It is for this reason that most driving schools have hatchbacks in their inventory. - Price
. A car that leaves the factory in such a body always costs less, but is more expensive on the secondary market. It also has greater liquidity in used condition. - The appearance of the hatchback is more sporty
, which makes it a stylish and youthful car.
Dimensions and other parameters
Let's compare some sizes of these modifications.
The length of the car in the sedan modification is 4350 mm, the height in running order is 1420 mm with a wheel track width of 1410 mm for the front wheels and 1380 mm for the rear wheels.
Cars with this type of body are equipped with a softer suspension and have good balance (weight distribution) along the axles.
It is no coincidence that the word “hatchback” means “short” in English. The length of the Lada Priora car in this body is 4210 mm with a height of 1435 mm. The hatchback's short rear overhang makes parking and driving easier. This is also facilitated by a good aerodynamic shape. At the same time, the cars in both modifications have the same ground clearance (135 mm under the exhaust system and 170 mm under the power unit), overall width (1680 mm, excluding the size of the rear-view mirrors) and the wheel track width of the rear and front wheels, weight characteristics. Fuel consumption differs slightly.
Among the differences, I would also like to note the differences in the installation of child seats (UF or U).
Prices for cars with different body shapes in the same configuration differ quite slightly, although the hatchback is still a little cheaper due to its shorter length.
This is where the differences between the sedan and hatchback modifications of cars of this model end.
Body differences
The sedan is a classic four-day car with a sloping roof that gradually slopes down towards the cargo area. A hatchback is a smaller car whose rear door opens upward to provide easy access to the trunk. Most of these vehicles are equipped with five seats and have four or two passenger doors.
The cargo compartment, connected to the overall space of the vehicle's interior, allows the owner to lower the rear seat and maximize space for stowing and transporting cargo. As a rule, this type of body is 15-20 cm shorter than a sedan, which some people consider a disadvantage, while others consider it an advantage. Now let's try to look at the pros and cons of each body.
Safety system
In reviews of the Priora hatchback, increased attention was paid to the safety of the car.
For example, only in the “Lux” configuration the car was equipped with airbags for the passenger sitting in the front seat and the driver. But the body was strengthened, which significantly increased the so-called passive safety. The torsional rigidity of the body has increased significantly. Since 2008, luxury trim levels began to include an anti-lock braking system, front seat belt pretensioners, and a safe parking system.
Based on independent crash tests conducted by reputable auto experts, the car received almost six points out of sixteen possible for a frontal impact and nine points for a side impact. This allowed him to claim two stars, and in the “Lux” configuration – three. This level of safety turned out to be quite comparable with cars of Korean and American origin that were outdated by that time.
In 2008, after numerous dissatisfied reviews from owners about the Lada Priora hatchback in terms of its safety, a large-scale modernization of the body was carried out in all modifications of this family. It received the unofficial name “Phase 2”.
For many car enthusiasts, it became an important fact that the Priora was initially positioned as a car that complied with all environmental standards. In particular, Euro-5 for the European Union market and Euro-3 for the domestic market.
Which is better to choose a hatchback or sedan?
Hatchback. Advantages
- Quite compact in size, but not burdened with a “tail,” which allows them to maneuver perfectly on city streets.
- Wide luggage compartment opening, which allows you to load large items (TVs, washing machines, etc.)
- Attractive appearance, somewhat similar to sports cars (in demand among young people).
Hatchbacks also have several disadvantages
- The absence of a partition and sound insulation between the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment leads to the fact that while driving you will hear and feel all the sounds and smells that come from the trunk.
- Also, due to the fact that the interior volume increases due to the trunk, warming up the car is difficult in winter.
- The size of the trunk becomes larger than the trunk of a sedan only if the rear row of seats is removed or folded.
Sedan. Advantages
- The sedan has a more presentable appearance than the hatchback. This makes it a favorite among older car enthusiasts.
- Insulated trunk. A feature that is a disadvantage in a competitor is absent in the sedan. You will not hear any extraneous noise from the trunk while driving.
Among the shortcomings we note:
- The most unpleasant drawback for sedans is the small trunk, as well as the small amount of space in the cabin.
- Compared to hatchbacks, sedans are larger, which makes driving in city traffic more difficult.
Hatchback and station wagon. What is the difference?
- Price.
As corny as it sounds, it’s true. Station wagons are much more expensive than hatchbacks. - Luggage compartment size.
Station wagons have noticeably more luggage space than hatchbacks. - Design.
The elegant shapes of hatchbacks look much more attractive than the strict lines of a station wagon.
It's time to take stock
Hatchbacks are great cars for small families. They combine comfort, practicality and attractive design. The hatchback is ideal for trips into nature; all the things you need on vacation will fit in its trunk. And within the city, the maneuverability and small size of this car will help you overcome traffic jams faster. Are you dreaming of a hatchback? Go to the catalog of passenger cars, which will help you navigate the prices.
Popular hatchbacks that deserve your attention
The bestseller comes from Korea. Reliable and practical, with a long list of options and everything you'd expect from a modern C-Class car.
. Renault Sandero, an affordable hatchback from the French brand. A nice city compact, with a spacious interior and a roomy trunk. It withstands the hardships of Russian roads and weather.
An example of the ratio of price to level of equipment. Consistently high build quality, steering wheels and suspension tuned to our roads, reliable engines - all in favor of this model.
Peugeot 308, the very embodiment of style. The latest generation of the model, both inside and outside, has become the most spectacular in the class. Pleasant to the touch materials and bold body lines make you fall in love with it.
Nowadays, the most popular body types are sedan and hatchback. The difference between them is significant, so when choosing the right car, you need to consider your needs. Let's look at the difference between a hatchback and a sedan.
Hatchback
This body type is ideal for traveling around the city. The short wheelbase slightly reduces the turning radius and allows you to maneuver comfortably among other cars. The hatchback also takes up little parking space, which is important in a big city. The rear window is usually quite large, gives a good view into the rearview mirror and has its own wiper blade.
But the hatchback also has its disadvantages. First of all, the trunk volume is small. Of course, if there are one or two people in the car, then you can fold or remove the rear seat back, but four people in such a car cannot go into nature.
Another negative side is that the trunk is combined with the interior. Since the bottom of the trunk of almost all models is poorly soundproofed, the noise level in the cabin is quite high. In addition, hatchbacks are rarely equipped with large engines, so it is not very convenient for country trips.
Important Details
By the way, there are quite important points that for some reason not everyone pays close attention to. For example, ground clearance. Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the machine and the surface on which the machine stands. Passenger cars have a standard value of 12-16 cm. In addition, another important factor is the existing length of the wheelbase. Because the car is longer, the cross-country ability worsens, and the same ground clearance suffers. Hatchbacks have a standard wheelbase length, which is slightly shorter than a sedan's, and therefore cars with the body type in question have better cross-country ability, if we take the same models (Chevrolet hatchback and sedan) as an example. The car looks simply excellent in any body, and we have already examined the nuances of each model.
Let's get to know each other better
VAZ has been producing Priora since 2007. It was created on the platform of the notorious “ten” and inherited a lot from it. Priora is called a car for young people. She is praised for her good speed and ability to stay on the road well.
There are complaints about the build quality and the low cross-country ability is not suitable for everyone. Still a car.
External upgrade
In 2013, VAZ presented an updated version. It was equipped with a number of new options, improving its technical capabilities. The car has also changed in appearance. The new Priora has modern daytime optics that turn on automatically. The bumper was slightly modified, and the grille on the radiator was made in the form of a mesh. LEDs are installed in the rear lights and fogs.
Soft-look salon
What changed ? There's a lot to be said here. The designers used finishing materials atypical for VAZ
, including soft-look - a new type of plastic that looks like expensive leather and at the same time withstands external influences well.
A three-spoke steering wheel, a touch screen, more comfortable and higher seats with armrests - all this is the new Priora.
Motor data
Extended for this car too.
The coolest of them is designed for 1.6 liters. Its power is 106 “horses,” which is achieved thanks to an updated fuel injection system. With such an engine, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in 11 seconds and is ready to “give jazz” at speeds of 185 km/h and above. - 6.9 liters in mixed mode, and on the highway - 5 liters.
The car is front-wheel drive with 5 manual transmission.
True, if the driver's airbag is included in the basic kit, then you will have to pay extra for the passenger airbag.
What car to buy for the city
Choosing a car for the city may seem difficult to some, but it is not. First, let's look at the sedan car body. The sedan body is a classic. In appearance it will be a harmonious, representative and respectable car. In our country, cars with this type of body are the most popular.
Most often, sedans are purchased by people who consider themselves to be in the above-average class, who love solid and comfortable cars. Transporting cargo and organizing races on the track is not their main task. The main thing is to ride in comfort.
The advantages of this body model are:
— spacious trunk; — a convenient arrangement of seats, which allows rear seat passengers to feel comfortable; — the ability to comfortably travel long distances; — convenient and short-term heating of the interior.
The disadvantages include inconvenience in driving due to some protruding parts of the body. In addition, it cannot transport large cargo. It is often difficult for novice car enthusiasts to park on city streets congested with traffic, since the dimensions of the car are worse felt in a sedan.
There is an opinion that Russians have become accustomed to sedans since the times of the USSR. There were no hatchbacks or crossovers on sale back then. The most popular sedans are Lada Granta, Priora, Skoda, etc.
Sedan or hatchback: advantages and disadvantages of a hatchback
Let's continue choosing a car for the city and consider cars with a hatchback body. In general, hatchbacks can be described as maneuverable, mobile and at the same time compact cars. The most common hatchbacks are Chevrolet Lacetti, Kio Rio, Ford Focus, Hyundai Getz, etc.
Let's look at their advantages in more detail.
Firstly, the price of the car. Modern hatchbacks are noticeably cheaper than sedans, if you look at the general typical car range. This is primarily due to the fact that hatchbacks were created for people who could not afford to purchase more expensive types of cars (such as a sedan or SUV). Naturally, not all cars of this type are so cheap. It all depends on the brand of the manufacturer, but they are still much cheaper.
Secondly, cars of this type are designed to save fuel. This is provided for by manufacturers at the design stage. Hatchbacks are much lighter than other types of cars. Accordingly, the load on the engine is several times less and the amount of energy consumed by the car for acceleration is much lower.
The third advantage of hatchbacks is their size. You'll notice this advantage when you're looking for a parking spot. Compared to other types of cars, you can easily find and enter even the smallest places. Such maneuvering is possible due to the special shortened wheelbase.
According to many motorists, when sitting behind the wheel of a large car, you constantly have to be on alert so as not to lose control over its control. The maneuverability and ease that comes with driving a hatchback makes it easier to deal with this problem.
In addition, there is no need to worry that the small size of the car makes it unsafe on the road in the event of an accident. The developers also took care of eliminating this problem at the design stage.
Sedan or hatchback - which is better?
Thus, taking into account all of the above, we can draw the following conclusion
At the stage of searching for a car just for yourself, take into account and compare all the advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of cars
If you are interested in a noble appearance and trips to the country are not a threat to you, feel free to choose a sedan. If you need a roomy, compact and maneuverable car at an affordable price, then a hatchback will be the best option for you.
So, when choosing a car with a sedan or hatchback body, the car enthusiast must understand where and how he will use the car. Remember that, as you know, a car is used to judge its owner.
Good luck with your purchase!
Priora family
Before moving on to reviews of the Priora hatchback, let's talk about the history of this domestic family of cars.
Initially, AvtoVAZ launched the production of Priora sedans. This happened back in 2007. The hatchback model was first released in February 2008. By the end of the year, an updated modification with a station wagon body was presented, and six months later it was launched into mass production.
It is worth noting that within the framework of the Priora model, AvtoVAZ produced a modification of the coupe in small series (it was a branded three-door hatchback), and a convertible was also being developed.
Since 2009, Priora has finally ousted the Lada-110 family of cars from the plant assembly line. At the same time, over the years the car continued to be improved. For example, in 2011, the rear view mirrors, front bumper and steering wheel were replaced. Moreover, new functions appeared, for example, in the “Standard” configuration there was an 8-valve engine with a connecting rod and piston group, which was considered lightweight.
A large-scale restyling of the car was carried out in 2013. Due to this, it was possible to significantly increase its comfort, refresh its appearance, and make it safer. The designers have modernized its driving characteristics. In addition, the head optics were equipped with daytime running lights, a directional stability system appeared, and sound insulation was improved.
In 2014, Priora appeared with a robotic gearbox. This was the company’s own development; the car was created on the basis of a classic 5-speed gearbox, using an electronic control unit and electric actuators.
Since 2015, all cars belonging to this family were equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, which had exactly the same shift layout as in the classic Zhiguli, that is, the reverse gear was engaged to the right and backward.
In 2021, the millionth Priora was rolled off the assembly line, which became an important and landmark achievement in the history of the company. Soon after this, it became known that from the summer of 2021, Priora would officially be discontinued.
What is a hatchback
Good afternoon, dear readers. As many of you have probably already guessed, today I want to talk about the types of car bodies.
I remember times when hearing the word hatchback caused me bewilderment. I think that among the readers there will be people with a similar problem. In this article I will try to solve this problem.
In order not to mislead you, let me clarify that the picture on the left does not show a hatchback, but a dump truck. Yes, you probably guessed it yourself.
Now let’s take a closer look at the bodies of passenger cars. The most common and popular body styles include: sedan, hatchback and station wagon. There are other types of bodies, such as coupe, convertible, limousine, and carriage. They are less popular today.
Sedan
This type of body is distinguished by a classic trunk. And the body itself is classic. Just 15-20 years ago, most cars were produced with a sedan body type.
The sedan has a relatively small trunk capacity (compared to the hatchback and station wagon) and usually has 4 doors.
Hatchback
This body type is more modern than classic. In my opinion, now hatchback cars are gradually replacing classic sedans. And there is a reason for this. While the hatchback is generally shorter in length (the hatchback has a shorter rear overhang) than the sedan, the former has significantly more capacity.
The hatchback in different versions can have 3 or 5 doors. A 3-door hatchback is not a gift for a large family. In a car like this, sitting in the back seat is not fun.
Station wagon
Cars with this body type have increased capacity. Just like the hatchback station wagon, it has 5 doors. But the length of the station wagon is much longer. Typically, the rear door of a station wagon is located almost perpendicular to the ground. The rear seats of the station wagon can be folded and this allows you to significantly increase the luggage compartment (you can carry a small bull).
The station wagon, thanks to its capacity, is ideally suited for a large family. But the dimensions of such a car can cause inconvenience when driving in city traffic.
I wanted to finish the article, but I remembered another very common body type. Of course it's a jeep.
Station wagon
Essentially, a station wagon is an extended hatchback with a longer wheelbase. Due to its length, it is less maneuverable, but has an impressive trunk size. Typically, this type of vehicle is used for transportation, so station wagons are often equipped with large displacement engines and diesel engines. That's probably where the positives end.
The station wagon's interior is quite noisy, for the same reason as the hatchback's interior. The rear window is located quite far from the driver, so visibility in the rearview mirror is reduced. Due to the fact that the rear part is high, when reversing it is constantly scratched by low tree branches. And parking in such a car is not very convenient. This car is suitable for those who rarely visit a big city; rather, it is convenient for country trips.
Current price for the minimum and maximum configuration
A total of 5 trim levels are available, and the price for the Lada Priora station wagon varies. It is worth comparing the cheapest (Norma) and the most expensive (Lux).
Available in both versions:
- Driver airbag;
- Mounts for child seats;
- Daytime Running Lights;
- ABS+BAS;
- EBD;
- Router;
- Rear folding sofa;
- 12V socket;
- Case for glasses;
- Steering wheel height adjustment;
- Height-adjustable front seat belts;
- Cabin air filter;
- Certified glass tinting;
- Electric windows in the front doors;
- Exterior door handles painted in body color.
Available in Standard:
- Electric power steering;
- Connectors for audio system;
- Wheels 13”, spare wheel 13”.
Available in Image:
- Headrests for two rear seats;
- Immobilizer;
- Anti-theft alarm;
- One-piece engine mudguard stamped from sheet steel;
- Driver's armrest;
- Passenger sun visor with mirror;
- power steering;
- Central locking with remote control;
- Heated front seats only;
- Heated exterior mirrors and electric drive;
- Climate system;
- Multimedia system and 2 speakers;
- Wheels 14”, spare wheel 14” + spare wheel for temporary use;
- Decorative wheel covers;
- 15" alloy wheels; The price of the new Lada Priora station wagon is now greatly reduced because the car has been discontinued. The price for “Norma” 21715 31 starts from 316,600 rubles (manual transmission) and 361,600 rubles (automatic transmission). But the price for the maximum “Lux” configuration is 407,900 rubles.
The price of the new Lada Priora station wagon is very pleasing: for that kind of money, a model that has shown its best qualities is bought only on the advice of friends, acquaintances and opinion leaders.
Conclusion.
The Priora hatchback is more aerodynamic, it has a spacious luggage compartment and a comfortable, spacious interior (no less than a sedan's interior). With all this, the hatchback is also 14 centimeters shorter than its “colleague” in the line. But due to its appearance, this body is not suitable for everyone (for example, those who often travel in their car for work). However, there is no arguing about tastes, so you should always choose what is more “to your liking” - it will be better for you directly.