It is hardly necessary to once again talk about the distrust of Russians in the domestic auto industry. Too many failures and mistakes were made by engineers and designers. Nevertheless, in 2015, the premiere of the domestic car Lada Vesta, which was supposed to be a bestseller, along with the X-ray crossover, took place. Let's take a closer look at whether a car with mechanics is worth the money. Lada Vesta, reviews of which are more than enough, is a rather interesting car both externally and internally.
Some general information
First of all, I would like to note that there is no automatic transmission for Vesta as such. Management said that if it was introduced, then only after a few years. It is possible that sales will not go properly, so installing an automatic transmission will be generally inappropriate. Therefore, at present it is possible to buy a car only on the mechanics. Lada Vesta, reviews of which will be considered in this article, is really a big leap forward of the domestic auto industry. Of course, in order to catch up with European and Asian competitors, you will have to sweat, and it will take quite a lot of time.
But now we can say that certain successes have been achieved. The design of the car attracts attention, but it is rather difficult to call it unusual. As for the interior, there are several more interesting details than outside. As for the technical part, this is an ordinary sedan, which is unlikely to drive, because the engines to choose from only 2: 1.6 and 1.6 liters from the Nissan. Both of them are equipped with a manual gearbox.
A little bit about the exterior of the car
The first impression of any car is formed by its appearance. As for the Vesta, its design is somewhat similar to the Volvo. This is not surprising, because a former Volvo employee took part in the development. Nevertheless, there is something to see. One of the stylistic features is the presence of zigzag stamping on the side of the car. As for optics, there is a certain angularity, as well as elongation. The car has a predatory look, which is only a plus. As for the rear lights, they can be called quite ordinary. Although they could have been made a little more, since against the background of the massive rear of the car they look somewhat awkward.
Constructors and emblem were redone a little. On the West, the boat became noticeably wider, and the sail was divided into several lines. In general, it perfectly adorns the bumper of the Lada. Well, now let's go ahead and look into the interior of the car.
Briefly about the interior
As for the interior, the first impression largely depends on the vehicle equipment. Of course, even the basic configuration has everything you need. Nevertheless, the whole point is revealed in the most expensive version. Here is a modern multimedia system. Sound is praised by many motorists and said that it came out very worthy. The wide touch panel in the center of the dashboard looks just fine. But it is needed here not only as a decor, but to perform a number of tasks, such as sound control, navigation, etc.
Plastic designers used moderately hard and durable. The seats are combined, made of fabric and leather. The dashboard also looks rich. Especially pay attention to the color scheme, which turned out to be quite successful. The combination of green and white looks great. The eyes do not get tired, because the colors are saturated, but not bright, and if necessary they can be adjusted. Most motorists were satisfied with the interior, reviews say this. "Lada Vesta" (mechanics) in the basic configuration does not have an electrical package. It is available only in the "Suite", it is rather a minus, but it was to be expected.
Lada Vesta (mechanics): owner reviews
The first and main thing that Vesta drivers pay attention to is the transmission. Many motorists would like to be able to purchase a car with an automatic gearbox. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no such possibility. A 5-speed transmission is currently being installed, which was borrowed from Renault. Thanks to the use of the French MPKK, it was possible to significantly reduce vibration and noise levels, which directly affected the level of comfort in the car during movement.
Drivers also note that the manual transmission from Renault is quite reliable and perfectly adapted for operation on the territory of the Russian Federation. True, the installation of such a transmission somewhat affected the final cost of the car, but, according to the designers, it was worth it. Manual assembly is carried out at the Togliatti plant. Also in the future they plan to install a robotic gearbox, which for a long time was put on the “Grant”. She checked and showed herself to be the best.
Vehicle powertrain
The motors installed on Vesta comply with the current Euro 5 environmental standards, so it’s not worth talking about their environmental friendliness. Drivers are more interested in reliability and engine selection. The base is an 8-valve engine with a capacity of 87 horsepower. But most experienced drivers prefer to buy a car with a new 16-valve 1.6-liter engine and a capacity of 106 liters. from. According to many, just such a power unit can be considered optimal. Top-end engine from the Nissan Center 1.6-liter boasts a capacity of 116 liters. s., but will cost a little more.
The developers are already working on "Lada Vesta" 1.8 (mechanics). Reviews about this power unit can not be found, since it has not yet been released. As for power, then most likely it will not exceed 130-140 liters. from. But this will be enough for a comfortable dynamic ride. In general, motorists prefer to choose a 1.6 engine with a capacity of 106 liters. from. He is not such a "vegetable" as 87 liters. s., but also easier to maintain than a more powerful counterpart.
About trim levels
There are currently three configurations available:
- "Classic";
- "Comfort";
- "Suite".
The basic equipment is practically an “empty” car in terms of filling. On this very often motorists focus the attention of potential buyers. But even here there are already options such as L-shaped pillows of the rear row of seats, steering wheel angle adjustment, as well as passive and active security systems. The complete set "Classic" has audio preparation.
The refinement of "Comfort" is not much different from the base, although there are minor changes here. More interesting is the luxury equipment. The car in this case is equipped with a rain sensor, heated side mirrors, seats, windows, and parking sensors with a rearview camera will also appear. But that is far from all. Most attracted by an advanced audio system with a lot of settings. Many drivers who have already bought this car are advised to spend money on the "Lux", which leave the appropriate reviews. "Lada Vesta" on the mechanics in the basic and maximum configuration - these are two different things.
Is it worth the money?
This is the question that interests potential buyers of Lada Vesta. The fact is that read reviews can be confusing. Some drivers believe that for the money it is better to buy the already proven Solaris or Rio, while others are more inclined towards a domestic car. If we talk about prices, today for about 640,000 rubles you can buy Vesta in the maximum configuration, and the same Solaris is only in the database. But a completely different question - "What is better?" Domestic engineers tried to make the car competitive in this price range. Apparently, it worked out perfectly. After all, the build quality here is at a high level. This is partly due to the fact that designers of both Renault and Nissan took part in the development. This made it possible to create a "people's car", which would be very reliable and hardy. Therefore, such a machine is definitely worth the money spent on it.
A bit about the benefits
Let's take a look at the reviews of car owners. "Lada Vesta" on the mechanics, according to most, is a relatively economical and unpretentious car to maintain. As for fuel consumption, in the urban cycle it is about 10-11 liters. In fact, for the 1.6 engine this is not such a good indicator, but it can be called moderate. Also very often focus on the chassis. Auto really responds well to the slightest movement of the driver. The suspension is reliable and "swallows" most of the bumps in the road surface. Also, motorists appreciated the clearance of 178 mm. This is extremely important in the conditions of car operation in the Russian Federation.
About the target audience
Designers and designers faced a fairly responsible task - to make the car in demand among the general public. This is not so easy to achieve, but as it turned out, it is quite possible. In the cabin, the car is very spacious, despite its small dimensions, so it is perfect for family trips. At the same time, a modern salon with a good sound system and a stylish appearance are an excellent choice for young people. In general, the developers expect that people from 25 to 45 years old will buy the car.
Some important details
Around September 2017, the release of Lada Vesta 1.8 on mechanics is expected. Feedback from owners of cars with a 1.6-liter engine suggests that this car will become even more peppy and high-torque. But the appearance of an automatic box can make a difference. Even 1.6 has a very moderate appetite, and 1.8 with an automatic transmission will consume at least 15 liters per hundred. Not every Vesta buyer will be ready for this. After all, now economical cars are still more valued, especially if you look at gas prices.
To summarize
In general, a very solid domestic car was obtained. This is also indicated by reviews. The new "Lada Vesta" (mechanics) now stands at the maximum configuration of about 640,000 rubles with a slight adjustment. If we talk about the intermediate and maximum configuration, then the difference here is 50 thousand. But it’s better to pay a little extra and enjoy to the full what our domestic designers have prepared for us. The good thing is that the car did not receive harsh criticism, so the project cannot be called a failure. How sales will go further is unknown. At the moment, “Vesta” has overtaken the “Volkswagen Polo” and confidently holds in third place. The first place is occupied by “Solaris”, and the second - “Kia Rio”. It will be extremely difficult to catch up with these brands, because they have already won the trust of millions of Russians.