The worse the condition of roads in our country, the higher cars are needed to drive on them. This rule is known to many motorists. However, the higher the clearance, the more expensive the car. But this does not apply to passenger cars, which after some modifications become higher and receive increased clearance. They also brought out such a car at AvtoVAZ, presenting the SUV based on the Lada Kalina to the automobile public. Let's see what came of it. It is very interesting what it is - “Lada Kalina Cross”, reviews of the owners about it, and photos of the exterior and interior.
Some sources among AvtoVAZ employees claim that the car was designed very quickly. Position this novelty as a station wagon and a crossover. It is noted that the corners of the exit and entry, as well as clearance, are in no way inferior to quite serious SUVs.
Appearance
The new Lada Kalina Cross owes its appearance to the chief designer of the plant.
Steve Martin did a good job. The design at first glance does not seem too intricate, but if you look closely, the body looks quite harmonious, and even attractive. More frankly, it is difficult to call this model independent. The crossover is practically no different from a passenger wagon in its standard version.
The car has become a little taller, but at the same time it does not seem at all that this is a clumsy metal box. The body will be painted only in three colors - it is metallic silver, white and orange.
There are only a few minor differences between the Lada Kalina Cross car. Owner reviews made it possible to notice the new bumper, the presence of black protective pads on the sides of the body, as well as wider wheel arches. In addition, the taillights are slightly increased.
Crossover
Everything that the crossover makes of this car is located at the rear.
Here the body has a large width. Also, a fairly massive bumper pad gives out cross. However, even with all the attributes that distinguish serious SUVs, just by looking at the Lada Kalina Cross 4x4 car and reviews about it, we can conclude that you should not even think about off-road, even light. The overhang of the front part does not allow to move from the asphalt to the primer, despite the increased clearance. Although, the test drives that were held by reputable automotive publications assure that the car can drive off-road.
Kalina Cross: design is better than Chinese
In general, the car looks pretty good. One of the main achievements of the chief designer is that the appearance of the model turned out much better than the craftsmen from the Middle Kingdom came up with. In Kalina Cross, there’s nothing Asian about it - the body is more like a Renault model in style. Experts say that people in models from VAZ do not immediately recognize the domestic auto industry.
Lack of competitors
According to the experts, there are practically no direct competitors for Kalina in this format. To some extent, one of the competitors could be the Sandero Stepway. And there are a lot of role models.
Like other four-wheel drive station wagons, the Lada Kalina Cross car (owners' reviews completely confirm this) has protective plastic body kit parts around the perimeter on the body.
In the past, chrome door sills, doors, and a radiator grill are now black. This emphasizes the utilitarian orientation, as well as some brutality of the model. The moldings are very wide. They substantially decorate the doors. They have a stamp with the name of the model.
Plastic performs not only decorative functions. Having double fastenings, these plastic parts perfectly protect the body and paintwork from various mechanical damages.
According to the developers of the Lada Kalina Cross car (owners' reviews also note this), this car is not bought because there is not enough money for a better one. Now VAZ creates cars that can successfully compete with the products of foreign companies.
Interior
Once inside, it immediately seems that everything in this car was developed in order to get rid of conservative traditions. The future owner will see bright orange inserts almost everywhere. They decorate the steering wheel, door trim, seats, and ventilation grilles.
If we discuss the shortcomings in the passenger compartment of the Lada Kalina Cross car, reviews indicate the absence of steering wheel departure adjustments. Also emit low quality seat upholstery materials. On the pillows, folds and first scuffs occur within a few days.
In general, do not wait for anything new in interior design. The salon is the familiar Kalina. The look immediately clings to an inexpressive plastic, a simple dashboard also does not differ in any aesthetics. But the assembly is pretty high quality. The gaps are small, there are no crickets, no squeaks.
Armchairs
The seats were not left without attention. So, the frame was slightly modified, and the design of the chair was also slightly changed. The creators managed to accentuate the lateral and lumbar support. To increase the comfort of the driver and passengers on long journeys, experts used a more dense filler. When the driver overcomes a sharp turn, passengers no longer need to look for another fulcrum.
None of the chairs slip out anymore. In the Lada Kalina Cross car, the test drive of which was carried out immediately after the presentation, it is very comfortable and convenient to sit.
But, there is a small nuance. Conveniently in armchairs will be people of average build. If the person is larger, then he will have to get used to the lateral parts of the seats, which slightly rest against the back. But all this is permissible for a car from a budget class. The rear sofa is quite spacious for two.
Although the manufacturer claims that the cabin is designed for five, it will not be too convenient for three passengers to fit in behind. There are a lot of places for legs, and above the head it is also quite free. The luggage compartment volume, despite the station wagon, is a bit upsetting. It is only 240 liters.
Clearance
Finally, a salon review (Lada Kalina Cross) will be interesting. As already noted, the creators raised the clearance by as much as 2.5 mm. Now the ground clearance is 210 mm. This was achieved thanks to a redesigned suspension and the use of gas shock absorbers. The role of tires in increasing clearance is, but it is minimal. Large wheels forced designers to increase the wheel arches.
Now they will operate on 15 'drives. Engineers and crankcase refinement have finalized - now it more reliably protects engine parts from various damages. But protection is not a reason to drive carelessly. Despite the cross, you should not storm high borders on Kalina.
Engine
Patency must be supplemented by sufficient traction. Under the hood, one of two power units can be found. There will be no surprises. As before, only 1.6 liter petrol units are used.
The first engine develops up to 106 liters. from. The second is weaker - he has 20 horses less.
It has a torque rating of 140 Nm at 3800 rpm. In addition to power, the difference between these units in the number of valves. More powerful - 16-valve. The engines are generally good and quite flexible. The rise can be felt after 2 thousand vol. And after 3 thousand, you can even feel the grab. In the city and outside the city by car "Lada Kalina Cross" fuel consumption varies by 3 liters. But does not exceed 8.5 l / 100 km.
Transmission
Motors work with a mechanical five-speed gearbox. The machine will be installed on Kalina Cross, but not soon. The gearbox is equipped with a cable drive. In the main gear, the engineers replaced the gears. This allowed a slight increase in the gear ratio of the transmission. This is a fairly effective solution when you need to increase cross-country ability.
Automotive Options
“Lada Kalina Cross” is still offered in only one configuration - this is “Norma”. It provides for an airbag, climate control, heated front seats, and an audio system. For safety and control there is ABS.
All information about the condition of the car is displayed on the monitor. The multisystem confidently plays video and audio files. As for additional gadgets, you can connect a rear view camera to the system. The air conditioner was created specifically for the domestic climate. Sound insulation has been improved, but the stock tires are very noisy. Also, about the Lada Kalina Cross car, reviews are actively leaving about the quality sound of the speaker system.
Ride characteristics
High ground clearance and new gas shock absorbers have borne fruit. If you move quickly on the asphalt, the car perfectly holds the trajectory. If you move the steering wheel dynamically, then the reaction is also good. In general, this “crossover” goes very well on asphalt - there are banks, but small, there is a good feedback from the steering wheel.
On irregularities, the Kalina Cross car also drives well. The dense suspension, which used to be in the luxury Kalina, was even more useful in this model. But if the roads turn into bad, then the situation changes.
When crossing speed bumps or “waves” quickly, the racks literally shoot out and at the same time make a lot of noise. On a country track, the car also goes surprisingly, excellent. Off-road geometry is enough for comfort, but the racks fail. And going fast is scary.
The effectiveness of the brake system has not objectively changed, but the deceleration is quite pleasant.
The brake pedal no longer fails, and the pads “grab” even with minimal effort.
The engines are clearly not enough dynamics, so it is undesirable, and sometimes dangerous, to overtake on this "crossover". If the driver still decides to overtake the truck, which moves at 90 km / h, then he will have to press the gas for a very long time so that the Lada Kalina Cross gains the required speed. A test drive in the city showed that it is best to start overtaking in third gear.
Owner reviews
In general, expecting too much from this car is a mistake. But if you discard all the compromises and imperfections, then the car is excellent. True, some owners still have claims against the manufacturer. Every now and then something goes wrong, the suspension knocks, and small, annoying troubles also happen. When planning to buy a Lada Kalina Cross car, owner reviews with photos are the first things to learn.