Review of Lada Granta after restyling: prices, reviews, what's new

Let's remember 2011. The Granta model, new at that time, should become a replacement for Lada cars due to the equivalent price tag. This was an interesting proposal, because the Kalina sedan, which was the basis of the Granta, is more modern than the design of the Lada from the 60s. As time passed, the price rose. Tenge prices for “Granta” have increased 2.6 times since the release of the series.

Although if you convert the price into dollars, there is almost no difference. The increase in the price of a sedan in Kazakhstan turned out to be exactly the same as... the US dollar exchange rate. In April 2012 and 2019 - 149.79 against 379.35 tenge. 2.5 times. But in Russia, the degree of change in the ruble price is noticeably less - 1.6 times, and in terms of the American currency at the exchange rate, there is also a decrease.

Now, as can be seen from the table, there is a gap of $2,300 between basic Russian-made machines and Kazakh SKD machines... Exactly as much as the state requires for recycling fees (in 2022 this is 883,750 tenge = $2,329). It turns out that for us, buyers, the benefit from the release of “Grants” in Ust-Kamenogorsk is only in delivery to our car dealerships.

As the exchange rate in Kazakhstan changed, the prices of competitors also increased. And it so happened in the end that Lada now offers the most affordable car among new ones - from 3.1 to 4 million. No one will offer less. Even the Uzbek Ravon, including class A, costs more.

1 / 7

Ravon Nexia R3 from 3.8 million (Comfort, 1.5 l, 5MT) to 4.3 million tenge (Elegant, 1.5 l, 6AT). True, there are some rough edges with supplies to Kazakhstan and price lists

Renault Logan
may seem more attractive than “Grants” - from 4.1 million (Access, 1.6 l, 5MT) to 5.4 million (Style, 1.6 l, 4AT)

Korean Chevrolet Aveo , assembled in Kazakhstan - from 4.9 million (LS, 1.6 l, 5MT) to 5.6 million tenge (LT, 1.6 l, 6AT). The model is not particularly popular in Kazakhstan, and it is not a fact that it will be sold in the future

Cars from the category over 5 million start with VW Polo in the basic configuration: from 5.1 million (Trendline, 1.6 l, 5MT) to 5.7 million tenge (Comfortline, 1.6 l, 6AT)

Hyundai Accent is more expensive: from 5.6 million (Active) to 6.2 million tenge (Elegance). All sedans only with a 1.6 liter engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission

Kia Rio is in the same price range as Accent: from 5.7 million (Comfort) to 6.6 million tenge (Premium). The units are the same - 1.6 and 6AT engine

And the most expensive in our selection is Škoda Rapid . Although it is more affordable than its Korean classmates in the basic configuration - from 5.4 million (Active, 1.6 l, 5MT), but more expensive in the top version - up to 6.8 million tenge (Style S, 1.6 l, 6AT)

1 / 7

What's new in Granta FL from the outside

You might think that the tail of the front end was pulled either from Vesta or from XRAY. But no, everything is here. New hood, slightly modified fenders, bumper, optics. It's funny, but the headlights for the Grant were developed in India, but they are produced in Uzbekistan. They haven’t become anything cooler or more efficient, and they haven’t even received the fashionable LEDs for daytime running lights today; the same light bulb remains in a small cell in the corner of the headlight.

The rear is purely Grant - the lights were left unchanged, but the trunk lid is new, now with a niche for the license plate. And the bumper accordingly.

In general, according to the standard restyling scheme, the front and rear attachments have been updated, but the central part, and even the base itself, is still Kalinovsky, without changes. This does not at all resemble the concept of All New, as the manufacturer claims. By the way, about the Kalina model. As you know, she no longer exists. And on the hatchback and station wagon body, which were left as an inheritance, AVTOVAZ puts a new Grant face and glues other nameplates. This is such a cycle of models.

All the changes in the exterior will probably be noticed only by the owners of the previous “grants” or representatives of fan clubs. We have collected them in a separate photo gallery.

1 / 6

The hood not only took on new shapes, but also lost its glass washer jets. “Writers” are now located under it, in a plastic panel

A different lamp is installed inside the new optics: instead of H4, it is now H19. In terms of light quality, they are the same, the only slight difference is in the size of the bulb and the base. Can H4 be inserted into a new headlight? It is possible by bending the landing antennae

Pile lockers to reduce noise from wheels are available even in basic trim levels, but R15 alloy wheels are only available in luxury trim levels

Large letters LADA on the stern instead of a rook from now on on all VAZ cars

The turn signal on the mirror is still available only in the maximum configuration. But glass heating is already available in the Classic Start version. Mirrors, by the way, give an excellent overview

1 / 6

The body is well assembled. The gaps are small and practically do not differ from each other. Bumpers, optics and body props fit tightly and flush. The doors open and close with a slight but not straining force. But to close the trunk, you want to lean harder. Clap! Closed.

How is it painted? Among the top negative reviews from the owners of “Grant” is traditional, i.e., poor resistance to saline winters in cities. Although the factory provides a guarantee against through corrosion for six years, nothing prevents the paint from starting to bloom. Iron will not rust to holes in six years, but during this time Granta is easily covered with “saffron milk caps” both outside and inside. Only time will tell how durable the paintwork on updated bodies is. But the answer seems predictable.

Granta looks unusual in metallic blue. The color, by the way, is called “blue planet” (418), but in our SRTS since January 2019 it is written as simply blue

Liftback Lada Granta FL: detailed review. Exterior

The first thing that catches your eye is the new shaped optics, somewhat reminiscent of Kalina. The front radiator grille has become aggressive and has gained sportiness.

The “X-shaped” style from West, X-Ray, clearly runs along the outer perimeter of the grille. This is a modern, original look that fits well into the front of the car. The back of the Granta Liftback FL has also undergone changes: the place for the license plate has been moved to the trunk lid. In the previous generation, it was located on the body of the rear bumper. The shape and size of the lanterns remained unchanged. The side edges of the bumper are decorated with molded tides on each side.

Equipment packages such as Comfort, Luxe, Prestige are equipped with turn signal indicators built into the side mirrors. Budget models are also equipped with repeaters that are built into the body of the front fender.

What's new inside Granta FL

Well... the instrument panel. More precisely, it seems to be not new, but the one that went to Kalina since 2013, only slightly modernized. The modernization, however, is not crazy - a couple of decorative foil stickers in the area of ​​​​the central air ducts and white backlighting of the shield and buttons.

It’s hard to call this torpedo 100% Kalinovsky, since it was once made from Grant’s…

They decided not to indulge in modernization, but to take a couple of steps back: even in the top versions there will not be a large screen by VAZ standards at the top of the torpedo. A little expensive, I guess. Only a drawer with a hinged lid. You shouldn’t look for a multimedia system with a touchscreen in the equipment lists, as was the case in the previous top-end “grants”... Only what you see in the photo is an audio system with a small monochrome screen. Of course, don’t expect navigation. However, don't be upset. How it works in the more expensive Vesta is laughable to chickens, i.e. smartphones.

An experienced “Grantokalinovod” will notice a few more changes in the interior, but we will show them more clearly in the photo.

1 / 11

Those same stripes are part of the instrument panel upgrade. They don’t add any functionality, and they don’t add any chic. I’ll also note that Grant’s round deflectors were more convenient than these lattice ones

Note to VAZ drivers: make sure that when you turn off the ignition and turn the key to position I, the audio system continues to work. At least 30 minutes. Taxi drivers will only say thank you

New knob for the manual transmission lever from Vesta. No different in beauty, but it will be a little more practical - the silver paint on the previous handle wore off quickly

The shield has not changed conceptually - a new design of scales with radial markings and white backlighting. The monitor was also repainted in black and white. The visual coolant temperature sensor did not appear, but this data is displayed in the form of numbers on the screen

The handbrake in the new plastic holster no longer resembles the Zhiguli one

The climate control is unchanged - primitive, but it’s very warm! The handles turn nicely, there are no complaints about the controls. All that remains is to improve the interior ventilation and check in the summer whether the air conditioning has improved. There were complaints against him

The top-end Luxe Prestige configuration, but with a manual transmission, for 3.9 million tenge has a light sensor

And under the interior rearview mirror you can find a rain sensor with an intensity control for the wipers. Heated windshield is also available only in the luxury version and is activated by a separate button

The steering wheel is unchanged - the thin rim still doesn’t have any braiding.

The control unit for windows, locks and mirrors is also old, but the whole thing is illuminated. Increase the durability of the coating on the buttons

New door lock handles are not yet found on all “grants”. On the car we rented in Almaty, they are of an old design, like the trigger

1 / 11

But what the Granta salon did not get rid of was unpleasant sounds. No, I’m not talking about crickets now; in the new test car, the plastic didn’t make a sound for 200 km. I'm talking about the same crunchy steering column switches, clicking switches, buzzing locks, a booming roof, etc. Fortunately, at least the nasty beeping open door buzzer was replaced with a more noble one, and the turn signal now just ticks quietly, rather than beeping.

The kinship with the first Kalina in the cabin is reminiscent of these crisp switches with control of the on-board computer using buttons at the end of the lever

The seats were updated - they became denser, a little more volume was added to the sides of the cushions, and a different upholstery material was added. And the headrests - the thin Grant ones - were replaced with plumper and softer ones. But the seats still did not become more comfortable. In our case, a failure was felt under the fifth point. And the shortcomings on the back are the same - it does not hug the torso as we would like, and does not support it at all in the area of ​​the shoulder blades. The driving position still cannot be cured with just one seat, even taking into account the fact that the driver now has vertical adjustment. The adjustment for the reach of the steering column was sorely lacking, it was never added. And how you want to drive away from the pedal assembly with this long-travel clutch!

1 / 7

Compare the row of new seats and those that were in the first “grants” (the next picture is from 2012), and notice: they have changed. A pronounced profile appeared, the seats became larger and more solid, but still not the most comfortable...

The driver's seat is height adjustable - this is a plus. It's a pity that they didn't add reach adjustment for the steering wheel.

The front seats have the simplest single-mode heating - the degree of roasting of the sirloin is not adjustable. It fries and that’s it!

The rear sofa, like the front seats, also gained density. According to the manufacturer's description, the profile has also changed, i.e. it has become more anatomical. It may be true, but it doesn't really feel like it

The front passenger has a mirror in the visor, but it does not close

1 / 7

A small progress in the update was the appearance of a trunk release button in the bar above the license plate instead of the classic cylinder. But the design of the lock remains the same, i.e. it protrudes strongly and unexpectedly pecks you in the back of the head when you raise your head after loading. Take it to the right or left of center.

There is no news in the trunk itself, and that's good. The volume is the same, i.e. the hold is just as spacious!

The inheritance from Kalina is immediately in your hands - this is the key, or rather the ignition key. There are three buttons on the plastic head: open/close the locks and a separate one for the trunk. By default, the car is equipped with an immobilizer in the base, and on expensive versions - with an anti-theft alarm. True, the siren is a disc horn with a not very pleasant beep - beep!

Interior

The interior of the Granta Liftback FL 2022 is in many ways reminiscent of the previous models of Priora, Vesta, and Kalina. Among the innovations we highlight:

• dashboard: its shape has become similar to the Lada Vesta;
• speedometer, tachometer scale: in orange gradation on a white background, which exactly repeats Vesta;
• In the center of the torpedo there is a covered plastic box in which you can fit glasses and a mobile phone. In order to reduce vibration when operating the machine, there is a rubber mat on the bottom;
• The air supply and stove heater activation regulators have undergone changes. They, as before, remained in their places, but with a more modern shape and color scheme;
• standard radio size 1 - DIMM in budget trim levels and the already familiar radio model 2 - DIMM in Comfort, Luxe, Prestige versions;
• gear shifter in a plastic frame. In Comfort, Luxe, Prestige models there is a chrome trim along the outer perimeter;
• the parking brake lever has merged with the central channel and looks monolithic;
• built-in Era-Glonass on the ceiling;
• The passenger sun visor is equipped with a mirror. This is not provided for on the driver's side;
• The design of the glove box is completely copied from Kalina: gradation into two sections, the shape of the lid, the method of opening.

Related link:
Review of crankcase protection modifications on the Lada Granta Liftback. Do-it-yourself installation

The fact that the driver is in a new Lada Granta model is indicated by the “X-shaped” logo at the top of the dashboard.

Granta FL chassis

There are bugs in cars that manufacturers cannot solve for years. Electric amplifiers in Kalinas and Grants are an example of this. The problem is over ten years old, although the manufacturer of the amplifier has already changed, and more than once: now Makhachkala, now Kaluga and even Korean. I remember that during our Almaty tests in the Kalina sedan, when actively taxiing, the EUR simply switched off. The warning light came on - and hello! — steer on your own. Turned the ignition off and on - it works again. In general, any owner is familiar with interruptions of this node, or at least heard about them. In addition, the steering feedback has never pleased me. And in each individual car it was distinguished by its own character - either it seemed to be squeezed somewhere, or, on the contrary, it was too loose. Steering in a straight line on cars, especially from previous years, is a common occurrence.

The latest “grants” include continuously variable gearboxes made in Kaluga with new calibrations. It's better, yes. A pronounced zero zone has appeared, which is pleasing on straight lines, and pleasant resistance is felt when the steering wheel is deflected. But the steering has not become transparent, and in the active drive mode the mechanism openly begins to get lazy - delays and emptiness appear, and Granta itself doesn’t really want to give in - the steering, as before, is insufficient.

The suspension has not changed. But to refresh the information, I note that for the luxury “Grant” trim levels there are different settings for the front suspension geometry, and for versions with an automatic transmission there are more elastic springs and shock absorbers. And yes, the Granta’s cornering behavior has improved thanks to the introduction of gas-filled struts. Although this is no longer news - they were already on pre-restyling cars. But in general, stability is by no means standard - the suspension is wobbly, the body rolls noticeably, sways on uneven surfaces and nods when braking.

But what... energy intensity! Irregularities, holes, and rails are swallowed by the suspension without a hint of breakdown. In my video, I called Grant’s chassis a “land cruiser” among this class of passenger cars, although not everyone understood my metaphor. What I meant was that you can drive along our roads like an SUV. The only question is about the resource: how long will it last?

In addition, the ground clearance of a car with a manual transmission is 195 mm! As long as you have a grip, you can ride on rough terrain without fear of jamming the threshold. According to my measurements (in an empty car) it is as much as 220 mm from the ground! Or tear off the front bumper - the lowest point of the plastic hangs at a distance of 226 mm! Other crossovers cannot boast of such data without loading them.

Motors for Lada Granta FL

The Granta is offered with three options for one 1.6-liter gasoline engine. With an eight-valve cylinder head, the VAZ-11186 is the weakest, 87 hp. With. 140 Nm goes under the hoods of simple versions. The other two with 16 valves: VAZ-21126 with 98 horsepower and 148 torque, and the most powerful in the range, VAZ-21127 - 106 hp. With. and 148 Nm - with a variable intake receiver (pictured).

All engines come with distributed injection and timing belt drive. By the way, as for the belt breaking, this is not the death of the engine. The pistons have a sufficient recess in the bottom, so that now there will be no meeting with the valves. But there is nothing new with the service life - the plant plans on 200,000 km of run before major repairs.

The engines operate honestly within the stated specifications. I especially liked the 106-horsepower paired with a manual transmission. At the start and acceleration, it’s a shame to demand more from it: it works 100% of the 95 poured into it and is quite economical.

With an automatic transmission, the situation is also not the worst, but the consumption is higher, and sometimes it was not enough on the track when overtaking. But for the city - just right!

Reviews

Conclusion Despite a number of negative reviews addressed to the Lada Granta Lift back, the model turned out to be a success. It’s a plus for developers and designers; this is a big breakthrough in domestic mechanical engineering. Those who do not share the point of view should purchase another brand. In the budget price segment it is difficult to find a better offer.

Related link:

Review and installation of limit switches on the Lada Granta Liftback. Recommendations from experts

Transmissions for Lada Granta FL

Three gearboxes to choose from! Something unheard of for VAZ cars 7-8 years ago. The most common option for Grants is the usual 5-speed VAZ manual 2191 with a cable drive. The second is a Japanese 4-speed Jatco automatic transmission. The third is a robotic five-speed of our own design, which, however, did not immediately appear even in Russian specifications, because it was being finalized. AMT is also not yet supplied to Kazakhstan.

The manual comes with both the weakest (87 hp) and the most powerful, 106 hp engine. The robot will be screwed to the same engine, and only to it. The automatic transmission is combined with a 98 horsepower engine.

Regarding machine maintenance. AVTOVAZ says that the oil is filled for the entire service life of the car, which is 8 years or 120,000 km. It’s clear that such mileage can be achieved in a couple of years without problems, so the fluid still needs to be changed. This is NISSAN ATF Matic-S or EJ‑1 branded oil.

Lada Granta FL

From now on, Lada Kalina is no more. Now both the sedan and the liftback, as well as the hatchback and station wagon, along with the off-road version of the Cross, will be sold with the Granta nameplate. At the instigation of maestro Steve Mattin, Granta received a new X-face in the spirit of the older models - Vesta and X-Ray: headlights on a dark glossy backing, a black radiator grille with large slats and chrome inserts on the bumper. All this forced the creators to change not only the shape of the hood, but also the front fenders.

Story

The Lada Granta replaced the classic car that had been popular since the 1980s. Granta is built on the same platform as Kalina, and some units are from Lada Priora. Since 2012, the Granta has been produced with an automatic transmission; until 09.12, the manual gearbox was similar to the Lada Kalina, and since 2012, the manual gearbox has been modernized, resulting in a new mechanism and synchronizers, which ensures clearer and easier gearbox shifts. Also in 13, the car was restyled with a 16-valve 1.6-liter engine, the power of which increased to 106 l/s.

Modifications

• Lada Granta Liftback. Released since 2014. The liftback will appeal to those who often have to transport large cargo. The trunk volume here is several tens of liters less than that of a sedan, but with the rear seats folded down, the loading geometry is much better. The power frame of the body has not changed.
• Lada Granta Sport. Released since 2013. This version is distinguished not only by a 118-horsepower engine and acceleration to hundreds in 9.5 seconds, but also by the correct wheels, as well as slightly reinforced brakes and a manual transmission.

Reistaling

• A small rearrangement has also taken place in the area of ​​the A-pillars: the windshield washer nozzles have moved from the hood to a plastic “jabot” near the windshield, and duplicate turn indicators are now embedded in the side mirrors on all versions. The logo with a rook on the front has also increased, and the inscription “LADA” appears on the back instead of the emblem. By the way, on sedans, at the very edge of the trunk lid (above the “LADA” inscription) a tiny protrusion a la spoiler appeared. According to the creators, the new appearance has improved aerodynamics by 1.5%.
• But that's not all. In the sedan, the place for the license plate has moved from the bumper to the trunk lid, and both of these parts have received more prominent shapes so that the rear does not look heavy as before. The liftback now has a dark insert on the bumper, which houses parking sensors and is not an eyesore. True, the hatchback and station wagon have unpainted parking sensors located higher, like the sedan, which is why three black dots are already visible on the bumper.
• The final touches to the portrait of the restyled model were a new wheel design and two new paint colors. One of them is “carnelian”. In the language of VAZ colorists, this is a rich red color; the test hatchback was painted in it. The second new color is “techno”, we haven’t seen it yet. It has not yet been presented on the official website, but, as we found out, a gray metallic color will be hidden under this name. The name is clearly more euphonious than “blue planet”, which is also present in the palette.
• In the cabin, the instrument cluster with a new on-board computer, which has a contrast screen, like on Vesta, is striking. There are no fundamental differences in the set of functions, but the red scales with radial digitization look original, and the display is now divided into several “floors” by dashes, which makes it easier to read the information. And then comes pure “jewelry”: more comfortable and elegant handles for the gear lever and handbrake, new triangular door handles, new decorative inserts with a “3D pattern” on the front panel and chrome trim around the air ducts on the sides of the panel. The “beard”, along with the radio unit and white button illumination, migrated from Kalina, which made it possible to place a locking box on top of the center console. The design was updated with only two silver moldings forming the letter “X” around the ventilation system.

• Now let's move on to functional changes. All wheel arches now have felt fender liners, dampening the sounds of sandblasting and gravel impacts. The trunk lid (well, finally), regardless of the body type, now has an electric button instead of a lock cylinder, and new locking mechanisms make it possible not to slam the doors. And there’s no need to worry, saying that the battery runs out and now the trunk won’t open. All versions have access from the passenger compartment through the back of the rear seat.
• The seats have changed padding, profile, upholstery and its pattern, and also have height adjustment in the range of 40 mm, but we will talk about this a little later. And starting this year, all Grants received the ERA-GLONASS system and a three-year or 100,000 km warranty. But at the same time, the factory workers delicately kept silent about the fact that the multimedia system with a touch screen and navigation disappeared from the maximum configurations. The reason for this “optimization” is the low demand for this device.
• Despite all the innovations, the Lada’s interior is still very “musical”: I closed the door - and immediately a booming echo echoed throughout the cabin, the key was inserted into the ignition with a metallic clang, from which the trim of the steering column casing resonated. The same echo occurs when the ringing steering wheel paddles are clicked, and the “clack” of relays responsible for various electrical equipment is a classic of the genre. But you can always tell by ear whether the headlights or heated rear window are malfunctioning.
• The presence of a microlift in the driver's seat will be appreciated, first of all, by stocky riders, but people of average height and above will most likely complain that the seat itself in the lowest position is still set too high. At first I liked the new, denser padding and the slightly modified profile, but the more you drive, the more clearly you notice that due to the hard filler, the pecks, bumps and vibrations that the suspension, together with the power unit, transmit to the body are less absorbed. There is also not enough lateral support, and adjusting the lumbar support for these “seats” would not hurt. As well as an additional lamp on the ceiling above the rear sofa. At night, Egyptian darkness reigns here. By the way, the light of the new headlights also left ambiguous impressions: while the high beam is really good, the low beam is still “blind”.

Engine

The line of power units has not changed - these are the same three 1.6-liter engines: 8-valve with 87 hp. and two “16-valve” engines with a capacity of 98 or 106 “horses”. However, starting this year, AvtoVAZ has completely switched the above-mentioned engines to “stickless” pistons produced by Federal Mogul, in the bottom of which there are special “samples” for valves. This gives a chance to avoid a “meeting on the Elbe” - bending of the valves if the timing belt breaks. Considering that the “strap” often does not survive the prescribed replacement upon reaching the 180,000 km mark, such an innovation will clearly protect the engine from serious consequences.

The second change is the replacement of the main gearbox 3.71 with 3.94 on all versions with a 5-speed manual transmission and with an AMT robot (with automatic transmission, as before, 4.1). A “shorter” pair makes it possible to more effectively realize the traction capabilities of the engine in each gear and makes acceleration more confident, which is reflected in the dynamic qualities. Acceleration to “hundreds” was reduced by 0.2–0.7 seconds, maximum speed increased by 1–7 km/h depending on the type of body and power unit. True, fuel efficiency in the urban and combined cycles for all cars deteriorated slightly by 0.1–0.2 l/100 km, but in the suburban cycle it improved by as much as half a liter, which is quite natural.

Transmission

Sedan

The test included only a sedan with a 106-horsepower engine and a 5-speed manual transmission and a liftback with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It’s a pity that there were no versions with an AMT robotic gearbox, because this unit received new firmware that reduced gear change time by 30%, as well as a more heat-resistant clutch. In addition, she has three new movement algorithms. The first is the “creeping” mode. If the transmission selector is moved to position “A” to move forward, the car begins to roll forward without adding gas. The second is winter mode. Roughly speaking, the box now allows you to start driving from second gear in manual mode. Well, the third is the sport mode, activated by a separate button, in which the electronics allow you to rev the engine harder and maintain high speeds without switching to a higher gear.

But the 106-horsepower Granta with the VAZ-21127 engine is suited in spirit to “mechanics”. The result is a nimble car that can easily outshine more expensive models in terms of dynamics. The same 123-horsepower Hyundai Solaris, considered one of the fastest cars among state employees, accelerates to “hundreds” in 10.3 seconds. Granta's result is only two tenths of a second worse. And subjectively, such a Granta is generally perceived as a “race”: the engine spins well up to almost 6000 rpm, the gears easily click, and due to poor noise and vibration insulation, the sensations are only aggravated. But if during “active throttling” this puts you in a fighting mood, then during normal driving it tires you: the trembling from the power unit is transmitted to the seat and controls, and you hear everything that happens behind the engine shield.

However, the chassis is not able to fully realize the capabilities of this power unit. Although on the restyled Grants the plant used all the best solutions that were at hand: abandoning Mando geared amplifiers in favor of Kaluga gearless units from Avtoelektronika (the steering shaft serves as an electric motor rotor); new calibrations of the electric amplifier itself in the name of improving information content; installation on all cars of the suspension from the previous luxury versions with gas-filled shock absorbers and “filled up” castor. The sluggish reactions to turning the steering wheel have not disappeared. The car reluctantly enters the curve, lazily follows the driver’s commands, rolls noticeably and takes impacts on the steering wheel when driving over uneven surfaces. And the Granta’s suspension can’t be called comfortable either. You can’t deny its elasticity and energy intensity, but it doesn’t know how to “delicately” handle all the little things on the road.

Liftback

I change into a liftback with a 98-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the interior is still the same - the only difference is that there are two pedals and the same automatic transmission selector instead of an updated lever, there is no “prompt” for the optimal gear on the on-board computer screen, and behind the “gallery” there is a cool 435-liter trunk. True, the luggage door is still tight, but the designers slightly simplified the task by attaching a small buttonhole to one of the handles.

However, the most important and not the best difference between all cars with automatic transmission, regardless of body type, is that even in the top configuration, which is now the Luxe version, there is no ESC stabilization system. Let me remind you that such a car costs from 623,000 rubles! Moreover, there are no technical restrictions for combining this option with this power unit, because there were such versions before. Skimping on safety is a bad sign, especially since the two-pedal version is more suitable for those who are not confident in their driving skills.

On the move, the 98-horsepower hatchback with an automatic Jatco JF414E also did not surprise anyone. Everything is the same as six years ago, when I first got behind the wheel of an “automatic” Granta - it turned out to be a good option for a relatively affordable city car: four gears are enough for it, the gearbox quickly reacts to pressing the gas pedal, changes gears smoothly and adapts well to the driver. Of course, there are also disadvantages - fuel consumption has increased by 1-2 liters compared to a manual transmission and not the fastest overtaking in third gear in the range of 80-120 km/h.

Everything has been said above about handling; the hatchback did not bring anything new. There remains a characteristic drawback of all versions with an automatic transmission in the form of a stiff and uninformative brake pedal. In the first third of the pedal stroke, the deceleration is weak, and then the pads suddenly grab the discs. It’s hard to find this line if you’re not used to it; as a result, almost every braking ends in a dive.

Discussing the latest Lada innovations, we stopped wondering about the build quality. It seems that over the past 6-7 years, AvtoVAZ has done a lot in order not to blush for its own products; all the “horror stories” about “buckets of bolts” seem to be a thing of the past. But as soon as I decided to move the headlight range control to the zero position, its handle remained in my hands, and the bar with the mode indication began to dangle in the seat.

The misadventures with the liftback did not end there. While driving, when accelerating from a standstill and adding traction, a noise was periodically heard from the bowels of the car, more like a small rattling sound - this is how a vibration-loaded exhaust system usually makes noise when it comes into contact with heat shields. But this sound both appeared and disappeared by itself after some time. In a word, a living car! But this is not the end of the story! When checking the speedometer readings with several navigation programs on various smartphones, it turned out that when driving uniformly, the speed on the speedometer was approximately 2-3 km/h lower than what was displayed on the navigators. Who to trust in this case is not an easy question, but in my practice this happens for the second time in my life, so that the real speed is underestimated. Usually speedometers either show the true speed or slightly overestimate it so that the car owner does not have problems with the law. Moreover, I didn’t notice this either on the sedan or on previous Grants or Kalinas.

RESULT

Lada Granta, as before, looks like a tightly built and balanced car in terms of consumer characteristics, which has definitely benefited from restyling. More attractive appearance, fresher interior, a little more options and more convenience. Yes, Granta is still rude in her habits, harsh in nature, careless in decoration and angry towards her owner. However, to any complaint there has always been and remains a universal answer: “So this is a “state employee”, he can be forgiven!” But look how rapidly prices for this notorious “Le budget” segment are rising! You can’t approach Lada without 420 thousand rubles!

For a sedan they start from 419,900 rubles, Lada Granta hatchbacks and liftbacks will cost a little more - from 436,900 rubles, for a station wagon they will ask from 446,900 rubles. Already in the basic Standard configuration, the car is equipped with a driver's airbag, Isofix child seat mounts, the ERA-GLONASS system, ABS with emergency braking assist, a folding rear seat and tinted windows.

Options

The Classic package has improved sound insulation, an on-board computer, an external electric trunk release button, electric front door windows and a height-adjustable steering wheel. The sedan in the Classic version costs from 455,500 rubles, the hatchback and liftback - from 470,500 rubles, the station wagon - from 480,500 rubles. This package can be upgraded with the Optima package, which includes heated exterior mirrors and air conditioning. The Lada Granta sedan in the Classic version with the Optima package costs from 481,500 rubles, the hatchback and liftback - from 496,500 rubles, the station wagon - from 506,500 rubles.

The next package - Comfort - will add to the previous one a front passenger airbag, front seat belts with a pre-tensioner mechanism, heated front seats, electric drive and heated exterior mirrors, air conditioning, an audio system, exterior mirrors with turn indicators, mirror housings and door handles painted in color body, side door moldings in body color and a mirror in the passenger's sun visor. The sedan in this version costs from 501,500 rubles, the hatchback and liftback - from 516,500, the station wagon - from 526,500 rubles.

The top version of Luxe is complemented by an alarm system, fog lights, a climate system, fabric inserts in the door trims, height adjustment of the driver's seat and front seat belts, a heated windshield, rear electric windows and 15-inch alloy wheels. For a sedan in the top they will ask from 538,800 rubles, for a hatchback and liftback - from 553,800 rubles, for a station wagon - from 563,800 rubles. In this configuration, for an additional fee, they will also offer the Prestige package, which includes an electronic stability control system, traction control, a hill start assist system, parking sensors, rain and light sensors. The Lada Granta Luxe sedan with the Prestige package will cost from 572,800 rubles, the hatchback and liftback - from 587,800 rubles, the station wagon - from 597,800 rubles.

It’s worth talking about the new optics not only in the context of aesthetic appearance: we have high hopes that it will be able to rid the Grant of one of its signature shortcomings - not the best headlight. In order not to be unfounded, we have already sent a request about how the strength and character of the light beam has changed - but for now we note that the cut-off line of the new headlights is clear (although the factory headlight adjustment seemed imperfect), and the light is subjectively better than that of the “old” one. versions.

Another change in the appearance of the front part will be noted only by experts: now the windshield washer nozzles have moved from the hood to the frill under the windshield. The nozzles themselves spray the liquid not pointwise, but over the entire surface of the glass. On one of the two test cars, however, the nozzle on the driver's side poured water in a strictly horizontal direction, but these are minor things. What was more frustrating was that technically nothing has changed here: the trapezoid of the windshield wipers is rather weak, and they move with play relative to each other, and the wiper still leaves a wide, uncleaned strip along the pillar, and not one, but several pedestrians can hide in the resulting blind spot.

But when you walk around the car, in the rear you should not look at the updated bumpers, or even at the license plate area, which has moved to the trunk lid of the sedan. This feature will only be noted by taxi drivers who park in the wrong places, opening the trunk lid to hide the number. But besides this, there is another innovation that absolutely everyone will like.

Having made a full circle around the car, we sit inside. The chair is greeted with a rather unfriendly profile: it is convex both at the pillow and at the back, as a result of which, even with the chair lowered as far as possible, the seating position seems high, and the back puts pressure on the spine. In general, only people with a perfectly straight back will be happy, but “athletes” who “even though their chests are sunken, but have a back like a wheel” will wait for the seat to sit according to their anthropometry. But the range of seat height adjustment is quite decent - it’s a pity that the steering wheel is still adjustable only by tilt angle.

We start the car, turn on the air conditioning and continue to feel new little things. So, the new internal door handles are good: the hinge is made for a more natural grip, and the internal profile makes it easy to grab onto it. Here, as a plus, we’ll add the central deflectors of the climate system, taken from the former Kalina and bordered by X-stripes, and the closing organizer on the top of the front panel.

Flaws

However, some disadvantages, unfortunately, remained the same: the glove compartment is small, the pockets in the doors are narrow and do not have stampings for bottles, and the cup holders on the central tunnel are also small and only allow you to put a 200 ml plastic cup - a wide glass or bottle will rest against into the beard of the panel and interfere with operation of the gearshift lever. And a couple of annoying little things manifest themselves in sunny weather: not all indicator lights in the cabin are as good as the new instrument panel illumination in an unobtrusive white color.

Those who are waiting for stories about gaps in the finger, loose buttons and crooked plastic, of course, can traditionally find food for entertainment. For example, the gap between the glove box lid and the front panel is even, but a bit wide, the button on the automatic transmission lever still moves under your finger, and the nice deflectors in the center of the panel, which replaced the simple round ones, do not eliminate the presence of untidy flash on the plastic washers their adjustments.

Concluding the review of the interior, let’s mention a couple more points that the driver also comes into contact with regularly: the handbrake and gear lever. They can be classified as conditionally neutral: the parking brake on the Grant is still the same tight, and the “improved ergonomics” of the lever handle is more marketing than tangible, as is the case with the manual transmission knob, which has become larger and more angular. Some will note that it is more grippy, and others will say that the old round one was more pleasant to the touch - but in any case, these are little things at the level of nuances.

The back row and trunk have not undergone any noticeable changes - so it’s time to start the engine and find out how the changes in the transmission, suspension and engine have been reflected in practice.

Summary

In this whole story about the classics, I am glad that AVTOVAZ cars have finally begun to drive longer. With Zhiguli it was the other way around. But how much more juice can be squeezed out of the fruits of the VAZ engineering of the 90s? Well, they will definitely squeeze it out for a couple of years, and then a new generation is promised. In the meantime, thanks to the availability of basic configurations (taking into account adjustments for exchange rates), the mission of “Grants” remains unchanged - it would not be a shame to make it a workhorse, repairable at any service station, cheap maintenance, although frequent. It can be the perfect training car and fulfill someone's dream of owning their first car at the same time. And no one forbids dreaming about a more advanced car, even while driving a Granta.

Liked:

• excellent visibility The large glass area, typical of cars from the 90s, is perhaps one of the advantages of this body. The mirrors are cool too.
• large trunk Without such a spacious hold, a workhorse cannot live. And the trunk of the Granta should be measured not in laboratory liters, but in bags of potatoes, alabaster or boxes.
• energy-intensive suspension Suspension that is not afraid of bad roads. They say: where you were born, you came in handy. This is about the “Grants” campaign. But its not the best side is its rolliness and swinging.
• good dynamics Not hurricane, but good acceleration from the 106-horsepower engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Among other engines for Grants, this is the best combination for confident starts from traffic lights and overtaking on highways.
• affordable price There are no cheaper new cars on the market. Lada also captivates with its accessible service. And if your pocket is completely empty, then VAZs are still repairable in the garage.

Did not like:

• behavior on the road The control has, of course, become more accurate, but the car still falls in turns, the understeer is insufficient and the steering wheel is empty. At high speeds (more than 140 km/h), the feeling of comfort is lost and confidence in behavior disappears.
• cotton brakes Where is the line for the brake to operate? In each “Grant” it is individual, but at first it is the same everywhere: air-air-air - bam! — there is a brake! And you nodded.
• uncomfortable fit The Granta is more comfortable than the Lada and Samara and is a level higher in ergonomics. However, the main Kalinovsky flaw has been preserved in it - there is an acute lack of adjustment of the steering wheel for reach.
• unpleasant sounds The vile signal, crunchy steering column switches, the sounds of locks, the howl of the transmission, etc. are etched in the memory. What is it like to hear this every day?
• quality of materials in the cabin It’s clear that Granta is in the budget class, but we can’t help but mention the plastic. Hard, scratches easily. Low quality carpeting. Thin ceiling.

“Wheels of Analytics”: how much does “Grant” lose in value?

Since the start of sales of “Grants” in Kazakhstan, since the beginning of 2012, many events have happened: devaluation, strong fluctuations in exchange rates, uncontrolled import of cars from Russia and Belarus, a strict ban on the import of cars after that, the introduction of recycling fees, dedollarization of advertisements on our website ... All these events were reflected in the graph of price changes not only for cars from showrooms, but also on the used market. How much has Grant lost in value?

The average offer price on the day of publication (April 26, 2022) is indicated.

If you bought a car in tenge, then, we can say, the losses are zero. Today, the 2012 Granta sedan (without reference to the configuration) costs an average of 1,487,000 tenge! The most affordable cars were then valued at 1.2 million, and the top ones at 1.7 million tenge.

For 1.5 million you can find a 2012 Grant in good condition with a mileage of up to 100,000 km

Cost of service, spare parts

Thanks to the widely developed network of Lada official representative offices throughout the country, owners have no difficulties with choosing and purchasing spare parts. Prices for components are in the middle range, varying depending on the place of purchase.

Related link:

Recommendations from experts for installing speakers on your Lada Granta liftback yourself

What if you calculate it in dollars?

The average price for a new one in 2012, according to our calculations, is $9,700. The same price, only after seven years of operation, is $3,946, i.e., a loss over such a long period of time is 60% of the original cost. To be honest, we thought it would be worse, because seven years of life for a Lada is almost the entire service life that the factory prescribes. In addition, our “grants” are exploited mercilessly, to the fullest, and are often found in taxis. Such cars are not stored under covers in garages, although there are still peppy examples, as in the photo above.

Top 10 complaints about Lada Granta (2012–2018) among owners

1. Poor sound and vibration insulation of the body and dust protection of the interior, “crickets”.
2. Weak paintwork and corrosion.
3. Front brakes squeak.
4. Short-lived attachments: pump, thermostat, generator, belts, electronic sensors, relays, etc.
5. Poor shifting of manual gearboxes (before the advent of cable-driven transmissions).
6. Tight rear doors, their handles and locks, including those on the trunk lid.
7. Total savings - fragile and scratch-sensitive plastic, weak seals, fasteners, lack of normal thresholds, jack made of plastic parts, no glove compartment lighting, etc.
8. Inconvenient seating position and pedal assembly.
9. Glitches or failure of the electric amplifier.
10. Weak wipers and their mechanism.

Specifications (manufacturer's data)

Cost of Lada Granta in different trim levels

*prices are current as of September 25, 2018.