Not long ago, AvtoVAZ switched to producing models in the “X” style. However, the plant still produces and updates models produced before. So, in 2014, production of the Lada Granta in a new liftback body began. It is worth recalling that the cars produced in the Grant model range are the most affordable among all AvtoVAZ cars with all that it implies.
Initially, AvtoVAZ engineers planned to produce a car with the lowest possible cost. The name “Low Cost” was even chosen for the project, which can be translated as “low price”. The well-known name “Granta” was chosen as a result of a competition in which several thousand people took part. The winner was Pavel Zakharov from Krasnoyarsk. As a prize he got a Lada Kalina.
Initially, the production of sedans began. Production started in 2011, in test mode. A year later, full-scale production of cars began. In 2013, a restyling was carried out, and then the liftback was first mentioned and shown. Production started in 2014. And if the sedan was marked 2190, then in the new Grant body it began to be designated as 2191.
According to the manufacturers themselves, the release of the liftback was planned from the very beginning, since it was supposed to replace the Samara, which had been produced for many years. This body configuration for the Grant was not chosen by chance. Firstly, this car in no way becomes a rival to the Kalina, which is a hatchback and is also produced by AvtoVAZ. Secondly, with this body layout, the owner gets quite a lot of space in the cabin and trunk, compared to a sedan.
Body
For the liftback, as for the sedan, the Lada Kalina platform is taken as the basis. Externally, the car looks impressive and even a little better than its counterpart in a different body. The new rear end blends very well with the face of the car. The entire body is made in a style that is vaguely reminiscent of some Renault models (for example, Sandero or Logan), but at the same time has Korean features. Despite this, the car looks more than decent, especially for its class. Basically, this was achieved thanks to the unusual shape of the car body, which everyone is accustomed to seeing in the form of a sedan. The upper edge of the rear roof has been lowered by 8 mm.
From the factory, an anti-corrosion coating is applied to the bottom of the liftback, like the sedan. For now, the cars are holding up, but time will tell how things will be in the future. But where saffron milk caps have already begun to appear is the exhaust system. Like Renault, the Granta's muffler does not remain “fresh” for long. Already at 15 thousand km, pockets of rust are visible. The chrome on the external parts is poorly applied and over time it begins to slide off. The rest of the body shows itself quite well. The headlights on some cars are poorly sealed, which is why condensation appears in them. This leads to rapid burnout of the lamps.
Lada Granta liftback
The interior of the Granta is well conceived, but poorly implemented.
The multimedia system lives its own life, the efforts on the knobs are uneven, some of the fittings are from the nineties, and the abundance of silver applied to the shagreen plastic further reduces the cost of the interior. The interior of the Granta is well conceived, but poorly implemented. The multimedia system lives its own life, the efforts on the knobs are uneven, some of the fittings are from the nineties, and the abundance of silver applied to the shagreen plastic further reduces the cost of the interior.
Interior and electrical
When you sit in the cabin, you immediately understand why the model has become the “most budget-friendly”. Everything is made of fairly hard and cheap plastic. But despite this, the cabin is quite cozy. Through the wide window between the outer spokes of the steering wheel, the extended instrument panel is clearly visible. It has an analogue speedometer and tachometer. Other information about the car can be obtained from the on-board computer display and the panel with sensor signals located in the center of the panel. The B-pillar starts with a small pocket in the dash that will fit a small phone. Below there are two heater deflectors, and between them you can see the emergency button. In top trim levels, a multimedia system with a display is located below.
But the best place of the car is its trunk, designed for 396 liters of cargo. It is smaller than Logan's, however, due to the body layout it is easy to use. You can ride a bicycle or household appliances in this one. The sides of the trunk have special hooks on which you can hang packages. There are small handles on the inside of the trunk lid for closing, but you have to be pretty crafty to use them. What else pleased me here was the shelf. It consists of two durable sections and is quiet on the go.
The power window control buttons are located on the armrests in the door panels. There are no handles on the doors; the only thing you can grab onto is the opening lever. The front row seats are low, which can result in back pain for the driver after a long trip. The rear seating position is no better; not only do your knees rest against the front seats, but the lowered roof is located exactly at the level of the back of an adult's head. Despite the fact that the plastic used is cheap, AvtoVAZ craftsmen still managed to supply all the parts without large gaps. However, according to reviews from the owners of the Lada Granta liftback, this did not save the car from the appearance of extraneous squeaks. They are made by the dashboard, and noises also come from behind. They are caused by the rear door windows, which even when tightly closed move freely between the seals. Under the trunk floor there is a spare tire, the standard diameter of which is 14 inches. The stamp fits perfectly on the basic versions, however, the lucky ones with more expensive versions will not be able to drive it for long.
During the appearance of liftbacks, sound insulation in Grants was improved, however, it is still quite low. At high speeds, the engine howls so much that the driver and passengers get the impression that the engine is installed directly under the bottom. The box can also create extra noise. The car was a budget car, so there were few electrics in it. The result of this decision was the disappearance of diseases in the car network. But even with a small number, some misunderstanding arises. Thus, in versions with an audio system there is a USB connector, which the owner will not be able to find until a passenger sits next to him and opens the glove compartment. The fact is that this slot is located on the inner wall of the glove compartment on the side of the center console.
Lada Granta liftback
The Itelma multimedia system must be turned off forcibly - it does not “stall” along with the car.
For several years, AVTOVAZ never bothered to correct the situation. The Itelma multimedia system must be turned off forcibly - it does not “stall” along with the car. For several years, AVTOVAZ never bothered to correct the situation.
Engines
Under the hood of all Grants there are engines of the same volume, designed for 1.6 liters. The liftback was no exception. The engine in the car has a sixteen-valve head and produces 106 horses. As a result, the liftback feels quite dynamic and is capable of overtaking some of its class brothers. According to the owners, the engine comes from the bottom. At the same time, the unit is not so gluttonous and consumes, on average, 7-8 liters. Of course, the weight, which is 50-100 kg less than its competitors, played an important role here.
At the factory, the engine received the marking 21127 and was a continuation of the dynasty of Priorov units. A special feature of the engine is the installed resonance chamber on the exhaust system. This made it possible to regulate its volume depending on the number of revolutions. If we talk about the minuses, then all the old VAZ sores have been preserved. Periodic tripping, as well as knocking, clanging and other noises. The main thing is to change timing belts on time. If this is not done, then a “meeting” may occur on the engine. As a result, only squiggles will remain from the valves. But if you don’t “drown” and carry out all maintenance on time, then the unit can last 200 thousand km without major repairs.
The engine contains 3.5 liters of oil, but when replacing it is recommended to pour no more than 3.2 liters. It is recommended to use liquids with a viscosity:
- 5W-40;
- 5W-30;
- 10W-40;
- 15W-40.
Oil is consumed little by little, for one thousand kilometers with a working engine - no more than fifty grams. Despite the cheapness of the car, its engine is powered by far from cheap 95 gasoline.
Lada Granta liftback
The pockets in the front doors are of medium size and very modest in depth.
For more or less valuable things, it is better to look elsewhere. The pockets in the front doors are of medium size and very modest in depth. For more or less valuable things, it is better to look elsewhere.
The USB port located on the inside of the glove compartment leaves an unpleasant aftertaste. The uneven force on the “wings” of the climate control unit and the fittings from even earlier VAZ cars (admire the handbrake handle) are also frustrating. The abundance of silver was added: it is present on the panel elements and the shagreen plastic of the door handles. According to someone's good intentions, such a decision should have given the salon more solidity, but in fact it had the opposite effect. The interior of the Granta lags behind the exterior and every second reminds you that you are sitting in a very budget car.
Suspension and other parts
It’s probably worth starting with the box, since it is closest to the engine. The most puzzling version is the “automatic”. Everyone who could have done it accused him of being slow to react. But, in contrast to the slow reaction, the unit is quite durable and time-tested. There are complaints about the sound of the mechanics; at high speeds it starts to howl. This has already happened on classics or Niva; it’s hard to say where this disease came from on Grant.
As for the suspension, everything directly depends on the configuration. So, in the “Standard” version, the old design was used, which was also supplied to Kalina. More expensive cars already have their own suspension structure. The front end is not particularly different; it houses a McPherson. This scheme is reliable and has served the automotive industry for decades. The rear part of the car is on an independent suspension with springs. This structure, coupled with special adjustments, is most optimally suited to the conditions on Russian roads.
The ground clearance, as well as the trunk, pleased the owners. The distance from the ground to the bottom of the car is 190 mm. This, together with the impenetrable suspension, allows you to move at fairly high speeds on crushed stone roads. Unless, of course, you don’t mind the rattling rear windows and the paintwork on the hood. In addition, energetic driving in villages and on forest roads is hampered by the lack of crankcase protection, without which the engine is easily vulnerable. Instead, a piece of plastic is inserted, which is no different in strength from the salon one. Of course, protection can be installed at the factory, but before that you must remember to pay the extra money.
Looking at the brakes, you also understand where economists have buried their dog. On the Grant liftback there are discs in front, but in the rear there are drums familiar from the “Classics” and “Samara”. Therefore, the braking distance is somewhat longer than it could be. Base versions don't have power steering, making it a little difficult to turn. The wide steering wheel saves the situation. More expensive cars have electric power steering, which does a good job of handling. And this is provided that from extreme to extreme position the steering wheel makes 3.1 turns. But still, Grante is still far from the controllability of its foreign analogues.
Lada Granta liftback
The robot selector fits well in the hand and moves along the groove with a slight, pleasant effort.
But its base looks as if garage workers installed this lever in place of a regular “stirrer”. The robot selector fits well in the hand and moves along the groove with a slight, pleasant effort. But its base looks as if garage workers installed this lever in place of a regular “stirrer”.
The Itelma multimedia system does not raise any unnecessary questions at first acquaintance: it has an adequate menu structure, tolerable performance and a normal touchscreen sensor. You just have to turn off the multimedia manually every time - it doesn’t “stall” along with the machine. Moreover, I don’t know why AVTOVAZ needed this head unit in the first place - after all, the Lada-Renault-Nissan alliance has access to the LG multimedia complex (this is installed on XRAY, Logan, Kaptur and Duster), which is superior to Itelma in both graphics and performance . Is Korean multimedia really more expensive?
Bottom line
Yes, the car is equipped rather modestly, and yes, it has shortcomings. But at the same time, it is one of the cheapest offers on the new car market. Whether the price of the Lada Granta liftback is suitable or not - everyone will decide for themselves. The car certainly has its right to exist. The engineers initially wanted to make a “people’s” and affordable car, and they succeeded quite well.
It is guaranteed to appeal to those who want a new car, but do not want or cannot spend a lot of money on it. But if you take the richest package, then if you give up the automatic and a few little things, it will be only 50 thousand cheaper than the Volkswagen Polo, Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris. These cars go much faster and generally look more expensive. And those who can look at the options for themselves on the used market will certainly be put off by the problems and shortcomings of the Lada Granta liftback.
Lada Granta liftback
A half-liter bottle of water in the cup holder will not make it difficult to access the climate control unit, but a larger one simply won’t fit here.
The keys responsible for heating the seats are also located here. A half-liter bottle of water in the cup holder will not make it difficult to access the climate control unit, but a larger one simply won’t fit here. The keys responsible for heating the seats are also located here.
Reviews
Dmitry Sokolov, 40 years old, Yaroslavl.
I took a Lada Granta in a liftback body from the showroom in 2015. The car in the “Lux” configuration cost me 450 thousand rubles. Plus I paid another 50 thousand for OSAGO and CASCO, as well as floor mats and anti-corrosion treatment for the body. Initially, my work colleagues advised me to take the “Lux”, they say, even if there is an overpayment, but there are more useful little things there. And it really is. Air conditioning in the cabin, climate control, heated seats, immobilizer, etc. add aesthetic and practical satisfaction. It was possible to purchase an option with navigation, but I regretted paying the extra 10 thousand rubles. I installed it myself in the end. In general, the car is like a car. It doesn’t cause wild delight, but it doesn’t cause indignation either. My consumption ranges from 5.4 to 5.6 on the highway and somewhere around 8-15 in the city (it all depends on the presence of traffic jams). An interesting point: when driving slowly on an incline and when starting off, sometimes you don’t have to press the gas - the automatic system in the engine stably maintains the speed at 800. Over the 2 years that I’ve been driving the car, I’ve encountered minor issues. So, the rear window washer fluid does not spray, but simply pours. Even when driving over bumps on an uneven road, the rubber bands of the rear shock absorbers creak slightly. Among the advantages, I note a large, convenient trunk. We went to the lake in the summer and even tried to sleep there with the rear seats folded down.
Alexey Zaitsev, 25 years old, Novosibirsk.
I took the Lada Granta at the beginning of 2022. At the moment, having been driving for about 4 months, the mileage is 8000 km. A manual transmission has long gears. I'll highlight a few advantages. The engine is not bad, high-torque, surprisingly decent noise. The interior is nice and spacious. On the highway at a speed of 100 km/h and the air conditioning running, the consumption is 5.4. I pour AI 95 into the car. Overall, I thought that everything would be much worse.
Mikhail Ivanov, 30 years old, Ekaterinburg.
I was the owner of a Lada Granta in a liftback body, with mechanics for about six months. I didn’t like the machine, it somehow didn’t catch on with me. Now I've sold it. For me, it has more minuses than pluses. The gas pedal was too high for me. The gears were working somewhat poorly. The box constantly howled when I released the gas pedal. I’m generally silent about paintwork. The plastic in the car is unpleasant, fragile, and constantly scratched. The doors creaked until I eliminated all the creaks with a blower. In general, a lot of trouble with the Lada Granta.
Maxim Prokhorov, 32 years old, Moscow.
I became the owner of a Lada Granta liftback somehow by accident. Before this, I never thought that I would ever switch to the Russian auto industry. From a young age I used to ride, but now I somehow don’t want to. However, life is an unpredictable thing, as they say, don’t promise! I decided not to look for a used car with low mileage, but to immediately take a new one from the showroom. Maybe in the first option it would have been possible to save a little, but there are still legal and technical risks of such a transaction. At the moment, the mileage is already 21,000 km. The suspension of the car is completely different compared to the old front-wheel drive VAZ. On long trips there is no feeling of a “knocked out” back of the body or a crooked back. The visibility in the car is normal. I like the very economical consumption of windshield washer. Ground clearance of 160 is at least a trifle, but also nice. In winter, I never heard the sound of snow rubbing against the bottom of the car. Memory cards and flash drives are readable, so there were no problems listening to music in the cabin. The configuration of the car that I took does not have navigation. I solved this problem by installing a free application from Yandex on my smartphone. The stove is normal. It doesn’t immediately warm up the interior, of course, but quite confidently. In general, take it if you want, take it if you want, but I’m quite happy with the car.
Daniil Viltsev, 23 years old, St. Petersburg.
I am the owner of a Granta in a liftback body. What can they say? It has both disadvantages and advantages. The plastic throughout the entire interior is of very poor quality - apparently the manufacturer decided to save money on it. The relays in the passenger compartment on the driver's side are constantly clicking for some reason. One rear side window also sometimes rattles, even when completely closed. But I like good brakes and decent suspension. The designer was also pleased with the large side mirrors. Another plus is that the ground clearance is quite decent for a liftback. The pads don't creak, but that's it for now, let's see what happens next. Overall, I'm more satisfied than not.
Roman Icekolov, 21 years old, Svobodny.
I bought a liftback last year. It’s interesting that many people call the car a hatchback. In general, from the outside it actually looks a little like “dvinar”. But when you go to the trunk and open it, you understand the beauty of the car. There are plenty of places and access is open without any obstacles. The engine pulls the car as it should, even presses it into the seats a little, which is nice. The variable geometry does its job, and the engine pulls as the revs rise. But the gearbox is a little dull and shifts gears rather jerkily. I personally would replace the automatic with a manual.
Pavel Sechin, 33 years old, Vladivostok.
I got a Lada Granta in 2015; I chose a liftback body, as it can accommodate more things. Together with the high suspension, this is an excellent option for trips to the country. There are no problems with the car, there is simply nothing superfluous in it, nothing to break. And in case of an emergency, parts can be found at any flea market and for a small price. In general, the car fulfills its main purpose (to bring the family to the dacha and back) well and economically. Consumption of only 8-9 liters of gasoline per hundred square meters.
Lada Granta liftback
Energy-intensive suspensions are one of the strengths of the car.
And the sound insulation is not bad by class standards. In general, the level of ride comfort is good. Passengers will be happy. Energy-intensive suspensions are one of the strengths of the car. And the sound insulation is not bad by class standards. In general, the level of ride comfort is good. Passengers will be happy.
Power unit
As in the entire global automotive industry, the Granta design has a rule: the simpler the unit, the more reliable it is. Although, unfortunately, the eight-valve Grant engines have already sipped the fruits of modernization. This includes a reduction in the width of the drive belt to 17 mm instead of the previous 19 mm, and a lightweight piston group with narrow connecting rods that dangle freely along the axis of the crankshaft, and pistons that meet the valves when the belt breaks.
These are all the trends of the new time, as well as a departure from the really good old and reliable VAZ-21083 engine. But sixteen-valve engines, being only slightly more powerful, have a complex design with the only advantage being the presence of hydraulic valve lifters. This eliminated the need to adjust them. However, the loads on the lightweight piston group have increased.
When inspecting specific cars, it is better to give preference to the engine that idles smoothly, picks up speed well when you press the gas pedal, accepts the load smoothly and without failure, and provides acceptable dynamics. The engine should not leak oil, and it is undesirable to see noticeable smoke from the exhaust pipe. It's very good if you measure the compression. At the same time, you will appreciate the oiliness of the candles. The difference between the cylinders should be no more than 0.5–0.7 bar, and the value itself should be at least 11, and preferably 12 bar.
Gearboxes were installed on the car in two modifications - with a traction drive and a cable drive. Traction drive is a thing of the past. Fuzzy switching on, a lever that dangles when the power unit oscillates, difficult adjustments that give little effect. The cable-controlled gearbox is almost like a foreign car. Communication between the driver and the gearbox (at least with a working one) became like in a normal car. During a test drive, evaluate how fully the clutch is depressed (reverse gear should engage without a rattle) and the operation of the forward gear synchronizers. Particular attention is paid to the second gear synchronizer: this is the eternal weak point of VAZ front-wheel drive gearboxes.
Reliability
Cars produced by AvtoVAZ are generally considered reliable, but they do not have the highest build quality. Some car owners come across “construction cars” that constantly need to be completed and defects eliminated.
Basically, all the breakdowns are not too major, but they cause a lot of trouble.
The most global problem with VAZ cars, including the Lada Granta, is loose bolts and nuts, low reliability of electronics, poor metal processing, and not very high-quality materials.
What shortcomings do owners note when assembling Lada Granta:
- the door seals are leaky; in heavy rain, water often gets into the interior through them;
- Interior plastic creaks and is easily scratched;
- Any fastener can unscrew - bolts of door hinges, sun visor, fastening the plastic steering column cover, etc.;
- In some places the paint on the body swells and “saffron milk caps” appear.
But many of the shortcomings are compensated for by the low price of the Lada Granta; moreover, the main units, such as the engine and gearbox, break down infrequently, and there are almost no complaints about the reliability of the chassis.
Premature failure of the starter, generator or clutch is noted, but such breakdowns do not occur on all cars, and they are not typical.
Anti-tuning
Not everyone considered the Grant to be a simple workhorse. Some owners tuned the car, and this was encouraged by the relatively low prices for body kit elements. Various braces, subframes, modified supports and shock absorbers are also inexpensive. They did all sorts of tuning exercises with the engines. I can only say one thing. If your aspirations do not correspond to the tastes of the previous owner, then you should not buy a tuning Grant. Troubles are guaranteed when receiving a diagnostic card, or even just complaints from traffic police inspectors on the road. The reliability of the engine and gearbox after tuning will almost certainly be lower. You need a car to drive - don't buy a tuned Granta.
Price
The minimum equipment level of the liftback is rated higher than the “Standard” version found in the sedan. More specifically, you will have to pay 314.8 thousand rubles for the liftback. Whether it is rational to overpay for the improvements indicated here is up to the buyer to decide.
The manufacturer plans to equip the sedan with the options present in the liftback in the near future. The restyling process for the LADA Granta is expected to be carried out this year. Today, the liftback has a number of undeniable advantages over the sedan regarding the exterior and driving parameters, but still, which is better, everyone chooses for themselves. When choosing a suitable modification, you should first study the full list of features. It is also not recommended to neglect your own priorities and preferences. Consider the difference between modifications not only in characteristics and equipment, but also in a financial sense. If you are willing to pay more for a presentable design, interior improvements and slightly increased performance, then the liftback is your option. But in fairness, we note that today the liftback is brighter and more balanced in comparison with the sedan, and this allows us to mark it as the leader of our review.
About configurations
In the most budget configuration, “Standard”, the car is equipped with a 1.6 liter, 87-horsepower engine, manual transmission, ISOFIX fastening system, central locking, driver airbag, child lock.
The “Norma” version of the Lada Granta liftback offers two engine options: the first – with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 87 hp, the second – with a volume of 1.6 liters, but with a power of 106 hp. Also included in the package are ABS and BAS systems (brake assist), an on-board computer, electric power steering, electric windows on the front doors and a multimedia system.
The Lada Granta hatchback, despite the original “low cost” concept of the car, was able to acquire a “Lux” package with interesting characteristics. A 98 hp engine is available in the luxury package, and most importantly, it can be combined with an automatic transmission. In addition, a stability control system, fog lights, an airbag for passengers, heated front seats and a climate system become available. See also the Grants liftback equipment table.
Lada Granta automatic or manual, which is better?
Each of the above types of transmissions certainly has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before purchasing a machine, clearly determine the type of geographic area where the machine will be used and the climatic conditions.
It has been verified that the automatic machine does not like frequent switching or start-stop modes. The solenoids wear out quickly and the torque converter clutch knocks. Since all automatic transmission parts are interconnected, prevention alone is not enough; a major overhaul is needed. It is expensive and time-consuming.
Mechanics are another matter. Despite the complaints addressed to it, the unit is quite working and functional. The final word belongs to the owner.
Automatic transmission background information
Jatco - four-speed automatic transmission with transverse arrangement. Factory index JF414. Installed on Lada Granta Sedan/Liftback cars.
Initially, the Jatco JF414 automatic machine was manufactured to equip the Japanese brands Nissan and Suzuki. Since 2013, the Zhatko automatic transmission has been equipped with the Chinese automobile brand March.
Salon
Explanation of the abbreviation JF414:
- J – Jatco;
- F - front-wheel drive;
- 4 — number of gears;
- 14 — ordinal modification index;
- E - electronic control.
