Recently, two similar new products from the automotive industry quickly burst into Russia. One of them is domestically produced, and the second is Korean. What to choose - Lada vesta sw cross or Kia rio x line? Experts immediately made a comparison and noted that these models are direct competitors in many respects.
Car enthusiasts who dream of a passenger car with a fairly high clearance will now have to compare the Cross with the Rio car. Lada vesta sw cross is a new class B station wagon from AVTOVAZ, and Kia rio x line has become an updated version of the legendary Rio hatchback. Our review includes a comparison of the Lada Vesta SV Cross and the Kia Rio X Line. Read the article and figure out which car is right for you and your family - we hope this comparison will answer all your questions.
Body paintwork and metal thickness
Paintwork is the most important element of external protection for a car. The thickness of the paintwork, measured in neurons, is an indicator of quality. In different models of foreign cars, the spread of coating thickness ranges from 80 to 180 microns, and it varies in different parts of the car.
Lada vesta sw cross and the kia rio x line model have paintwork indicators of 120–135 and 138–173 microns. Russian new product Cross, available in 10 shades. For example, the spectacular bright scarlet metallic Mars. In the near future, the manufacturer intends to expand the color line.
The Korean Rio comes in 9 paint options, and the color scheme is bolder and includes, in addition to neutrals, Marina Blue and Sunset Orange. The Lada Vesta Cross, like the Kia Rio x Line in the new body, deserves all sorts of praise for the quality of the paintwork. Even places that are difficult from the point of view of the craftsmen - arches, internal compartments, bevels of doorways - are painted neatly and evenly. The relief of the paintwork (which is usually called shagreen), then it differs on plastic and metal parts. This is explained by painting technology.
Dimensions
Lada Vesta and Kia Rio:
- The length of the Lada is 4 m 41 san. Kia – 4 m 37 san.
- Width of Lada – 1 m 76.4 san. Kia – 1 m 70 san.
- The height of Lada is 1 m 49.7 san. Kia – 1 m 47 san.
- Lada wheelbase – 2 m 63.5 san. Kia – 2 m 57 san.
- Ground clearance of Lada – 17.8 san. Kia – 16 san.
Chassis and ground clearance
In Russian road conditions, cross-country ability plays a big role. Car enthusiasts compared the ground clearance of the Russian Lada and that of the Korean. The ground clearance of the cars is 203 and 170 mm. The brainchild of AVTOVAZ will easily overcome any curb when parking.
The ground clearance of a Korean car (170 mm) is not suitable even for minor off-road conditions - the ground clearance is not enough, and the front overhang is long. While tests of Vesta show: overcoming uneven ground at a speed of 40-50 km/h, the suspension cannot be broken. To be fair, we note that it still won’t cope with deep potholes; suspension repairs after a race on roads damaged by winter frosts will be inevitable.
As for the design features, both cars have a comfortable MacPherson strut suspension at the front, and an independent rear suspension with a torsion beam. The Russian manufacturer equipped the Cross with front disc brakes and installed drums at the rear. The Rio comes with the same set as standard, but for an additional fee you can buy a top-end version of the Korean with rear disc brakes.
Exterior
It is impossible to identify a leader here. Both cars are designed with speed and style, but the way they implement this concept is different.
It's no secret that the KIA Rio and Hyundai Solaris are essentially twins, especially in technical terms. But if Hyundai is aimed at sedate buyers over the age of 30, then Rio was created with an eye on the youth audience. This determined its design, made in the style of “flowing lines”. A tiger-nose radiator grille, long and narrow headlights, an air intake with a chrome baffle and fog lights are what attract buyers.
It's hard to resist such a car!
The profile of the car is slightly inclined forward, there are spectacular stampings along the side panels, the chrome of the window opening adds ambiance, the roof is slightly tilted back, and the rear, with its large lights, is very harmonious. All this merges into a modern and fresh image that attracts young people so much.
Harmony in the image - it is not surprising that many choose Rio.
Lada Vesta, however, is in no way inferior. But in it, sophistication is replaced by aggressiveness. Classically shaped headlights, an air intake and a radiator grille, combined together with the curve of the chrome lines, create the image of a modern sedan. Moreover, this appearance will suit any buyer, regardless of age.
A powerful front end is Vesta’s trump card!
The profile is no less impressive. You just have to look at the X-shaped lines of the panels and the rims to immediately fall in love with this car. But the stern didn’t disappoint either – the straight lines of the lights look great against the background of the chrome-plated LADA letters.
But the profile of the Lada is no worse.
Interior features
Steve Martin, chief designer of AVTOVAZ, has developed a stylish design for the Vesta Cross, which many like even more than the design of its Korean competitor. But in comparison with the comfort of the interior, the Lada Vesta Cross is inferior to the Kia Rio X Line: the lumbar support of the back of the front seat seems to be a good find, but the lower cushion is made too short.
Compared to Rio, the seat is more rigid and uncomfortable. And Lada passengers in the second row will be much more comfortable thanks to the large gap between the back of the seat and the knees. A characteristic feature of both models - a sloping ceiling - looks stylish, but a tall passenger will prop it up with his head.
The quality of the interior and its equipment is inferior to Vesta: a rather harsh steering wheel, stiff window lifter buttons. Data from the speedometer scale is difficult to read. The steering wheel has pleased car enthusiasts - it is conveniently adjustable in terms of inclination and reach. Both models have curtain airbags on top trim levels.
Vesta offers seat upholstery in black + gray and black + orange. Kia has a color combination: black + red. The Korean's interior materials are better in appearance than those of the Russian station wagon.
Gearbox - is it necessary to compare?
We are already accustomed to the fact that almost all Russian cars were and are produced with manual transmission. And just when we had already lost hope, a Lada Granta with an automatic transmission appeared. The box chosen was Japanese Jatco, which is basically reliable and proven. Then they began to install this box on Kalina. And it would seem that this box belongs in the Lada Vesta, but that was not the case. For some reason, the plant decided that an automatic transmission was not needed on Vesta and left the choice of an unnecessary robot and the 5-speed manual already known to us. The mechanics migrated here from Priora, but were significantly redesigned. It would be hard to say that the mechanics on the Vesta work poorly. Everything switches clearly and smoothly, but the mechanics are mechanics even in Africa. We have already written about the robot earlier. His reviews are quite contradictory. I had the opportunity to ride a robot a couple of times - on a Priora and a Vesta. Impressions are mixed. On the one hand, it is practically an automatic machine that does not require switching. On the other hand, the switching is not very clear and logical. Perhaps it's just a matter of habit.
But Kia Rio gives its customers a much wider range of choice. There are two types of manual transmissions available for purchase here - 5 and 6-speed, as well as 2 types of automatic transmission - 4 and 6-speed automatic.
And if manual transmissions in Kia Rio are subjectively practically no different, with the exception of one additional gear, then automatic transmissions have a difference. The 4-speed automatic transmission is more conservative, in other words, a classic automatic with all that it implies. But the 6-speed automatic transmission is more thoughtful. There are smoother gear shifts, fuel economy, and quieter operation.
Is it worth continuing? The Koreans bypass AvtoVAZ here too. It would seem, what is the problem with adapting the machine to Vesta? Why install this controversial “robot”? Yes, the car would become more expensive, but it should also have more buyers. A lot of girls and women were ready to buy a Lada Vesta, but the lack of a full-fledged automatic machine in it scares off the majority and forces them to switch to the side of a competitor. Such are the things.
Warranty
Sales of the new Rio X Line began in 17, and should grow in 18. The warranty for a new car is 100,000 km or 3 years. But the warranty period for individual structural units and parts will be shorter (for example, for batteries and shock absorbers - 2 years).
But the Korean manufacturer gives a guarantee for Rio of 150,000 km, or 5 years. A scheduled inspection is required every 15,000 km, but this interval may be reduced if the car is used very intensively, for example, as a taxi. Warranty service, according to reviews from car owners, is better provided by a Korean company.
Reviews about the trunk
The luggage compartment volume of the X-Line is 390 liters. But the Russian Cross station wagon surpasses it in trunk volume (480 l) and in functional equipment. Three grids plus a practical organizer in the trunk of the Vesta cross are very convenient. They securely secure cargo during transportation. Under the false floor (niche for the spare wheel) 95 liters of additional volume are hidden.
To transport large cargo, the rear seat can be folded, the total volume of free space will reach 825 liters. The double floor is divided into sections, each can be used separately.
Two wide handrails on the Lada Cross allow you to quickly close the trunk, while the Kia is equipped with only one handle.
Engine and gearbox features
Let's compare the engine and gearbox of two cars. The Korean car is equipped with gasoline engines (two power options to choose from - 123 and 100 hp). Cross engines have similar parameters (106 and 122 hp). Acceleration dynamics are 10-13 seconds. and 11-13 sec. accordingly (the range of values is due to the power unit).
The Rio hatchback from Korea optionally offers a six-speed automatic transmission. And the Russian Cross station wagon with automatic transmission is equipped with a robotic clutch. This robot, which was introduced in previous AVTOVAZ models, performed poorly in road conditions: the gas pedal does not respond immediately, and the automatic switches gears for quite a long time. Any maneuver on the highway requires experience and enormous concentration, as you need to adapt to the slowness of the transmission.
Thus, for those who love a dynamic, psychologically comfortable driving style, it is better to get a model with a manual transmission.
What is the final result?
The domestic car model is capable of not only competing with its Korean counterpart on an equal footing, but in some cases even significantly surpassing it. It is worth considering that AvtoVAZ always listens to its consumers. For this reason, it is quite possible that in the near future those nuances that cause some dissatisfaction will be finalized. Before the sedan appeared on the country's automobile markets, it was redesigned more than twenty times.
Moreover, do not forget about the cost of cars. Vesta with a 122 horsepower unit will cost only 633 thousand rubles. For a Korean car assembled in St. Petersburg, you will need to fork out 767 thousand rubles. Whether it is worth giving that kind of money is definitely up to the buyers to decide.
Prices and options
The two cars we are comparing are made according to different packaging principles. Vesta, even in its initial configuration for 780,000 rubles, has a large range of options: cruise and climate control, snow and rain sensors, parking sensors, speed limiter, navigation, rear view camera, 4 airbags.
While Kia offers this entire set of options only for 960,000 - 1,024,900 rubles in the maximum configuration. The manufacturer did not provide cruise control and a rain sensor function in the model, but offered a heated steering wheel and 6 airbags. We can conclude: when buying a Lada Cross, the consumer will receive more functions for less money.
conclusions
From the point of view of the development of the Russian automobile industry, Cross can be considered a definite breakthrough. The station wagon model is not very popular in Russia yet, but has great potential.
The Kia Rio X Line is superior to the Russian Cross due to its high profile tires and automatic transmission. But the AVTOVAZ model has greater cross-country ability due to its ground clearance, and will also attract consumers with a spacious interior and ergonomic trunk.
Comparing prices and configurations, it can be argued that the Cross is more economical than the Korean. But, looking into the future, we also need to evaluate maintenance and the warranty period, which the Korean has longer.
Comparison of Lada Vesta and Kia Rio in terms of appearance
Both models make a pleasant impression, so it is quite difficult to single out a leader in this aspect. The competitors' exteriors are fast and modern, but executed with completely different strokes of the designer's brush.
Car interior
It is absolutely clear that the KIA Rio and Hyundai Solaris are actually twins in technical terms and have the same “parent”. The latter is aimed more at serious people over 35 years old, the first was created with an eye on the young and impulsive generation.
- The entire image of the car is permeated with “flowing” features. The Kia Rio radiator grille is shaped like the nose of a predatory animal, and the narrow optics create the impression of a sly look. The air intake is decorated with a chrome baffle, and buyers also appreciate the fog lights that complement the look.
- Looking at the profile, you notice a slight forward roll. The side panels are framed with stylish stampings. The chrome grabs the window opening without disturbing the mirror and adds some sparkle.
- The rear end completes the look with large and harmonious taillights, a sloping roof and a neatly integrated trunk.
Lada Vesta is not going to give in, as it has a completely memorable image:
- The aggressive and dynamic style consists of classic headlights, a powerful air intake and an equally colorful radiator grille with rare veins of chrome. This exterior attracts people of all ages.
- The wheel rims on the profile side, as well as the “X-style” stampings on the door, define the car as a standard of pressure and courage.
- The back part with its especially large fragments makes you more and more zealously riveted on this dynamic beauty.
