Regarding the new Lada Vesta sedan, the manufacturer is positioning it as a modern, comfortable and safe car, adapted to the realities of Russian roads. But it is still far from the top European models in terms of driver comfort. A simple thing that increases the comfort of a Lada Vesta car is an armrest. It is installed on luxury vehicles. Even in luxury, it brings less benefit than inconvenience.
The standard AvtoVAZ armrest does not have a box for storing driver's small items, has a C grade view, and is difficult to adjust to the needs of the driver and passenger. Owners of the Lada Vesta, whose models are equipped with it, note that using the handbrake is inconvenient. You have become the owner of a Lada Vesta without elbow rests, its convenience and practicality are not enough for you - fix it. Read the article, dive into the topic and choose a good armrest.
- Universal armrests made in Russia
- ArBox on Lada Vesta
- Armster on Lada Vesta
- Alamar on Vesta
- Varta boxes on Vesta
- Universal armrest made in China
- Armrest from a foreign car
- Standard armrest for Lada Vesta
- 4 advantages of the Lada Vesta Cross armrest
- How to remove the standard armrest on a Lada Vesta - you need to know
- Rear armrest Lada Vesta
Universal armrests made in Russia
In the auto markets, universal armrests for Vesta made in Russia and China are widespread. Let's look at them more closely to get a complete picture.
ArBox on Lada Vesta
These Russian models are made of high-strength plastic, covered with black fabric or gray eco-leather. Reliable fastening is provided by a metal footrest; it is fixed under the runners of the front seats. The design is quickly installed without causing damage to the interior trim. Manufacturers note as advantages:
Tilt lid - makes it comfortable to use the accessory in any seating position;
Reliability of arbox - the design is simple and reliable;
Ability to withstand heavy loads without deterioration.
The average price of an Arbox part is 2,700 rubles.
Armster on Lada Vesta
Armster boxes are an expensive accessory. Associated with individual development - the company makes stands for a specific car model. This means it takes into account the ergonomics of the machine, with its subtleties. For the comfort of using these models, the driver and passengers sitting in the back have to pay. When installed, the Armster part eats up space in the back, creating inconvenience for the legs. The price is almost 4,000 rubles, which is higher than analogues.
When purchasing an Armster model, beware of counterfeits. There are a lot of Chinese analogues of this brand on the market, made of low-quality materials and with fastenings that are inappropriate for the car.
Alamar on Vesta
The elbow box is a convenient copy of the original part. It is comfortable due to its wide surface; the driver and the passenger sitting next to him can use the surface at the same time. The price of the model is one of the lowest. It costs about 400-700 rubles. I think because of the shortcomings:
- It cannot be used as a box for storing things, just like when using a standard model.
- It is impossible to adjust the angle of the accessory to the seating position.
- Purchasing Alamar is advisable if this part is not included in the vehicle configuration.
Varta boxes on Vesta
The design of the armrest makes it possible to use the handbrake without additional inconvenience. It is made of wood, upholstered in eco-leather and can withstand severe vertical loads. The accessory box holds the necessary little things such as glasses, documents, keys. In addition to its advantages, it has simple installation that does not require additional tools. The price of the Warta armrest is approximately 2000 rubles, which makes the purchase profitable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ARMREST
- The armrest frame is made of wood. Wood, unlike plastic, will not creak when driving and operating.
- The armrest upholstery is high-quality Eco Leather. It is resistant to frost, does not become stiffer, and the hand feels comfortable when in contact with it. The body and armrest cover under the skin are completely covered with special anatomical foam, soft and pleasant to the touch.
- The box bar has a spacious internal compartment, completely covered with car carpet for small items.
- The legs of the armrest are covered in leather.
- The opening angle of the lid is 90 degrees.
Universal armrest made in China
Armrests for Lada Vesta made in China are widely represented on the automotive spare parts market. They are made by many manufacturers and have a number of features that equate to advantages:
All Chinese analogs for Lada Vesta are made in the form of a storage box with an additional cup holder.
The cost of the accessory is approximately 2-2.5 times lower than that of Russian suppliers. You can buy a good option in China for about 600 rubles.
You can buy a Chinese equivalent at any car enthusiast store; Chinese armrests are easy to buy.
Let's talk about problem areas of accessories. Often, the fastenings of Chinese elbow boxes do not match the design features of the car and require additional modification. Comfortable use of the handbrake and seat belt is not guaranteed. Having decided to install a Chinese analogue into the car interior, carefully study the method of fixing it, avoiding additional problems with installation and use.
Armrest from a foreign car
Particularly picky car owners make armrests for their Lada Vesta using an accessory from some foreign car. This option allows you to create something individual, comfortable for a specific driver and car. All that remains is to choose which brand and model of part to use. Manufacturers of Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW equip their models with extremely comfortable and ergonomic accessories. Therefore, they are more often chosen. The final decision lies in several criteria:
- Armrest size. It should fit freely into the niche between the front seats and not interfere with the people sitting next to them;
- The location of the accessory relative to the handbrake. Access to the handbrake must be free;
- Functional characteristics. In addition to a box for storing things, it would be good if the accessory comes with an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, and a cup holder.
Most likely, when choosing an armrest similar to the original one, you will have to file it, solder it yourself, and possibly cover it with leather or fabric. The result should be a convenient accessory that separates the front seats.
There is a high probability that detailed photo or video instructions on how to remake the armrest of a specific foreign car to suit Vesta’s needs will not be found. The choice of these nodes is too large. Therefore, the tuning option should be chosen by car enthusiasts who are able to perform the necessary manipulations without outside help and carefully think through them.
Standard armrest for Lada Vesta
Is the standard part of the Lada Vesta really so bad that it has to be remade? Minuses:
The factory part is approximately 2 times narrower than its analogues. Even the driver’s hand can hardly fit on it, and there is no talk at all about the comfort of the front passenger.
The appearance of the accessory looks cheap and is difficult to combine with other parts of the interior.
The part will not allow you to store things, there is no socket, ashtray, or cup holder - this is provided for in foreign cars. The mission of the factory version is a stand.
Adjusting the accessory to the needs of a specific driver is problematic; the design is fragile and unstable.
With so many disadvantages, it becomes difficult to highlight the advantages.
Factory version of the armrest
Note that although the armrest we are considering for the Lada Vesta interior is an attribute of comfort, its function is not considered a vital necessity. In view of this, AvtoVAZ installs these products only in luxury configurations
Experience has shown that many drivers are dissatisfied with the standard armrest option. In their opinion, the armrest is installed “for show” and is characterized by the following disadvantages:
- narrow width, which allows only the driver to rest comfortably;
- insufficiently impressive exterior;
- lack of niches;
- difficulties during adjustment.
These points confirm the desire of the owners to replace standard products with more practical analogues with their own hands. An identical desire is demonstrated by drivers whose cars are initially deprived of this convenient accessory.
How to remove the standard armrest on a Lada Vesta - you need to know
Vesta owners have to remove the old one before installing a new box. There is no need to contact the service - it’s done like this.
Steps to remove the factory armrest:
- Unfasten the cover of the part and unscrew the side screws hidden under it. Then pull the armrest towards you.
- Unscrew the bracket. It is held on by a mounting bolt located next to the handbrake.
- We lift the part up and carefully remove it, being careful not to damage the seat trim.
Then we begin installing the new accessory. Installation may vary. It depends on the box that is installed to replace the original one. Chinese analogues are mainly installed in a regular place and according to the same principle. For some reason, Russian manufacturers do not design the same fasteners. Some of them just need to be placed between the seats, others are equipped with a large number of bolts.
Rear armrest Lada Vesta
Expensive Vesta configurations, in addition to the front ones, also have a rear stand with a box for passengers sitting in the back. It is wide and can be used by two people. In addition, the rear elbow rest features cup holders for storing drinks. If necessary, it can easily be hidden in the back of the seats, freeing up space for another passenger. In general, the rear elbow rest is more comfortable than the front one. Is it worth purchasing a luxury car package for Vesta’s standard armrests? Considering the possible alteration, the driver decides for himself, depending on the criteria, but we think it’s not worth it!
DIFFERENCE IN ARM REST OPTIONS
The main difference between the armrests is their finishing. There is also a difference in installing them on the car tunnel. Their sizes are similar. The capacity is the same. All three options are made of highly durable plywood. The body and cover of the armrests are completely covered with special anatomical soft foam, covered with leather on top. The armrests are completely soft to the touch and the lid and body are pleasant to the touch, but at the same time there is a very large margin of structural safety.
- Option 1 has upholstery material - high-quality eco-leather . The quality is like eco-leather covers - smooth, pleasant to the touch. The body and lid are stitched with decorative stitching. The internal compartment is completely lined with carpet, (1 year warranty) The opening angle of the lid is 90 degrees. The installation method is to put it on top of the tunnel and use the side legs of the armrest to clamp it tightly, resting against the floor. The legs of the armrest are painted black.
- Option 2 has upholstery material: high-quality eco-leather. The quality is like eco-leather cases - smooth, pleasant to the touch. The body and lid are stitched with decorative stitching. The internal compartment is completely lined with carpet, (1 year warranty) The opening angle of the lid is 90 degrees. The installation method is to put it on top of the tunnel and use the side legs of the armrest to clamp it tightly, resting on the floor. The legs of the armrest are covered in leather.
- Option 3 has the finishing material: automotive leather , similar in texture to automotive plastic. (The quality is the same as leather seats in the maximum trim levels of the car) The body and lid are stitched with decorative stitching, which makes the appearance of the armrest very nice. Inside is a compartment that is completely lined with car carpet. (3 year warranty) The opening angle of the lid is 90 degrees. The installation method is to put it on top of the tunnel and use the side legs of the armrest to clamp it tightly, resting on the floor. The legs of the armrest are covered in leather.
All three options are installed in a matter of seconds without the use of screws, bolts and other fasteners, without interfering with the design of the car console. At the same time, the stability, convenience and reliability of the armrest do not suffer. The vertical load on the armrest can reach up to 100 -120 kg. The functionality is not affected. The seats move, all seat belts are fastened, the handbrake is jerked all the way, the 1MM, USB, AUX outputs do not close.
