All car enthusiasts interested in new Russian-made products were probably interested in the new Lada Vesta Cross, released in 2021. Most drivers liked this new product because of its affordable price, spacious interior and visual appeal, but is this car really good and worth it? does she have her own money?
If you are not interested in reading, then below you will find a video review from a real owner, who also talks about the main features of the car, as well as a comparison with the sedan version.
Pros and cons of engines
Vesta Cross, like a regular sedan and station wagon, is equipped with two variants of power units with a volume of 1.6 and 1.8 liters, with a capacity of 106 and 122 hp. respectively. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s look at them in more detail.
1.6 (21129)
Vesta SW Cross has a 21129 engine that meets Euro 5 standards. Previously, other AvtoVAZ models had a power unit with the index 21127, which corresponded to Euro-4. Why did the replacement take place? The new engine is nothing more than a modified engine of the previous generation, which meets environmental standards and does not exceed the previous version in power. The resource value remains unchanged, it is approximately two hundred thousand kilometers without replacing the timing belt. In fact, the meaning is much greater, this applies to both the old and new versions. The advantage is that there is no need to adjust the valves, since the engine has hydraulic compensators that smooth out shock loads. What made it possible to improve the performance?
The lower part of the piston (skirt) was redone and shortened. The pistons themselves are made of aluminum. The compression rings that fit on the piston were changed, became thinner, and showed properties such as increasing the tightness in the cylinder. The rings that remove oil from the surface of the cylinder (oil scraper) have also been improved. As a result, friction decreased.
The main disadvantages of the engine, based on driver complaints, are:
- Knock of hydraulic compensators for a few seconds after startup;
- Possible interruptions in the operation of the cylinders, or tripping.
The reasons for this phenomenon can be very different - from manufacturing defects to the choice of low-quality fuel. You can find out the exact answer by sending the car for service.
1,8 (21179)
The Lada Vesta Cross can also be purchased with a more powerful engine, the volume of which is 1.8 liters. It is essentially an improved version of 21129 with increased volume.
Its main advantages over engines with smaller displacement:
- Great power and torque;
- Improved traction in all ranges;
- Smooth running (especially noticeable in versions with “robot”);
- The car pulls confidently even with a full load;
Minuses:
- Less economical;
- A small difference in acceleration to 100 km/h compared to the 1.6 engine;
- More noisy;
- More difficult to repair;
- Possible oil consumption (this deficiency, according to the plant, has already been corrected in 2021).
Acceleration of Vesta Cross to 100 km/h with a 1.8 engine and manual transmission:
Lada Vesta SW and SW Cross: to Crimea and back
The path from the editorial office to the Crimean Bridge is not short. However, such a trip is a good reason to check what new sides will open up in VAZ’s new products on a long journey.
LADA > Vesta SW
We met on the shore of the Kerch Strait and were almost the same age. The Vesta sedan began to be built in Izhevsk in September 2015, and news about the start of construction of the bridge appeared a little earlier, in the spring of the same year. For two and a half years I have been driving a Vesta purchased by the editors from the first issues. This is a sedan with a 1.6 engine and a robotic gearbox, which has traveled 60,000 km to date. We have a lot of long trips behind us.
It’s interesting how different the pair of station wagons that were released two years later are from it. It’s no secret that AVTOVAZ has modernized the flagship model in many ways during its production, including a set of options and level of comfort. I am familiar with the SW and SW Cross five-doors firsthand: I flew last fall for a premiere test drive in Sochi (ZR, No. 11, 2017). But there were cars that had barely left the factory gates, and they took a couple of days and a couple of hundred kilometers to get to know them. Now it’s a completely different matter: there’s a week ahead and more than 3,500 km together.
Transmission
Vesta Cross, in addition to the usual “mechanics”, has a robotic transmission. It can provide the motorist with improved driving conditions. Depending on driving conditions, fuel emissions can be adjusted, which provides savings for the driver and improves environmental performance. Currently, this type of gearbox is used by most companies and is used on cars of different classes.
It is necessary to take a more detailed look at the issue of a robotic gearbox and understand the principle of its operation. It is a continuation of the mechanical one that everyone is so accustomed to. The change is that gear shifting is controlled by an electronic unit. The box has a wide variety of designs, but they all have common elements:
- ECU;
- manual transmission;
- Multi-disc clutch;
- SPP and coupling.
Its most significant disadvantage is the difficulty of repair and high cost.
Next, we will talk about robotic gearboxes and manual gearboxes, their advantages and disadvantages separately.
Manual Transmission
Switching between stages is manual when using such a gearbox. This means that the person decides which gear ratio should work.
The advantages of manual transmission are:
- Relatively simple structure;
- Low price;
- Does not require special cooling conditions;
- High efficiency;
- Light weight;
- Shows its best side during extreme driving;
- The car starts with the help of a tug;
- Durability and wear resistance, reliability;
- Shift clarity.
Minuses:
- Driving skills required;
- Inability to gradually and smoothly switch gear ratios;
- Greater energy consumption for the driver than when driving a vehicle with automatic transmission;
- The service life of the clutch assembly depends on the driver's driving level.
Robotic gearbox
A robotic gearbox (“robot” in common parlance) is the same “mechanics”, but with automated gear shifting and clutch release. With this function, only input information is required from the driver, and the gearbox operates using an electronic unit.
Positive aspects of manual transmission:
- It is as convenient to use as an automatic machine;
- Fuel economy;
- Relatively reliable;
- Cheap compared to an automatic transmission.
But, any mechanism also has its drawbacks. They are presented below:
- Slowness in switching;
- Possible jerks when moving;
- Small clutch resource;
We can say that there are not so many shortcomings, but they can also bring serious inconvenience, for example, in a traffic jam, Vesta SV Cross can behave unpredictably, according to reviews of many drivers. And using such a car for off-road driving is not the best idea.
Box
All modifications of Hyundai Creta are equipped with front-wheel drive. A six-speed manual transmission of the M6СF1 series is installed only with a 1.6-liter engine. The Korean mechanics are highly stable. The automatic transmission of the Hyundai Creta has six gear stages. The main values of the Creta automatic transmission are:
- Longevity;
- Exceptional dynamics;
- Low fuel consumption.
All-wheel drive is a privilege of a car with a two-liter engine. The rear multi-link transmission helps the Creta move confidently on any road, accurately take turns, maintain direction, and not sway when driving over bumps and ruts.
The Creta with front-wheel drive is less stable when driving in a straight line and avoids curves worse. Rear suspension lacks energy. She goes through pits and slides with less diligence.
Lada Vesta Cross leaves the factory with two transmission devices: 5MKPP, Robot - 5AMT. A robotic gearbox is an average version between an automatic transmission and a manual transmission. With AMT, there is no need for warming up.
Mechanical disadvantages:
- slowness;
- lack of smooth switching.
Mechanical advantages:
- reliability;
- cheaper than a machine gun;
- protection against switching errors.
- The 5th manual transmission comes with 1.6l and 1.8l Vesta engines.
Advantages of the AMT box:
- speeds switch smoothly;
- good dynamics;
- affordable price;
- faint noise.
Disadvantages and advantages of suspension
The front suspension is independent, shock-absorbing struts are telescopic, hydraulic, gas-filled and double-acting. They are equipped with barrel-shaped springs. The subframe is equipped with levers and stabilizers.
The front suspension of Vesta is original. A distinctive feature is the subframe with engine mounts.
The advantage of this suspension is excellent handling, as well as the absence of turbulence when turning, vibration is not felt.
The rear suspension system is semi-independent. The shock absorbers are double-acting, hydraulic, gas-filled. They have trailing arms connected by a stabilizer bar on which springs are installed.
Thanks to the improved suspension, driving has become safer. However, there is a drawback: with minor wear, knocking noises may occur.
More details about the suspension and its features are described in the video:
A distinctive feature of the Vesta Cross suspension is that it behaves softly even on uneven roads, making irregularities less noticeable and reducing body vibrations. All this is ensured by large moves. It is the chassis that is the main difference between the Lada Cross and other modifications of this model. It has ground clearance increased by 2.5 centimeters, and the settings of the nodes have also been changed. The car's handling, despite all the changes, was preserved.
Are there any other pros and cons?
Vesta SW Cross performed well relative to its predecessors. It has a good safety system, a new suspension, is economical and more environmentally friendly. However, car enthusiasts found serious shortcomings in it, which the manufacturer definitely needs to improve:
- Slowness of the accelerator pedal during a sharp start (due to the electronic gas pedal);
- Not the best good overclocking performance;
- Insufficient rear visibility;
- Lack of the usual “Automatic”.
Of course, these shortcomings prevent the owners of the Lada Vesta Cross from fully enjoying the car. But one cannot fail to note many positive changes that cannot but rejoice, including a spacious trunk, a beautiful and spacious interior, visual appeal and aesthetics, and driving comfort.
Lada Vesta Cross video owner reviews
In order to find the most popular video reviews from Lada Vesta Cross owners, we used the popular video hosting site - YouTube.ru. It took several hours to collect all the informative videos in one place. Here they are.
1. The first review received was published on the Don Digidon channel. This is a positive video review of the Lada Vesta SV Cross. The obkhor was filmed in the dark, but with white Vesta Cross. Look here:
Description of the video: VESTA SW cross Honest Review from the Real Owner of the car. I will try to tell you my impressions after purchasing the car. The Lada Vesta Cross turned out great, I just couldn’t imagine that ours would be able to make such a car. Everything in the car turned out well, and most importantly, it was reliable, which makes me very happy. I suggest you look at my review, an honest review.
2. We found the second review on the CAR SELECTION channel. This is not exactly a review, but an educational video based on an interview with the real owner. This is a more correct format, since they prepared for it in advance and the questions go according to the list. It is almost impossible to forget or miss something. However, the owner of the car decided not to show his face - in all frames he appears only from the back. By the way, Vesta Cross in Mars color flashes in the frame all the time.
And here is the description of the video: I didn’t buy the Vesta St. Cross. Interview with the real owner of the Lada Vesta St. Cross, honestly about all the shortcomings of the car. The truth about buying a Lada Vesta SW Cross.
3. But we saw the third review on the Simple Opinion channel. The video is called “Priorovod’s opinion about Vesta SW Cross and all the mistakes.” From the title it immediately becomes clear that the review was filmed by the owner of the Lada Priora. There are a lot of them and many transfer to Vesta Cross.
The author of the video objectively talks about his impressions, points out minor shortcomings and advantages of the car. Here's a video:
There is no description for the video on the channel.
Conclusion
Well, that's all. I hope that the video reviews of the Lada Vesta SV Cross published by us will be useful to you. Thank you for your attention and see you again.
