Short overhangs, impressive ground clearance - what is not an SUV! At least externally, Xray Cross creates complete confidence that it was created not only for asphalt. Although there is still no all-wheel drive here. But there is a Lada Ride Select system, and we were able to test it on asphalt, off-road and in snow.
Maxim Fedorov
Lada Xray Cross Price: from 729,900 rub. On sale: October 2021
The plastic body kit is secured with clips (holes are punched in the body panels) and taped with double-sided tape for reliability.
Who was driving all-wheel drive there? Installing it is not a problem, because the Xray is based on the same B0 platform as the Duster. But can you imagine how much the price will skyrocket? But Xray Cross is not cheap even with front-wheel drive. Although even for that kind of money, the new AvtoVAZ product is more profitable than its classmates. Competitors are either more expensive or worse equipped, and more often than not, both. Not counting the body kit made of unpainted plastic, the “base” already has 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a double-barreled stainless steel muffler, LED running lights, an alarm system with central locking and rear disc brakes - by the way, they are here from “ Vesta." Even the new tires are not budget-friendly: the 215/50R17 all-season Continental, welded to AvtoVAZ’s special order, is wider and taller than that of the Vesta Cross. It also lies in the trunk as a full-size spare wheel, and on the original alloy wheel.
Contrasting brown inserts in the interior can be replaced with less intrusive gray ones.
The rear sofa cushion was moved back to the trunk by 2.5 cm - this modification, which made it possible to add legroom, was also received by the regular Xray.
High-profile tires added 5 mm to the hatchback's 195 mm ground clearance, and another 15 mm was gained due to new springs and shock absorbers. Moreover, they cannot be installed so easily on a regular Xray - you will have to change the front arms and CV joints. But we strongly do not recommend doing this, since it is unknown how such a car will drive. After all, the Xray Cross chassis was tuned not only for the new suspension, but also for the new electric power steering, installed instead of the electro-hydraulic one, which made it possible to reduce the gear ratio in the rack: from lock to lock, the steering wheel now makes less than three turns.
— When creating the Cross, 170 new components were introduced into the Lada Xray design, and the list of changes itself is even longer! — Oleg Grunenkov, director of the Lada Xray Cross project, who went with us to Kazakhstan for the first test drive of the new product, was clearly proud of the work done.
Indeed, the list of improvements turned out to be large, and not all ideas were realized. Thus, although sound insulation has been improved, it is only on the wheel arches and sills: sandblasting is now inaudible, but the noise of the engine and tires quietly penetrates the interior. Although AvtoVAZ heard our complaint. But something remained unrealized due to the design features of the model. For example, no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to make the car more spacious without increasing the wheelbase: new front seats with a deep recess for the knees, as well as a rear sofa moved closer to the trunk and slightly lowered down, only partially solved the problem of cramped conditions in the back row. With a height of 186 cm, I fit behind myself, although without any reserve in my legs. But now there are heated seats and a USB charging port - not every higher-class model can find this.
The trunk has a double bottom. Underneath is a full-size spare wheel on a cast wheel.
The driver’s seat has also become more comfortable: a central armrest has finally appeared, and the steering wheel has been adjusted for reach (for the first time among models on the B0 chassis!) and heated. Other innovations include heated front seats with three degrees of “roasting”, the buttons of which have moved from the side of the seat to the center console, and now it is clear in which mode it operates. There is also a button to turn on the heated windshield and the main feature of the new product - the regulator of the Lada Ride Select system, thanks to which the Xray behaves completely differently both on paved roads and off-road.
Rails appeared on the roof (an additional stamp had to be introduced to install them) and an antenna “fin”.
The system has four operating modes. The Sport button changes the speed of response to pressing the gas pedal, and also “unfolds” the stabilization system a little, allowing you to slide when turning. It was not possible to test sliding, but the more responsive accelerator was a great help both when driving in the city and when overtaking on the highway: with it, the 1.8 engine seemed to get a second wind (there would be another 6th gear!). There is also a regulator with icons indicating the “snow” and “sand” modes, although the first can be used not only in snow, but also in mud, and the second - on gravel. Both programs allow you to simulate differential locking by braking the drive wheels and limit the intervention of the stabilization system. If necessary, stabilization can be completely turned off, but, as in the first two cases, when accelerating above 58 km/h, the ESC system will “wake up”. However, you can lose control on slippery surfaces even at lower speeds, so you need to use these modes carefully.
“Come on, come on, dear!” — I encouraged the Lada Xray Cross, whose wheels were polishing the snow-covered slope near the hotel in the foothills of the Tien Shan. But the wheels finally found a grip, and we crawled to the top, although until the last moment I didn’t believe that I could climb. Before this, we already had to retreat: with standard settings, the car could only climb up to the middle of the climb, but with the “snow” mode activated, everything went much more fun. The car was slipping, but it was moving! Of course, Lada Ride Select is not a replacement for all-wheel drive, but it is a fact that the system expands the vehicle’s capabilities and helps overcome difficult areas. In the dry riverbed riddled with potholes, along which we drove before the snowfall, the car’s passability was limited only by the protruding “lip” of the front bumper that clung to the ground. And yet, there will still be skeptics who will say that this is another “scam” by marketers. But AvtoVAZ does not force Lada Ride Select on anyone - you can take the Xray Cross without it.
It’s only a pity that the manufacturer does not provide the ability to choose an engine, and the 122-horsepower 1.8 has an increased appetite not only for gasoline (our average consumption was 12.4 liters - this is a lot even taking into account long periods of parking with the engine running), but also, judging by according to the owners' reviews, to the oil. And the list of transmissions at the start of sales will be limited: a version with an updated “robot” version 2.0 will appear later. Machine? Variable speed drive? No, we haven't heard. However, this will not scare our people: judging by the sales statistics of other Lada models, every second Xray buyer will choose the Cross version.
Technical characteristics of Lada Xray Cross 1.8 MT
Dimensions4171x1810x1645 mmBase2592 mmCurb weight1295 kgClearance215 mmTrunk volume361 lFuel tank volume50 lEnginepetrol, 4-cylinder, 1800 cm3, 122 l. With. at 6050 min-1, 170 Nm at 3700 min-1 Transmission5-speed, front-wheel driveTire size215/50R17Dynamics180 km/h; 10.9 s to 100 km/h Fuel consumption (city/highway/mixed) 9.7/6.3/7.5 l per 100 kmCompetitorsHyundai Creta - from 904,900 rubles, Kia Rio X-Line - from 824,900 rubles, Renault Duster - from 689,900 rubles.- Stylish appearance, excellent geometric maneuverability, well-tuned chassis.
- The engine is voracious, the manual transmission lacks a 6th gear, and the cabin has insufficient sound insulation.
| Driving Works great on asphalt, dirt roads and off-road. There are enough dynamics, but fuel consumption is high.
Salon The ergonomics of the driver's seat have been improved, the rear has become a little more spacious and heated.
Comfort The suspension does its job well, but the sound insulation does not.
Safety The “base” has two airbags and a stabilization system.
Price It’s not cheap, but you don’t have to take extra options.
Average score 7,6 |
Price positioning
The Lada XRAY Cross is positioned as a B-crossover (B-SUV), and AVTOVAZ sees its main competitors primarily as front-wheel drive versions of established market players - Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Kia Rio X-Line. If we talk about the basic version, the cross-country Xray is not the most affordable offer on the market. However, upon closer examination of the configurations, it turns out that it still has some superiority.
At first, cars with a 1.8 liter engine and a Renault manual transmission - JR5, used on the base Xray with a similar engine, will be available at Lada dealerships. The 5-speed transmission has only slightly calibrated gear ratios due to the difference in wheel size. According to Oleg Grunenkov, VAZ tried to attach the Togliatti box to the 1.8-liter engine back on Vesta, but it did not cope well with the peak torque of 170 Nm, so it was decided to abandon it in favor of the Renault one: the JR5 has a margin of safety here up to 240 Nm.
Is it worth buying Lada XRAY Cross 2021: all the disadvantages, owner reviews, configurations and prices
- In the basic Classic , the all-terrain hatchback has 17-inch alloy wheels, ABS, ESP, an on-board computer, two airbags, front electric windows, phone preparation, steering wheel adjustment, hill start assist, fabric interior, power steering and central locking with DU.
The initial version of the model can be supplemented with the optional Optima , which includes the installation of an audio system with four speakers, air conditioning and a cooled glove compartment.
Pros and cons of Lada XRAY Cross
+ Pros
- High ground clearance
- Suspension
- Patency
- Minuses
- Tight second row
- Noise insulation
- Ergonomics
Reviews from owners of Lada X-Ray Cross 2019-2020
They say that AvtoVAZ engineers found two extra centimeters in the Cross for rear space by moving the rear sofa somewhere. I don’t know how they are, I personally didn’t find them - it’s cramped in the back. No not like this. It's fantastically tight in the back. I didn’t repeat the common trick of “sit by yourself”, I was afraid of getting stuck and forever having to live in the back seat of X-Ray. My seven-year-old son (128 cm) sits normally, but when disembarking and landing, he snorts severely and silently. I'm afraid to ask how it feels for him.
I would also really like to talk about the dashboard. Psychologists say that the color orange carries “cheerfulness, a positive attitude, passion, readiness to solve complex problems, joy and spontaneity.” I'm happy for those passionate cheerleaders who painted the appliances orange, but I'm lazy and dull and would prefer simpler colors.
Review of Lada XRAY Cross 1.6 (113 hp) with CVT 2020
We have roads throughout the winter, but not everywhere, there is porridge in the yard, it’s difficult to walk. I’m checking how Raid Select will work: the green arrow blinks, I’m driving straight, my rear isn’t dragging, great. I give it a plus. We drive into the yard, there is a rut, I drive straight, it comes out of the rut calmly. Then the snow porridge: it goes, rows, as if nothing had happened, only the arrow blinks. A definite plus!
Review of Lada X-Ray Cross 1.8 (122 hp) with manual transmission 2021
Motor and transmission. In short, it's all smooth and slow. During the run-in, I even regretted that I took the version with the CVT. But after 2-3 thousand km the car went better. I also noticed that the transmission does not like to drive “cold” - it needs to be warmed up before the trip for at least five minutes.
I really like the suspension on the X Ray Cross. I think it’s no worse tuned than Renault, and these guys are famous for their ability to adapt hardware to Russian roads. Potholes, potholes, sleeping policemen are handled with a bang!
Review of the new Lada X Ray Cross 1.6 CVT 2021
Every time I try to open or close the window, I have to play little dinosaur. You press your paw towards your body, twist it harder, and only then can you operate the windows. And this circus with fastening the belt through the target between the seat and the armrest?!
If the left hand will soon become a dinosaur's paw, then the right hand will be flexible and thin like a snake. The factory music is also interesting. In the middle there is a convenient knob for... don't think it's for adjusting the volume. It's for searching channels!
Review of Lada X-Ray Cross 1.6 (113 hp) with CVT 2019
Ground clearance: either 210 mm or 215 mm is a thing. On the very first day, I didn’t notice a small hole-crater with melted snow on the hatch. He drove slowly and fell into it also slowly. I had time to think, is the bottom strong and what will I hit with - the bottom or the arch? Nothing! The wheel found the bottom and calmly, in silence, drove out of this gigantic hole.
The car itself is quite tall. In the first days, when I took my foot out of the car, I was looking for the ground! Where are you down there, dear? My wheels have gift tires 215/50 R17. Rare, unpopular, expensive. They are holding the road. I must say that they perform their function perfectly, except for the sounds they make.
Denis, review of the new Lada XRAY Cross 1.6 (113 hp) CVT 2020.
Specifications
Like the regular version of the model, the 2020 all-terrain Lada X Ray Cross is built on the B0 platform, where an independent suspension with MacPherson struts is installed at the front, and a semi-independent beam at the rear. Interestingly, the chassis uses different springs and shock absorbers, and the ground clearance is raised by several millimeters.
The cross-version of the hatchback has more powerful brakes: they are disc brakes, and they are also ventilated on the front wheels. Plus, the raised XRAY Cross has electric power steering and reach-adjustable steering column.
Note that a car with a manual transmission can be equipped with the “Lada Ride Select” stabilization system with several working presets: normal, sports, winter and for sand. However, if necessary, stabilization can be completely deactivated. The all-terrain Lada X Ray Cross has the following overall dimensions, mm
- Length - 4 165
- Width - 1,764
- Height - 1 645
- Wheelbase - 2,592
- Ground clearance (clearance) - 215
The car has a trunk volume of 361 liters, while the capacity of the compartment with the second row seats folded reaches 1,207 liters. The model has a 50-liter fuel tank, while its curb weight varies from 1,225 to 1,300 kg (depending on the selected engine and equipment level).
- The five-door model is equipped with a 1.6-liter VAZ-21179 engine with a power of 122 hp. (170 Nm) and five-speed manual transmission. With this combination of units, the Lada X Ray Cross is capable of accelerating from zero to hundreds in 10.3 seconds, and its top speed reaches 179 km/h.
- More expensive versions are equipped with a 1.6-liter H4M engine from the Renault-Nissan alliance. It produces 113 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque, working in tandem with a continuously variable transmission. This modification accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds, and its speed limit is 163 kilometers per hour.
The capabilities of the engines proposed for the Lada X Ray Cross are enough in the city, but on the highway, and even more so on mountain serpentines, there is a clear lack of power. In such conditions, the engine has to be cranked, which inevitably has a negative impact on fuel efficiency.
As for handling, the model’s steering wheel is slightly flimsy, and when cornering at speed, rolls are observed, but overall the hatchback with a 215 mm ground clearance rides and steers quite decently. The car's suspension is expectedly sensitive to small irregularities, but it filters out medium ones so that the road seems better than it actually is. In this regard, the prefix “Cross” in the name justifies itself 100%.
The interior of the new Lada XRAY Cross 2021 is nice, but expectedly simple. The interior features a lot of hard plastic, which can begin to creak over time. Add here the far from good sound insulation with a loud engine and suspension, which means you can forget about silence in the cabin.
The front seats of the “all-terrain” modification are different, with more pronounced lateral support and a different cushion. The seating position in them is comfortable, and even a tall driver (190 cm) can sit comfortably behind the wheel. True, in this case there will be very little space left behind it. The rear sofa in fact remained the same, although its geometric parameters were slightly revised (25 mm of free space was added at the passengers’ feet).
Interesting Facts
The Moscow Motor Show in 2018 became the site of the premiere of the all-terrain hatchback Lada XRAY Cross, a pre-production version of which was shown at the same exhibition two years ago.
From the outside, the Lada XRAY Cross is distinguished by a protective body kit made of unpainted plastic all around, as well as an original front bumper with a fashionable chrome trim along the bottom. The car has roof rails and a fin antenna, the wheels have 17-inch alloy wheels, and the rear bumper is decorated with a silver insert and a dual exhaust pipe.
Initially, in addition to a manual transmission, the car was also offered an AMT robotic transmission, but in the summer of 1919 the car was equipped with a Jatco JF015E continuously variable variator with manual control function.
Photos of the new Lada X Ray Cross 2020
Video test drive of a car
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