Lada Granta liftback with an automatic transmission and a 98 horsepower engine - is it worth taking?

First impressions of the new Lada car

Let's be honest, just a few years ago no one expected AvtoVAZ to be capable of this. The car looks modern, the interior is not inferior to almost any other model in competitive classes. A very successful design of the optics and good appearance of the interior details make the car feel more expensive than it actually is. Of course, this is only a first impression, but it is incredibly important in making a purchasing decision.

It is necessary to note the following design and construction features of the car:

• several important changes have appeared in the cabin, in particular, in place of the cigarette lighter there is now a nice 12V socket, and the instrument panel has also been redesigned for an automatic machine;
• the panel became more unified and attractive, the terrible shelf at the passengers' knees was covered by a glove box lid, the shelf on top of the panel was also covered with a plastic cover;
• the car is made in the form of a liftback, which allows you to open the rear door along with the glass and easily place almost any items with large dimensions in the cabin;
• there is not much space in the cabin, but this is a cost of the class, especially cramped space will be felt on the back seat, where, regardless of settings and layouts, it is not very comfortable for an adult passenger to ride;
• The optics in the car are very nice and work well; the decision to use the rarest H19 lamps in the headlights turned out to be very incomprehensible - it is not clear what the manufacturer was thinking about.

The car evokes a positive feeling if you are a driver or front passenger. Of course, extraneous sounds will not go away; the car needs to be improved in terms of sound insulation and other features. Many of the unpleasant squeaks and rattles that bothered Grant owners a few years ago have disappeared. Today it is a completely different car of a different level and with different ambitions. So the buyer will clearly find something to praise the car for after purchase and first trips.

Changes made to liftback

When releasing the Lada in the liftback body, AvtoVAZ for the first time used the experience of foreign automakers, who create variants with different bodies within the same model. But is it only the body that has changed, or is this version different in design, interior design, and driving performance?

Improved design and additional options

The new contours added beauty and elegance to the liftback; in comparison, the sedan is completely unpretentious; next to the liftback it looks rather dull and boring.

• Unlike the sedan version, the bumpers are painted in body color.
• The shape of the recesses at the front bumper has been changed, which makes the exterior design more modern. The rest of the front is almost the same as in the sedan model, but even the modified shape of the bumper with built-in niches for fog lights made the car’s appearance more harmonious and lighter.
• Exterior mirrors have become stylish, original, and help improve aerodynamics. They have a built-in turn signal repeater.
• The license plate is attached to the back of the door; Thanks to the freed up space, fog lights were installed on the bumper.
• Aerodynamics have become better due to the selection of the rear window angle.
• Thanks to the slope, the glass is cleaned by air currents in the rain, so there is no need for a rear windshield wiper. This principle was first used in the development of AZLK.
• The taillights follow the shape of the sedan, but are narrower.
• Limiters are designed on the front doors; when closing, a closer effect is achieved; a new seal has been added. This eliminated the creaking when opening the door and the rattling of the windows, as was the case in the sedan.

In general, the five-door Granta liftback with a smooth transition to the rear from the top, with a sloping roof, original rear doors, and a self-cleaning rear window looks much more stylish and better than the sedan version.

Restyling in the cabin

The change in bodywork did not affect the capacity of the car. On the contrary, the new version of the liftback car is much more comfortable than the previous ones. The finishing is also made of inexpensive, but practical materials. Passengers are as comfortable as in the sedan model. But the sound insulation is significantly better, which already increases the level of comfort.

Changes to the chassis and body

Automakers have corrected as much as possible the flaws noticed in the sedan modification.

• The “Standard” and “Norma” versions were equipped with a newly tuned and improved suspension with liquid shock absorbers. The springs are taken from a sedan. The suspension is now not so precise when controlling, but it works better off-road, and passengers shake significantly less on bumps and holes. The luxury version has the latest suspension, with powerful stabilizers and stiff springs. Intentionally rigid, this suspension increases the stability of the car on sharp turns, reduces the amplitude of sway and roll.
• The luxury version is equipped with gas-filled shock absorbers, which was not previously available in production LADA cars, with the exception of sports modifications.
• A much more advanced brake booster is installed - vacuum, thanks to which the brake pedal has become responsive, precise, and braking is less harsh.
• The ground clearance has become higher by 15 mm, which is beneficial for increasing cross-country ability.

Classic hatchbacks are produced without a reinforcing bulkhead at the rear; increased rigidity was achieved by strengthening the floor, roof, and changes in the structure of the middle spar.

Changes in configuration

The liftback's equipment has become more diverse - various options are included:

• immobilizer;
• seat belt indicator;
• hydraulic headlight range control;
• An audible signal sounds when the key is left in the ignition switch.

The fastening screws, which in the sedan were easily exposed to moisture, rusted and were destroyed, were replaced with improved ones with enhanced anti-corrosion properties.

Motor and gearbox - important technical questions

The updated Granta with 1.6 engines has one big plus in common. The manufacturer has taken care of those owners who do not want to change belts on time or install low-quality components. In this case, a broken timing belt does not cause the valves to meet the pistons. The motors are very easy to maintain and unpretentious. 98 forces turn out to be quite a sufficient power resource for this car, even taking into account the small reserve for the automatic.

The machine gun itself on Grant has the following features:

• the unit has 4 gears and was developed by the Japanese corporation Jatco, which is known for the most reliable and durable automatic transmissions for all global car manufacturers;
• the box is simple and reliable, there will be no problems with its operation for a long time, the machine turned out to be very impressive precisely in terms of reliability and potential durability;
• the automatic switches with slight jolts, this is its factory feature, but several days of travel will bring you to get used to this feature, there is no discomfort and there will not be;
• the automatic takes a little away from the engine power, but overall everything remains very sane, the dynamics in urban conditions are sufficient for comfortable movement on the roads;
• there are modes P, R, D and 1, 2 - in the last two cases the box will work only in first or only in first and second gears, respectively, this is very convenient for difficult conditions.

The gearbox and engine were a great match. Unless you have to monitor your consumption, curbing your desire to press the pedal harder. The average consumption in the city is 12 liters. But on the highway, a Granta with an automatic transmission can handle 7.5 liters without much strain. Otherwise, the car remains quite primitive and cheap, but the combination of engine and gearbox is really pleasing. If the company continues to update its most budget car at this rate, it will definitely become a big seller.

Engine Lada Granta

“When choosing a car, the fundamental question for me was that the manufacturer must be VAZ. After reading many articles on this topic, it was decided to opt for Grant. Compared to the 99, which at one time drove almost half the country, Granta is definitely worthy of admiration. Based on all the technical characteristics, the car is definitely worthwhile. The 1.6-liter gasoline engine performs its functions at 5 plus and does not break down.”

Leonid Mavzeley, Lada liftback automatic reviews. “I’m definitely happy with my car. Of course, at first the gearbox and engine behaved a little unnaturally, but all faults were corrected under warranty. Most likely, this is an isolated case, and such problems with the engine manifest themselves immediately, so this will not happen on a used car. In general, the car is reliable, except for those cases with the gearbox and engine, there were no more problems"

Georgy Svetlov, lada granta liftback reviews “In one of the car dealerships of the official Lada network, I was told that the engine life will be about 300 thousand kilometers. In fact, until this number is reached, there will be no need to repair the engine. In any case, the safety of the engine depends largely on operation, oil use and other factors."

Airat Kadyrmaev, Lada Granta, liftback 2021 in the new review “Engine. An engine with sixteen valves is much quieter than the eight-valve one that I installed on my old Kalina. It works smoothly, but does not make noise like an aircraft carrier. Since I’m still running it in, I don’t put the pedal to the floor, but when accelerating it feels like it’s capable of more. In my opinion, this is exactly the kind of engine that should be in a car. I don’t regret the purchase at all”

Granta Liftback, reviews 106 “The interior is done at a high level, it’s clear that they put effort into the design. The engine starts well even in frosty conditions, and within a few seconds. The luggage compartment is very roomy, and the seats can be reclined. The acoustics also keep the level” Denis Davydenko, Granta liftback, 87 hp, reviews. Suspension of the Lada Granta Liftback: reviews “I switched to the Liftback from Kalina and did not notice any special changes in the suspension. The only thing that pleased me were the rigid stabilizers, so Grant doesn’t sway to the sides as much as it did with Kalina at speed. In any case, I’ll run it in again to feel the difference.”

Andrey “On the suspension. I don’t know how it is in other trim levels, but on my Lux the difference is noticeable, especially when you drive off-road. It swallows all the potholes and holes when driving, while the car almost does not shake, as was the case with previous versions. I also want to note how the car behaves during sharp turns. Previously, especially if the track was icy, you almost flew out of the car, this has never happened with the Liftback. The rear shock absorbers work great."

Carexpert “I expected that the basic Kalinov suspension would be somehow modified on the Grant, but the changes are completely insignificant. The stabilizers have become better, but even on Kalina, if you don’t rush all over the road, everything is fine with the position of the car. I wish the modifications were a little more noticeable"

Evgeniy Pavlov “I switched from the old 99 to Granta and if you compare the suspension, it’s just heaven and earth. I don’t know how this part will change during use, but now, even on the most brutal road, potholes are simply not felt, they are absorbed only this way. I’m very pleased with this reliability!”

Freeman “Perhaps this is a manufacturing defect, but my suspension fell off in the first week after purchase. It would be a minus if they didn’t put it back on me and it’s been driving normally for several months now. The suspension was not cracked, everything was fine with it, probably just a crooked assembly” Alexander Panchenko

How does it feel to operate a Lada Granta 1.6 automatic transmission?

Let's be honest, there aren't many expectations from this car. Most potential buyers only expect that the car will drive and not break down. No buyer fully expects comfort and quality of travel from this car. The Lada Granta, in its updated version with an automatic transmission, has made a little progress in providing comfort and ride quality. The car has become more beautiful and comfortable, comfort has increased due to minor changes in design and construction.

But the car still has many disadvantages, and you need to work with them:

• at a speed of 100 km/h and above, the car unpleasantly moves off the road, the chassis does not want to hold the asphalt, as a result, the car wanders across the entire width of the lane, you always need to catch it;
• the hum from the engine or gearbox is quite noticeable, and sound insulation will not help here, you need to refine the design and remove extraneous sounds, which are very annoying;
• the automatic transmission was adapted for this car, and the adaptation from AvtoVAZ is felt - when accelerating smoothly from a speed of 50-60 km/h on the highway, the box begins to behave irresponsibly;
• the brakes remain very mysterious - you need to spend the first hours behind the wheel of the car carefully, as the braking is either harsh or non-existent, and this is a real problem for the driver;
• The liftback is a little inferior to the sedan in terms of ride comfort - from the trunk every now and then you can hear the sounds of clicking tools, the spare tire moving in the niche and other mysterious noises.

You won’t be able to make any serious claims against this machine, since its cost speaks for itself. On the other hand, for a poor Russian family, paying 620,000 rubles for a car will be a real problem. So you shouldn’t be fooled by the fact that the car is very cheap. The AvtoVAZ company is managed by the Renault-Nissan alliance, so today these are cars that are designed to make money. And savings on very important and necessary things continue to be present in the manufacturer’s cars.

Price

Prices for a minimally equipped liftback are higher than the “standard” equipment of a sedan. A liftback will cost you from 314,800 rubles. Whether the improvements are worth the price increase is up to you to decide.

It is planned that the innovations included in the liftback will be transferred to the sedan version. Only a rigid suspension will not be installed on the sedan. Restyling is scheduled for this year. In the meantime, the liftback is significantly better than the sedan both in terms of external design and driving characteristics. Carefully study the features of each version before deciding to purchase a model, decide: Granta sedan or liftback - what to choose, what is best for your needs and your budget. Please note the difference in technical specifications and corresponding costs. Whether you are willing to pay more for a beautiful exterior design, presentability and some changes in the chassis is up to you to decide. In general, there is no doubt that today the liftback wins in comparison with the sedan as it is more comfortable and representative.

Comparison with competitors - do they even exist?

And again we must honestly admit that the car has no special rivals. If you are looking for a new car with an automatic transmission, a large trunk and a good practical engine for just over 600,000 rubles, you have no choice at all. The only comparison can be made with those price rivals that are sold for the same money, but with much worse configuration. But we tried to pay attention specifically to competitors with automatic transmissions.

You should pay attention to the following offers:

1. Ravon R4. For the same money you can buy a second version of the Uzbek Ravon with good contents. The 1.5 engine is very simple and practical, the 6-speed gearbox will also not let you down. The car will become a real competitor for the Grant, given the price equality.
2. FAW Besturn B50. It may be an outdated car, but it still competes with cars in the lower classes. FAW has good build quality and some pretty enviable technology on board. The 1.6 engine with 103 horsepower is also not bad.
3. Datsun on-DO. This is the same Granta, slightly modified by Japanese engineers. The machine is not bad, but it is in dire need of updating. The outdated design and 87 horsepower engine take this car a little away from the competitive environment for the Granta.
4. Changan Eado. Another Chinese who can slightly interrupt AvtoVAZ's trade. This car was well received in our market, thanks to its excellent 113 horsepower engine and quite presentable Japanese automatic. And the sales of the car itself are very good.

These are the rivals on the market in the same price class as the domestic Granta. The question remains about why it is more profitable for Uzbeks to produce a car even a little larger, transport it to our region and sell it even cheaper than AvtoVAZ does with a car of a lower class. It is Ravon who should be considered as the main rival who is worth your attention. It is superior to Granta in many ways, but at the same time costs the same money.

We invite you to watch a video review of the new liftback from Lada:

Let's sum it up

If we take into account the reviews of experts in the automotive market, we can judge the warm reception of the updated liftback from Granta. The plant changed the car a little and improved minor flaws even in comparison with the sedan that came out a few months ago. However, a lot of disadvantages remain, so we can judge that work on improving the machine continues. Now all versions of Granta are available in a new body, and the old one is gradually being sold out with reduced price tags from dealers. Overall, this is good; nothing very bad can be said about the updated generation.

The restyling was a success, the car looks pretty decent and can remain one of the most interesting in its segment. However, it has competition, so it's worth taking a closer look at the car and comparing it with its price rivals. It is quite possible that vehicles from other manufacturers will be better for you personally than VAZ’s invention. But when summing up, we can’t say anything completely bad about the machine. For the money, this is a very good option with a good potential service life. What do you think about this new product from Lada?