Test drive vaz Kalina 1118 sedan since 2004 sedan

All photos of VAZ Kalina 1118 Sedan since 2004

On the way to Lux

For a long time, Kalina performed more than modestly - one body, motor, one equipment. Now the plant has expanded the assortment. In the role of a potential buyer of Kalina - Maxim Sachkov. Photo: George Sadkov.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS
The first question of the seller in the car dealership - with what body? The sedan has more trunk, but in the hatchback you can easily transport something large -sized - washing machine or TV. Please note that the five-door is approximately 3-4 thousand rubles. expensive. By the way, both cars are offered both with an already known 1.6 liter engine, and with a more powerful and modern 1.4-liter (ZR, 2005, No. 9)-the latter by about 5-6 thousand more. It is possible that over time this difference will be slightly reduced. The long -promised universals began to be released at the very end of last year, the plan for 2008 - 25 thousand cars. Look at the nearest car dealership - maybe already appeared.

At the time of preparation of the material, dealers offered hatchbacks and sedans in three trim levels. True, viburnum with 1.4 liters were present only in the most expensive version - the norm with luxury elements. According to official information, in the near future it will be replaced by the execution of a luxury with a more saturated electric packet and ABS. The first batch of such cars has already been released. This year, the most expensive equipment will be supplemented with air conditioning - perhaps it will be offered as an option for all viburnum.
So, in an improved norm - a standard alarm with a central lock and remote control, a steering wheel electric power steering, alloy wheels, a pair of electric windows and even front -line pillows of the driver and passenger, as well as belts with pretensors. By the way, Kalina is the first of the original Russian models that received two pillows. Agree, the set is worthy. True, the price is considerable - even some foreign cars in this class are cheaper.

Let's go down to the step -to normal norm. For a long time she remained the only one - in such a performance, for example, editorial viburnum. By and large, the same as an improved norm, only instead of cast discs - steel (for a relatively inexpensive car, this is even a good) and there are no pillows. At the site of the manufacturer, I left at least a driver: with the closest competitor Renault-Logan, it is present even in the budget version.
It is possible that it is with the eye on the Russified Frenchman that the simplest settrot is compiled. The steering wheel amplifier, expensive upholstery away, shoe is a cheaper 13 -inch. Saving about 10 thousand rubles: relative to the initial price is not bad. It is only strange that the electric windows and the central castle were left.
On the first viburnum, the plant gave a guarantee for 2 years or 35 thousand km. Then the deadline increased to 3 years, and mileage to 50 thousand km. Lada, alas, does not indulge in the hosts with reliability - despite the fact that the prices for repairs and spare parts are close in level to inexpensive foreign cars.

Ask - answer
What is viburnum on the go?
It is good to say, it means to scream your soul. To say that it is bad from hand is also wrong. Kalina has an energy -intensive suspension, which on our imperfect roads is a plus. However, the smoothness of the move is far from the exemplary: the car carefully reports on the pits and bumps that fall under the wheels. In terms of noise and vibration loading, Lada is inferior to many competitors. Not everything is unambiguous and with controllability - the car responds to the beams of the steering wheel with impressive rolls, and the steering does not accurately inform where the wheels are turned. By the way, on 14-inch tires, Kalina behaves more understandably than on the 13-inch (ZR, 2007, No. 12). The brakes do not differ in informativeness and tenacity; Perhaps with ABS (ZR, 2007, No. 11) the results will be better - we will check when the snow comes down.

With which engine is it better to buy viburnum - 1.4 or 1.6 liters?
both aggregates have advantages and disadvantages. The reliability of the 1.6 -liter engine is tested by time, although age, alas, affects the characteristics - modern motors of this volume give out much greater power and torque. The new Togliatti engine with a smaller almost 200 cm is more powerful than 9 hp, and even more economical. Only the cubes still affect the -1.6 -liter motor more burden, therefore, the transmission has to be switched less often. In general, if you prefer to ride calmly and often take on board passengers and cargo - stop on a 1.6 liter engine (by the way, it is cheaper). Active will arrange a 1.4-liter unit more.
Is it crowded like a family car?
Not at all, only as a family, buy a sedan - it has a roomy trunk that is easy to increase, folding the rear seats. As for the spaciousness, viburnum - of those cars that are more inside than outside. The secret in the vertical landing of the driver and passengers, and the high ceiling allows you not to bend your heads even rather tall people. True, in the shoulders of less freedom - for example, three adults in the back seat will be shed, but it is better to select not very fed riders or reduce their number. The doors open wide, and the openings are not small at all, but getting out of the second row is not very convenient - the legs fall into the trap between the front seats and the tank of the body for the gas tank.
Consider the options
SEDAN
Kalina continues the tradition laid down by its predecessors: the first is usually the cheapest model in the family. The sedan (factory index of VAZ-1118) is more affordable than the hatchback and, perhaps, is therefore sold more actively. Undoubtedly, buyers attracts it good in shape and a large trunk for this class - 400 liters. The hinges of the lids do not conceal the precious inner volume, but the little things, like a towing cable, or a pair of gloves can be left into the spare. Fastenings for a transport grid (except for the standard) will help to fix the load reliably. And to transport long, fold the rear seat - entirely or in parts (40:60).
Hatchback
Five -door viburnum is more compact than the sedan - with the same base (2470 mm) hatchback (factory index VAZ -1119) is almost 200 mm (3850 versus 4040 mm). The stopping did not affect the space in the cabin, but the trunk became closer - only 235 liters. But the opening of the five -door is almost twice as high in height than that of the sedan - not only long -terming, but also large -sized things will fit into the cargo compartment laid out with the rear seats (transformations). As in many modern models, all -point seat belts are held by all passengers of the second row, but there are no headrests, alas. Perhaps they will appear on future expensive versions.