The Lada Kalina Cross car was presented for the first time after the new year. A review of the new AVTOVAZ model attracted the attention of many admirers of the domestic automobile industry. Indeed, the idea deserves attention, because the manufacturer tried to create an SUV based on a regular Station Wagon. Opinions differ about whether he succeeded.
More and more manufacturers are looking to build SUVs based on previous conventional versions. This is very convenient and also allows you to reduce the cost of starting a car. After the key characteristics, configurations and prices were announced, many agreed that the car deserves attention, not only for its practicality, but also for its design solutions.
100–1
Cross has black trim on the trunk door, arches, sills, and bumpers.
Wide door moldings. Black door handles, mirror caps and grille. Silver trim at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers. Light alloy wheels with 195/55R15 tires. Suspension with increased ground clearance: modified front and rear shock absorbers. Gearbox with main pair 3.9 instead of 3.7. Cross has black trim on the trunk door, arches, sills, and bumpers. Wide door moldings. Black door handles, mirror caps and grille. Silver trim at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers. Light alloy wheels with 195/55R15 tires. Suspension with increased ground clearance: modified front and rear shock absorbers. Gearbox with main pair 3.9 instead of 3.7.
The Cross has black trim on the trunk door, arches, sills, and bumpers. Wide door moldings. Black door handles, mirror caps and grille. Silver trim at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers. Light alloy wheels with 195/55R15 tires. Suspension with increased ground clearance: modified front and rear shock absorbers. Gearbox with main pair 3.9 instead of 3.7.
Specifications
The description of the car consists of design, possible configuration options and technical capabilities. Analyzing the main characteristics of the Lada Kalina Cross, first of all you need to pay attention to the technical parameters of the car:
- engine – petrol;
- engine capacity – 1.6 liters;
- 87-106 hp – possible engine power;
- front-wheel drive;
- maximum possible speed – 178 km/h;
- the car can accelerate to 100 km/h in 10.8-13.1 s;
- average fuel consumption in the city: 10.5 liters per 100 km, on the highway - 6.8 liters. On average, this figure is 5.5-5.8 liters;
- 5-speed manual transmission. But there is also a more sophisticated version with an automatic system;
- ground clearance - 18.2 cm;
- fuel tank volume – 50 liters.
The body dimensions are as follows:
- length 4.1m;
- width 1.7 m;
- height 1.56 m.
The luggage compartment volume is 355 liters, but it can be increased to 670 liters if the rear row of seats is folded. Gross vehicle weight: 1.56 tons.
As you can see, the technical characteristics here cannot be called too attractive. In the parameters, many things are overly simplified to reduce the cost. At the same time, they are quite sufficient for using the car as a “workhorse”.
The car is not entirely suitable for traveling long distances: firstly, because the luggage compartment is not very spacious, and secondly, because of the small volume of the fuel tank. Also, the car is not suitable for off-road travel, since the power parameters are not suitable for this. But the manufacturer does not position the car as an SUV.
SNOW
Country paths and virgin snow, as expected, put “Cross” in the lead. It is taller and better protected from below. In these conditions, a manual gearbox, a 3.9 main pair and an engine with acceptable traction at low speeds are what you need. You can move through loose snow with even throttle, almost under pressure. Where there is more snow, you accelerate a little and scratch further with a slight slip - the Cross confidently crawls forward.
Stuck? It’s not difficult to jump back using the old-fashioned method of swinging. Small twigs, branches, and hard crust are not a problem: the black plastic body kit protects the sills and bumpers well from scratches. The tight suspension instills confidence that the car will not nosedive or hit an obstacle at the most inopportune moment.
Options and prices
The 2021 Lada Kalina Cross is available in several configuration options. Even the initial version has many options and functionality, which makes the car an acceptable option for the average user. Compared to the Universal version, buyers consider the Cross model range to be more successful.
The basic version of Classic has the following list of features and built-in functions:
- air conditioner;
- signaling:
- driver airbags;
- rear seat headrests;
- possibility of installing a child seat;
- auxiliary braking system;
- rear door locking function;
- power steering;
- on-board computer;
- at the driver's request, it is possible to choose an option with slightly tinted windows;
- heated front row seats;
- interior ventilation;
- electric drive, heated mirrors;
- climate system;
- audio system with 4 speakers, ability to connect devices.
The kit also includes 15-inch wheels and one spare wheel.
For this type of configuration, you can choose a gray or orange interior. By the way, depending on the chosen option for equipping the car, the number and location of various shelves, hooks, and pockets in the cabin, provided for the convenience of the driver and passengers, will also differ.
You can also choose a complex version - it will have a more powerful motor with a larger volume and some additional necessary functions. But it should immediately be noted that there is no too significant difference here - small additions, design changes.
For example, a car one step higher is simply equipped with an additional airbag for the front passenger and a sun visor.
But the Lada Kalina Cross Black Line is simply a more original version in appearance, equipped with a black roof and black alloy wheels with an intricate design.
The most functionally advanced version of Luxury Coriander. There are 3 headrests for rear row passengers, electric rear doors, fog lights, sensors (rain, light, parking), and a heated windshield. Also, the interior is made of higher quality and pleasing to the eye materials.
If suddenly the selected equipment turns out to be insufficient, it will always be possible to choose an additional option or accessory by purchasing them at a specialized car dealership.
By the way, this is a significant advantage of domestic models - a full list of necessary components is often available, so you don’t have to wait long for foreign deliveries if something suddenly breaks down.
Depending on the power and configuration, the Lada will cost 535-605 thousand rubles. It is planned that the model will be sold only in Russia.
NOT EXPENSIVE AT ALL
Will you have to overpay a lot for Cross?
At the end of January, when we conducted this test, the station wagon closest to it in terms of equipment with a manual transmission and the same engine cost 427,800 rubles. And for the Cross, dealers asked 451,000 rubles. The difference is about 23 thousand. Great offer! After all, “Cross” means large light alloy wheels, an off-road body kit, increased ground clearance, a modified suspension, a short main gear in the transmission and a more pleasant interior. It is promised that the Cross will soon appear with a 16-valve engine, more powerful, and another 10 thousand more expensive. It's also tempting.
Against this background, the price of the test "Kalina" station wagon seems inadequate - 523,800 rubles. But it’s “automatic”! And the “Lux” package comes with a stabilization system. Look through the price lists: foreign cars of this class with automatic transmission, climate control and other benefits are significantly more expensive.
Interior design Lada Kalina Cross
The domestic automobile giant, as always, decided not to make significant design changes to the interior design of the new Lada Kalina Cross. The appearance of the interior remains the same, with the exception of a few design decisions - the seats, doors, dashboard and steering wheel no longer look so gray due to the fact that orange inserts have been added to them. Well, in general, thanks for that - the interior of the Lada Kalina Cross began to radiate positivity and at least somehow differ from the base model.
Otherwise, the interior design has not changed and remains the same - hard plastic is covered with the same gray and dull tones. But, given that the cost of the Lada Kalina Cross does not exceed the budget category of cars, you can be content with these relatively minor changes.
099–1
The difference in ground clearance is in favor of the Cross, of course.
A simple station wagon, putting an obstacle between the wheels, would touch it with the gearbox housing. The difference in ground clearance is in favor of the Cross, of course. A simple station wagon, putting an obstacle between the wheels, would touch it with the gearbox housing.
And now - away with the economy! Three days behind the wheel of the new Kalina - and even the author, who is “well over forty”, prefers the youth model. That is, “Cross”. All-terrain capability, non-standard appearance, smart suspension. Drive, finally!
It’s just that the “Kalina” station wagon seemed somewhat pensioner-like, despite the 16-valve engine. And something tells us: buyers will look for peace of mind, coziness and comfort in cars from other automakers.
The editors thank MPO Tekhinkom and AutoHERMES - West for the cars provided.
Lada Kalina or Lada Kalina Cross: luxury versus cross
Dimensional characteristics of Lada Kalina Cross
Since one of the designers' goals was to create a roomy station wagon, the dimensions of the car were changed:
- The rear of the car was increased by 211 mm, as a result of which the total length of the body reached 4104 mm compared to 3893 mm of its predecessor.
- The track width of the front wheels of the Lada Kalina Cross remained unchanged (1430 mm), but 4 mm was added to the rear axle (1418 mm)
- Due to roof rails, a modified chassis, 15-inch wheels and high tires, the height of the car became 1560 mm versus 1500 mm for the Kalina Hatchback
- A consequence of the changes in the chassis and wheel sizes was also an increase in ground clearance by almost 4 cm - in the end it became 183 mm at full load
The downside of increasing the ground clearance of the Lada Kalina Cross was the need to reduce the turning radius by 30 cm along with a reduction in the length of the steering rack.
