While the automotive community is shifting to all-electric road trips and autonomous cyber cabs, Classic cars are still the dream. Almost everyone wants one. Depending on where you grew up, the term “Classic car” may take you back to the Elcamino or the old HR-V. But you should stay away from one “classic” car: the Lada Granta Classic.
The Lada Granta Classic might appear as a cost-effective option in the subcompact category, particularly popular in Russia and a few neighboring countries. The Lada Granta’s top selling points are the low price tag and stylish build quality. But, despite its affordability, there are some problems with the Lada Granta Classic that you should be cautious of. Some of the issues include outdated safety features, questionable reliability, underwhelming performance, and overall limited features. Potential buyers should consider the disadvantages of the Lads Granta committing to this vehicle.
Here’s why you should stay away from the Lada Granta Classic:
1. Underwhelming Performance
The current Lada Granta Classic has a modest 1.6-liter engine with power output ranging from 80 to 106 horsepower. This is a limited power output that makes the sedan ideal for city commutes only. However, Granta’s engine power is a drawback for drivers who need highway power or a much more response throttle or acceleration. Expect the 60-mph acceleration to be at around 12 seconds.
The Lada Granta Classic’s underwhelming horsepower makes it feel sluggish compared to competitors, especially when loaded with passengers or cargo.
2. Basic Safety Standards
Safety is one of Lada Granta’s biggest disadvantages. The sedan scored two out of four stars in ARCAP’s 2012 crash test, with injuries reported for the driver and passenger. This is way back before features like adaptive cruise control became a norm like they are now.
Even the Luxe model, tested in 2015, scored three stars but still left much to be desired. So why should you stay and avoid the Lada Granta? The Basic trims of the sedan lack essential safety features such as electronic stability control and passenger airbags, making this car less protective in real-world scenarios. By today’s standards, the Lada Granta Classic is among the least safe cars in the world. Motor1 even reported that the latest Lada Granta has no anti-lock brakes and airbags.
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3. Outdated Design and Limited Features
The exterior of the Lada Granta has an outdated design. While the Lada Granta received a facelift in 2018, the design updates were primarily the headlights, grille, and trunk.
Like the exterior, the interior of the Lada Granta leaves a lot to be desired. It feels as cheap as it looks, with a design largely dominated by plastics. Overall, the interior reflects the Granta’s status as an affordable car. There are limited comfort and technology offerings in the Standard and Norm trims. While the Luxe trim includes air conditioning, heated seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen, these features are almost a baseline standard in other budget cars.
4. Subpar Build Quality and Materials
There are many reports of low-grade Lada Granta interior materials that feel outdated and cheap. The materials and build quality in the car feel cheap.
The seats and plastics of the Lada Granta often show wear and tear faster than expected. Some owners have reported recurring issues with the interior fittings. This makes the Lada Granta less durable than its competitors, which, by the way, are fewer than you think.
5. Availability of Spare Parts and Service
Sanctions in Russia have limited the availability of parts and services outside the country. These have brought potential difficulties for international buyers.
Because of the Sanctions on Russia, Lada promised to source from “friendly” countries. However, parts may still be delayed or unavailable outside certain regions.
This can make maintenance and repairs of the Lada Granta more costly and difficult to manage, especially if you’re outside Russia or neighboring areas where Lada dealerships are scarce.
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6. Lack of Innovation
Since its inception, the Lada Granta Classic has had a relatively unchanged powertrain. I have also had a minimal focus on sustainability, even as the years progressed. Without significant updates, the Lada Granta Classic feels like a step backward in the automotive world. Imagine if Ford made the classic 70s Mustang today with all its classic parts and no new features whatsoever.
For a car that prioritizes budget, the Lada Granta lags significantly in areas like fuel efficiency, electric or hybrid options, and improved emissions standards.
Many many manufacturers are shifting towards cleaner technology. A good example is the Citroen C3, which recently went all-electric without completely dropping the hybrid or pure ICE versions. However, the Granta’s outdated design limits its appeal to buyers seeking forward-thinking features.
7. Uncertain Future and Questionable Reliability
Lada announced plans to release a second-generation Granta based on a new Renault platform. While it sounds like a solid move, shifting the Granta Classic to a new platform only makes the sedan look even more outdated, or “classic”.
On top of that, the current Granta Classic has a reliance on older parts and systems, which raises concerns about long-term reliability. Buyers of the Ladat Granta may experience increased maintenance needs as the vehicle ages, particularly with the car’s dated engineering.
What do you think? Is the Lada Granta still a catch despite these shortcomings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
