Lada XRAY caused controversial reviews from the very beginning. What kind of car is this: a hatchback or a city crossover? Is it Russian or a converted foreign car? One thing is clear that he immediately aroused interest in himself.
XRAY turned out to be a completely new car that has nothing to do with Vesta; it is based on the Renault platform.
In its design, XRAY carries the concept of X-design from Steve Mattin: due to the embossed deep X-shaped stampings, the wings visually look larger.
Test Drive
Before XRAY, AvtoVAZ did not make crossovers. We can safely say that the XRAY is a compact urban crossover with front-wheel drive. The car turned out to be tightly built, with a high hood and a massive rear end.
Even the basic version of the model comes with 16-inch wheels. The high ground clearance of 195 mm only emphasizes the seriousness of the model.
So outwardly the car does not leave the impression of being small. The dynamics of the exterior are added by new head optics and LED running lights.
Suspension tuning
There was also no need to do anything regarding tuning the suspension, but the craftsmen warned about proprietary defects that would require timely repairs.
If the car is used intensively on roads of average quality, the compression buffers may be destroyed; if replacement is not made on time, the shock absorbers will also fail due to leakage.
If you constantly use the machine at the limit of its resource capabilities, you will have to change the stabilizer struts and silent blocks every six months. Accordingly, you should choose only good quality spare parts from elite brands.
Main characteristics of the car:
| Body | |||
| Wheel formula / drive wheels | 4 x 2 / front | ||
| Engine location | anterior transverse | ||
| Body type / number of doors | hatchback / 5 | ||
| Length / width / height, mm | 4165 / 1764 / 1570 | ||
| Base, mm | 2592 | ||
| Front/rear wheel track, mm | 1484…1492 / 1524…1532 | ||
| Ground clearance, mm | 195 | ||
| Luggage compartment volume in passenger/cargo versions, l | 361/1207 | ||
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Gearbox tuning
The gearbox configuration requires the installation of a Renault manual transmission and an automated transmission from a VAZ. Obviously, the choice fell on the manual transmission not only due to the original Renault gearbox, but also due to improved acoustic comfort indicators.
I was quite satisfied with the performance of my manual transmission without tuning; they speak extremely poorly of the LADA X RAY robotic transmission. The combination, for example, with a 122-horsepower engine is completely unexpected, since the VAZ gearbox is no good, however, according to reviews, its power is quite enough for drivers with a calm driving style.
Interior
The interior of the XRAY can be called laconic rather than budget-friendly. It is not overloaded with buttons and unnecessary elements. Even the seat heating buttons are in the blind spot and do not interfere with the eye.
You also don’t need buttons to control the media system – there is a touch screen. However, under the thumb of the right hand on the steering wheel there is a block of keys. The steering wheel is also perfectly adjustable in height, and a comfortable grip is designed for the fingers. There is no adjustment for reach, but you can adjust the driver's seat so that it is comfortable to sit.
The numbers on the dashboard are easy to read, and there is an on-board computer with a lot of necessary gadgets, including the outside temperature. The storage problem is also well resolved in the cabin - there is a drawer under the front seat, spacious pockets on the doors, and cup holders are provided on the console in the center.
There are no complaints about the assembly of the interior: the gaps are even, the structural elements do not move, there is no rattling. The finish is quite decent to the touch and visually.
The profile of the seats, as always, is not the best: the seats are flat, the cushion is short, and there is no lumbar support. Your back will get tired on long trips. A family of four can comfortably fit inside the cabin. In the rear seats, thanks to the slightly reclined seat backs, two adults and, even more so, children will be moderately comfortable. However, the third one there will be clearly superfluous.
Where to start tuning?
Experts advise starting tuning with the interior and exterior. First, you need to evaluate the available options in order to avoid unnecessary costs for this expense item. Fortunately, there are enough offers on this matter, from which you can choose an option that suits your own pocket.
There are two ways to transform the appearance of your car:
- A simpler one is cosmetic. Painting, vinyls, covering with various materials, etc.
- The constructive method is more complex. It means either adding fundamentally new elements to the design, or replacing old ones with new ones.
Trunk
To increase trunk volume, the car was even slightly lengthened. The trunk volume is not that small. In the top configuration, it is equipped with a convenient double bottom, under which you can easily hide the tool. Larger tools such as a jack can be stored in the lockable side niches.
The compartment geometry is flat, without protruding wheel arches. Hooks, lighting, and brackets for nets are carefully located around the perimeter. There's even an outlet. The ease of loading is also flawless: the threshold is low and the bumper protrudes slightly.
The problem of opening the trunk is conveniently implemented compared to previous models. The rubberized release button is located in the license plate niche and is on the folding key.
If you fold the backs of the rear seats, you get a more/less flat floor and quite a large volume, and if you roll the front seats as far forward as possible, then a short driver can even pass the night quite comfortably.
Exterior Lada X Ray
The appearance of the Lada XRay is spectacular - the use of X-design elements in the body design both in the front part and on the sides had an impact. Moreover, on the sides of the car this technique is used using embossing technology, creating a volumetric contour of the desired profile on the surface of the doors and wings. The effectiveness of this solution also has a downside - the difficulty of restoring the embossing contour after damage and premature wear of the paintwork on the edges (scuffs) when using a body contact wash.
The angle of the windshield and hood emphasize the dynamism of the car; the size of the arches allows the installation of larger tires than the standard ones on 16-inch wheels. It is quite appropriate, and without reducing the dynamic characteristics of the crossover, to have wheels with a diameter of 17 inches, declaring the power of the engine, but the price will be increased fuel consumption.
The unexpected absence of roof rails is disappointing, making it impossible to install a modern streamlined roof rack on the roof - a desirable attribute of a car of this class. But they are already present on the concept - Lada XRay Cross, planned to roll off the AvtoVAZ assembly line in 2022 and is distinguished, in addition, by the presence of a protective sports body kit made of black matte plastic around the perimeter of the body and increased ground clearance.
Trunk
The volume of the luggage compartment of the Lada XRay is 361 liters - quite acceptable for a crossover, especially since the design provides for the transformation of the luggage compartment by folding the rear seat backs, after which the capacity of the compartment increases to 1207 liters.
The advantages of the trunk include:
- high position of the trunk lid when open – preventing head injuries;
- electric drive of the lock – ease of opening (waterproof key);
- soft finishing, including a cover that protects luggage and body from damage;
- 12 volt socket – possibility of connecting an electric pump;
- backlight on the left side - ease of use in the dark;
- fastening eyes in the raised floor and slings for securing luggage.
Not without its drawbacks:
- small opening of the trunk lid - a limitation when transporting large cargo;
- small distance between the fastening eyes - it is inconvenient to tie slings under oversized luggage;
- insufficient strength of the false floor - it bends with a significant weight of luggage, and after dismantling, if you are on the road, there is nowhere to put it.
In a nutshell, there are much more positive impressions of the trunk than complaints about it.
Power characteristics
| 1.8 l 16-cl., 5AMT, 122 hp | 1.6 l 16-cl., 5MT, 106 hp | 1.6 l 16-cl., 5MT, 110 hp | |
| Engine | |||
| engine's type | petrol | ||
| Supply system | electronically controlled fuel injection | ||
| Number, arrangement of cylinders | 4, in-line | ||
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1800 | 1596 | 1598 |
| Maximum power, hp / kW / rev. min. | 122 / 90 / 6000 | 106 / 78 / 5800 | 110 / 81 / 5500 |
| Maximum torque, Nm / rev. min. | 173 / 3500 | 148 / 4200 | 150 / 4000 |
| Fuel | gasoline with an octane rating of at least 95 | ||
| Dynamic characteristics | |||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 183 | 170 | 171 |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 10,9 | 11,9 | 10,3 |
| Fuel consumption | |||
| Combined cycle, l/100 km | 7,1 | 7,5 | 6,9 |
The driver can choose a model with one of three engines. The most optimal is a gasoline engine with 110 horsepower. These are its passport characteristics when working with recommended 92 gasoline.
If gasoline is replaced with 95, then the engine is capable of producing 114 horses. This engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission from Renault. The car is controlled easily and smoothly. Electric power steering reduces strain on your hands.
The engine is high-torque, elastic, and pulls the car up to operating speeds without problems, even in 5th gear from idle. Acceleration dynamics are also at the level - 10.3 seconds to hundreds on 15-16 wheels.
On seventeenth wheels, acceleration will take about 11.2 seconds. Some complaints appear at high speeds, more than 120 km/h. The gears of the manual are quite short, and when the speedometer needle reaches a hundred, the tachometer pointer approaches 3,000 rpm. At highway speeds this can result in increased fuel consumption and roaring noise.
The X-ray passes through a broken section of the road absolutely calmly, without transmitting vibrations to either the steering wheel or the interior. Reactions to the steering wheel are clear and predictable. The roll is moderate, the behavior is front-wheel drive with a slight tendency for the front axle to drift when turning when overspeeding and a strict stabilization system.
The second engine is 1.8 liters. with a capacity of 122 horses. It is equipped with an automated AMT gearbox. In any rpm range, when you engage a gear and press the gas, you definitely feel a pickup. In automatic mode the car runs smoother. Gear changes are noticeable even during automatic driving, but still the car selects the most optimal options. The engine noise insulation is excellent.
AvtoVAZ is not going to install an automatic transmission; nevertheless, in this case the price of the car will rise significantly. But the driver will have to get used to the operation of AMT. This box is identical in design to the one found on Vesta and, according to the manufacturer, is trained to get used to the owner’s specific driving style, adjusting its operating algorithm to suit it.
The robot starts smooth, leisurely acceleration without problems, but in city traffic jams or during active driving, the box may begin to twitch when switching. When driving on slopes, it is better to work in manual mode. By the way, unlike Vesta, in manual mode the reduced mode is activated by moving away from you.
You can opt for the VAZ engine with 106 horsepower and a volume of 1.6 liters.
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Brakes
- Poor fastening of the brake pipe, which runs along the rear suspension beam. When reversing along a track, there is a possibility of pulling it out of the clamps.
- The rear pads wear out in the same way as the front ones - unevenly.
- The braiding of the handbrake cable is frayed by its own clamp.
Other Features
Visibility in the car is excellent, helped by the huge side mirrors. Additional functions will not interfere with visibility - an electrically heated windshield, frameless windshield wipers, and even a wide-angle color rear view camera.
Onboard navigation pleasantly surprises with its speed, ease of control and detailed depiction of the landscape. Maps can be updated periodically. There is a button to turn off ESC on the center console. To deactivate the electronic assistant, you need to hold the button for about two seconds. With ESC disabled, it is more convenient to operate in off-road conditions (for example, in slushy snow on an uphill slope).
Refinement of the cylinder head
Modification of the cylinder head along the cooling system line is done only for turbo engines. In practice, a turbocharged engine is more powerful, but requires an efficient cooling system to avoid overheating. One of the ways to tune the cylinder head to improve the cooling parameters is to improve the circulation of antifreeze in the cylinder head.
The problem with the standard X RAY cylinder head is that the antifreeze channels are closed and without circulation, which at high speeds increases the risk of engine boiling. Tuning consists of connecting the antifreeze channels to neighboring ones, which increases the service life of the engine and head gasket.
Options
| Equipment | Price | Engine | checkpoint |
| 1.6 Optima MT | 599 900 ₽ | petrol 1.6, 106 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.6 Optima Advanced MT | 660 900 ₽ | petrol 1.6, 106 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.8 Optima Advanced MT | 685 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.6 Luxe MT | 710 900 ₽ | petrol 1.6, 106 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.8 Optima Advanced AMT | 710 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Automatic 5 |
| 1.8 Luxe MT | 735 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.6 Luxe Prestige MT | 739 900 ₽ | petrol 1.6, 106 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.8 Luxe AMT | 760 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Automatic 5 |
| 1.8 Luxe Prestige MT | 773 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.8 Luxe Prestige AMT | 798 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Automatic 5 |
| 1.8 Exclusive MT | 805 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Mechanical 5 |
| 1.8 Exclusive AMT | 830 900 ₽ | petrol 1.8, 122 hp | Automatic 5 |
Even in the basic version, the car is quite well equipped. The Optima configuration comes with a 106-horsepower engine with manual transmission. The Optima has 16-inch alloy wheels, stability control, and driver and passenger airbags.
The 2 rear seats have comfortable headrests. It is equipped with a security alarm, an immobilizer, engine and hood protection, an on-board computer, ERA-Glonass and a radio tape recorder. If you additionally purchase the Comfort package, the car owner will become the proud owner of air conditioning and heated front seats.
The Top package can be distinguished by the presence of foglights, electric rear door windows, electrically heated rear-view mirrors, a multimedia system with a seven-inch display and parking sensors. The optional Prestige package includes climate control, rain and light sensors and a rear view camera. For the premium package there is 75% tinting of the rear windows.
All configurations are available in versions with a 1.8 engine and with an AMT robot.
Salon
The first impression of the interior is comfort and high quality finishes. The plastic of the dashboard, although hard to the touch, fits well, is secured and does not creak. The seat covers are well sewn, combined - made of high-quality fabric with leatherette inserts, the steering wheel is equipped with thickenings for a comfortable grip and is covered with an artificial leather cover.
The deflectors on the front panel are highlighted with chrome-plated contours, are located accessible and functional.
The combination of instruments on the board is compact and informative, despite the futuristic design.
The size of the display allows you to read information without the use of glasses, and the air conditioning control panel located just below is clear and simple.
The front seats have enough adjustment options to accommodate any height or body size comfortably.
The pedal compartment is spacious, and the location of the pedals is optimal - large shoes do not touch the neighboring ones when you press the pedal.
And now a little about the sad. The view from the cabin leaves much to be desired:
- the “window sill line” is located a bit high;
- the wide bases of the A-pillars create blind spots;
- the side exterior mirrors are small and therefore not very informative (since the fall of 2016, AvtoVAZ has increased their size);
- The tailgate window is located high and is rather small in size, although this is compensated by the presence of a rear view camera and a parking sensor system;
- The side windows quickly become covered with vertical scratches from opening and closing.
There is not enough space in front of the rear seats if tall passengers sit in front.
The engine compartment is well insulated, and the wheel arches transmit the impact of every pebble into the cabin when driving on crushed stone.
And yet, the interior of the Lada X Ray impresses with quality and functionality, which AvtoVAZ products lacked for a very long time.
