How does the Xray Cross interior differ from the “regular” version?

Ground clearance

Ground clearance has never been a problem even for the regular Xray. In the Cross version it has grown to an impressive 215 mm. The figure is decent for many all-wheel drive vehicles and is comparable to those of models such as the related Renault Duster or Kaptur. The increase in ground clearance was the result not only of changes in the suspension, but also of a different wheel size. Add to this the unpainted plastic around the perimeter, and the Lada XRAY Cross becomes a good choice for driving off asphalt.

Lada X-Ray suspension: design, features

The suspension installed on the Lada X-Ray does not need any special introduction: it is essentially the same, legendary because of its simplicity and strength, the Renault Logan chassis in its “lifted” version for Stepway, which provides the car with 195 mm ground clearance.

However, the creators of XRay did not take the path of completely copying the Japanese-French B0 platform: anyone who happens to compare the Lada X-Ray and the same Sandero Stepway on the move will certainly note that the suspension of the Tolyatti crossover is noticeably stiffer.

When developing the Lada X-Ray, the off-road qualities of the crossover were clearly sought to be combined with a more controlled behavior of the car on the road.

Less comfort in the XRay pays off with noticeably reduced roll when cornering quickly and precise steering control.

XRay front suspension

The independent front suspension installed on the Lada X-Ray is a classic McPherson, most of the components of which are unified with Renault cars produced on a neighboring assembly line. The shock absorbers on the XRay are original - gas Tenecco (USA), and it is their main contribution to the increased stiffness of the suspension. The lower suspension arms are not mounted on the body side members, as was previously the case on cars from the Volzhsky plant, but on a subframe that is a separate unit. It is also a transverse reinforcement of the body, connecting the right and left side members to each other.

Perhaps the most famous component of this suspension was the anti-roll bar. After the restyling of Logan (phase 2), it was removed; in the second generation of the popular car, it returned - but only with a 16-valve engine. How is XRay doing?

VAZ engineers did not resort to dubious savings, and the anti-roll bar is an integral part of all Lada X-Ray configurations.

The Lada X-Ray Cross, expected by many, will obviously be based on the suspension of the all-wheel drive Duster, that is, it will receive more powerful extended struts and springs.

The main and, alas, unpleasant difference between the XRay and the Logan is that the ball joints are no longer pressed into the lever, but are riveted to it at three points - replacing them will become more difficult and, accordingly, more expensive. Otherwise, the maintainability of the suspension is at a high level - all fastening points are easily accessible, there are no extraneous components interfering with dismantling.

XRay rear suspension

At the rear, the XRay has an elastic beam, traditional for cars in this price segment. Having retained the layout taken from Stepway without changes, the beam itself has become somewhat wider: the track of the Lada X-Ray is 37 millimeters wider compared to its brother. The stiffness of the rear springs and the damping characteristics of the XRay gas shock absorbers have also been changed, the rear suspension has become stiffer, which is especially noticeable when the car is unloaded. Of course, you shouldn’t expect sporty handling from it, but for a quiet ride in city traffic, the capabilities of the rear semi-independent suspension will be more than enough.

A huge advantage of the XRay rear suspension will be its service life - its simple design has long proven itself to be highly reliable: there is practically nothing to break here. The beams that carry silent blocks have a huge resource; the only weak point is the lower silent blocks of the shock absorbers and the shock absorbers themselves.

But, as the many years of experience of “Loganovodov” show, they are also capable of digesting Russian roads without much difficulty, giving out the malfunction by knocking only when they finally become unusable. Often drivers, especially inexperienced ones, only learn about the need for chassis repairs on a lift.

The all-wheel drive Lada X-Ray Cross, no matter how much expected by buyers, is still delayed by the plant, is in no hurry to appear on the assembly line for good reason. Let us recall that the introduction of all-wheel drive on the initially front-wheel drive B0 “trolley” required the manufacturers not only to introduce an independent rear multi-link suspension, but also to thoroughly redesign the entire body for it. In addition, the cardan drive will require the body to have a tunnel in the middle - it currently houses the exhaust system. VAZ is in no hurry to invest in development and creation of new dies and assembly lines.

Behavior on the go

“Lada X-Ray” became a compromise between the plant’s desires to play on the growing popularity of crossovers, and on the desire of young drivers to realize their ambitions in the city.

In terms of balance of qualities, the XRay ultimately became a more urban car than its French relatives.

The car clearly perceives steering movements and does not suffer from excessive roll when cornering, as opposed to the roll of the Sandero Stepway. The groundwork for future “sports” versions, so beloved by VAZ, is clearly felt - cooperation with Renault-Nissan has given them a much wider range of engines and transmissions compared to the Togliatti team’s own developments.

The other side of the coin turns towards the driver when the XRay leaves the asphalt. Hard shock absorbers describe in detail to the owner all the holes and stones that the car encounters along the way. Of course, all this is understood in comparison with French crossovers: taking another car for comparison, you can see that the XRay does not feel so bad on a broken road.

Appearance

If we talk about off-road body kit, then XRAY Cross is a vivid example of how “armor” can benefit the image. The Cross really looks much more harmonious than the usual Xray: unpainted plastic unloaded the heavy image. The 17-inch wheels were also a plus. True, on a rough road, as our Karakum run showed, shoes should still have a higher profile. The roof rails also contribute to the attractive appearance, giving the car a utilitarian look.

New options and features

Lada XRAY Cross boasts a number of new options. First of all, this concerns steering wheel heating - this is the first time such a useful option has appeared in our country on Ladas. And the rim itself can be covered with leather. On the Cross, the front seat heating buttons have finally moved from the end of the seats to the center console. The front seats have been redesigned and have more developed lateral support. The steering wheel now has reach adjustment. And the instrument cluster changed the color of the on-board computer display.

Test Drive

Overgrown

The Lada X-Ray is positioned by the concern as a crossover, but in fact it is very reminiscent of a city hatchback with high ground clearance. In essence, this is how it is. Nevertheless, the car looks quite attractive.

It is worth highlighting the front bumper with its now signature X-shaped configuration and chrome trim, a convex hood, and expressive sidewalls. The head optics are equipped with LED running lights, which gives it a respectable appearance. The stern looks unusual due to the sloping pillars and the rear bumper made of black plastic.

With aspirations for more

The interior decoration of the Lada X Rey can be considered one of the most memorable in the class. Despite the budget orientation of the model, its interior looks colorful. The dashboard in the wells pleases the eye with clear digitization, an informative on-board computer, and the multimedia system screen is located on the center console. The latter allows you to play videos, project images from removable media, and also display an overview from the rear view camera.

A driver's seat with optimal rigidity prevents fatigue during long driving. However, its lateral support is not very pronounced, which is why the body is not clearly fixed. It seems that the rear sofa can accommodate three people, but don’t get your hopes up - only two riders with a height of no more than 175 centimeters will be at ease here.

The luggage compartment is modest in numbers - only 360 liters. But it is worth highlighting the correct, rectangular shape of the loading area, which allows you to rationally place your luggage.

The makings of a crossover

The most powerful engine in the line is the 1.8 liter unit. It is combined with a robotic gearbox and has good agility at medium speeds. But the transmission does not want to drive fast - it pauses when changing gears. Moreover, at the moment the clutch discs close, a strong push occurs, which does not have the best effect on the smoothness of the ride.

X-Ray is controlled impressively - as if it weighs at least two tons. The steering wheel is not very responsive to the driver's commands, and as speed increases, the effort on the steering wheel remains weightless, which forces you to be more careful when maneuvering. However, the Russian car is capable of turning quite quickly - the rolls are moderate, while the drift of the front axle occurs smoothly and predictably.

Lada Ride Select

Of course, the “off-road” version of Xray, like Vesta, does not have all-wheel drive. And it is unlikely to happen. But this modification still has some alternative. This is the Lada Ride Select system, which allows you to select one of five driving modes. It is also possible to disable the traction control system. There is also a sport mode, which sharpens the response to pressing the accelerator, and a “snow/mud and sand” mode, which not only changes the accelerator settings, but also allows a greater degree of slipping. We were able to fully test the latter mode in the Karakum sands. Of course, it will not replace all-wheel drive, but it will allow the car to move several tens of meters further than a regular XRAY.

Characteristics of the Lada X Ray Cross model 2022

The new model line differs from the previous version by the increased diameter of the wheel rims, higher ground clearance and plastic body protection.

New body

Having carefully studied the photo, you will notice that the model differs from its predecessor in small details. This is a slightly elevated body position and aggressive design style. The small front end appears more massive thanks to the high and wide hood and X-shaped radiator trim.

The wedge-shaped blocks of the front halogen headlights fit perfectly into the design of the crossover.

The car features sporty side diffusers, a set of paired fog lamps and a large metal-plastic body kit. The side reveals dynamic and vibrant details to car enthusiasts:

• wheel arches have protective inserts;
• many elements of graceful stepped relief;
• three-section windows are characterized by a black perimeter and extended mullions;
• the roof line smoothly turning into the stern.

The plastic body kit performs protective and decorative functions. The crossover status is also confirmed by the details in the rear of the car.

The “improved” Lada can be distinguished by the following features:

• the spoiler visor has an enlarged format;
• The high tailgate features oval glazing;
• the rear optics have a different shape and are mounted on wide stands.

The wide body kit of the new model has three reflectors. In the cutouts of the shaped metal diffuser there is a pair of exhaust pipes, eyes and a towbar bracket.

Salon

Since the car has a budget status, the quality of the interior decoration and decoration leaves much to be desired. This is due to the use of several types of fabrics and inexpensive plastic.

The interior is decorated in a combination of brown and black (a gray option will also be offered instead of brown).

The audio system control panel is located on the top floor of the center console. In the middle there is a small platform on which you can see washers for activating several options for comfort in the cabin. It also has control devices for driving modes. The standard configuration of the tunnel includes handbrake and gear shift levers, an armrest, space for glasses and a pocket for small items. The manufacturer promises to equip the top modification with a refrigerator compartment.

Chassis

In addition to many updates in the cabin and the appearance of the Lada Ride Select system, Xray Cross also underwent modernization of the chassis. The front suspension arms are similar to West's. It also comes with electric power steering. And, of course, disc brakes on all wheels. All this inevitably affected driving performance. The XRAY Cross rides on a winding road much nicer and clearer than the regular XRAY. Reactions to the steering wheel have become more accurate, and early drift of the front axle when overspeeding has disappeared. And an endless number of vibrations and shocks on uneven roads are no longer transmitted to the steering wheel.

Suspension comfort

Thanks to a wheelbase of 2592 mm and high ground clearance of 195 mm, the car received fairly good performance in terms of comfort. The tall crossover is able to easily overcome light off-road conditions and deep snow. The front and rear track widths are 1532 and 1492 mm, which has a positive effect on handling during sharp turns.

At speed you can hardly feel the rutting of the asphalt. The wheelbase dimensions meet the requirements of small SUVs. Together with 16-inch alloy wheels, the car easily absorbs any bumps. With a total vehicle weight of 1600 kg, the weight distribution along the axles is 51 to 49%.

Thanks to almost perfect weight distribution, the car is able to confidently overcome slippery or snowy road sections. The X Rey suspension has fairly large strokes, which has a positive effect on the effectiveness of traction when overcoming off-road conditions. The front-wheel drive copes well in all operating conditions. However, the crossover is more adapted for city driving. Despite the low rubber profile, the suspension is able to provide maximum handling and comfort.

The first disadvantage is the price

At the price in the maximum configuration, XRAY Cross has reached a new psychological mark of 900 thousand rubles. And although prices are now high for all cars, very few are willing to pay almost a million rubles for a Lada. On the other hand, not so long ago such a psychological mark was half a million rubles, then 700 thousand rubles... Nevertheless, even for this money Ladas are selling well.

The second minus is the cramped interior

Ixray also inherited a cramped rear row of seats from the co-platform Renault Stepway. There is not enough air for its inhabitants. Once a person of above average height is behind the wheel, he will no longer be able to sit comfortably. And the trunk, which holds 304 liters (according to ZR measurements), cannot be called gigantic by modern standards.

In a word, if the price does not scare you, and there is no urgent need for a super-spacious trunk, then the Lada XRAY Cross is a completely worthy choice even against the backdrop of numerous competitors.

• Finally, stylish cars have appeared in Russia, and in a decent car, everything should be beautiful: both the interior and the exterior. Well, the trunk is tidy, of course.

5 pros and two big minuses of the Lada XRAY Cross

Lada XRAY Cross - configurations and prices

The crossover is available in 3 trim levels:

• Classic (Classic),
• Comfort and
• Luxe (Lux),

there are 2 optional packages: Optima and Prestige.

What interesting things does the basic Classic and higher offer?

• — There is not only an airbag for the driver, but also for the front passenger, for which it is possible to turn it off;
• — Electric power steering,
• — The steering wheel is adjustable in height and reach (42 mm),
• — Immobilizer,
• — Rear brakes are disc, not drum, like their closest competitors,
• — ERA GLONASS for emergency notification,
• — Standard alarm system,
• — LED running lights,
• — Anti-lock braking system + additional driving modes,
• — The front doors are equipped with electric windows,
• - On-board computer
• — and other pleasant little things.

The price of LADA XRAY Cross in the basic Classic configuration is almost 730 thousand rubles. in 2022.

Optima package in combination with the Classic allows you to install

• air conditioner,
• audio system with 4 speakers,
• multifunctional wheel and
• a glove box with the ability to cool it when the air conditioner is running – a pleasure from 767 thousand rubles.

This is interesting: What to do if the water in the washer reservoir is frozen, how to defrost it?

The Comfort version already has all this, plus additionally:

• — LADA Ride Select – the same 5 modes that were described above,
• - Fog lights,
• — The driver's seat is height adjustable,
• — Electric windows are also installed at the rear,
• — Front seats are heated, and even 3-level,
• — Pull-out container under the front passenger seat,
• — The mirrors are electrically driven and heated,
• — 4 rear parking sensors.

Prices in this configuration start from 810 thousand rubles. for 2018-2019

Maximum comfort is provided by the luxury Luxe package - from 859,900 rubles.

Here you can choose the color scheme of the interior and instrument panel: black or with orange inserts. The latter are especially suitable when choosing the “Amber” body color.

In addition to the equipment listed above, Luxe includes:

• — Combined seat upholstery: both fabric and more durable eco-leather,
• — Steering wheel and gearbox cover trimmed in eco-leather,
• — Heated steering wheel - even Duster doesn’t have this,
• — The rear seats are also heated,
• - Climate control,
• — Heated windshield,
• — Rain and light sensors, allowing you to automatically turn on the wipers and headlights at the right time,
• — Cruise control with speed limiter.

As you can see, the characteristics of the Lada XRAY Cross deserve attention in its price segment for a new crossover. Especially in the Lux package.