Renault Sandero vs Lada Granta comparison

The domestic auto industry is far from being at the top in terms of the quality and level of production of passenger cars. Many people compare Russian cars with Chinese developments, considering them to be their main competitors in the budget segment.

But not everything is as bad as some are inclined to believe. The VAZ company (Lada) has several very successful projects, one of which is Granta. This is an inexpensive, very budget car that fully justifies its value. In such a low price range, there are virtually no competitors. These include the French Renault Sandero hatchback.

Naturally, the question arises as to which of them is better and who to give preference to when buying a new passenger car of the budget category.

General technical information

The Russian car is produced in several body versions. It is a classic sedan, hatchback, liftback and station wagon. Plus there is a cross-version. But since the Renault Sandero is produced only in a hatchback body, including the off-road version (Stepway), it would be logical to compare hatchbacks with each other.

Lada Granta belongs to the category of front-wheel drive subcompact cars of the European B class. Officially, the Granta hatchback made its debut in August 2018 in Moscow. In fact, this is a modernized 2nd generation Lada Kalina, which has received a number of changes.

Kalina is being built on the basis of an updated platform from Kalina. Independent front suspension with MacPherson struts. At the rear, a semi-independent design with a torsion beam and coil springs. The basic version is equipped with a steering gear without power steering. But in a more expensive version, an electric amplifier appears. The front brakes are disc and ventilated, and the rear are classic drums. The basic version provides for the presence of ABS, BAS and EBD.

Renault Sandero is also a front-wheel drive subcompact hatchback, and belongs to the European class B. The premiere of the second generation of the model took place in the fall of 2012, but then under the Dacia brand. Under the Renault brand, models began to be produced in the summer of 2014. At the same time, the Russian specification was presented.

Since the summer of 2018, a restyled version of the car has been sold in the Russian Federation. Although in Europe Sandero has been sold in this form since the fall of 2016. Restyling did not entail major changes. We slightly corrected the appearance of the front end, slightly modified the interior and added several previously unavailable options.

Sandero is assembled on the basis of the M0 front-wheel drive platform. The engine has a transverse arrangement, and a large amount of high-strength flock is used in the structural body of the body. A semi-independent system with a torsion beam and hydraulic shock absorbers is installed at the rear. The rack and pinion steering gear is combined with the hydraulic booster as standard. The front brakes are ventilated disc brakes, and the rear drum brakes. The ABS and EBD system is provided as standard.

Exterior and dimensions

Obviously, Grant's hatchback, liftback, sedan and station wagon have a slightly different appearance. It cannot be said about the superiority of one body over another. Everywhere has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Since it would be fair to compare Renault Sandero with the Russian Lada Granta car in the hatchback body because of the Frenchman's alternative options, the main emphasis will be on just such a modification.

Outwardly, both cars look good, as for frankly budget models. Nothing outstanding, but the designers did not use any frankly bad decisions either. In general, appearance is an extremely subjective criterion for evaluating, therefore, the final decision on the superiority of one car over another in the appearance component will be for the buyer.

But dimensions are a much more understandable criterion for assessing. Renault Sandero offers the following figures:

• length 4070 mm .;
• width 1733 mm .;
• height 1523 mm .;
• wheelbase 2589 mm.;
• ground clearance (under load) 155 mm.

Granta fully complies with the parameters of the subcompact class. In a hatchback body, this car has the following parameters:

• length 3893 mm .;
• width 1700 mm .;
• height 1500 mm .;
• wheelbase 2476 mm.;
• ground clearance 160 mm.

The same liftback has a wheelbase, width and height are similar, and the length of the car is 4246 mm. Plus, the ground clearance is from 165 to 180 mm, depending on the load.

Interior and luggage compartment

It is quite difficult to say with confidence that it is better to buy - Renault Sandero or Lada Grant. Both cars are of the same class and are cheap. But it is impossible to draw conclusions only by external dimensions or general technical information. We need to look deeper. To begin with, it is worth touching on the luggage compartment and interior.

Inside Renault Sandero looks pretty, but it immediately becomes obvious that this is a budget car. The ergonomics are of a high level, as is the overall performance. In the top configuration, you can see interesting decorative inserts, a multimedia display, climate control and other privileges of expensive versions. But everything in the database is extremely simple and concise.

The salon is 5-seater according to the passport. The rear sofa can accommodate 3 passengers, but the central floor tunnel will somewhat interfere with the person in the middle.

When stowed, the trunk holds 320 liters. But the backrests of the rear sofa can be folded, thereby increasing the space to 1200 liters. The floor is not perfectly flat, but it is still great for transporting bulky cargo.

The hatchback Lada Kalina has a nice interior, but the ergonomics are slightly worse than that of a competitor. There are complaints about the assembly, since gaps and crickets are not uncommon here. There are no special questions for the front seats. But the back row is tight, there is not enough space in the legs, and tall passengers will be frankly uncomfortable.

Even for the subcompact class, Granta's hatchback trunk is small. When stowed, it holds 240 liters. You can fold the backs of the sofa, but even here the space will only increase to 550 liters. The Granta liftback looks a lot more attractive. The base has 440 liters in the luggage compartment, increasing to 760 liters. And still it is in total less than that of Sandero.

Motors, gearboxes and their capabilities

Without looking into the engine compartment, it is almost impossible to say which is better - Renault Sandero or Lada Granta. Engine capabilities, offered gearboxes, dynamics and fuel consumption play a key role in choosing a car.

Let's start with Lada Grants. A hatchback car from a Russian manufacturer is offered with 3 power plant options. Moreover, they are all gasoline and have the same volume of 1.6 liters.

• The basic is an atmospheric internal combustion engine with an 8-valve timing belt with a capacity of 87 horsepower. Complete with 5-speed manual only. Acceleration from zero to hundreds takes 11.6 seconds with a maximum speed of no more than 166 km / h. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle according to the passport is 7 liters.
• Next comes a 1.6-liter, but already 16-valve aspirated with 98 horsepower. Combines exclusively with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Because of this, the acceleration takes an impressive 13.7 seconds. The maximum speed is not more than 167 km / h, and the average fuel consumption is about 7.6 liters per 100 km.
• The top is considered a 16-valve 106 horsepower engine. Can be equipped with 5-speed mechanics or 5-range robot. Acceleration from zero to hundreds takes from 10.5 to 11.9 seconds. Fuel consumption ranges from 6.6 to 6.8 liters per 100 km. The maximum speed is the same 167 km / h.

Now it should be compared with what the French subcompact hatchback is ready to offer in response.

The second generation Renault Sandero is offered with 1.6-liter naturally aspirated petrol internal combustion engines.They comply with Euro 5 standards, while VAZ engines meet only Euro 4 standards.

• The base engine has an 8-valve timing belt and generates 82 horses. Equipped with 5-speed mechanics. It accelerates from zero to hundreds in 11.5 seconds. Maximum speed at 163 km / h. Consumption per 100 km. paths of about 7.5 liters of gasoline.
• Next in the hierarchy is a 16-valve 102 horsepower engine. Combines with a 4-band automatic. The presence of an automatic transmission reduces the dynamics of acceleration to 13.9 seconds. The maximum speed is about 168 km / h. 100 km. the combined cycle requires 8.6 liters of fuel.
• The top version provides 113 horsepower. This engine is combined with a 5-speed manual transmission. As a result, the maximum speed increased to 177 km / h, and the acceleration takes a modest 10.7 seconds. Combined consumption 6.6 liters.

There is no significant difference or huge superiority in one of the presented cars in terms of power, dynamics or top speed.

But here the priority is still on the side of the French hatchback. The motors are reliable, resourceful, simple and easy to maintain, rarely fail. VAZ engines often force the owner to contact a car service or spend time solving problems with his own hands in the garage.

Security and manageability

The lack of power steering in the basic configuration of Lada Grants does not give this car additional points in the piggy bank. Plus, the overall performance of the body is weak. The driver and passengers of the Granta are slightly more likely to be seriously injured in a collision accident than the Sandero.

It is hardly worth expecting incredible safety performance from a domestic car. Sandero hasn't gone far, although the Frenchman looks somewhat preferable to his conditional opponent. In the base of both cars, 1 airbag is available. There is also a standard set of electronic systems consisting of ABS, EBD and BAS.

In the manageability component, parity. These cars are not made for active driving. And if there is still no power steering, then the control will turn into a real test in urban conditions, where you need to constantly maneuver. With the advent of the electric power steering, Grant still does not surpass the Sandero, where only power steering is available. At high speeds, the clarity of control decreases, a roll is felt in the corners.

The general impressions are about the same. But Sandero is somewhat softer and more obedient. The French hatchback passes irregularities more confidently, transmits vibrations to the salon less noticeably. Therefore, in terms of safety and controllability, it is Renault Sandero that looks like a preferable option.

But for a clear comparison of Lada Granta and Renault Sandero cars, it is recommended to get behind the wheel yourself and conduct at least a short test drive. This is the only way you will be able to objectively compare two cars, understand the features of their behavior on the road and take into account the compliance with your needs and expectations from an inexpensive car.

Service costs

The cars are of the same class, they represent the budget category, they have similar engines in many respects, and the equipment looks about the same. The fuel consumption is identical.

Since Lada Granta belongs to the products of the domestic auto industry, it will be somewhat cheaper in service and maintenance. A variety of consumables and spare parts are widely available, including originals and analogues. At any service station, you can service and repair the car. The only question is that on the Grant you will have to visit car services more often or spend time in the garage. Granta has less resource compared to Sandero. The first breakdowns and malfunctions appear earlier.

Renault Sandero is also extremely cheap to maintain and maintain. It is only necessary to timely change all consumables, with the purchase of which there will definitely not be any problems. The level of prices for maintenance of hatchbacks is the same, so are taxes. That is, it is unlikely that it will be possible to seriously save money here, giving preference to Lada Granta.

Options and prices

In the Russian market, the domestic car is offered in several trim levels:

• Standart.
• Classic.
• Optima.
• Comfort.
• Luxe.
• Prestige.

Prices start at 462 thousand rubles. But taking into account various discounts and special offers, the simplest version can in theory be purchased for less than 400 thousand. And top-end configurations cost from 600 to 700 thousand rubles.

The French budget hatchback Renault Sandero is available in 3 trim levels:

• Access.
• Life.
• Drive.

Prices start from 577 thousand rubles. In the top configuration for the car, you will have to pay at least 748 thousand rubles.

Since 50-100 thousand rubles cannot be considered a colossal difference, in reality it is worth giving preference to the richest version of Renault Sandero, rather than trying to save money, and buying a domestic car for 650 thousand.

Who to give preference to

Considering all the considered features and characteristics, we can conclude that Russian automakers have made some progress. Yes, initially it seems that Lada Granta is outperforming its French opponent in some parameters.

But if you carefully study all the nuances, pay attention to the same cars after 2-3 years of operation, you begin to understand why Renault Sandero is more expensive, and there are much more positive reviews about this car.

Renault Sandero has a large resource, it is better suited for active and long-term operation, since the first serious problems usually occur after 250-300 thousand kilometers. Throughout this period, it will be enough to change standard consumables and carry out routine replacement of some elements.

Having initially bought a cheaper Lada Granta, subsequently all the money saved, and even more, will have to be spent on repairs, unscheduled visits to a car service, more frequent replacement of consumables and elements. Build quality is still weak. The machine objectively requires improvements and gradual improvement as it is used. The owners note that it is better to immediately change a number of factory spare parts for foreign counterparts, and the body requires careful sound insulation.

But each consumer ultimately decides for himself what to choose and who to give preference to. With a budget of about 750 thousand rubles, the choice in favor of the top configuration Renault Sandero will be preferable and more reasonable. But if money is frankly not enough, and literally 500-550 thousand rubles are available, then Granta becomes the undisputed favorite.