Lada Largus

Lada Largus at a glance

The Largus was the first product of the AvtoVAZ–Renault-Nissan cooperation on the B0 platform, which was planned to carry five models. It takes the body, chassis and most of the running gear of the Dacia Logan MCV with Lada badges and its own trim. Retail sales began on 16 July 2012, and the panel van followed in August 2012. Lada's history is covered in the history of AvtoVAZ and Lada, and the range is in the Lada catalogue.

Production plans and the Renault link

When production started, AvtoVAZ and Renault-Nissan planned to build five models on the B0 platform, and the Largus was the first of them. Output for 2012 was expected to reach about 27,000 cars, most of them Largus estates and vans. The Largus kept the Logan MCV's Renault-designed suspension, steering and gearbox, which is why many service parts are shared with Dacia and Renault models of the same period. Later B0-based Lada models include the Lada XRAY, which uses the platform of the Dacia Sandero.

Body versions

The passenger estate, called Universal from 2021, has a long 2,905 mm wheelbase, which gives room for an optional third row of two seats. The rear opens with two asymmetric side-hinged doors that swing through 180 degrees. The panel van, renamed Furgon in 2021, has no rear side windows or rear seats; according to the old 1cars text, it offers about 2,500 litres of cargo space and an 800 kg payload. The raised Lada Largus Cross, launched in 2015, adds body cladding and higher ground clearance, and a Cross Black Edition with a black roof, wheels and mirrors followed in 2016.

Renault and VAZ 1.6 engines

All engines are 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol units with multi-point injection, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The Renault K7M and K4M are among the most durable engines of their class, as our guide to reliable modern engines explains. According to the old 1cars text, the Renault units were replaced by AvtoVAZ engines in December 2015 (8-valve) and August 2017 (16-valve). Fuel use is about 8–9 litres per 100 km in mixed driving, the old 1cars text reports. A version running on compressed natural gas entered production in January 2019.

Dimensions and boot

Cabin, third row and boot

The cabin is simple and durable, with hard plastics and a straightforward dashboard. The old 1cars text notes flat front seats with little side support but generous headroom. The second-row bench is roomy for three, and the third row can be removed easily; climbing into it takes some effort. With seven seats in place almost no luggage space remains, but with five seats the 560-litre boot is one of the largest in its class. A full-size spare wheel sits under the floor.

Safety and trim levels

The Largus was not tested by Euro NCAP. All seats have three-point belts and head restraints, and depending on the version it has airbags and ABS. The old 1cars text describes an AvtoVAZ frontal crash test carried out at 64 km/h, above the 56 km/h used in the relevant regulation, in which the passenger compartment kept its shape. Equipment levels range from basic versions with central locking and an immobiliser to better-equipped cars with air conditioning, heated front seats and a multimedia system.

The 2021 update

The updated Largus arrived in 2021 with a new naming scheme: Universal for the estate, Furgon for the van and Largus Cross for the raised version. The 8-valve engine gained power to 66 kW (90 PS), while the 16-valve unit offers 78 kW (106 PS). An experimental electric version, the e-Largus, entered small-scale production in December 2022.

Rivals: how the Largus compares

The Largus competes with practical estates and leisure-activity vehicles such as the Renault Dokker, the Citroën Berlingo and the Volkswagen Caddy. Its strengths are a huge cabin for its price, seven seats, a long wheelbase and simple, robust mechanicals. Its weaknesses are basic interior materials, poor noise insulation and the lack of an automatic gearbox.