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Lada Vesta Sport on the Road: What the 2019 Tests Found
Road tests in 2019 found the Lada Vesta Sport better at cornering than at accelerating. Testers praised its steering, balance, brakes and seats. They criticised the weak mid-range pull of the 107 kW (145 PS) engine, the five-speed gearbox, the noisy cabin and some cheap trim. It was a well-sorted saloon, not a hot one.
Key takeaways
- Handling, steering and braking won the most praise in every test we reviewed.
- The 1.8 engine needs high revs, and the five-speed manual has long throws and no sixth gear.
- Cabin noise at motorway speed was the most common complaint.
- Verdict: a fun, simple manual saloon for drivers who value handling over speed.
Specifications and the changes against the standard car are on our Vesta Sport specs page.
Size at a glance
Hyundai Solaris RB
The Lada Vesta is 40 mm longer and 203 mm lower than the Hyundai Solaris RB.
| Dimensions | Lada Vesta | Hyundai Solaris RB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,410 mm173.6 in | 4,370 mm172.0 in | +40 mm+1.6 in |
| Width | 1,764 mm69.4 in | - | - |
| Height | 1,497 mm58.9 in | 1,700 mm66.9 in | −203 mm−8.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,635 mm103.7 in | 2,570 mm101.2 in | +65 mm+2.6 in |
| Boot | 480 L17.0 cu ft | - | - |
Kia Rio UB
The Lada Vesta is 44 mm longer, 44 mm wider and 42 mm taller than the Kia Rio UB.
| Dimensions | Lada Vesta | Kia Rio UB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,410 mm173.6 in | 4,366 mm171.9 in | +44 mm+1.7 in |
| Width | 1,764 mm69.4 in | 1,720 mm67.7 in | +44 mm+1.7 in |
| Height | 1,497 mm58.9 in | 1,455 mm57.3 in | +42 mm+1.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,635 mm103.7 in | 2,570 mm101.2 in | +65 mm+2.6 in |
| Boot | 480 L17.0 cu ft | 500 L17.7 cu ft | −20 L−0.7 cu ft |
The tests behind this review
We compared three reports from 2019. The original 1cars test drive appeared in February, Motor1 published a test with track laps in May, and Jalopnik drove the car on public roads. All three tested the production car with the five-speed manual.
| Figure | As tested in 2019 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8-litre four-cylinder, no turbo |
| Power | 107 kW (145 PS), standard 1.8: 90 kW (122 PS) |
| Torque | 182–187 Nm, depending on the source |
| 0–100 km/h | 9.6 s (factory figure) |
| Top speed | 193 km/h |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
| Weight | about 40 kg more than the standard car (old 1cars report) |
Engine and gearbox: willing, but short of pull
The engine gained new camshafts and a freer exhaust, and its rev limit rose from 5,900 to 6,000 rpm. Throttle response was sharp. The Jalopnik reviewer felt little real gain in acceleration, though: overtaking meant working the engine hard near the limiter.
The gearbox drew the most criticism, with long throws and a vague gate. With only five gears, the engine turns at about 3,000 rpm at motorway speed. On track, Motor1 found that an early rev limiter could cut in before an upshift.
Chassis, steering and brakes: the strong points
The Sport sits lower than the standard car, by 31 mm at the front and 17 mm at the rear according to Jalopnik. The steering was light, precise and well centred. Body roll was small, and the car stayed neutral in fast corners; Jalopnik could not make it understeer at all.
The ride stayed acceptable on broken surfaces, although the 1cars test called it firm. The larger front discs, on Continental ContiSportContact 5 tyres, survived a full track day without fading.
Cabin, noise and fuel use
The low sports seats were the highlight inside, comfortable on long drives. The weak points were cheap window switches, a slow touchscreen, wide panel gaps and loose boot trim.
Noise was the main daily drawback. The 1cars test found the cabin quiet up to about 80 km/h, but at 120–130 km/h wind and tyre noise became tiring. Motor1 recorded about 8.4 l/100 km on a relaxed motorway run; our fuel cost calculator turns that into a yearly bill.
Strengths and weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| balanced, neutral handling | weak mid-range pull |
| precise, light steering | five-speed gearbox, long throws |
| brakes that survive a track day | loud cabin at motorway speed |
| comfortable sports seats | cheap switches, slow touchscreen |
| distinctive looks and exhaust note | panel gaps, squealing brakes |
Verdict: who the Vesta Sport suits
Our verdict from the tests: the Vesta Sport suits a driver who enjoys a manual saloon on a winding road and accepts modest pace. It also suits club motorsport, where its brakes and balance matter more than outright power. It does not suit long motorway commutes or anyone who wants an automatic. Check rivals with our comparison tool and the power-to-weight calculator. The standard car is on the Lada Vesta page, and the range is in the Lada catalogue.
FAQ
Is the Lada Vesta Sport fun to drive?
Yes, in corners. The 2019 tests praised its steering, balance and brakes, and one tester could not make it understeer. In a straight line it feels ordinary, because the 107 kW engine lacks pull in the middle of the rev range.
What are the main problems of the Vesta Sport?
Testers named the five-speed gearbox with long throws, the noisy cabin at motorway speed, a slow touchscreen, cheap window switches and wide panel gaps. Motor1 also reported squealing brake calipers after its track session.
How much fuel does the Vesta Sport use?
Motor1 recorded about 8.4 l/100 km on a relaxed motorway run and about 10 l/100 km in town in 2019. Its average, including fast track laps, stayed at or below 11 l/100 km.
Is the Vesta Sport faster than the normal Vesta?
A little. The factory figure is 9.6 seconds to 100 km/h, against about 10.2 seconds for the standard 1.8. Testers felt the gain mainly at high revs, not in everyday driving.
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Comments 1
damn, but the drive would have done back, I would have bought.... and so in general for the sport with front-wheel drive is a sport for grandmothers and my mom....