Lada VAZ-2114

VAZ-2114 at a glance

The Samara 2 family was a thorough update of the original Lada Samara of the 1980s. The VAZ-2115 saloon came first; the 2114 five-door hatchback followed with the same front end, and the three-door 2113 completed the range. Brakes and parts of the interior came from the VAZ-2110. The 2114 was also assembled in Kazakhstan. Lada's wider story is told in the history of AvtoVAZ and Lada, and all models are in the Lada catalogue.

History and updates

The 2114 was presented in 2001, and the old 1cars text dates the start of full series production to spring 2003. It took over the body structure of the VAZ-2109 but received a new front end, according to the old 1cars text with new headlight lenses, a new bonnet and grille, a spoiler and sill covers, plus improved brakes from the VAZ-2110. In late 2001 the 1.5-litre engine received multi-point fuel injection to meet Euro 3 rules.

In January 2007 an upgraded Samara 2 with a new 1.6-litre 8-valve engine went on sale, and the old 1cars text reports further improvements in 2010–2011 by AvtoVAZ's Super-Avto subsidiary, including 16-valve engines and a slight increase in ground clearance. Production ended on 24 December 2013, when newer models such as the Lada Priora and Lada Granta had taken over its market.

The Samara 2 family

The three Samara 2 models shared their engines, front end and dashboard but differed in body style:

The saloon was first built in small numbers by AvtoVAZ's special vehicles unit before main-line production began in 2000. The five-door 2114 joined the main assembly line in the early 2000s, and the three-door 2113 completed the range in 2004, taking over the role of the three-door Samara.

Design and interior

The 2114 kept the wedge-shaped, five-door body of the 2109, and the old 1cars text sees few differences in the bodywork beyond the new nose, better-quality bumper plastics and mouldings. Inside, the Samara 2 received a new dashboard and interior parts shared with the VAZ-2110. The old 1cars text notes that the cabin is simple, with hard plastics, and that the parcel shelf tends to rattle; some owners also report stiff rear doors.

The boot holds 330 litres and grows to 632 litres with the rear seat folded. The car's compact size and light controls made it a popular first car for new drivers.

Engines, gearbox and performance

Every version has front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual gearbox. The 1.5 was the original engine, the 8-valve 1.6 (VAZ-21114) became standard from 2007, and 16-valve 1.6 engines with 66 and 72 kW were added later, the strongest being the VAZ-21126. Combined fuel use is about 7.0–7.6 l/100 km (31–34 mpg US) according to the spec database used here.

Chassis

The front suspension uses MacPherson struts with coil springs, and the rear has trailing arms joined by a cross beam. The brakes are power-assisted, with discs at the front and drums at the rear. Ground clearance is 160–165 mm.

Dimensions

Safety and equipment

Safety is the 2114's weakest point. The old 1cars text notes that the car has no airbags and thin body panels that deform easily in a collision, and it was never tested by Euro NCAP. Trim levels in 2003 were Standard, Norma and Luxe. Depending on the version, the same source lists a height- and reach-adjustable steering column, a trip computer, ABS, heated front seats and climate control.

Rivals: how the VAZ-2114 compares

Buyers of the 2114 most often compared it with Lada's own models of the same price, the VAZ-2112 and the newer Priora, which share much of its engineering. Its strengths are low running costs, simple mechanicals, easy repairs and good ground clearance. Its weaknesses are poor crash protection, basic materials and an outdated design by the end of its life.