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Lada XRAY Cross: Planned With 4×4, Built With Front-Wheel Drive
In February 2016 AvtoVAZ said it was developing an all-wheel-drive version of the new Lada XRAY, to be called XRAY Cross. The car that reached showrooms in 2019 kept the name and the raised body, but not the 4×4 system. Every XRAY Cross was front-wheel drive, and production of the whole XRAY family stopped in 2022.
Key takeaways
- February 2016: the XRAY project director confirmed work on a four-wheel-drive XRAY Cross.
- 2019: the XRAY Cross arrived with 215 mm ground clearance, wider cladding and a CVT option, but no 4×4.
- Engines: 1.6-litre with 78–81 kW and 1.8-litre with 90 kW (122 PS).
- Production of the XRAY range ended in 2022 after more than 161,000 sales.
What AvtoVAZ promised in 2016
The regular XRAY entered series production in December 2015 and went on sale on 14 February 2016. Days before that, the old 1cars report quoted Oleg Grunenkov, director of the XRAY project. He said the four-wheel-drive car would look only slightly different from the front-drive model. It would sit higher, carry protective body trim and use 16-inch wheels.
Size at a glance
Lifan X50
The Lada XRay is 65 mm longer, 43 mm wider and 32 mm taller than the Lifan X50.
| Dimensions | Lada XRay | Lifan X50 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,165 mm164.0 in | 4,100 mm161.4 in | +65 mm+2.6 in |
| Width | 1,765 mm69.5 in | 1,722 mm67.8 in | +43 mm+1.7 in |
| Height | 1,572 mm61.9 in | 1,540 mm60.6 in | +32 mm+1.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,593 mm102.1 in | - | - |
| Boot | 376 L13.3 cu ft | 570 L20.1 cu ft | −194 L−6.9 cu ft |
According to the same report, the first versions would use the 1.6 engine with 106 hp. The top version would get the 1.8-litre unit. Grunenkov added that the Cross would not compete with the Lada Vesta Cross. The plan placed the Cross about a year after the base car.
Promise vs production: XRAY Cross specifications
| Parameter | Announced in 2016 | XRAY Cross as built (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive only |
| Ground clearance | "Higher" | 215 mm (195 mm on the regular XRAY) |
| Body | Protective trim | Wider plastic cladding, width 1,810 mm |
| Engines | 1.6 with 106 hp; 1.8 at the top | 1.6 VAZ 78 kW (106 PS); 1.6 HR16 81 kW (110 PS); 1.8 VAZ 90 kW (122 PS) |
| Gearboxes | Not stated | 5-speed manual; CVT with the HR16 from July 2019 |
The base car came from a team led by designer Steve Mattin and used the B0 platform of the Dacia Sandero. The full specifications of every version are on the Lada XRAY model page.
Why the four-wheel-drive plan made sense
In 2016 small crossovers were the growth segment in Europe and in emerging markets. The Renault Duster, built on the same B0 platform family, already offered 4×4. A Lada with a raised body and real off-road traction would have filled the gap between the XRAY and the old Lada 4x4.
The problem was cost, since the XRAY was sold on value and a rear axle with its own floor would have added weight and price. AvtoVAZ never gave an official reason. It chose a cheaper route: more clearance, tougher looks and an automatic gearbox.
What became of the XRAY Cross
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2015 | Series production of the XRAY begins |
| 14 February 2016 | XRAY goes on sale; 4×4 Cross announced |
| July 2016 | The HR16 engine is dropped from the regular XRAY |
| 2019 | XRAY Cross launched, front-wheel drive only |
| July 2019 | CVT version of the Cross with the HR16 engine |
| April 2020 | Cross Instinct special version |
| 2022 | Production stops when imported parts become unavailable under international sanctions |
Its separate review page, XRAY Cross hatchback, covers the equipment of the production car.
Should you buy one now?
In October 2026 the XRAY Cross is only a used purchase, and parts supply should be checked first. The CVT version suits drivers who want two pedals and extra clearance for poor roads. The 1.8 with the manual is simpler and quicker. None of them is a true off-roader, so buyers who need traction should look at four-wheel-drive rivals.
Related cars include the Renault Sandero Stepway, a close technical relative. Compare costs with the comparison tool, check dimensions with the size comparison tool or see every model in the Lada catalogue.
FAQ
Does the Lada XRAY Cross have all-wheel drive?
No. AvtoVAZ announced a four-wheel-drive XRAY Cross in February 2016, but the car launched in 2019 was front-wheel drive only. It gained 215 mm of ground clearance and wider cladding instead.
When did the Lada XRAY Cross come out?
The XRAY Cross was launched in 2019, about three years after the regular XRAY went on sale in February 2016. A version with the 1.6 HR16 engine and a CVT followed in July 2019.
What engines does the XRAY Cross have?
Three petrol engines were offered. The 1.6 VAZ unit gave 78 kW (106 PS), the Renault-Nissan HR16 gave 81 kW (110 PS) with a CVT, and the 1.8 VAZ unit gave 90 kW (122 PS).
Is the Lada XRAY still made?
No. Production of the XRAY family stopped in 2022 when imported components were no longer available. More than 161,000 XRAYs of all versions had been sold by then.
