Moskvich-412 vs VAZ-2101: Soviet family saloons compared
Updated Report an error By Oleksandr Hnatiuk
Lada · 1970–1982
VAZ-2101
- Power
- 44 kW60 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- —
- Top speed
- —
- Kerb mass
- 955 kg
Moskvich · 1967–1975
Moskvich-412
- Power
- 55 kW75 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 19.0 s
- Top speed
- 140 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,045 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: VAZ-2101 0 Moskvich-412 2
- City Moskvich-412 Width: 1,550 mm vs 1,610 mm
- Performance Moskvich-412 Power per tonne: 53 kW/t vs 46 kW/t
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: Rear-wheel drive · Sedan vs Rear-wheel drive · Sedan
Verdict Opinion
The Moskvich-412 has the stronger, more modern engine, and on paper it is the quicker car. The VAZ-2101 has the more sophisticated rear suspension, the roomier footprint and an enormous production run: the 2101 family alone, built to 1988, is put at about 4.7 million cars, and the base 2101 lasted until 1982. The Moskvich saloon left AZLK in 1975, though IZh kept building its own 412 until 1982.
Both are now heritage cars. The choice comes down to the engineering story you prefer and the version you can find in good condition.
— Oleksandr Hnatiuk
At the start of the 1970s these were the two modern rear-wheel-drive family saloons coming out of Soviet plants, and both were exported to Western Europe, including the UK. They took very different routes to get there.
The Moskvich-412 went into production in 1967 at MZMA (renamed AZLK in 1968) as a development of the Moskvich-408, with a new, more powerful 1.5-litre engine. The VAZ-2101, sold abroad as the Lada 1200, is a licence-built and heavily modified Fiat 124; the first cars left the new AvtoVAZ plant in April 1970. One car was a home-grown evolution, the other a comprehensively adapted Italian design.
Engineering, design and everyday use
Engineering
Both saloons have an inline-four with a chain-driven overhead camshaft. The Moskvich UZAM-412 engine, designed by Igor Okunev, has an aluminium block and head, displaces 1,478 cc and produces 55 kW (75 PS) at 5,800 rpm and 108 Nm. The VAZ-2101 engine, designed by NAMI for the car, displaces 1,198 cc and produces 44 kW (60 PS) DIN with 87 Nm; the 1.3-litre 21011 from 1974 raised that to 48 kW (65 PS).
Both cars have four-speed manual gearboxes and rear-wheel drive. The Moskvich uses leaf springs on its rear live axle; the VAZ locates its rigid rear axle with four trailing arms, a Panhard rod and coil springs. The Lada had more than 800 changes from the Fiat, including 170 mm of laden ground clearance and rear drum brakes instead of discs.
Design and size
The VAZ-2101 is the wider, longer-wheelbase car: 4,073 mm long, 1,611 mm wide and on a 2,424 mm wheelbase, with a kerb weight of about 955 kg (2,105 lb). The Moskvich is narrower at 1,550 mm (61.0 in), sits on a 2,400 mm (94.5 in) wheelbase and weighs 1,045 kg (2,304 lb). The 412 added front disc brakes from 1970.
Performance and use
Both are quoted at 140 km/h (87 mph). The more powerful Moskvich is quicker, with 0 to 100 km/h in about 19 seconds against about 22 seconds for the 1.2-litre VAZ. The Lada is quoted at about 8.0 L/100 km. The 412 also proved itself in long-distance rallies, finishing 20th in the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon and 12th in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | VAZ-2101 | Moskvich-412 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 432 | C · 408 |
| Power | 26 | 30 |
| Grip | 43 | 43 |
| Handling | 79 | 80 |
| Top speed | 25 | 15 |
| Launch | 17 | 2 |
| Reliability | 56 | 53 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 VAZ-21011.2 (1,198 cc) · petrol · 44 kW (60 PS) 18.69 sat 114 km/h
- 2 Moskvich-4121.5 · petrol · 55 kW (75 PS) 20.57 sat 102 km/h · +1.88 s
Size and weight
| VAZ-2101 | Moskvich-412 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,075 mm160.4 in | 4,115 mm162.0 in +40 mm +1.6 in +1.0% |
| Width | 1,610 mm63.4 in | 1,550 mm61.0 in −60 mm −2.4 in −3.7% |
| Wheelbase | 2,424 mm95.4 in | 2,400 mm94.5 in −24 mm −0.9 in −1.0% |
| Kerb weight | 955 kg2,105 lb | 1,045 kg2,304 lb +90 kg +198 lb +9.4% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs VAZ-2101 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Lada VAZ-2101 | Moskvich-412 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 1.2 (1,198 cc) · petrol · 44 kW (60 PS) | 1.5 · petrol · 55 kW (75 PS) |
| Production years | 1970–1982 | 1967–1975 |
| Body | Sedan | Sedan |
| Country | Soviet Union (USSR) | Soviet Union (USSR) |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 44 kW (60 PS) 59 hp | 55 kW (75 PS) 74 hp Better |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 87 Nm 64 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | No data | 19.0 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | No data | 140 km/h 87 mph |
| Power per tonne | 46 kW/t 56 hp/ton calculated | 53 kW/t 64 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,198 cc · 4 cyl 1.2 l | 1,500 cc 1.5 l |
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual | No data |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,075 mm 160.4 in | 4,115 mm 162.0 in |
| Width | 1,610 mm 63.4 in | 1,550 mm 61.0 in |
| Height | 1,382 mm 54.4 in | No data |
| Wheelbase | 2,424 mm 95.4 in | 2,400 mm 94.5 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 955 kg 2,105 lb Better | 1,045 kg 2,304 lb |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | No data | 45 l 11.9 gal US |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Country, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
In plain words
Moskvich-412 has more power: 55 kW (75 PS) against 44 kW (60 PS) for Lada VAZ-2101. Moskvich-412 is 40 mm longer than Lada VAZ-2101 (4,115 mm vs 4,075 mm). Lada VAZ-2101 is lighter by 90 kg (955 kg vs 1,045 kg). Moskvich-412 is the older design (from 1967); Lada VAZ-2101 arrived in 1970. On the catalog figures, the Moskvich-412 is the pick for city and performance. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Lada VAZ-2101 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Moskvich-412 if you want the more powerful aluminium 1.5-litre engine, rally history and the character of an in-house Soviet design.
Choose the VAZ-2101 if you prefer the Fiat 124-derived chassis with coil springs all round, the wider body and a family with many variants, from the 1.3-litre 21011 to the 21013 that ran to 1988.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more powerful, the Moskvich-412 or the VAZ-2101?
The Moskvich-412: 55 kW (75 PS) from 1,478 cc, against 44 kW (60 PS) DIN from 1,198 cc in the VAZ-2101. The 1.3-litre VAZ-21011 had 48 kW (65 PS).
Is the VAZ-2101 a Fiat?
It is a licence-built Fiat 124 with more than 800 changes, including a different overhead-camshaft engine, more ground clearance, stronger body steel and rear drum brakes.
Were both cars sold in the UK?
Yes. The Moskvich 412 was sold in the UK from 1969 and the Lada from May 1974.