Test drive ZAZ Vida 2012 ZAZ Vida 2012, review ZAZ Vida 2012 ZAZ Vida 2012 photo

deja vu

Acquaintance with vida like meeting with your old friend, who has not changed much in all the years of your separation! Why? Yes, everything is simple, because the novelty from ZAZ is nothing more than a slightly tweaked Chevrolet Aveo sedan. The most significant change in the front is the use of ZAZ branding on the grille, in the face of the company logo. There are no more transformations. All the same neat bumper with foglights without formidable cutouts, smoothly turning into the hood, which, in turn, can be praised for a couple of useful stampings. In addition, the unpretentious shape of the head optics is quite successfully combined with all the above details of the front end. In profile, the cloned variant is indistinguishable from its donor. In general, this is not a minus, but still the Ukrainians could add something of their own! Although no – everything is correct: Slavic restyling in most cases is able to turn an already not ideal design into a terrible one. If you judge the profile through the prism of budget, it can no doubt be called more successful than that of the same notorious “Logan”. Korma is equally capable of causing deja vu. Absolutely the same Chevrolet Aveo except for badges. The sirloin can be praised for the competent proportions of the bumper and optics. The size of the trunk lid could be moderated somewhat, but still we have a practical car, the owner of which is much more important loading height than design refinement.

Dimensions: Length – 431 cm; Width – 171 cm; Height – 150.5 cm; Wheelbase – 248 cm;

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Salon

Inside the car ZAZ “Vida” looks as simple and budget as possible. Of course, for such a price, you should not expect anything special. There is an “inflated” panel at the front, two air ducts and a climate control unit are located in the center. The steering wheel is three-spoke, without additional remote control buttons (although this is already the basic equipment in Solaris and Kia Rio). How well is the ZAZ “Vida” car made? Reviews say that the quality of the finish is at a normal level. The car is quite noisy while driving. There are no obvious squeaks and “crickets”. It showed a test drive.

Power units

Initially, Vida went on sale with only one power plant – a 1.5 liter, 8-valve, developing 84 hp. With. This engine was developed by General Motors, in general, they borrowed it again from Aveo.

Later, two more power plants appeared: a 1.4-liter, with 16 valves and 94 hp. With. power and a 1.5-liter, but already 16-valve with a capacity of 109 liters. With.

The first of them is also a development of GM, but the 1.5-liter one is a joint brainchild of the Melitopol plant and Chery.

All engines – gasoline, injection, meet Euro-4 standards.

Engines are considered quite good, as for a subcompact car, although they do not provide outstanding performance.

But there is an interesting feature, little known to anyone.

One of the versions of ZAZ Vida, with a factory modification SF69Y0-71, although it is equipped with the “weakest” engine of all, its standard equipment includes gas equipmentwhich is a rather interesting move by the manufacturer.

Technique

Vida’s most notable feature is its new gasoline-powered powertrain. The in-line four-cylinder engine has a volume of 1.5 liters, has a distributed fuel injection and produces an enviable power equal to 109 hp. Which is an excellent result by today’s standards. Torque of 140 Nm is achieved at 4500 rpm. It is noteworthy that the motor is a kind of hybrid made from a combination of Chinese and Ukrainian components, in addition, it meets the stringent requirements of Euro 4. With such an energy charge, the car is able to reach quite a decent speed of 170 km / h, and fuel consumption of 7.2 liters when driving in the cycle also commands respect. It should be expected that, coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, acceleration to 100 km / h will not exceed 11 seconds. I wonder how things will be with the clarity of gear changes? After all, Aveo in this regard did not shine at all. But it is quite clear that there will be no problems with the energy intensity of the suspension! The donor perfectly swallowed all kinds of road flaws in the face of holes and irregularities of medium size. But the reaction of the wheels to steering movements could be criticized. In addition to the 109-horsepower powertrain, there are three other options. The first with a volume of 1.2 liters produces a power of 70 hp and a torque of 108 Nm at 3500 rpm. The second, with 1.4 liters, is capable of delivering as much as 101 hp (automatic transmission), but the third option, with a larger volume of 1.5 liters, boasts only 86 forces.

Modifications, configurations

Vida is available in two body styles – sedan and hatchback.

Also for the car there are several trim levels.

The sedan has three of them – the basic Standart, as well as Comfort and the top Lux. The hatchback has no basic equipment.

Standard.

Very modest equipment and includes not so much equipment.

From the outside, the presence of disc brakes is noted in front, drum brakes are used in the rear.

Of the additional lighting equipment, there is only a rear fog lamp. The bumper and side mirrors are painted in body color.

The car salon in the base is equipped with:

• head restraints on all seats;
• heated rear window;
• headlight corrector;
• power steering;
• adjustable steering column and one airbag for the driver.

That’s all – modestly, and without any “buns”, it’s good at least the audio preparation has been carried out.

It is interesting that Vida does not have a full-fledged audio system even in the top configuration, there is only preparation for its installation.

Comfort package.

It is already somewhat better equipped, although only front foglights and wheel covers have been added from the exterior elements.

But the interior equipment has improved somewhat. Power windows are available, but only the front, power and heated side mirrors, central locking, air conditioning.

Security remained at the same level, that is, there is only one airbag.

Lux package.

Differs from Comfort in the presence ABS systems and immobilizer. Additionally, it is possible to equip with 15-inch alloy wheels.

As for the ABS, in one modification this system is standard, and for the other it is optional. But more on that below.

Even based on the configuration, it can be understood that ZAZ Vida is a budget car, so you should not count on high build quality, as well as a large amount of equipment.

But in its price range, a car may well compete, since other cars for such a price are equipped in much the same way.

A big plus for View is that the model is a copy of the Chevrolet Aveo, which performed well on our roads.

Engine, transmission, suspension

ZAZ VIDA engine

Engine ZAZ VID, this is the first dark horse. Previously, it was not clear what engines could be, it was assumed that the engines would also be from Chevrolet, but now it has become clear. The engine is a joint Melitopol and Chinese from Chery (localization is approximately 50/50), with a volume of 1.5 liters (109 hp), with 16 valves. The engine is more powerful than that of AVEO, it works quietly, the car accelerates confidently, even more than for the city behind its eyes. Everything would be fine, but what kind of engine is this? How will he walk in the future? Unclear! Although the company assures us that it is much better than the old AVEO engines, and GM keeps the ZAZ VIDA brand in check, but until this is backed up, as they say, time will tell.

Transmission – five-speed manual, works quite well, the lever travel is small. According to the manufacturer, a four-speed automatic will soon appear. But the dealers don’t have them yet.

Suspension – balanced, what I managed to drive is about 300 meters, in the parking lot of the dealer, and there were sections with poor coverage, I specifically gave more gas. The suspension works well, there were no breakdowns, although the speed was only 30 – 50 km / h, and there was no big roll when turning, everything was within normal limits. I also went to AVEO, but the suspension seemed a little worse there, the ZAZ rides so easily, maybe because of the more powerful engine.

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