Lada Vesta
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | April 1, 1966 in Togliatti, Russia |
| Headquarters | Togliatti , Russia |
Key people | Maxim Sokolov (President, as of 2022), Bo Andersson (former President and CEO) |
| Products | Automobiles, including Lada Vesta |
| Website | www |
The Lada Vesta is a compact car manufactured by the Russian company AvtoVAZ since 2015. It was first presented in August 2014 at the Moscow International Automobile Salon and entered mass production on 25 September 2015 at the Izhevsk facility.
Overview
Under the guidance of President and CEO Bo Andersson, AvtoVAZ enhanced its operational efficiency and product quality, enabling the launch of the Lada Vesta on a new platform that earned the highest safety rating in its category.
After its debut in November, the Vesta rapidly rose to become one of Russia’s leading sales performers, ultimately securing the position of the country’s best-selling vehicle in 2018.
In September 2017, AvtoVAZ broadened the Vesta range by introducing a station wagon and a "Cross" variant with increased ground clearance. Early in 2018, the sedan also received a "Cross" edition, offering greater clearance than that of a Toyota RAV4.
By September 2022, Lada’s president Maxim Sokolov revealed plans for two new models: a crossover derived from the Vesta on the Renault-based Lada B/C platform and an all-new family of compact cars built on a global platform. Production of the updated Vesta model will transition from Izhevsk to Togliatti.
Technical details
Standard equipment on the Lada Vesta includes an airbag system, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability control, traction control system, hill start assist, ERA-GLONASS emergency system, an adjustable steering column, remote central locking with folding key, trip computer, car alarm, wheels sized 15 or 16 inches, and a full-size spare tire—making it one of the most comprehensively equipped vehicles within Russia’s entry-level segment. Side airbags were incorporated starting in 2016.
Production commenced on 25 September 2015 at AvtoVAZ’s plant in Izhevsk. The initial mass-produced variant was the Comfort trim featuring a 1.6-litre engine paired with a manual gearbox. Sales began on 25 November 2015, positioning the Vesta as a flagship model for AvtoVAZ.
There is also a dual-fuel version known as the Lada Vesta CNG, capable of running on both compressed natural gas (methane) and gasoline.
The Vesta is primarily aimed at markets in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, with exports to European Union countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia starting in early 2017. EU-spec models meet Euro 6 emissions standards and come equipped with upgraded safety features; only the 1.6-litre engine was available for Europe. Sales of station wagon (SW) and Cross variants commenced one year later. Exports to the EU were halted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Packages
The Vesta lineup included three principal trims: Classic (entry-level), Comfort (mid-range), and Luxe (premium), each offering optional packages—Start for Classic; Multimedia and Image for Comfort; and Multimedia for Luxe.
Lada’s newest Prestige package expands upon Multimedia by adding five comfort enhancements such as a foldable rear armrest with cup holders, USB power outlet located in the central armrest, rear seat heating controls, tinted rear windows, and ambient LED illumination in footwells, console area, and door panels. The Luxe trim combined with Prestige features a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system incorporating navigation, FM/AM radio with RDS, USB and SD card inputs, AUX connectivity, Bluetooth with hands-free calling capability, six speakers, and a rearview camera display. The Prestige package is offered on Luxe sedans equipped with either a 1.6L manual transmission (starting at 746,900 rubles), 1.8L manual (from 781,900 rubles), or 1.8L automated manual transmission (AMT) (priced at 806,900 rubles).
The engine options include a 1.6-litre unit producing 106 hp and a more powerful 1.8-litre version delivering 122 hp.
Sedan
- Vesta Sedan – a five-passenger sedan model.
- Vesta Cross – a five-seat sedan designed for off-road capability.
- Vesta Sport – a five-seat sedan equipped with a factory-enhanced 145-horsepower engine; first presented at the Moscow International Automobile Salon in August 2018.
Station Wagon
- Vesta SW – a five-passenger station wagon.
- Vesta SW Cross – a five-seat station wagon with off-road features.
- Vesta SW Sport – a five-seat variant of the station wagon.
Lada Aura
The Lada Aura represents an extended wheelbase iteration of the Vesta, introduced between August and September 2024, aimed at government officials and upscale market buyers.
Safety
In the 2016 Russian ARCAP frontal crash assessment, the Vesta earned a four-star rating, achieving 14.1 points out of a possible 16.
Racing
The Vesta was campaigned by Lada Sport in the FIA World Touring Car Championship during 2015 and 2016, with private team RC Motorsport continuing participation in 2017. Notably, in March 2015, the Rosneft-sponsored Vesta TC1 secured pole position for Race 2 at its WTCC debut in Argentina. Over its WTCC involvement, the Vesta claimed four victories driven by Gabriele Tarquini, Nick Catsburg, and Yann Ehrlacher.