01. Why Polo, but not Vesta or other competitors?
On the Internet I am known by a certain group of people as an avid tazovodav, for the simple reason that since 2012, when I started my video blog on YouTube (see my second car), I told only about the operation of domestic automobile industry. At first I started to talk about Granta and its derivative Datsun, then the family got a new Vesta, and I started to talk about it. Both Granta and Vesta are good cars in their segment. Granta is a clever girl, during 9 years of operation it has not required any repairs, during the entire ownership I have replaced the ignition coil, detonation sensor and brake pedal sensor, everything else within the schedule of maintenance. For Vesta, too, no complaints, the third year of trouble-free drives our family. Of course, I still can not get used to the idea that a simple Granta, whose main destiny to carry a person for a minimum amount of money, is already worth like our Vesta in 2019, and Vesta itself has long crossed the bar in a million rubles, but such are the realities of modern life. Anyway, Granta was not enough for our family unit with a child, plus the car from the first batch and then physically there was no version with air conditioning, and without it to carry a child in the summer of pure torture. I didn’t want to sell the Granta because it still had a great safety margin, I closely monitored its technical condition and it was predictable for the next couple of years, therefore it was used by my mom. Vesta, though available to me to use at any time I need, but in fact not my car, which again imposes its disadvantages. To buy a new car I considered not earlier than next spring for cash, as money here and now the whole amount was not, just finished repairs in a new building and came to live, but looking at what an astronomical rate of rising prices for cars, I came to the idea that the psychological budget of 1.2 million eternally cheapening stones in a year I will not buy anything worthwhile, so hello torment of choice now and the credit department is my best friend 
Given the needs of the family to carry a baby carriage, I identified for myself only two options on the market at the moment: – Vesta SW Cross on the variator; – VW Polo/Skoda Rapid. However, when comparing prices, I also added to the copy of options Solaris (co-branded Rio I banally do not like its insect-like appearance) and frankly I did not understand what is their popularity in relation to the Czech-German pair. The price difference between the Polo and Solaris at the end of April 2021 price calculation was 36100 rubles in favor of Korean, but on the basis of comparison and tests, I identified significant disadvantages in Solaris: – sedan body is less practical than a liftback ( or station wagon in Lada) – very bad noise isolation, so bad that in my Granta 2012 issue with additional noise insulation made with my own hands, quieter. Hum from the rubber in the Koreans already begins to go from a ridiculous 20 km / h, the engine can be heard as in the Granta, with the only advantage that there is no trademark howling transmission. It sounds ridiculous, but the car is quieter outside than inside at low speeds – it feels like an empty steel barrel. – There is no athermal glazing even in the richest configurations. My Granta also has transparent glass, but it was bought for 260 thousand rubles and compared to the Vesta, which has athermal glazing, it really works.
On the Granta I glued athermal film, it saves a little, but it does not work as effectively as full glass – questionable kind of cabin, with a separately standing screen MMC, as if it were a TV in a cab from the mid-noughties. Calculator, that only noise isolation in a car will cost 20-80 thousand rubles (depending on where to do), toning with athermal film about 10-12 thousand rubles. And where is the benefit of these savings? Why are they leaders in the B-segment of foreign cars? Or I do not understand something?
I did not go to compare Vesta, I have got an extensive experience in driving it, the Cross version is also well known to me by its driving habits, I called my friends in the DCC Lada and found out that I get a 10% discount under the state program, which in April was valid only for the car brand Lada and you could try to have time to order SW Cross on a variator in Black with a price tag about 940-950 tr tr. Keeping this amount in mind, I realized that in comparison with the configurator Polo difference was about 220t.r., without discounts of about 120t.r. With these data the first of May (price increase since April 30 :()) I went on a reconnaissance to the dealer VW, where I also had my friends. The first test drive made me and my wife to stifle my greed and not consider Vesta for purchase. It was played on: – Quality of the interior assembly, it is also not silent, but the fit is much better – the soft work of its elements in the form of buttons and switches, all were aligned by the force in equal parts, in contrast to the Vesta, where each block of buttons is pressed differently – the sound and kinematics of the suspension, it is more roll and not as responsive to the steering wheel as the Vesta, but in the ride feels more pleasant acoustically – the overall feeling of noise isolation on the run, the sound of the engine, the exhaust – an excellent appearance outside and inside, it’s subjective, I understand, but you read the disclaimer in the beginning, right? – fast and adequate MMC, with support for communication with CAN and Android Auto – a bunch of different other little things, the discussion of which would take too much time and too much text.
The result of the test in May 1 was prepayment for a Polo Status version in silver with a winter package and optional 16 wheels Las Minas 1.6 with automatic transmission + gifts in the form of factory installed parking back (without any stupid screens on the panel) and mats in the cabin and trunk. The final price of the auction and gifts – 1 215 000 rubles. To install regular parking sensors with hidden installation at the dealer was not equipped, so wait until they will bring h / w did not, May 5 took the car, parktronic come put separately in the coming days, they are already painted in color and waiting for the delivery of the cutters.
At the end of the day I can say that yes Polo is not perfect, it also has some crickets in the cabin, and I’m always poking around for any sound. Yes it is a little bit smaller than Vesta. Yes, it is decently more expensive than Vesta. But it’s the kind of purchase that was a pleasure. After a couple of years I won’t recollect this overpayment in 100-200 thousand, it will dissolve in total expenses. Vesta is a good car, but in 6 years on the carpetwalker it is already outdated, in relation to the competitors, Lada is very late with the restyling. Plus in the little things it has remained Lada, with clicking and tight ESP buttons, nipping switches, different shade of lighting on the elements of the cabin in the dark, the sound of the various relays in the cabin. The little things that you don’t pay much attention to when using, but which give a finished impression of the product, the Lada does not have this finished result. They have made a nice big car, very good-looking, they have taught it to steer and to drive straight, they have given a good level of comfort, but they have completely ignored the small details which are essential to a person like me.
That was my choice for today, only time will tell whether it will be right, but at the moment, even taking into account the minor complaints to Polo – I am satisfied.
Volkswagen Polo or Lada Vesta: which is better?
Lada Vesta is slightly inferior in dynamics. From a place on this car will not be able to move quickly on any of the boxes. But the comfort in the cabin is slightly higher, as for 700 thousand rubles you can buy quite a rich package.
When comparing Vesta or Polo, it is better to be guided by objective indicators: engine power, cabin ergonomics, performance. It is worth paying attention to the available options.
Vesta or Polo: let’s compare the appearance and the body
Lada Vesta vs Polo Sedan – a battle for supremacy in the Russian car market, which is due to the affordability of the two models, because both are within 600 – 700 thousand rubles.
But Volkswagen costs 700 thousand rubles in the minimum version, and Vesta in the basic configuration only 630 thousand rubles. Therefore, car enthusiasts are interested in what is better – a more prestigious but expensive “German” or a budget, although with a damaged reputation, Avtovaz.
The appearance of the representative of the German car industry has changed slightly in 2014. Designers of the brand retained the recognizability of the exterior of the car, and also made it a little larger.
Polo Sedan 2014. Photo source: http://www.infokereta.com/14288/volkswagen-polo-terima-anugerah-dalam-asean-acap-grand-prix-2014/2014-polo-sedan/
The front optics are combined with the upper radiator grille into a single unit, the fog lights are installed from below, they are now rectangular and framed by a plastic inset, which has another grille.
At the rear, as well as on the sides, the car has not changed. It remains the same laconic and “modest” sedan for city driving.
Vesta is a product of Renault and Nissan design idea. The car has a pronounced “X-style” both in the front and on the sides. The headlight assembly and the radiator grille are somewhat reminiscent of the Polo, as they have a similar slope and are combined.
Lada Vesta sedan. Photo source: https://www.kolesa.ru/news/bazovaja-komplektacija-lada-vesta-obeschaet-byt-unikalno-bogatoj-2014-08-29
Bumpouts on the doors and fenders make the car more attractive and unique, so it is worth giving the Russian car a well-deserved score for its appearance.
Interior comparison
It is worth comparing Vesta and Polo not only externally, but also inside. Volkswagen’s interior is designed rather strictly and laconic. The central panel has clear geometry – all elements are rectangular.
The multimedia system in this version in the form of a monochrome screen, which is controlled with the help of buttons. For 2014 release, which is when the first model of the 5th generation after the restyling came out, this is the right decision, allowing you to keep the low cost of the car.
The climate unit is separate, but the control is only single-zone. In the central tunnel there is a gearbox lever and two cupholders, between the front seats there is an armrest.
In the interior of the Lada the layout of the main blocks, including climate and multimedia, corresponds to the interior of the Polo.
Display of multimedia system in Vesta is slightly smaller, although it is controlled by the same buttons. Next to it are the central air vents, which look quite interesting.
In general, the interior of the domestic car does not look like the interior of the German sedan. There is no laconicism and austerity here. The driver will not get in the basic version and multicool, which is relevant for the Volkswagen Polo.
Volkswagen Polo or Lada Vesta: technical component
Volkswagen Polo or Lada Vesta – which is better, you can determine only after a detailed consideration of the technical characteristics of the cars, because the interior and appearance – this is not the key indicators for choosing a car.
Engines
Almost all the configuration of the domestic car has an engine for 1.6 liters, with 16 valves for 106 horsepower. With it works transmission for 5 gears. Acceleration to “hundred” on such a car will take 11.2 seconds, fuel consumption – 6.9 liters in the mixed cycle.
This power unit is installed with a “variator”. Due to the use of this transmission, fuel consumption increases by 0.2 liter and acceleration – by 0.1 second, but the comfort increases.
The more productive engine has a volume of 1.8 liters and a power of 122 horsepower. It comes only with a manual transmission. The tests show that such engine accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, but its consumption is 7.8 liters in a mixed cycle.
The Polo in the minimum version has a less productive, but more economical engine. The volume is 1.6 liters, power – 90 horsepower. Acceleration to 100 km/h – 11.2 seconds, mixed consumption – 5.7 liters.
There is a version of the same engine, but with 110 horsepower. Acceleration is 0.8 seconds faster, the consumption increases only by 0.1 liter. These motors are paired with both automatic transmission and manual transmission.
But according to responses of car owners, the 1.4 liter engine with power of 125 horsepower is more appreciated. This indicator is achieved by installing a turbine.
Transmissions
In the minimum versions of the Lada Vesta is installed “mechanics” for 5 gears. The same “gearbox” is also available in the basic Volkswagen Polo. They use this type of transmission to reduce the cost of the car.
Switching to the “Drive” mode is possible for the owners of both models, but Lada can do it with a “robot” or “variator”, but Volkswagen has a “robot” or standard “automatic”.
The robotized gearbox with 7 gears on Volkswagen Polo is installed only for the turbocharged 1.4 liter engine. Also for this version of the engine is offered a transmission with 6 gears, not 5.
The automatic “box” on the Polo is interesting because it has 6 gears, but in “Sport” mode the last one is not included. Because of this the car is more dynamic on the highway.
The transmissions installed on VAG cars do not stand out for their reliability. Motorists refuse from complex devices in favor of simpler mechanisms.
“The robot on the Vesta, on the contrary, attracted a lot of attention after its introduction, because the same one is installed on foreign cars of the Renault-Nissan concern.
Chassis
To determine whose “chassis” is better, many analysts conducted a comparative test drive. Thus, for the comfort of the Lada Vesta is responsible for the front independent suspension, the car is equipped with MacPherson struts.
Drivers who were able to experience the features of the front suspension of the domestic car, say that the system is now more sensitive to the desires of the driver.
At the back, the engineers of AvtoVAZ decided to install a conventional crossbar, which saves motorists money significantly, but affects the comfort. But for urban use this option is applicable, because serious obstacles do not have to be overcome.
About the running gear of the Volkswagen Polo there are much more positive reviews, although the suspension is the same. In the front the same McPherson is installed, and in the back – a beam.
Drivers believe that the sensations are similar to the same Renault Logan. During the tests it is noticeable that the suspension of German car is noisier when the version with automatic transmission is used. On the “mechanics” there are almost no unpleasant sounds from the running gear.
Note the owners of Volkswagen Polo and good dynamics. The car perfectly reacts to the steering and behaves quite predictably on the turns.
It is impossible to say which “chassis” is better. Both cars will cope with urban operation, there are no significant differences in the design of the suspension.
Performance of the cars
If you compare the cars Lada Vesta and Volkswagen Polo sedan in terms of performance characteristics, the German car may be inferior to the Russian car, because the latter was prepared for local conditions.
Thus motorists who use Polo Sedan, think that it is too “light” CPS, which causes discomfort when driving at high speeds. The drivers also complain about the cheap plastic in the interior, though it is made with the German “goodness”.
When operating the car in a city conditions much is not noticeable. The dynamics is enough even for the versions where the power is below 100 horsepower.
Volkswagen Polo or Lada Vesta: which is better?
Lada Vesta is slightly inferior in dynamics. In this car it will not be possible to move off quickly on any of the boxes. But the comfort in the cabin is a little higher, since for 700 thousand rubles you can buy quite a rich package.
Domestic car allows without risk to go out on areas where asphalt coating is not the best. Suspension “protects” the driver and passengers from discomfort.
If we talk about breakdowns, the reviews on thematic forums are eloquent. Both cars break down. The models of the VAG concern have never been characterized by particular reliability, as well as those produced by AvtoVAZ. This is confirmed by the presence of numerous videos on the repair of these cars.
Features of packages and prices
- The minimum configuration of the Volkswagen Polo, which is called Conceptline, includes:
- two airbags in the front;
- ABS system;
- power steering;
- four power windows;
- adjustable steering wheel in two planes;
- cloth interior;
audio equipment.
For this version it is necessary to pay 699 thousand rubles.
- The minimum configuration of the Volkswagen Polo, which is called Conceptline, includes:
- two front airbags;
- ABS system;
- power steering;
- four power windows;
- adjustable steering wheel in two planes;
- cloth interior;
audio equipment.
The differences are minimal, but they are for the better. Only it is necessary to pay only 629 thousand rubles for the Russian car.
Therefore, in the comparison of what is better – Vesta (not cross) or Volkswagen Polo in packages, the victory goes to the domestic car.
Vesta vs Polo: pros and cons
It remains to compare Polo vs Vesta, considering the final pros and cons.
- The positives of the Volkswagen Polo:
- Good dynamics on acceleration.
- Low fuel consumption.
- Convenient on-board computer.
- Neat interior.
- Cheap materials in the interior.
- Noisy engine.
Poor noise insulation.
For a budget car such estimates from the drivers are not surprising.
- Pros of Lada Vesta:
- Low cost of the car.
- Cheap maintenance.
- Suspension suitable for Russian roads.
Saturation in the minimum version.
- Negative aspects of the Lada Vesta:
- Low quality of assembly.
- Short service life.
- Ambiguous interior design.
High fuel consumption.
Pros and cons are collected on the basis of reviews of real owners who have operated the cars for a long time.
Conclusion
Volkswagen Polo or Lada Vesta – what is better to choose to buy, everyone decides for himself. For those who like German rigor and accuracy – the representative of the concern VAG will suit. For connoisseurs of good “stuffing” for less money, we recommend choosing a domestic car.
