New Lada Vesta Cross Sedan Has More Road Clearance Than A RAV4

Europe’s mainstream carmakers aren’t the only ones tapping into unexplored niches, as Russia’s Lada has recently done the same with the new Vesta Cross Sedan.

Described as “the first car in its segment”, the fourth member of the Vesta family, after the Sedan, SW and SW Cross, benefits from a number of styling and technical upgrades compared to the regular four-door model.

On the outside, changes include the plastic cladding added all around, the addition of underbody protection and a jacked-up suspension, which raises ground clearance to 203mm (8in). By comparison, that’s more than what you’d get in a Toyota RAV4, for example.

Lada describes the suspension as “energy-intensive”, adding that along with the visual mods, it enhances the “off-road capability and acute drivability”.

Inside, the new Lada Vesta Cross Sedan resembles its five-door sibling, the Vesta SW Cross. It gets special X-graphics, eco-leather, and orange or grey finishing elements. Also, an infotainment system is present in the cabin, too, along with a multi-function steering wheel, single-zone climate control, heated front seats, electric windows all around, and others.

Lada will open the order books for the Vesta Cross Sedan at a later date, and production will commence soon. Other details such as pricing and equipment levels have yet to be announced, but don’t look for it anywhere outside Russia, as it’s limited to this market.