Lada Iskra was conceived as the successor to Granta back in 2023: the project was supposed to be released on the CMF-B platform from Renault Logan and immediately replace the outdated model.
But the departure of the French disrupted all plans - the design had to be quickly adapted for import substitution, and it was no longer possible to make this car truly ultra-budget. As a result, the debut was delayed by almost two years, and only now has the new Iskra reached dealers.
Externally, the sedan looks fresh and neat, with recognizable hints of the design of Granta and Vesta, but without direct repetition. The first touches of the silhouette were made under Steve Mattin - the signature "X"s were ultimately greatly simplified, but their character remained. In the color palette, only black and white do not require a surcharge; the remaining shades will cost 20 thousand rubles. The dimensions of the model occupy an intermediate niche between Granta and Vesta, and the wheelbase is even noticeably larger than that of the younger Lada.
The interior of Iskra is made entirely of hard plastic, but it looks more modern than that of Granta, and light decorative elements liven up the overall picture. Savings are clearly visible in the details: the seat belt mounts are not adjustable, there are no handles on the ceiling, the glove compartment lid falls down, and the steering wheel in the base is only adjustable for angle. But the multimedia system with Yandex services, built-in Internet, navigation and voice assistant makes the interior much more user-friendly. The screen is simple, but it works smoothly, without freezes or animation delays.
The driving position is quite comfortable: the seat can be lowered low, the back profile is good, and the lateral support is better than it seems. However, the cushion is short, and legs will get tired on long trips. The central armrest also raises questions - it is constantly tilted and blocks the cup holders. Winter preparation is available, but distributed across trim levels: all heated options are only available in the high-end versions.
The Iskra is cramped in the back. Getting in and out is difficult due to the low opening, the head of an adult passenger almost touches the ceiling, and there is little legroom. There is no central armrest, the pockets are tiny, but USB ports and heated seats are provided - but only in the top version. The 500-liter trunk is really large, but the high loading edge and protruding hinges limit convenience. The back folds down 60:40, but a step is formed.
In terms of technology, Iskra offers two 1.6 engines: a 90-horsepower with a five-speed manual and a 106-horsepower with a six-speed manual or a CVT. Both engines are well known from other Ladas. The basic eight-valve unit is simple, torquey at low revs and reliable, but suffers from vibrations and leaks. The older 16-valve engine is much livelier and can travel up to 400 thousand kilometers with good maintenance. The CVT18 variator is theoretically reliable, but the level of factory defects remains high, so high-quality maintenance is critical.
On the road, Iskra leaves mixed impressions. The suspension is well-tuned - energy-intensive, smoothly passes over small bumps, almost does not allow breakdowns and provides good stability in corners. But the power plant is noticeably weaker than expected. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 14.4 seconds, and any active maneuvers require pre-calculated actions.
The variator immediately raises the revs, the engine runs loudly on one note, and the dynamics still remain inert. In calm driving, Iskra feels more harmonious: the steering is light, the handling is clear, the rolls are small, and the stability of movement is impressive.
Sound insulation for the budget class is decent - you can mainly hear the engine during acceleration, tires and aerodynamics almost do not bother you. In many Chinese models for big money, the situation is worse.
The configurations vary greatly. The basic Comfort (from 1,249,000 rubles) is almost empty - without air conditioning and heated options. The Life version adds a climate system, but the Enjoy version with multimedia, "warm" elements, power package and cruise control looks like the best option. Techno, which costs at least 1,579,000 rubles, offers the maximum set of comfort, including a camera, heated steering wheel and windshield.
There are virtually no competitors in this segment on the market: the closest alternatives are already more expensive. Therefore, Iskra may become one of Lada's key bestsellers - provided that the price remains under control.