Graceful accents
With subtle refinements, the Vesta’s rear has been tuned for a cleaner profile. A distinct molding above the number plaque was removed, and the boot lid, or fifth door on a station wagon, presents a neater silhouette. The LADA lettering received a refreshed font to modernize the brand’s look. LED taillights complete the streamlined appearance, eliminating concerns about replacing bulbs after a collision or long-term wear. While some repairs might be pricier, the overall visual upgrade is immediate.
At a quick glance, the updated Vesta is easy to distinguish from the previous model, aside from the LED headlight color. The lanterns retain bulbs only in the turn signals.
Soft plastic
The feel of the interior plastics has been softened. The dashboard top now offers a soft-touch presence, the door card surfaces imitate a refined texture, and the roof lining remains dark with plush armrests across all four doors. The result is a heightened sense of quality that fans of the brand can appreciate.
While many compact cars from other brands also use hard plastics, the latest Vesta strives for a fresher, more premium feel that stands up well against its peers.
The dashboard remains modern and attractive, reinforcing the updated cabin ambiance.
Top media system
Entry configurations include basic audio preparation, mid-tier options feature a media system with a modest screen and access to Yandex services, and the top trims showcase a vertically oriented 10.4-inch tablet-style display.
Both the screen size and its portrait orientation are exclusive to the B-class segment in this refresh. The new media interface is expected to support parking sensor warnings, which are currently delivered acoustically in the Vesta lineup.
Digital instrument cluster
Digitization has spread across the lineup, with most trims offering a fully digital instrument cluster. If early information holds, the Vesta may become one of the first to project Yandex online maps directly onto the instrument display, moving beyond offline navigation that is often outdated.
The analogue cluster from Renault may be phased out in future revisions.
Yet the new Vesta still presents notable drawbacks that potential buyers should consider.
Limited exterior changes
Apart from the LED headlights, the exterior remains largely the same. The vehicle’s mechanical underpinnings, including engine choices, chassis, brakes, and steering, carry over with only minor tuning. The emphasis appears to be on upgrading the digital cockpit and the large multimedia display.
Pricing uncertainties
Fresh stock components were used to assemble a batch of 1040 updated Vestas, but the manufacturer has not released official MSRPs yet. Pre-reform models ranged from roughly 1.21 to 1.58 million rubles, with reformulated vehicles sometimes listed from 1.9 to 2 million rubles. Many observers consider this pricing to be aggressive for a model in the compact segment.
Speculation continues about which announced features will reach production and when. Early projections pointed to March 2023, but a broader window suggests the first quarter of 2023 as the target, with actual delivery timing remaining uncertain.
Grand Prix nomination
New configurations are eligible to participate in the 2023 Driving Grand Prix, including models introduced in 2022 or those that have undergone a generation change. Restyling variants count as well. This includes the Lada Vesta NG, a modernization of the first-generation model.
Vote to influence the prize
Readers are invited to participate in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix vote to help select the year’s best car introductions.
As a thank-you for contributing, a random drawing will reward three participants with ferrets. The drawing closes for entries on February 28, 2023, with general details provided in a dedicated section of the site.
COMPLETE THE 2023 DRIVING GRAND PRIX QUESTIONNAIRE
Full match details are compiled in a special section on the site. This content is presented with attribution to industry insights and official event information.