Chevrolet Lanos and ZAZ Chance are the most common cars on Russian roads, competing in popularity with domestic Zhiguli cars. These car models look very similar to each other, but for some reason they have different names. Let's try to figure out how the Chevrolet Lanos differs from the ZAZ Chance and how significant these differences are.
Chevrolet Lanos
Chevrolet Lanos is known in our country as an inexpensive, people's car of class B. In the last decades, these cars have flooded domestic highways. Chevrolet Lanos received its name from the nameplate from the Chevrolet company. Initially, this Korean-assembled car was called Daewoo Lanos. This model was produced from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, General Motors Corporation absorbed Daewoo. As a result of this event, the car was slightly modified, equipped with a 1.5 liter engine and began to be produced under the Chevrolet brand.
Chevrolet Lanos photo
In 2003, the assembly of Chevrolet Lanos began to be carried out at the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant in Ukraine, and in 2005, a Ukrainian-assembled car appeared on the Russian car market. The popularity of Lanos in Russia is growing rapidly. This is explained by their availability to a wide range of the population, thanks to which the Chevrolet Lanos received the name of the people's car.
ZAZ Chance
In the summer of 2009, the contract concluded between General Motors and the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant expired. From now on, ZAZ loses the right to produce a car under the Chevrolet brand. The license to produce the car remains with the plant, but now the Chevrolet Lanos nameplate is changed to ZAZ Chance and the production of cars under the ZAZ brand begins. In addition to this model with an engine capacity of 1.5 liters, the plant is launching production of the Sens model, which is very similar in appearance to the ZAZ Chance, but with a volume of 1.3 liters.
The difference between Chevrolet Lanos and ZAZ Chance
When comparing Chevrolet Lanos and ZAZ Chance, it can be determined that there is no significant difference between these models. They have the same engine size. Chance uses a Korean-made gearbox and engine, although Romanian ones were installed in Lanos. In 2006, the plant in Romania that produced Daewoo Lanos was liquidated, and since that time only Korean spare parts have been used. In fact, there are no special changes in the engine. The differences between Chance and Lanos of the Chevrolet brand include the use of thinner iron on the body, Russian-made relays and sensors, and an MP-140 controller with insufficiently reliable firmware. Thus, although the names of the cars are different, in essence the Chevrolet Lanos and ZAZ Chance are completely similar.
Chance 1.3 what is called Sens, is a completely Ukrainian-made and assembled machine. This model uses a MeMz type gearbox and motor, which are still used in Tavria. Despite the fact that Chance 1.5 and Chance 1.3 (Sens) are very similar in appearance, their gearboxes are different, which must be taken into account when selecting spare parts for repairs. You can check with the manufacturer about the vehicle equipment.
The difference between Chevrolet Lanos and ZAZ Chance is as follows:
- Chevrolet Lanos were produced until 2009; in the summer of this year, production of similar cars called ZAZ Chance 1.5 began.
- The difference in cars lies in the nameplate and production date.
- Sens 1.3 or Chance 1.3 differs from Lanos in engine size. He is similar to Chance only in body. The gearbox and engine in Sens are made in Ukraine.
Alas, over the years of its absolute monopoly on the market, our automobile industry has annoyed too many people, and as a result, we are ready to buy any car, as long as it is foreign. True, despite the advantageous foreign label, today many “foreign cars” can be called such very conditionally.
KIA Spectra and Daewoo Lanos reincarnated in Izhevsk and Zaporozhye - just such “not one hundred percent” foreign cars - occupy worthy places in the sales rankings. Comparable in price to Russian cars, both models are quickly winning over those who have driven classics or the 10th family of Zhigulis all their lives.
However, their prices are not the limit: the Ukrainian ZAZ has gone even further. Having made several changes to the configuration, he turned it into a ZAZ Sens, and lowered the cost of the new foreign car below 230,000 rubles.
But are miracles possible? Is it possible to “squeeze” the cost by keeping in the car everything that foreign-made cars are valued for in Russia? Having compared three cars, we tried to find out where the line lies beyond which savings on a car end to the detriment of ourselves.
Sens and
These are different cars, but it is wrong to compare them in all respects - after all, they have a lot in common. And their differences are such that Sens and Lanos can be considered two trim levels of one car.
Outside
Inside
The knob of the gearshift knob will give out an unconventional ZAZ shift pattern: the reverse gear is in the “fifth” position, and the “fifth” itself is under it (“right-back”). Chevrolet has a traditional shift pattern; This is the first and, perhaps, the most noticeable difference between the two cars.
The interiors are very similar: in both cases, the plastic is not burdened with modern design ideas - hard and thin, inexpensive fabric upholstery of soft, unimportantly profiled seats.
The only thing that differs is the steering wheel: in the Sens it is two-spoke, slippery, and has an unusual design. However, with a certain grip, low-lying spokes help with rotation. Although not the same as the “Lanosov” hydraulic booster...
The differences in the interior are due to the richer equipment of the Lanos. The steering wheel hides an airbag, and window control panels have replaced the archaic “knobs” on the front doors. Well, His Majesty the Air Conditioner announces its presence with a corresponding button.
With the engines running, the differences become more obvious. The Chevrolet cabin is relatively quiet.
The 1.5-liter 86-horsepower Lanos engine is inaudible (especially if the Sens unit is running nearby: the Polish engine is both more powerful and quieter).
Probably, knowing about the loudness of the Melitopol unit, the creators of Sens considered it possible to abandon the tachometer. Otherwise, in terms of instruments, there is parity: the readings are easy to read thanks to the modest design and neutral backlighting.
You can sit comfortably in the back seat of geometrically identical cars - especially if a person of average (or slightly taller) height is driving.
There is enough space in front of the knees so as not to rest on them. However, the rear seat for three is downright cramped.
In move
Vibrations and noises in Sens, which appear after turning the key in the ignition and significantly intensify while driving, make one think not of a foreign car, but of an old lawn mower. Exactly the old one - the new ones are quieter.
The Melitopol unit is playful at low speeds, so it will appeal to extreme sports enthusiasts: if you turn the wheels and “stomp” on the gas pedal, you get an imitation of a rodeo. It’s not so easy to keep the furious Melitopol engine under you! If you arrange a pair race between Lanos and Sens, then in second gear the latter will even go ahead for a short while, but in third the more powerful Chevrolet will begin to pull away.
As already mentioned, acoustic comfort in Lanos is much higher, vibrations and extraneous noise from the 86-horsepower engine are kept to a minimum. The engine itself provides smooth acceleration, slowly accelerating the sedan to a maximum of 170 km/h. All the way, the arrows on the wheel speedometer scale firmly hold a straight line and do not scour in search of a better trajectory.
Transmissions in Sens are switched on unclearly and not always. The gearshift lever requires a rude and undiplomatic attitude: in this case, the percentage of successful shift attempts will be higher. In addition, it is tilted back, closer to the driver; second gear barely diverges with the driver's seat and the parking brake raised. Another thing is that the “handbrake” and “second” are rarely used at the same time.
The Lanos gearbox is also not an example of precision, but there are no design flaws either: compared to a less expensive rival, the neutral position of the lever is found without problems, and gears are engaged on demand.
Another difference between Sens: turning the steering wheel without power steering is difficult even for a strong and muscular person. Moreover, it is even more difficult to do this at speed. The hydraulic booster largely determined the different impressions from both “Ukrainians”, distributing “plus” and “minus” between them. It’s better not to get into Sens after a car with power steering!
We did not find any differences in the brakes or suspension, especially since they are identical. Brakes are average. Compared to the KIA Spectra, it may seem that they are ineffective; this is most likely due to the features of the Izhevsk model, a story about which is ahead.
The fact that the Sens suspension was taken unchanged from Lanos is correct: in terms of balancing comfort and stability, the chassis of both “Ukrainians” deserves good marks. There are rolls, but they do not particularly affect the handling; small and small holes are absorbed quietly, but firmly. Both cars go into a skid easily, but also easily get out of it.
KIA Spectra (W)
Outside
Like the “new Ukrainian” KIA, it does not flaunt a trendy “exterior”. The calm lines of a small, by American standards, sedan hint at the era of the Japanese auto industry's conquest of the New World. No wonder: this is exactly the task the Korean company set itself a decade ago!
However, this is to our advantage - the modest appearance of “Spectra” will not stand out from the stream for many years in terms of either beauty or ugliness.
Inside
And again - “Japanese America”: smooth lines of the dashboard, additional digitization of the speedometer in miles, a double-din radio compartment. There is no radio itself, but audio preparation has been made and there is even an electrically driven antenna (!) on the rear fender.
A scattering of buttons is quite intelligently and ergonomically interspersed in the “beard” and the space around the steering wheel, but the “joystick” for electric mirror drives is located in the very place where the “Germans” have the external light control - inconvenient and illogical. However, this place would still be empty.
External lighting is turned on by turning the “knob” of the left steering column switch and, according to the tradition that has developed in the Korean company, it works on the “turn it on and forget it” principle. In the literal sense: after the driver has turned off the engine and opened the door, the “smart” electronics independently extinguish the headlights and dimensions. And such a solution fits perfectly into the Spectra concept.
Quite soft seats hint at the possibility of relaxation while driving. The general impression of spaciousness in the cabin is confirmed by other factors: there is no “feeling of elbows” in the front row, and passengers in the second row do not rest their feet. And light upholstery visually increases the space.
In such an atmosphere, the average quality of plastic is not annoying, especially since the main plastic part in the car - the steering wheel - fits well in the hands and is pleasant to the touch. The automatic selector lever, which moves along an archaic “straight” slot, does not cause any complaints.
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The Korean-American-Udmurt Spectra, taken into the company of Asian-Ukrainians, in comparison seems to be the standard of comfort. On board there is a full power package and air conditioning, and an automatic transmission is hidden in the depths of the structure. Passive and active safety is enhanced by ABS, a height-adjustable steering column and two airbags that protect the driver and front passenger. But the price also matches the configuration and larger dimensions of the machine. “Our” Spectra is valued at more than 430,000 rubles. However, this is a top-end package, but even the “base” with a manual transmission costs fifty thousand rubles more than the most expensive one. |
In move
In motion, this KIA is a continuation of the “in-salon” impressions. A sedan with a manual transmission accelerates to 100 km/h in 12 seconds, but a car with an automatic transmission takes one and a half seconds longer.
However, the car is not suffering because of the engine. The automatic transmission was a mess, suffering from jerks during shifts that are standard for outdated hydromechanical gearboxes, delays when trying to accelerate, and unpredictability of downshifts.
On the other hand, changing gears without driver participation is a luxury not available to other test participants. And the sluggish acceleration rhythm is a small price to pay for calm and relaxation behind the wheel. However, as sellers note, this “automatic” is not in demand - especially since with it the car clearly goes beyond the budget.
In handling exercises, the Spectra is again a typical “American”: lazy, sedate... The car reacts sluggishly to steering turns, but, once on an arc, it holds it well.
And most of all I liked its powerful brakes. Perhaps they are even too sharp: those driving behind may not have time to react, and the “dive” of the body will certainly not please the passengers.
3 / 5 ( 1 vote)
Zaz Chance is a budget car with front-wheel drive. It is produced by the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant (ZAZ). Buyers have a choice of sedan and hatchback versions. The car received this name for the Russian consumer. Ukrainian buyers know it under the name ZAZ Lanos. The car is also popular as Chevrolet Lanos and Daewoo Lanos. In its homeland, Ukraine, Lanos is the undisputed leader in sales, and has been for the last five years. The history of the model dates back to 1997. The entire ZAZ model range.
Appearance
Since 2009, the ZAZ Chance model has become available to Russians. Over the years, the car has not undergone much change. If we take modern standards, then, of course, Chance’s appearance is a little boring. The model received rounded body shapes, which in style match the drop-like front and rear headlights.
The appearance has stepped forward, making the ZAZ a more modern car. Body made of solid metal, load-bearing type. It looks nice, and the fit of body parts and panels is at a good level. The 17 mm ground clearance allows you to easily “swallow” light holes and potholes. The set includes small wheels R13-R14.
Interior
ZAZ Chance purchased slightly different chairs. The seats now have lateral support. But the steering wheel still does not have any adjustments for reach or height. Objectively speaking, there is not much free space in the car and therefore tall people may not be very comfortable both behind the wheel and in the passenger seats.
The entire front panel is made of hard plastic, as is the casing of the front cards. The panel is cast from a monolithic piece, which eliminates any squeaks that are absent even on used cars. The base version has manually adjustable mirrors and no power windows. Going to the rear seats, you will notice that it is a bit cramped both in height and in the knees.
But two people of average height and size will feel quite comfortable. The driver's seat is not adjustable in height, but only in length. The controls have received their logical placement. We were pleased with the additional air ducts for the rear passengers, which undoubtedly gives it a compliment.
Although the trunk is not one of the largest in the class, like, for example,
“Forza” is the latest in our company - in its historical homeland, China, it was presented three years ago, the design project was carried out by Italians.
It turned out original and modern.
But. As often happens with the Chinese, the candy wrapper is beautiful, but the taste is so-so. And the aroma too: as soon as you open the door, a phenolic spirit hits your nose.
Accelerating to hundreds is boredom, which is diluted by a humming transmission like a trolleybus. Stretched gears force the engine to turn until it twitches spasmodically at the limiter. Elasticity is also no good: especially hard, with senile shortness of breath, the car trudges from 80 to 100 km/h in fifth gear.
At speed, the Forza sings with the wind in the mirrors, clicks some relays in the depths of the Torpedo, the suspension loudly thumps even on the middle hole. The chassis is a surprise - this was clear even before the races along the mountain road of the training ground.
“Look at this!” - a colleague calls me and shakes the stern: the Forza is sinking a good 70 mm. as if it had shock absorbers and springs from a fountain pen. However, this does not happen with the front axle. So you’re driving a car with two fundamentally different suspensions. First, the front end shudders violently on a bump; after a moment, the rear suspension responds with several swaying movements with a frightening amplitude. And if it’s sharper and in a turn?
For the time being, the Forza tilts, but still somehow holds onto the asphalt. But in an instant everything changes: the rear end goes into a skid, and what a skid! Maybe you need to load the car like a pickup truck with springs.
new suspension, and then everything will change?
Don't get your hopes up. “Forza” only sags to the point of indecency. But the Forza already has a modest ground clearance: only 130 mm (according to our frame measurements) separates the exhaust system from the asphalt. By the way, there is no protection for the engine compartment.
I slam the door behind me and look around. Decent seats with a decent range of movement, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, excellent visibility... Not a bad start! But as soon as you start the engine, the idyll crumbles.
The Lada vibrates from the steering wheel to the pedals.
Moreover, the nature of the itching changes with engine speed. The car driving into the huge garage of the landfill is easy to recognize. not yet seeing: the cooling system fan hums like an industrial air conditioner, drowning out even the rumble of the exhaust. Maybe this is the “Sport” package, like the Prime Minister? “No, the Kalinas are all so loud,” the manager of the car dealership where we bought the Lada waves his hand.
It was possible to revive the on-board computer. by disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery. The next day everything happened again. Do you remember that Zhiguli cars used to have a light bulb under the hood? Taking care of the buyer: so that even at night it would be more convenient for him to carry out repairs in the middle of the highway. There is no light bulb in Kalina. but you still have to look into the engine compartment of a car with a mileage of 100 km. By the way, in our car something was leaking under the feet of the front passenger. Either the water after washing found a hole, or condensation from the air conditioner. No luck with the copy - of course, thousands of fans will say...
What trump cards does this beauty have, besides her appearance? Firstly, it is most convenient for four to travel in it, because even tall people can sit on the back sofa without any hesitation. Secondly, it's a good engine. Thirdly, rich equipment: air conditioning, navigation.
NO CHANCE?
No wonder Lanos (or Chevrolet Lanos) has long conquered the taxi market (and even in Russia, the pros love this model!) - a sure sign of an unpretentious, easy-to-maintain and practical car.
There is no Chinese plastic amber or crooked panels in Lanos.
Yes, and “Kalina” with its trembling and front windows that do not hide completely in the door will find something to envy.
Finally, I drive a harmonious (of course, adjusted for the price) car. The pedals are moderately short-travel.
you don’t have to look for a gear, and the steering wheel is full of rich feedback from the good old hydraulic booster.
Yes, Lanos is not fast and is inferior to Lada in dynamics. Its simple eight-valve engine gently rests against the limiter at just 5700 rpm and does not pretend to perform any feats. However, in terms of elasticity it is only slightly worse, although it is inferior to the Russian car in power of 12 hp. Well, he puts the Forza on his shoulder blades easily and naturally.
But still. Having added up the points, we state: victory in the test remains his!
Perhaps this is the first Zaporozhets in my life that I wouldn’t mind rolling into my garage.
COLD MEETING
The day was not going well in the morning. Having arrived safely at the training ground in the editorial “Lanos”, I waited for quite a long time for a colleague with a brand new “Chance”. The problem is not his: in the cold, the car transporter, which was supposed to deliver a commercial vehicle without license plates, did not start right away. The cold “Chance”, fortunately, came to life, but at first it drove off, howling with its engine and transmission. Will it start on the next frosty morning?.. For now, let’s look through the description of the most expensive SX configuration. The instructions were funny. Try to understand from the message “power steering” what kind of power steering is there. “Front electric window regulator.” One? We checked - of course, two. “The speakers are two in the front and standard in the back.” Ahead, no less, are subfuvers... But here are the most interesting and absolutely clear data: the price of the car is 270 thousand rubles, and for a modification with a 1.3 liter engine (there is also a 1.5 liter one) this is the maximum!
Externally, the Lanos and Chance sedans are twins, the only difference being the shape of the lights and the inscriptions on the trunk lid. There are more differences inside. Getting behind the wheel of a Chevrolet while maintaining a proud posture is not easy: the seat is too low. However, it is comfortable to sit in. But the interior is uncomfortable - everything seems to be in place, but there is clearly a lack of at least some decor. The only thing pleasing to the eye is the silver trim on the top of the panel.
It’s easier to get comfortable in the Zaporozhye “Chance”: the chair here is installed higher. This advantage turned into a disadvantage. The large, poorly shaped steering wheel covers the entire upper part of the dashboard - the instruments are not visible. There are no seat height adjustments. The rear sofa is comfortable both in terms of rigidity and backrest angle. The trunk is quite roomy, the same in configuration and volume as that of a Chevrolet.
Overboard minus thirty. However, the cars started up in the morning, synchronously reporting this by whistling bearings. True, the “Lanos” has already run more than 60 thousand, and the “Chance” odometer still doesn’t have 30 kilometers. While driving out onto the test track, the Zaporozhye newcomer shamefully stalled several times. You need to get used to the operation of the clutch and the characteristics of the engine: the gear ratio of the first gear is poorly chosen. To get going, the 1.3-liter Melitopol engine had to be turned, allowing the clutch to slip. But then the “dvigun” (as it is written on the sign under the hood - read “dvygun”, this is in Ukrainian) rehabilitated itself: it accelerated the car quite cheerfully, allowing it to maintain a quite energetic pace. Perhaps the only annoying thing was the narrow traction range - I had to change gears that were still too tight more often. And yet, compared to the newcomer, the Lanos with a 1.5-liter engine that served in Opel’s “cadets” almost seems like a sports car. This one will not stall at the start, and the confident traction allows you to reach for the gearbox lever less often. Otherwise, the cars are difficult to distinguish. Moderately comfortable suspension, tolerable power steering performance; I could call the brakes quite good if not for the lack of ABS.
ZAZ Chance, although not flawless, is ready to take up the banner of a worthy and affordable car, which Chevrolet Lanos once raised.
Having driven a lot on snow-covered paths, I compared the cars on dry and clean asphalt. We didn’t intend to accelerate our opponents to maximum speed; it was more interesting to evaluate the dynamics and noise at a speed of about 100 km/h. On the “Chance”, up to 60 km/h, the main noise was created by the wheels and the whistle of the wind, and as the speed increases, the engine drowns out everything with a drawn-out, heart-breaking roar.
“Lanos” accelerates much more readily and reaches the 100 mark much earlier. The motor here is much quieter; The basis of the acoustic background is aerodynamic noise and the rustling of studded tires.
Concluding the acquaintance, I remembered the advertising slogan of the Chevrolet Lanos: “Everything you need from a car, and nothing extra.” Perhaps this is so - an unpretentious car fully corresponds to this motto: moderately comfortable, moderately powerful and, most importantly, inexpensive.
What about “Chance”? In general, the “translation into Ukrainian” did not spoil the successful model. In addition, he made it more accessible. But for this class, price is the most important argument that compensates for minor shortcomings.
