The Lada Azimut SUV becomes the Russian brand’s first new SUV design since the late 1990s, and that first new model launched by the brand since 2015, but beneath the skin, there’s a lot of reused engineering at play.
Russian automaker, AvtoVAZ, has revealed a modern new SUV designed to bring the Lada brand’s ageing line-up up to date.
Called the Azimut, the new five-door SUV is the first Lada SUV since the second-generation Niva launched in 1998, and only the third production SUV in the company’s history.
While the chiselled exterior gives the Azimut a contemporary appearance, beneath the crisp sheetmetal, the new model uses a version of the Lada Vesta small car platform – Lada’s last new model – in production since 2015.
The Azimut has an overall length of 4416mm, and rides on a 2675mm wheelbase, making it 44mm shorter than a Toyota Corolla Cross, but with a 35mm longer wheelbase.
Lada claims the new model is entirely designed and built in Russia, with the nationalist sentiment more likely pointing to a lack of willing collaborators, given the political tensions in the region.
The Azimut’s styling looks to lean heavily on the proportions established by the 2018 Lada Vision concept, with the same high bonnet and upswept belt line.
The Azimut adopts a much crisper look, however, with a more modern version of Lada’s prominent boxed guards, lean LED lighting signatures, and a black roof with silver D-pillar – matching the silver trim on the sills and bumpers.
The Azimut will launch with a choice of two naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines, an 89kW 1.6-litre, or a more powerful 98kW 1.8-litre.
Both engines come from the Vesta, but feature the option of a six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, in place of the Vesta’s five-speed or CVT options.
Lada has also said that a range-topping 1.5-litre turbocharged model from a ‘friendly partner’ with a 112kW engine and automatic transmission will also join the range.
The engineering work to the existing Vesta chassis saw 996 new or revised components across the body, interior, and chassis, according to AvtoVAZ, with new rear torsion beam rear suspension and up to 208mm of ground clearance.
At the reveal of the Azimut, AvtoVAZ engineers revealed to Russian media that the model will be front-wheel drive only, with no plans for an all-wheel drive version.
The Azimut interior offers a clean and uncluttered dash with a traditional gear selector on the console, physical dial and buttons for climate controls, a 10-inch infotainment system and digital instruments.
Standard inclusions are models compared to what Australian buyers might expect, but the Azimut will come with a six-speaker stereo, keyless entry, a reverse camera ABS brakes, stability control, and two airbags.
Items like dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, and side and curtain airbags are reserved for upscale models, or available as optional equipment.
The Azimut is set to enter production in late 2025 for validation, with full-scale production slated for 2026. Russian media estimate the starting price for the base model to be between 1.9 and 2.5 million rubles ( $AU37,300 to $AU49,000).
A slew of new Lada models, including the Vesta-replacing Aura and smaller Iskra have also been promised, however both have so far missed their proposed introduction dates.
Despite the polished and modern looks, the Azimut is unlikely to be exported due to international sanctions linked to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
