Datsun or Kalina station wagon, which is better?

At the end of February, in the company of several bloggers and auto journalists, I was invited to test drive a new hatchback. When I reported my temporary absence and the reasons for it from my main job, it turned out that three adults from among my colleagues had never even heard of the once legendary Japanese automobile brand Datsun

.
Following this logic, I think that among the readers of this cozy photo blog there will be many who are not yet familiar with this brand. But, meanwhile, it is a subsidiary brand of the Nissan
and is now experiencing its rebirth.

I myself didn’t know that much about Datsun

Yes, I immediately want to warn those who are already in the “topic” and began to make comments in the spirit of “Yes, this is just a remade Kalina!” Friends, take your time. Especially for you, I will try to find those notorious 10 differences.

02

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So, Perm, early morning, -23 Celsius and 10 test cars in various configurations for seasoned auto journalists and curious bloggers to tear apart. I also look at them with curiosity. Mi-DO
is already the second Datsun produced for the Russian market.
The first was the On-DO
, which, by the way, has already shown excellent sales in January.
Indeed, both models are assembled on the Lada Kalina
in Tolyatti and are the fruit of joint cooperation
between AvtoVAZ
and
Nissan Motor Co.,
Ltd.
I note that in most cases, I like sedans better, but this hatch looks clearly cooler than its “big brother.” Not to mention Kalina, of course. Look at its face - it’s already quite modern, as they say, “predatory” cut of the headlights, chrome, large-mesh radiator grille... It’s understandable, the author of the mi-DO
was the Japanese designer Koji Nagano, who designed
the Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX
and many other models
Nissan
concern .

03

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I read that in the future they plan to replace the front end of Kalina
with a more modern one, but for now I propose to consider this the first difference.
Mi-DO
is definitely more attractive in appearance and it’s stupid to argue with that.

04

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There are fewer differences in the interior, but there are also some. Top trim levels even have a 7-inch “TV.” It has navigation, viewing photos and videos, Bluetooth
,
USB
and
SD slot
.
By the way, it sounds quite good. Naturally, you need to tweak the factory settings a little. For the two previous groups of journalists testing the cars before us, the sound quality obviously didn't matter at all, because all the settings were at zero. Martin
and I added highs and lows to taste and the music really became a joy.

05

. As standard, Datsuns are equipped with double-din radios. There is nowhere to put a CD in them, but in addition to the radio there is a USB port, Bluetooth and a slot for SD cards.

06

. In the same basic configuration, costing 415 thousand rubles, you have an on-board computer that displays a bunch of useful data, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, heated front seats, electric power steering, front electric windows, two airbags, height-adjustable steering wheel...

07

. ...But for climate control you will have to pay an extra 24 thousand.

08. I’ll add ABS to the basic options of the Datsun for 415 thousand, as well as BAS (brake assist) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution). I don’t really understand these abbreviations, but the roads in the Perm region in winter are very different (including extremely slippery ones) and subjectively, if you have a thoughtful and experienced layer between the steering wheel and the front seat, you can feel quite confident on them with this car. In addition, the ground clearance of 174 mm allows the car to drive not only on asphalt, but also to carefully drive beyond it.

09

. In general, when it comes to taxiing, for the unspoiled me, there is only one serious drawback. Subjective, but still. This brake pedal is too tight for my right foot. Especially in a car with an automatic transmission, jostling in Perm traffic jams, I had to add unnecessary effort to the pedal so that the car would not roll forward. You really need to put pressure on her.

10

. But let's continue to count the differences. The basic version of Kalina is offered for 377 thousand. Only in comparison with the same basic Datsun costing 415 thousand, albeit for an additional 38 thousand rubles in surcharge, we can bend a few more fingers, counting the differences: a second airbag (the wife is not a person or what?), ABS, electric drive and heated mirrors , as well as heated front seats, which, you see, are far from trivial bells and whistles. Especially when it’s bitterly cold outside.

11

. But that is not all. We continue to bend our fingers. Nissan has reconfigured the suspension. Low-resistance gas-filled shock absorbers, stiff springs and reinforced stabilizers made the chassis very unpretentious. During the entire test drive, despite the disgusting Perm roads after winter, I was not able to “break through” the suspension.

12

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In addition, company representatives say that they have made additional sound insulation (hood, interior floor, trunk and wheel arches) and, compared to Kalina,
more comfortable acoustic conditions. To be honest, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel in the latter (taxi after guests don’t count), but, in principle, I believe. We communicated with Martin without straining our vocal cords at all, even at high speed.

13

. By the way, about speed. On the highway, a copy with an automatic transmission accelerated to 165 km/h. The maximum, judging by the passport, is 170. Acceleration to hundreds is stated to be 14.3 seconds with an automatic transmission and 12 seconds with a manual transmission.

14

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In general, I would like to note a slight difference in dynamics between cars with automatic transmission and manual transmission. In my practice, there was a case when the automatic transmission did not move at all, spoiling the impression of the car as a whole. Having changed to a copy with a “handle”, I was still convinced that the car was capable of picking up speed at the very least. Well, that's not the point. a Jatco
four-speed automatic transmission (the same is installed on
Nissan Note
,
Tiida
etc.).
It switches quite quickly, although it does whine a little. For those who still find the speakers too small, there is an O/D (Over Drive
) button.

15

. The VAZ engine is eight-valve, 1.6 liters and only 87 horsepower. However, the torque of 140 Nm provides acceptable traction at the bottom. The Japanese themselves, having studied the engine, considered it very good, but, naturally, they modified it a little. In particular, thanks to a more flexible bellows of the exhaust system and a reinforced steering shaft bracket, the engineers beat the “mechanics” and 7.7 from the “automatic”. Passport data - unfortunately, I forgot to look at the on-board computer data.

18

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A little about maintenance and its cost. According to company representatives, standard hours will cost less than for Nissan
, but at the same time, the level of service is promised to be an order of magnitude higher than the owners Kalin and Grant are accustomed to, since
Datsun
are trained according to Nissan programs and standards. They promise approximately 7-8 thousand for the first maintenance. By the way, did you forget to bend your finger? Good polite service is always a pleasure.

19

. A few words about the positioning of the machine. At least as Datsun marketers see it. Unlike the sedan, the hatch is positioned as a car for a young man who is purchasing either his first car or his first foreign car.

20

. Well... There is nothing to object to here. The target audience is chosen correctly. The main thing is to provide suffering young people with opportunities for at least not deep tuning in the form of various chrome trims, alternative optics, and so on. Maybe something will be delivered from India or Indonesia, where Datsun was also recently revived. By the way, I’ve already come across two club forums on the Internet.

21

. Well, at the end of my review, after so many flattering words addressed to , I want to grumble a little. However, you can see everything for yourself - there is practically no trunk in this car. To transport something larger than a couple of backpacks, you will have to fold the rear seats (in a 40/60 ratio). It's good that there's room for a full-size spare down there.

22

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At the same time, the seats in the back are, in general, tight. I fit in, but I would like to have at least a couple of centimeters to the front seat, so to speak, in reserve. On the other hand, what do I actually want from a B-class car? Speaking of chairs. Mi-DO
with new, supportive and not as loose as before, chairs with an elongated cushion. True, only in the “top” configuration.

23

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As a result, I want to say the following. Despite the differences between and Kalina
, these differences, of course, are not that great.
For more, so to speak, significant successes, the Datsun people need to tirelessly continue to improve their cars, keep their prices down at any price, excuse the tautology, and not delay the launch of the third model, and it’s better if it’s an inexpensive crossover. Apart from the Chinese, there are practically no other competitors for this money, but AvtoVAZ is not asleep either. What to buy is up to everyone to decide for themselves. In the meantime, I like what one girl wrote on the club forum: “ They are similar, but I personally don’t like Kalina’s face, and even if they offer “a little Japanese” for the same money, why not buy that one instead of buying a VAZ
?
I remind copy-pastors that when reprinting photographs and text, an active link to the source is required.
Without noindex and
nofollow
. Paper and electronic media must first

Datsun is keeping its promises: following the On-Do sedan presented about a year ago, a second model entered the market - the compact urban hatch mi-Do. In addition to the body type, there are also technical differences from on-Do, for example, the ability to install an automatic transmission. What else will mi-Do try to charm Russians with?

An ordinary miracle

Even with just one model, the Datsun brand is working wonders in Russia, gripped by a currency crisis. Thus, in January, the on-Do model took seventh place in the popularity rating, and this is in the fifth full month of sales, when the dealer network is still 30% staffed.

And here is the first expansion of the model range. The donor for the mi-Do model is even easier to guess - in the front-side view, the Lada Kalina is unmistakably recognizable, the face of which has been slightly scowled, and the rear lights have been painted differently and a couple of wrinkles have been added to the fifth door. Externally, if you want, it’s just a restalling of the VAZ model. What about internally?

The method of manufacturing the mi-Do hatch is in many ways similar to the recipe for transforming a Lada Granta into a Datsun on-Do. Actually, work on the projects proceeded in parallel, and technically both Datsuns are as close as possible.

There are no global differences from donors: the platform, engines, gearboxes, and electrics are almost identical. The differences are the result of the careful work of an international team of engineers to find and eliminate annoying little things that usually bother Lada owners.

For example, brakes. Datsun uses different, more “tenacious” pads, a TRW vacuum booster and special anti-noise plates that reduce brake squeaking. Looking ahead, we will say that it was not possible to completely stifle the song of the brakes: at very low speeds, they no, no, and they will whistle.

The suspension settings have been completely changed: the Datsun has its own silent blocks, elastic elements (including anti-roll bars) and shock absorbers. In addition, mi-Do received its own gearless electric power steering calibration, and new engine and gearbox settings, including a four-speed Jatco automatic.

Finally, the car has a new interior, which matches that of the on-Do, and enhanced sound insulation in the floor, arches and engine compartment.

Eh, I'll give it a ride!

The mi-Do salon leaves a pleasant impression. Yes, the plastic is categorically hard, but the intricate rough texture visually makes it not at all cheap, and the interior design would not spoil the karma of a car one and a half times more expensive. The ergonomics of the Kalina can be felt mainly by its somewhat crumpled landing, but the location of the main controls is quite modern. By the way, for the top versions of the Dream, the company's engineers have prepared a seat with a long cushion, lateral support, a new frame and height adjustment. Frankly, the seat of the basic Trust configuration, although it does not have a height adjustment, seemed more comfortable - it holds the upper torso better. However, perhaps it depends on the build and height of the rider.

On the move, the mi-Do, despite the increased sound insulation, did not seem to be completely quiet: at low speed you can hear the howl of the transmission, at speeds above 90 km/h the tires and aerodynamics clear the throat. By the standards of the budget segment, this is normal, but it is difficult to establish its advantage over Kalina in absentia. The only thing that really draws attention is the absence of an annoying knock on the wheel arches, which on the Datsun are covered with felt fender liners.

But the suspension setup is close to ideal. There is no “Kalinovsky” swaying, no annoying rolls, the car listens well to the steering wheel. But at the same time, the suspension has retained comfortable settings and happily reflects the impacts of unimportant roads. The lack of secondary vibrations contributes to the feeling of comfort, and overall the chassis gives the impression of being firmly built, but shaking.

Let's add to this the good ground clearance of the Datsun - 174 mm in running order and up to 160 mm when fully loaded. True, if for cars with manual transmission this distance is measured to the crankcase protection, then the “automatic” does not have it and the lowest point is the gearbox housing. In any case, in terms of cross-country ability, the Datsun is comparable to old-school vases, and this, you see, is not a bad measure.

The brakes left a mixed impression. In addition to the aforementioned whistling at low speeds, the pedal settings in a car with a manual transmission retained Kalinov’s obstinacy. At the beginning of the stroke, the pedal is too stubborn, which creates the illusion of ineffective brakes. For some reason, the brakes on a car with an automatic transmission worked more progressively and did not raise any special questions.

Overall, I liked the Datsun's handling. It won’t make any driving revelations, but, most importantly, you don’t strain yourself behind the wheel. Even at high speeds, which we were able to try on sections of the motorway, the car holds a straight line well and confidently, without ambiguity, changes lanes. Winter tires slightly blurred the feeling of “zero”, but otherwise it is very tractable for a budget car.

By the way, a good setting of the gear selection mechanism also helps. It is, naturally, cable, plus with reduced strokes. The gears shift clearly and effortlessly, even when you downshift after good braking. As a result, if the Datsun mi-Do becomes a young man's first car, it will inevitably be a bit of a hot hatch. And he doesn't seem to mind.

For all the money

The only thing that raises doubts is the choice of engines, or rather the lack thereof. The Datsun mi-Do, like the sedan, can only be equipped with an 87-horsepower 8-valve engine, and company representatives explain the reasons for this choice simply: such an engine is enough. They note its high-torque performance, and the lack of “horses” should be masked by careful adjustment of the engine to the gearboxes, whether manual or automatic.

Datsun mi-Do with “mechanics” really does not disappoint. Well, okay, when you get into an 87-horsepower car, you lower the bar of expectations and don’t expect the mi-Do to leave behind two trails of fire. But for routine driving, the engine is enough to not pay attention to it. In the city, as such, there is no shortage of horses; on the highway, when overtaking, it is felt by the need to engage the lowest possible gear. At the same time, you can also feel its drag: say, sometimes being too lazy to change from fourth to second in a turn prevents you from putting the car in an awkward position. The engine will grunt and move on.

What about the machine gun? It is appropriate to recall that on-Do is not equipped with “two-pedal” transmissions at all, but the more urban and youthful mi-Do was prescribed the same Jatco automatic that is installed on Kalinas and Grants (however, AvtoVAZ is gradually replacing it with its own “robot” development).

And even with an automatic transmission, the engine doesn’t seem hopeless. On the track, the Datsun was completely surprising: the logic and speed of downshifting is such that very quickly a mutual understanding is established with the gearbox, which helps to squeeze the maximum possible out of the meager number of horses. And even if this maximum is not great, it is always at hand. That is, under the pedal.

In terms of interior dimensions, the mi-Do and Kalina are absolutely equal, so the back row is contraindicated for tall people: the seats are right next to each other. The trunk is also modest, except that it sports a full-size spare tire and the ability to fold down the seats in any configuration. But if practicality is what you're looking for, go for the on-Do, which features class-leading and fairly user-friendly luggage space.

The cost of the basic version of Trust starts from 415 thousand rubles - the base has two airbags, ABS, heated seats, central locking, on-board computer, front electric windows. Additional payment for air conditioning - 24 thousand, automatic - 40 thousand, radio - 10 thousand. In total, if equipped with all the options listed, the price will be 489 thousand rubles.

The top Dream configuration includes rain and light sensors, a stabilization system, rear electric windows, fog lights, side airbags, a color display with navigation, parking sensors, and a heated windshield. The price of the most equipped mi-Do is 539 thousand.

The car is produced at the AvtoVAZ Togliatti plant side by side with its donor, the Kalina. In general, it is difficult to draw a clear line between them, simply because VAZ engineers have the right to use any Datsun developments on their own cars. And since many of Datsun’s solutions actually look successful, it’s not surprising that Kalina follows suit.

However, Datsun counts on its market share, insisting that quality control, dealer service, and warranty implementation meet Nissan standards. Like, “Kalina” is “Kalina”, and we guarantee you a Japanese attitude to the topic. At the same time, the company plans to maintain a moderate cost of both the cars themselves and dealer service: currently scheduled maintenance costs around five thousand rubles and is carried out once every 15 thousand kilometers, which is comparable to VAZ’s indicators.

So, why is mi-Do better than Kalina? To summarize, first of all, the attitude of its creators towards the product. We must pay tribute to the Japanese, Russian, English and other specialists who worked on the project: mi-Do leaves the impression of a “nursed” machine, which was not made for show, but on personal responsibility. It feels like the legacy of, alas, not a new platform, but what could have been improved with little effort was improved. Whether this is enough for recognition in Russia, time will tell. But the start is good, and the currency crisis is only beneficial for a car with 80% localization.

A representative of the domestic automobile industry, Lada Kalina is a direct competitor to the Japanese analogue Datsun Mi-DO. Similar technical characteristics, body structure and the same price category make it a dead end when choosing the right model. The differences lie in the little details and aesthetic impressions of the ride, which we will talk about in this article.

Exterior features and positioning

Both cars are distinguished by elegant shapes and body design. The variety of color solutions in the case of the Lada is wider: 12 colors are available versus 6 for the Datsun. Models with a brown body are popular in Japan, and white versions are more common among domestic car owners. The body type of the 6-door car is station wagon.

The air intake with powerful passage holes in Kalina occupies the lion's share of the front part. The Japanese hatchback is equipped with a more modest and elongated radiator grille, as well as attractive optics. Lada looks more practical and has a sports version with a rigid suspension, as well as a cross-country version. The Japanese competitor has a sedan version and looks more solid. Both cars are positioned for a young audience.

Differences between Datsun Mi-Do and Lada Kalina in exterior

Here you can only correctly compare Kalina and Datsun in a hatchback body, in order to equalize the chances as much as possible. Externally, the Lada looks impressive, some believe even too impressive. The huge “mouth” of the air intake, which occupies more than half of the front bumper, immediately catches your eye. A narrow and long radiator grille, stylish head optics and small foglights - this is the full face of the model. In profile, Kalina is moderately swift, and her stern, decorated with elongated feet and reflectors, looks modest, complementing the picture.

The Datsun Mi-Do generally repeats the image of the domestic model. But the nuances are noticeably different. Its front end, although not as impressive, is much more proportional - the combination of a trapezoidal air intake, radiator grille and its chrome trim looks very harmonious. There are almost no differences in profile, and the rear differs noticeably only in the configuration of the rear door.

Mi-Do is made more traditionally.

The Datsun sedan is copied from the Granta - it looks expressive and calm. And the station wagon from Kalina successfully combines a certain aggression with “thriftiness”.

Interior decoration

The interior styling of the compared hatchbacks is largely identical. However, the differences lie in small details - Datsun has matte plastic, made in dark gray tones with a pleasant tactile sensation. The plastic elements of the Russian model are made of textured material with a matte finish. In the cross version, the central part of the seat trim, steering axle and door inserts are distinguished by bright orange colors and look fresh and youthful against the background of dark plastic. The design and arrangement of the remaining elements are similar. 3-spoke steering wheels, functional panel options, consoles, double cup holders and ventilation holes have a similar design and design.

Power units - comparative characteristics

In terms of engines, the domestic brand is noticeably superior to its foreign counterpart - both in the number of power units and in peak power. Lada has 3 engine variations, including a sports version, while Datsun has only 2 options.

The advantage of Kalina is clearly shown in the table below:

The supply of the fuel-air mixture in a foreign car engine is regulated by an electronic system (injector), and the volume of both engine variations is the same - 1.6 liters. The Lada passes the 100 km/h mark in 12.5 seconds, and its competitor in 12.9 seconds. The noise level of the Russian model is identical and comparable to its diesel counterparts. If the power and speed characteristics of the car are a priority, the choice is yours.

Suspension elements of Lada Kalina and Datsun

The suspension systems of both brands are identical. The front chassis features a classic MacPherson suspension strut and a torsion bar rear suspension design. The structural structure of the suspensions is typical for cars of the “pseudo-off-road” type of segment B. In practice, the models showed good results. In off-road conditions, stability is maintained and only on sharp turns is a slight decrease in controllability felt. The Lada has slightly higher ground clearance.

Equipment and price of Datsun mi-DO and Lada Kalina

The basic equipment of the Datsun Mi-DO is richer, despite the same price category. The Japanese brand has the “Trust” version available, as well as the “Dream” variation. There are dual airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, EBD brake load distribution and EBA emergency braking assistant. Datsun's advantages also include heated windows and seats, an advanced sound system with an LED panel, Bluetooth and GPS.

The Kalina's equipment is more modest: a radio system, a front airbag, electric front windows and a central locking system. Variation in prices Kalina standard version - 370-540 thousand rubles, Datsun mi-DO - 490-539 thousand rubles.

Prices and configurations of Kalina and Datsun Mi-Do

Despite the fact that the starting price tag for both models differs extremely slightly - 376,300 rubles. for Kalina (Standard version) and 376,000 for Datsun (Access version) - it is worth considering that for this amount the Japanese sedan will be much better equipped in terms of safety.

The Datsun base is richer in equipment.

So, Kalina can only offer an airbag for the driver, ISOFIX type fastenings, radio preparation, electric lifts (front windows only), BC and central locking. And Datsun is able to add electronics to this set in the form of ABS, EBD and EBA systems. More advanced trim levels – “Norma” and “Lux” for Kalina, as well as Trust and Dream for Datsun – can already boast a pair of front airbags (and the “Japanese” also have side airbags), an ESP system, 15-inch “titanium” airbags, full power accessories, fog lights, heated seats and mirrors, air conditioning (climate control for Datsun), audio system with acoustics and display, Bluetooth, parking sensors, navigation and other options.

Top modifications of Kalina will receive automatic transmission and other benefits.

Regarding the cost, the limit for Kalina is 540,800 rubles. (for a station wagon), while for Datsun it is 539,000 rubles. for E-Do. The on-Do sedan is cheaper - 492,000 rubles.

Final comparison: pros and cons

Let's summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the cars.

Advantages of Lada Kalina:

• spacious interior and trunk;
• excellent optics;
• availability of spare parts;
• moderate fuel consumption;
• power.

Disadvantages of Kalina:

• modest equipment;
• Not the most convenient location of controls.

Advantage of Datsun mi-DO:

• maneuverability and spaciousness;
• interior convenience;
• rich equipment.
• Flaws:
• less powerful;
• spare parts are not always available;

Body type Datsun Mi-Do and Lada Kalina

When looking at the bodywork, it becomes clear that Kalina is a more practical car.

Lada Kalina station wagon is a practical choice.

This is proven by the absence of sedans in its range, as well as the presence of a station wagon, Cross and Sport versions.

Another advantage of the large glazed surfaces is that visibility is excellent from all angles, and the bright interior is quickly pleasant, the rear is delicately pressed against the thick velvet seats are a little weak. Its courses are very varied depending on condition and mileage, year and number of places, but we can estimate an average rating of about 0 rubles for a good copy. Also know that the 2-seat version is rarer and more popular than the 2 2, although its performance is slightly worse. In terms of reliability, there is not a big gap to worry about if this is the case, as with all Japanese manufacturers of the time, to watch the body.

Kalina Cross looks even more powerful.

This model is also suitable as a youth model, and a summer resident will certainly like it.

The hatchback is very stylish and modern.

Datsun, on the contrary, lacks the “wagon” modification, but has a sedan.

In short, feel free to do a thorough tour! The drawers are also strong, but we can see wear on 2 to 3 synchronized ones and pieces become hard to reach. Demand explodes so much that finally, even after a year, models were sometimes sold at more than new prices!

The influence left by our designer friends is obvious. In fact, they themselves did not This long hood did not deprive one of the most famous sports cars of its time. Its general format is similar to the "Classic" standard, another important reference to a sports car. The front end remains aggressive with two rounded headlights flanking a grille that moves forward relative to the position of the lights, looking a bit like one.

The Sport version compares favorably with the stock modifications.

Consequently, both of these models, in their target niche, only partially overlap.

The stern of the Datsun Mi-Do is almost like that of the Kalina. But the fifth door is different.

The rear remains sober and simple with its aft cutout. The cockpit has only two seats for its passengers. The design does not suffer from criticism and is in the spirit of a car with a crumpled meter battery. He has something to brag about. Because this is a real little bomb. The most incredible price is from 000 to 000 euros. We were already languishing after seeing the photographs and sitting at the last show in Brussels. It is beautiful and aggressive with its lines and 18-inch alloy wheels. The first contact with the car, the entrance to the cockpit is not too rough, we have already complicated it.

As you can see, on-Do and mi-Do are more modern and presentable. It’s not for nothing that Russia is called “the country of sedans.”

However, the popularity of hatchbacks is not falling either.

Almost "jeeps"

There is more in common between on-DO and Cross than it seems. Since Datsun is “Japanese” by name, but is based on the VAZ front-wheel drive Kalina/Grants platform and is registered on the assembly line in Tolyatti. Even though the sedan is formally deprived of increased ground clearance and plastic shields, the numbers say that it has no less off-road features. If under the steel sheet of the Lada engine compartment we measured almost 19 cm, then under the same on-DO power protection the ground clearance is only a centimeter more modest. Yes, the sills and bumpers hang a little lower, the rear overhang is longer, but compared to other state-owned cars, Datsun is by no means a pushover, and is not afraid of primers

.

Let’s even strengthen it: he loves on-DO graders and country roads, since the energy intensity of his suspension is higher than that of the Cross! And this is a serious request, because Kalina is indifferent to broken surfaces. But if the chassis of the Lada sometimes upsets you with knocks at the end of the day, then the Datsun silently bears the kicks of the road, no matter how you drive it. Except that it starts to shake passengers more intensely as the speed increases.

Lada Kalina Cross

Datsun on-DO

One slaps hands, the other eats more

The sedan also behaves differently on asphalt. The Datsun is more stable in a straight line and does not sway as much from crosswind gusts. This is due not only to the lower on-DO height, but also to the retuned electric amplifier. It was clearly instilled with a progressive characteristic, although the force on the steering wheel still increases inadequately: in turns, the steering wheel suddenly becomes heavier and hits your hands when hitting bumps. Lada protects the driver’s palms, but you can rather guess the position of the front wheels - the viscous steering is not very informative.

Kalina Cross predictably outperforms
on-DO in terms of acceleration dynamics
. After all, for the same money Lada offers a high-revving 16-valve 1.6-liter engine (106 horsepower) and a short main pair in the box, and the Datsun’s limit is the ancient VAZ 8-valve engine with a power of only 87 horsepower and a “long” transmission. The result is a difference of almost 1.5 seconds in acceleration to “hundreds” (10.8 versus 12.2).

Lada Kalina Cross

Datsun on-DO

However, on-DO does not feel like a “vegetable” at all. The peaks of its thrust and power curves occur at lower speeds, which is convenient in the city. And on the highway, thanks to the elastic engine, Datsun does not give up, maintaining the Kalina’s pace without strain. At the same time, on-DO
turned out to be slightly more economical
, showing an average consumption of 7.5 l/100 km versus 7.8 for the Lada. By the way, gasoline is prescribed for both models at 95.

There are differences even in sound insulation. The same 15-inch Pirelli Cinturato P1 tires on on-DO are heard more clearly. The Kalina's wheel arches are better damped, but at high speeds (over 100 km/h) the station wagon is more annoying with wind whistles. In general, acoustic comfort is comparable.

Lada Kalina Cross

Datsun on-DO

The cars drive differently, but in the interiors, family ties come through in every crevice. The layout of the front panel, visibility, landing... The canonical parameters were determined by the common platform. And then begins the game of shades of design and equipment. For example, the instrument cluster on on-DO looks simpler, but is easier to read and does not glare. A multimedia complex with navigation and a touch screen is available for the Datsun, and the Kalina responds with cheerful orange inserts in the trim and a glove compartment on top of the dashboard. The USB port of the “Japanese” is hidden in the niche of the glove box, while on the “Lada” it is located in plain sight.

Even the dimensions of the salons are the same

. Only on the second row of the Cross, for obvious reasons, is there more headroom - the roof in the station wagon extends higher. And the Isofix mounts are made more competently: installing a child seat in on-DO is no easier than catching all the Pokemon on the streets. Although in terms of safety it is still ahead of the Lada due to the side airbags and stabilization system that are inaccessible to the Cross.

Lada Kalina Cross

Our test of the Datsun Mi Do with a hydromechanical Japanese automatic transmission showed that dressing Kalina in a Datsun is becoming fashionable. Let's argue about tastes.

VIDEO and tech. characteristics at the end of the Datsun Mi Do test

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How much does a machine gun cost for people?

Affordable cars with an automatic transmission are not made today, either in shape or form. Frets have switched from imported boxes to more economical robots, but not yet understood by drivers. But Datsun, I’m sure, got it right with the automatic.

Together with the city model Datsun mi-Do, the Dream package appeared with a hydromechanical automatic transmission - the dream of pensioners. And even though it has only 4 gears, while the Koreans are already using 6-speed gears with all their might, the assembly of the unit is Japanese, which means there should be no issues with quality.

The Datsun-mi-Do hatchback itself is assembled in the workshops that were built for Kalina at AvtoVAZ. Gasoline engine 1.6 (87 hp), transmission - 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. The automatic is quieter, but consumes 1-2 liters more fuel. Price of basic versions: 415 - 465 thousand rubles.

The body, let’s hope, like the automatic transmission, will last a long time, because it has galvanized parts, and a guarantee against through corrosion for 6 years. We know the automatic from Nissan's small class models, and the body from , let them now compete in longevity.

Our Datsun Mi does not have navigation, you can order it, but I wouldn’t do it, it’s much cheaper to just buy a navigator. The air conditioning system works well. Buy yourself a heated windshield too. The USB input is hidden behind the glove compartment lid. It’s a pity, they got rid of the top box on the center console that Kalina has. But I couldn’t get rid of the scratchy burrs of explosive plastic.

Datsun mi-DO, or who angered Lada Kalina?

The basic Trust version includes two airbags, ABS, front electric windows, electric mirrors and heated front seats. A Datsun Mi-Do with climate control is priced at 560,000 rubles, and a car equipped with a multimedia system will cost 570,000 rubles.

The price of the hatchback in the Dream configuration is 594,000 rubles, its equipment is complemented by a stabilization system, climate control, a multimedia system, light and rain sensors, rear electric windows and fog lights.

A four-speed automatic transmission, available for any version, will increase the price by 50 thousand rubles.

Datsun mi-DO 1.6 (106 hp)

A hatchback equipped with a sixteen-valve engine producing 106 hp. s., is offered at a price of 585,000 rubles. The starting equipment for this version includes two airbags, ABS, air conditioning, a multimedia system, front electric windows, electric mirrors and heated front seats. The Dream version (stabilization system, rear electric windows, light and rain sensors, alarm, fog lights, alloy wheels) will cost 609,000 rubles.

◾ Detailed prices and equipment for the Datsun mi-DO car.

Brief information about the car

The Datsun mi-DO hatchback has been produced in Tolyatti since 2020. It differs from the original Kalina in suspension settings, recalibrated power steering, transmission ratios, different front panel, seats and finishing materials. At first, the car was offered only with an eight-valve engine, but in 2020 a version with a sixteen-valve VAZ-21127 engine went on sale. Also in the lineup is the Datsun on-DO sedan.

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The recommended price for a new 2018 Datsun Mi-Do car is indicated. For additional conditions, availability of cars for sale, information about equipment, discounts and promotions, please check with the showrooms of official dealers of the Datsun brand.

No competitors yet?

Datsun representatives say that their main competitors are not Renault and Lada at all, but used cars in the price category of about 500 thousand rubles. Maybe, but no matter how Lada is, it’s still family.

We conduct our visual test of the Datsun Mi Do from thirty steps: even despite the Japanese motifs of the stampings on the fifth door, it is not so easy to distinguish the Datsun Mi Do from it. In profile they look like twins.

Grant's instrument panel is easy to read. In the Dream configuration, the antifreeze temperature is displayed on an additional display. The steering wheel is adjustable only for tilt.

The interior is formally updated, but there are a lot of details in common with the Lada, and the landing itself is painfully familiar from the eights. Except that the chairs have finally become more or less comfortable and don’t dig into the lower back. They have dense padding and good lateral support, and - attention! — a microlift appeared in front for adjusting the seat height. And this is really the merit of the Japanese, they insisted on using a different seat filler than in the “ladas”.

In the back and in the trunk everything is the same as in the Kalina hatchback. To remove the headrest, you need to be strong - you have to press two tight latches at once. There is a full-size spare tire under the carpet. According to measurements while driving, the trunk holds 244 liters; with the seats folded down, you can put a box measuring 940x640x1300 mm in here

Formally, two people can fit in the rear seats, but driving for a long time is completely uncomfortable, as in fact in any B-segment car. For the third, only a belt is provided, but there is hardly enough space.

The trunk is purely urban, for bags from the supermarket, but unlike the sedan, it can be combined with the interior and get an almost flat floor. The trunk door opens hard but rises high, you can’t hit it with your head, you can unlock it from inside or with a key.

For a car whose length does not exceed 4 meters, the organization of the interior can be considered acceptable, except that there is a noticeable lack of width inside - this is reflected in the ancient attempt to make it a step lower than the traditional VAZ classics.

Differences at the front from its Japanese brother on-Do are aggressive headlights and a different shape of the lower air intake. The windshield cleaning area reaches almost to the seals. The embossed hood is clearly visible to the driver.

Our test of the Datsun Mi Do was pleased with a couple of automatic engines. Formally, the 1.6-liter engine with a lightweight connecting rod and piston group produces 87 hp, but subjectively it seems that there is noticeably more of it.

The eight-valve engine is amazingly elastic. The lack of protection makes you worry about the lowest point in the area of ​​the engine shield - the crankcase of the machine.

The Datsun mi-DO cross-hatchback turned out to be an experiment for fishermen

Hopes were in vain: the promising teaser was not hiding a serial cross-Datsun. The car declassified today is an experimental model, prepared taking into account the wishes of lovers of travel and outdoor activities. In January this year, Datsun conducted a poll on its social media pages to find out readers' favorite hobby and the ideal vehicle for that hobby. According to the results of a survey of fans of travel and fishing, there was a majority, so meet the specially prepared Datsun mi-DO hatchback.

Ground clearance has been increased from 174 to 180 mm thanks to spacers in the front between the body and the support and in the rear between the lower shock absorber mount and the beam. A high-torque eight-valve 1.6 engine (87 hp) and a five-speed manual transmission are standard, but the main pair is shorter - 4.13:1 instead of the standard 3.9:1.

Plastic wheel arch extensions and forged wheels with Michelin Cross Climate tires of size 185/65 R15 are installed. An aluminum protective sheet 4 mm thick is provided for the engine and gearbox; there is also protection for the fuel tank and engine compartment from dirt and moisture. The body is painted with matte paint, resistant to scratches and chips.

The experimental hatchback is strictly a two-seater: instead of the rear seat and trunk, there is a “cabinet” with an easy-to-clean coating. It has compartments of different sizes to store small items, a tent or rubber boots. A pull-out table is built into the lower part of the trunk, and a shovel and ax are mounted behind the right rear door. The kit includes a folding awning with side walls, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, shackles, snatch and tow ropes, and a 330-liter Thule box and additional lighting equipment are installed on the roof.

Faster

Even manual Logans are easily left behind during a spirited start from a traffic light, and I have no trouble believing the claimed 14.3 seconds to accelerate to 100 km/h. Yes, and I believe in a maximum speed of 165 km/h. Moreover, the sedan on the dynamometer road at the Dmitrov test site showed me a maximum speed 1 km/h higher than stated on the GPS. At the same time, fuel consumption of 7.5 liters is easily achievable in the city, even on winter studded wheels. It’s impossible to forget about the studs on the tires for a second; all the defects and noise from the road surface are transmitted as if we were testing the Datsun Mi Do with the windows wide open.

The Datsun-mi-Do reacts more readily to the steering commands than the Granta, but in the near-zero zone it is still incomprehensible.

The Datsun-mi-Do chassis, unlike the Kalinovsky one, has different springs and anti-roll bars. The car feels noticeably better than the Granta on a straight line.

Opening the hood is still sad. And it’s not even the archaic engine that scares us, we are used to it and love it for its reliability and affordable service, but its appearance. The oil is already leaking, and the cast iron block is covered with rust. But we tested the Datsun Mi Do with an odometer reading of only a few thousand.

But, whatever one may say, among new cars the Datsun Mi Do turned out to be completely out of competition. Formally, its rival could only be a sedan assembled in Togliatti, but it has a painfully archaic interior, and the prices are still higher. Therefore, for those who want a brand new people's car, I can confidently recommend the Datsun mi Do. Service stations for it are created on the basis of Nissan showrooms.

Among the advantages is a ground clearance of 170 mm in combination with short body overhangs and an energy-intensive suspension. Decide for yourself how to manage this. If your ideas about comfort coincide with Mi Do, and you have a stock of Lada components in your garage, you can think about buying. But still, open the hood at the car dealership.

And for another taste: if you are buying a car not on credit, but with your own money, and even have a high-quality private service in mind, then my urgent advice is to take a closer look not at the disguised Kalina with a price list from Datsun Mi Do for 539 thousand rubles, but to foreign cars aged 2-3 years. They will offer higher quality and comfort, and they will have to pay no more attention than the Datsun Mi Do.

Datsun mi-DO - cheap Japanese-Russian hatchback

Among the car abundance at the stands of the Moscow motor show MIAS-2014, the Datsun mi-DO hatchback attracted special attention of Russian visitors. This model is unique, because never before in the history of the automotive industry has there been a case where a Japanese car was built on the basis of a Russian passenger car. And the five-door mi-DO is just such a unique, foundation-shattering event, because the brainchild of the Japanese company Nissan was designed on the basis of the famous development of the Tolyatti engineers of the Lada Kalina model.

What is the history of Datsun and what is the connection with Nissan?

A meticulous reader may wonder what Nissan has to do with it if we are talking about a passenger car called Datsun Mi-Do. But the connection here is direct and most immediate, because, in fact, in the world of automotive manufacturing, “first there was the word” Datsun and only then the company was absorbed, reorganized and renamed Nissan. And then a year and a half ago, after two decades of oblivion, the Japanese decided to bring the old brand back to life in order to launch the production of inexpensive cars under this name for growing markets, such as Indian, South African and our Russian and Ukrainian. And since now Nissan, together with Renault, actually owns our VAZ, it was decided to open the production of cars under the Datsun brand in the Russian Federation.

Name Datsun mi-DO

The Japanese love imagery and the very specific meaning hidden in unusual poetic structures. By calling the new hatchback the verbal design mi-DO, the manufacturers wanted to emphasize the international features of the unusual Russian-Japanese car. The word DO in Japanese means “path”, “movement” or “striving towards something”, and the particle Mi is used as an analogue of the sound of the English word me, which can be translated as “my”. As a result, the new hatch has the pretentious name “my way” or “my tool for achieving something.”

DATSUN mi-DO

Specifications