The Lada Azimut 2026, unveiled on June 18, 2025 at SPIEF, is a 4,416 mm long five-door SUV based on the updated Vesta platform. Powered by a 1.6-liter (89 kW/120 hp) or 1.8-liter (98 kW/132 hp) four-cylinder engine, it sits a generous 208 mm above the ground. The cabin features a 10-inch display, the GigaChat voice assistant and – for the first time in its class – electrically heated front side windows.
If Jeremy Clarkson ever fell into the icy Volga, he would save himself by commenting that “at least the water is local.” He is similarly confident AvtoVAZ in St. Petersburg showed the Lada Azimut 2026 - a car that is supposed to prove to the Russians that they can make a modern crossover even without French baguettes and German software. Serial production in Togliatti starts in 2026, and deliveries will begin before the first snow plow of that winter.
The design is surprising for a brand that didn't impress
The concept Vision has flowed into sharp lines, X-mask but here it is not for censorship, but for self-confidence. The LED eyes are narrower than a Moscow crypto track, the side is adorned with a taut shoulder line, and the rear is a complete light strip. With 4416 mm in length, 2675 mm in wheelbase and 208 mm in ground clearance, it Lada Azimut 2026 parks between Dacia Duster and Toyota Corolla Cross, with a Russian emphasis on robustness.
Platform and chassis: suitable for Russian infrastructure
Under the skin runs a renewed Vesta-bone with more than 966 new or upgraded parts. McPherson in the front, a redesigned axle in the rear, and all spiced up with a rotary knob for selecting off-road programs - because "real" 4×4 is clearly still in the sanctions policy.
Powertrain: Lada Azimut
The Lada Azimut engine range is as retro as Tetris, but proven durable:
| Engine | Power | 0–100 km/h* | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 liters atmospheric |
89 kW (120 hp) |
~12 seconds | ~180 km/h (112 mph) |
| 1,8 l atmospheric |
98 kW (132 hp) |
~11 seconds | ~190 km/h (118 mph) |
*unofficial internal manufacturer data
A 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 112 kW (150 hp) and an automatic torque converter is promised for 2027 – just in case Azimut isn't afraid of Chinese competitors on the ring road.
A touch of modernity inside
The interior is surprisingly digital: 10-inch infotainment with GigaChat AI, wireless charging, 360° camera and panoramic roof. Real party trick There is also electric heating of the front side windows – a feature that would save Clarkson from scratching the ice with a bank card in Siberia. Italics quote from the chief engineer: “If we don’t have outlets for lattes, at least ice should be a problem of the past.”
On the roads as early as 2026
Togliatti is getting fresh robotic arms, Azimuth and a price tag of between 2.5 and 3.0 million rubles (≈ €29,000–35,000). This puts it at the top of the Lada range, but still remains about half the price of its Chinese competitors, as the AvtoVAZ boss boastfully points out.
Conclusion: Lada Azimut
Although it is Lada Azimuth 2026 front-wheel drive and for now without a turbo, it offers a mix of robust looks, practical ground clearance and digital goodies that we never dared to dream of in a Lada until yesterday. In the backyard, it may become a status symbol for those who want a little more than The level and a little less than Chinese premiumIf (or when) the geopolitical ice melts, this Russian crossover may surprise even beyond domestic roads. Until then – cheers, Azimuth – and may your heated windows never freeze.
