
The New Lavida and the Old Lavida have the following differences: 1. Exterior Design: The New Lavida features a front grille with Volkswagen's family-style horizontal slats, with four silver chrome slats that appear very stable. The Old Lavida has a more aggressive front design, adopting an open-eye style, with more three-dimensional headlights, which is quite different from the traditional sedan design. 2. Body Dimensions: The New Lavida measures 605 mm in length, 1765 mm in width, 1460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2610 mm; the Old Lavida measures 4562 mm in length, 1793 mm in width, 1468 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2614 mm. 3. Side Design: The New Lavida has a less prominent waistline design, while the Old Lavida's waistline extends from the headlights to the taillights, appearing more noticeable, and also features a silver chrome waistline below the doors. In terms of rear design, the New Lavida has a more rounded rear, with two small-sized brake lights below the taillights, whereas the Old Lavida's taillights have a more three-dimensional design, and the rear adopts a folded-style design.

I've been driving the old Lavida for years, and the new Lavida really caught my eye, mainly because of the updated exterior design. The front lines are more streamlined, and the headlights are much brighter than the old halogen ones, making night driving safer. There are also more color options, breaking away from the monotonous old feel. The interior has improved significantly, with a larger dashboard and touchscreen that feels great, giving a fresh feeling like driving a new car. The overall size is slightly larger, but it drives just as flexibly, and parking is still convenient. The old model has a classic but somewhat outdated look, while the new one has a stronger sense of fashion—friends are envious when they get in. Personally, I prefer this modern style, which also comes with small features like daytime running lights, but the main difference is in the visual appeal.

The technical upgrades in the new Lavida are quite noticeable compared to the old model. The center console now features a large touchscreen, replacing the previous small screen with a CD player. It now supports CarPlay and navigation, making the interface more intuitive. The safety system has been enhanced with automatic braking and lane assist, which were basically absent in the old Lavida. In terms of the engine, the new model uses a 1.5T turbo, while the old one had a 1.6 naturally aspirated engine, resulting in smoother acceleration and slightly lower fuel consumption. The chassis tuning has also improved, with less harsh road feedback. I've test-driven it, and while the differences are in the details, they add up to a significant improvement. The old car was simple and practical, but the new one is better suited for tech-savvy individuals.

There are notable differences in price and usage costs between the old and new Lavida models. I've done the math—the new version is about 10,000 to 20,000 RMB more expensive, but it's actually more fuel-efficient, saving roughly 1 liter per 100 kilometers. If you drive frequently, this can translate to hundreds of RMB in annual fuel savings. In terms of , the new components are better designed with lower failure rates, whereas the older model might experience issues like burnt-out bulbs or wiring problems. For resale value, the new model enjoys higher market recognition, potentially fetching a better price when sold second-hand. Driving the old Lavida is cost-stable but lacks surprises, while upgrading to the new one offers better overall value—especially considering inflation, the initial investment isn’t a loss.

After using the old Lavida for many years at home, the most noticeable improvement after switching to the new one is the comfort. The seats are more thickly padded, making long drives less tiring on the back. The rear space has been widened a bit, so the kids have more room and don’t feel cramped. Noise insulation has significantly improved—the old car had a lot of wind noise at high speeds, but the new one is much quieter. The air conditioning responds quickly, providing cool or warm air promptly. Details like the feel of the doors opening and closing are better, and the interior materials have been upgraded, unlike the old model’s strong plastic feel. Overall, the ride comfort has greatly improved, making road trips or driving with elderly passengers much more comfortable. The old car was practical but lacked these thoughtful upgrades.

The old Lavida had decent power, but the new Lavida performs even better. With the engine upgraded to a 1.5T, the output is more powerful, providing stable acceleration for overtaking and quicker driving response. After chassis optimization, cornering feels solid, and the suspension handles bumpy roads more smoothly compared to the older model. Fuel consumption has also decreased, making it more economical overall. Safety features like emergency braking have been added, enhancing daily driving reliability. Having driven both generations, the old one was reliable but bland, while the new model offers a sportier feel and more driving pleasure. The overall upgrade is worth trying.


