What are the differences between the Lavida Hatchback and Lavida?
4 Answers
The Lavida Hatchback was derived in 2013 from the second-generation Lavida sedan by converting it into a hatchback. Apart from differences in exterior design and body structure, the interior, chassis, and powertrain are identical. The specific differences are as follows: 1. Body structure: The Lavida is a sedan, while the Lavida Hatchback is a hatchback; 2. Launch time: The Lavida was launched in June 2008, while the Lavida Hatchback was launched in April 2013; 3. Exterior features. (1) The Lavida sedan measures 4670mm in length, 1806mm in width, and 1474mm in height. Its headlights feature a clean and straightforward design with separate low and high beams. The fog lights have a diamond-shaped design with chrome-plated decorative elements, though lower trim models do not include fog lights. The car is equipped with multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. (2) The Lavida Hatchback measures 4454mm in length, 1765mm in width, and 1460mm in height. Its headlights inherit the double-wing design and are paired with 15-inch to 16-inch refined alloy wheels. The new LED flowing taillights feature a dual-piece design with built-in multiple optical fibers.
The biggest difference between the Lavida Hatch and Lavida is their body structure. The Lavida Hatch features a two-box wagon design, while the Lavida is a standard three-box sedan. This directly impacts trunk practicality—the Lavida Hatch's rear seats can fold completely flat, making it effortless for me to help friends move or transport foldable bicycles. The trunk depth is about 30 cm longer than the Lavida's. Externally, the Lavida Hatch comes with roof rack rails, making it easy to install a rooftop cargo box. As for core components like the powertrain and chassis, both use the same EA211 engine and MQB platform, so the driving experience is quite similar. In my opinion, the Lavida Hatch is more practical for those who enjoy road trips or frequently haul large items, while the Lavida suits those who prefer the aesthetics of a traditional sedan.
I recently helped a relative compare these two models. The Lavida features a horizontal chrome grille design on the front fascia, giving it a more conservative look, while the Gran Lavida adopts a honeycomb mesh grille with black trim for a sportier feel. The interior space is similar when seated, but the Gran Lavida offers two extra finger-widths of headroom in the rear. Last week during rainy weather, I drove a friend's Gran Lavida for camping - its hatchback-style tailgate made loading/unloading the tent extremely convenient, whereas opening the Lavida's trunk would easily wet your back. In terms of equipment differences at the same price point, the Gran Lavida comes with roof rails and a rear wiper as standard. However, the Lavida's center console storage compartment is more thoughtfully designed to prevent phones from sliding out.
From a used car perspective, the Gran Lavida's wagon positioning results in a slightly lower resale value compared to the Lavida. Last year, I handled two vehicles of the same model year—the 1.4T Lavida sold for 5,000 yuan more than the Gran Lavida. However, the Gran Lavida has a lower parts-to-labor ratio; for example, the tail light assembly is 20% cheaper. During repairs, I noticed the Gran Lavida's rear suspension springs are stiffer, making the rear seats noticeably bumpier over speed bumps. The engine bay layouts of both cars are identical, but the Lavida comes with sound insulation under the hood, which the Gran Lavida lacks. If you frequently drive on highways, the Lavida offers slightly better noise control.
