At the moment, Niva occupies a large share of the Russian off-road vehicle market and is also very popular in the post-Soviet space. Great demand is due to the availability of these models, as well as the low cost of components. But how do you know whether it’s worth buying a Chevrolet Niva or whether the most successful choice would be a slightly modernized, but already familiar to many, AvtoVAZ products?
The choice is quite difficult, but first of all you need to consider which model will be more comfortable and functional to use.
Description, parameters, qualities
Let's look at what the tested cars are like. What advantages and disadvantages do they have? How they behave in different situations and on different tracks.
Specifications
| Model | VAZ 2131 1.8 | VAZ 2123 Chevrolet 1.7 i |
| BODY | ||
| Body type | Station wagon | Station wagon |
| Number of doors | 5 | 5 |
| Number of seats | 5 | 5 |
| Length | 4240 mm | 3900 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm | 1700 mm |
| Height | 1640 mm | 1640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2700 | 2450 |
| Front track | 1430 | 1430 |
| Rear track | 1400 | 1400 |
| Trunk volume is minimal | 265 l | 320 l |
| ENGINE | ||
| Engine location | Front, longitudinal | Front, longitudinal |
| Engine capacity | 1774 cm 3 | 1690 cm 3 |
| Cylinder type | Row | Row |
| Number of cylinders | 4 | 4 |
| Piston stroke | 85 mm | 80 mm |
| Cylinder diameter | 82 | 82 |
| Compression ratio | 8,4 | 9,3 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 2 | 4 |
| Supply system | Carburetor | Distributed injection |
| Availability of turbocharging | — | — |
| Power | 82/5200 l. With. | 79/5200 l. With. |
| Torque | 139/3200 n*m | 127/3400 n*m |
| Fuel | AI-92 | AI-95 |
| TRANSMISSION | ||
| Drive unit | Permanent, all-wheel drive | Constant on all wheels |
| Number of gears (manual transmission) | 5 | 5 |
| Number of gears (automatic transmission) | — | — |
| SUSPENSION | ||
| Rear suspension type | Helical spring | Independent |
| Front suspension type | Helical spring | Dependent |
| STEERING | ||
| Power steering | — | Power steering |
| Steering type | Worm gear | Rack and pinion |
| BRAKE SYSTEM TYPE | ||
| Front brakes | Disk | Disk |
| Rear brakes | Drums | Drums |
| PERFORMANCE INDICATORS | ||
| Fuel tank volume | 65 l | 58 l |
| Acceleration time (0-100 km/h) | 22 s | 17 s |
| Maximum speed | 135 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Fuel consumption (combined cycle) | 12,3 | 9,6 |
| Clearance | 228 mm | 200 mm |
| Vehicle curb weight | 1370 kg | 1300 kg |
| Permissible gross weight | 1870 kg | 1750 kg |
| Tire size | 175/80 R16 | 205/70 R15 |
Off-road properties
Both cars belong to the SUV class. Let's try to figure out how true this is. To do this, we will highlight several qualities that every “everywhere” must have.
The first is the presence of all-wheel drive, the participation of all four wheels in working with the track. And here there is a correspondence between both. The center differential is locked. There is a range multiplier, whether it is a Lada Niva or a Chevrolet Niva.
The second is high ground clearance, the distance between the road and the bottom of the car. Well, the ground clearance of the tested cars is at least 200 mm for each – it coincides with the requirement. The Lada has 28 mm more than the Chevy, and this is a plus.
The third is the geometric cross-country ability or the ramp angle; the smaller it is, the harder the roads can be conquered. This value depends on the length of the body - the shorter the better. Therefore, the VAZ-2131, popularly known as the “long” Niva, with its 4.24 m, is not at its best here. Chevrolet is 34 cm shorter than its opponent, and accordingly, the required cross-country ability is much higher.
If the road has asphalt
The smooth ride on a flat road is better for the Niva-2131 than for the Chevrolet. Here the length of the car can be appreciated. We won’t feel any jumps or bouncing when driving like this. It feels like sailing through a quiet harbor.
But in the urban cycle, with a turning radius of almost six and a half meters, the “long” Niva gives in to the Chevrolet. Here the length is no longer at hand. When it comes to maneuvering around corners, you'll never regret spending the extra money on power steering. At 2131 you have to pay extra for it. And the basic equipment of the Niva-2123 already includes power steering.
What is there, what is missing
The lack of power is undeniably felt in both cars. Cars with such mass would do well to increase the engine capacity.
The thirty-first has worse visibility of the exterior mirrors, much higher fuel consumption, and a poorer interior than the Chevy. The trunk, on the contrary, is more spacious.
What's better about off-road driving?
If we consider cross-country ability, the cars are not inferior to each other in this indicator.
At the same time, SUVs of domestic origin are in many ways superior to their foreign competitors, despite their lower cost. In theory, off-road, the Lada outperforms its competitor for the following reasons:
- Geometric dimensions. The Lada's body is shorter, so when passing difficult sections the likelihood of getting stuck is significantly reduced.
- The 2121 has much smaller overhangs. Therefore, you don’t have to be afraid to cross areas with serious differences, but in a Chevrolet you have to slow down; the plastic bumper can crack even with a slight impact.
- The lighter weight of the Lada makes it more adventurous; even a few kilograms matter off-road, and this SUV is lighter.
- The passable Lada has greater ground clearance. At the time of the test, the car overcame serious ditches, as well as holes. On gravel roads you can drive at high speed, as the car has high stability even in poor terrain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvYSTjy91ec
The Chevrolet is much easier to drive off-road. This is due to the fact that using three levers on a Lada is quite difficult. When driving both SUVs, the main thing is to choose the right gear, since stopping in the middle of a puddle, the engine power may not be enough.
In terms of technical characteristics and body geometry, the Lada slightly wins off-road. It is almost impossible to break its bumper, since metal is used in its manufacture.
When comparing two cars, it's worth finding out how both cars perform on the highway. In this regard, Chevrolet wins in almost all respects. An example is the following:
- Better insulation in the cabin. Niva is classified as a higher class, so higher quality materials are used for finishing. When driving on the highway, there is simply a terrible hum in the Lada's cabin: the engine, tires, transfer case. Therefore, we cannot talk about comfortable movement over long distances.
- The shorter wheelbase and lighter weight of the Lada guarantee higher cross-country ability, but problems arise when driving on the highway or within the city. This is associated with a serious decrease in stability. Therefore, the 2121 model must be constantly kept on the road; a strong gust of wind can throw the car to the side.
- Niva is much softer. This is due to the modified suspension. At the time of the test, it performs better when turning.
More comfortable seats and better body geometry provide good visibility. This indicator is important when driving around the city.
Summarizing
From the above analysis, we saw that it is preferable in different road situations, a Chevrolet Niva or a Lada 4x4. And also what routes they were created for. So let's summarize it all.
- high off-road qualities;
- comfortable interior, decent appearance;
- good options already included in the basic package;
- small trunk volume;
- lack of off-road tires in the manufacturer’s equipment;
- higher price and more expensive maintenance compared to VAZ-2131;
- a clear lack of power on the highway.
Test drive a Chevrolet Niva:
- high level of smoothness on the highway;
- the engine is more powerful than that of the Chevrolet;
- spacious, comfortable interior;
- large trunk volume;
- low price and maintenance costs;
- appearance is a C plus;
- slowness, off-road performance below average;
- low efficiency in fuel consumption;
- poor visibility of the mirrors overboard.
Test drive a Lada Niva:
What conclusion can we draw from the above comparison of Lada Niva vs Chevrolet Niva? And the conclusion is this: if you are attracted by extreme roads and are willing to overpay for additional equipment and comfort, buy Chevrolet Niva . The car perfectly combines comfort and off-road qualities. If your budget is limited and you are not drawn to gullies, Niva-2131 is your choice . Driving on a flat road is pure pleasure, reinforced by the thought of the money saved when buying a car.
Owners of the cars reviewed can supplement our comparative analysis with their observations in the comments. Good luck to everyone on the roads!
The best prices and conditions for the purchase of new cars
Pros and cons of the Chevrolet Niva compared to the regular Niva
Let us list the main advantages of the Chevrolet Niva:
- Modern and quite successful design .
- Passive safety . Although its level is unacceptably low, it is still slightly higher than that of a regular Niva. Chevy cars of recent years are preferable in terms of safety.
- Relatively high level driving comfort Less vibration, less noise, comfortable driving position, power steering.
- Spacious salon . This also includes a comfortable back row, seating and a relatively spacious trunk.
- Good aerodynamics .
Now the disadvantages :
- More expensive than a regular Niva, both in purchase and in maintenance and repair.
- Poor cross-country ability due to the extended base and lower bumpers.
- An abundance of plastic , especially on new Sheviks. A controversial point, because plastic protects the body from minor damage (scratches, chips).
- Weak engine . The dynamics of Shevik are worse than those of a regular Niva.
- More mass . On marshy soils this is a minus, but in other cases it can be a plus (shallow mud, loose snow).
Plastic protects the body from scratches and chips.
It is also worth paying attention to one more point - body rigidity . It seems that the three-door car should have it higher, but the Shevik has thicker side members, so not everything is so simple.
Your bets, gentlemen
For our comparative test, we will take cars in top trim levels with the maximum number of options. So, 4x4 in the Urban version (the most advanced and modern version of the SUV) is estimated by Tolyatti residents at 511,700 rubles, and the richest in equipment, Niva LE+, is valued at 704 thousand rubles.
The difference in price is significant - 192,300 rubles! And here logical questions arise. Why does AvtoVAZ put such an attractive price tag on a veteran model? Does the “classic” look so inconspicuous compared to its more modern competitor? Let's figure it all out.
About off-road qualities
Both all-wheel drive vehicles feel great off-road and are capable of giving a head start to other cars with a monocoque body, dashingly dealing with the now fashionable SUVs and pseudo-SUVs. The owner of a LADA 4×4 Urban will feel especially comfortable off-road, since the geometric cross-country ability of his car is slightly better than that of the Chevrolet Niva. On the other hand, standard “classic” tires cannot be compared with the receiver tires. Still, the standard products of KShZ (Kirov Tire Plant) and NShZ (produces Kama tires) are inferior in terms of grip characteristics and other performance qualities of Continental products.
Let's sum it up
As expected, the Chevrolet Niva looks more modern than its predecessor. It is better in such areas as safety (two airbags versus one), comfort and interior design (more space for passengers), and appearance. The only drawback is the higher cost.
This comparison is valid not only for top trim levels, but also for less equipped versions. In any case, the owner of a Chevrolet Niva gets more than the owner of a LADA 4x4, an undeniably good car with a rich history, which sooner or later will have to retire.
The entire LADA model range is available on the territory of Autocentre-Vladimir on Rokadnaya: LADA 4×4, Largus, Kalina, Granta, Priora, Vesta, X-RAY, as well as new Chevrolet Niva cars.
Address: Vladimir, st. Elektrozavodskaya, 6a. Tel.,.
Niva is a very popular family of cars, which includes many different car models. Niva VAZ and Niva Chevrolet are in particular demand in our country. Both vehicles are very reliable and durable. But many owners are interested in Niva or Chevrolet Niva - which is better, and is it worth overpaying for the second option? Now we will try to find out.
Test Drive
Years don't matter
The Russian all-terrain vehicle has been sitting on the assembly line for many years without any special changes in appearance. However, its design does not become outdated and is still attractive.
It is worth noting the rounded headlight optics, expressive bumpers with nice stampings, a laconic radiator grille, as well as roof rails.
A little background
Before determining which is better: Niva or Chevrolet Niva, you should understand that both of these vehicles have the same technical base.
Initially, the VAZ 2123 was conceived as a Niva-2 model, but since the designers did not develop a decent engine and gearbox, the body was simply updated. In 2001, the car was released under the name Chevrolet Niva, and the famous American concern was responsible for production.
At the same time, the old VAZ 2121 was also modernized. Now the car is produced under the name Lada 4x4, but among car enthusiasts it remains the same Niva (VAZ 2131).
For several years now, cars have been improved separately from each other, since they belong to different manufacturers. On the other hand, concerns constantly monitor each other’s achievements, and sometimes even cooperate.
But this does not mean that the models are completely identical, and it is impossible to determine which is better: Niva or Chevrolet Niva. No, they have several differences, which we will pay attention to.
Degree of versatility
It is unwise to buy an all-terrain vehicle to drive it exclusively around the city. At least sometimes, such cars should leave the asphalt to justify their purpose. In these happy moments for cars, they are required to be spacious, carrying capacity, comfortable on the highway, and finally, successfully overcome difficult areas.
In these disciplines, the extended Niva VAZ 2131 is not inferior to its more expensive relative. There is, of course, less comfort in it, but the capacity and carrying capacity are higher - 360 liters of usable volume in the trunk versus 260 (our own measurements using standard “cubes”) and 500 kg instead of 400 according to the instructions. Here, by the way, there is reason to be perplexed.
The data on the gross weight of the jointly produced vehicle in its instructions and on the engine compartment plate differ by 40 kg! If you believe the latter, the Chevrolet Niva does not have the right to take on board more than 360 kg, which only makes you smile. After all, the Oka is capable of carrying people and cargo up to 340 kg! In general, we will assume that there was an accidental mistake in the sign.
Off-road, the cars are approximately equal, although the hydraulic booster makes driving the Chevrolet much more pleasant. On broken asphalt, the differences are again small: the “joint” car with the VAZ 2123 index “plays” less with the rear axle thanks to more vertically mounted shock absorbers. It also has a little more front suspension travel, which is also good.
Also interesting: How much does it cost to prepare a Niva for off-road use?
But the weekend or vacation quickly ends, and the “fields” return to the city, joining the jelly slowly crawling through the streets. Here the driver is little concerned about ground clearance and trunk volume. But he fully appreciates the ease of controls and visibility. And then a gulf opened up between our subjects.
Comparing cars in urban environments, as you might guess, is a one-sided game. Perhaps the only tangible advantage of the VAZ 2131 is cheaper maintenance, however, there is a pitfall here: it is supposed to be carried out every 10 thousand km, and not 15 thousand, like the opponent.
Comparing everything that has been said, you come to an obvious conclusion. As a universal car for all occasions, the Chevrolet Niva is better, but more expensive. But if the car is bought only for special tasks - trips to nature on a day off or on vacation with the whole family - the old acquaintance VAZ 2131 may well compete with a jointly produced product.
Main characteristics
Both vehicles are equipped with gasoline power units. In Chevrolet the volume is 1.7 liters, in the case of Lada 4x4, the engine is 1.8 liters. Power units comply with Euro-5 environmental standards.
The last major update to the engines occurred back in 2008, since then there have been no significant changes. In fact, everything is the same here, including an interchangeable block, head, connecting rod and piston group, crankshaft, etc.
True, to be extremely precise, the engine from the Chevrolet SUV is a development of the VAZ-21214 engine from the Lada 4x4.
Based on the main technical parameters, it is impossible to determine whether the Lada Niva or the Chevrolet Niva is better, since the characteristics are almost completely identical.
For Chevrolet they look like this:
- power – 79 horses;
- torque indicator - 127 Nm;
- required fuel - AI-95 gasoline;
- maximum speed – 150 km/h;
- acceleration to 100 km/h – 17 seconds;
- transmission – five-speed manual;
- drive – permanent all-wheel drive;
- fuel consumption – 9.6 l/100 km in the combined cycle;
- fuel tank volume – 58 l.
In the case of the VAZ Niva, the parameters are slightly different:
- power – 82 horsepower;
- torque – 139 Nm;
- required fuel - AI-95 gasoline;
- maximum speed – 135 km/h;
- acceleration to 100 km/h – 22 sec;
- transmission – five-speed manual;
- drive – permanent all-wheel drive;
- fuel consumption – 12.3 l/100 km in the combined cycle;
- fuel tank volume – 65 l.
Despite the fact that both cars come with permanent all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual gearbox, there are still some differences.
On a Chevrolet car, the gearbox is not attached to the engine, as in the case of the VAZ competitor, it is separated from the engine. In addition, the generator is located on top of the unit (in a regular Niva it is at the back). Elements such as intake pipes, receiver, and throttle pipe also differ.
Chevrolet has one more transfer case mounting support than in the case of a Lada 4x4. The intermediate shaft is also slightly different.
Niva 4×4: a car that has not undergone any changes through the decades
Regardless of the fact that the design of the VAZ Niva has long been outdated and is considered quite clumsy, this car continues to easily find its buyer. Many motorists do not like the Niva 4x4 for its truly outdated appearance. But this is far from the only car whose developers are not going to change its design, while it remains popular. Vivid examples of this can be considered the Suzuki Swift and Land Rover Defender. Probably, the VAZ Niva should be perceived in this context.
The main positive aspects of this car are:
- A 1.7-liter engine with 83 horsepower, which is also quite unpretentious;
- a very successful gearbox that you can really rely on;
- The SUV functions in this car are absolutely similar to the previous copy of this review;
- for urban driving, fuel consumption is about 12 liters per hundred;
- the suspension is mounted on levers. It can be called not only reliable, but also impenetrable. However, it is not very comfortable to drive;
- When driving on asphalt, we can say that the car lacks a base, but there is quite sharp control.
Driving on the highway in a Niva 4x4 is quite difficult. The fact is that the driver has to constantly and firmly hold the steering wheel in his own hands, so that he does not make spontaneous maneuvers along the highway, which can end in disaster.
But on the off-road, the short Niva 4x4 track works just fine. Thanks to this design, the car simply cannot break out of the intended rut on its own. However, when it comes to asphalt roads, this function cannot be called too convenient
Having all the advantages and disadvantages mentioned above, which, by the way, are very significant, this car is still very attractive for people who want to buy an SUV. Moreover, this car is considered one of the most affordable SUVs. Its cost in the basic configuration is only 405 thousand rubles.
Dimensions
If we talk about Chevrolet, then the main dimensions parameters look like this:
- length – 390 cm;
- width – 170 cm;
- height – 164 cm;
- wheelbase – 245 cm;
- ground clearance – 20 cm;
- trunk volume – 320 l;
Niva differs from AVTOVAZ in slightly larger sizes:
- length – 424 cm;
- width – 168 cm;
- height – 164 cm;
- wheelbase – 279 cm;
- ground clearance - 22.8 cm;
- trunk volume – 265 l.
If you determine which is better: Lada Niva or Chevrolet Niva in terms of size, then it is worth noting that the VAZ version is larger and more impressive.
At the same time, it is distinguished by increased ground clearance, which increases the vehicle's cross-country ability. At the same time, the Chevrolet car has significantly increased trunk volume, and this is a big plus for country trips.
Spare parts and tires
Both cars are assembled on domestic assembly lines . The simpler design of the Lada has the advantage that spare parts are a little cheaper. Additional Niva options significantly increase maintenance costs. For example, you will have to periodically recharge your air conditioner.
At Niva, the factory installs Continental Conti Cross Contact AT , which bypasses the K-156 and Kama-232 in almost all respects. They provide higher cross-country ability and stability on the highway. Some car dealerships install other tires. They may differ in diameter, tread type and other parameters.
Driving on the highway and in the city
If you plan to drive on smooth asphalt, then the Lada Niva demonstrates a smoother ride. Thanks to the increased length, the number of jumps and bounces is reduced, so that passengers and the driver will be as comfortable as possible.
But in the city, large dimensions will become a significant disadvantage. The length of 4.24 m makes it difficult to perform various maneuvers.
Chevrolet has one more advantage in this regard - power steering, which is included even in the launch model.
In addition, the Chevrolet Niva has improved dynamics and a higher top speed. But, in any case, the cars cannot be called frisky, and you won’t be able to take part in races with them.
Safety indicators
When choosing a Niva VAZ or Niva Chevrolet, special attention should be paid to safety indicators. The crash test was carried out by the Autoreview publication, and the methodology repeated the European EuroNCAP tests.
As a result, the VAZ version received 0 points. The brainchild of the Chevrolet brand has not advanced much either – the safety index here was 1.6.
However, after some modifications, including the installation of belt pretensioners, an anti-lock braking system and two airbags, the figure increased to 12.5 points.
Now Lada 4x4 also has ABS. True, airbags come only in an improved configuration, and there are no belt pretensioners at all.
Best choice for the city
A comparative description of two cars for traveling on city roads gave the opposite result. Here the Chevrolet Niva performed better. It handles well on the highway and has better maneuverability. But there are other important reasons.
Firstly, sound insulation is important on a city highway, and Niva’s is much more effective, unlike Lada’s. When traveling long distances in a Lada, you need to be prepared for constant, incessant noise (tires, engine, third-party sounds from neighboring cars).
Secondly, the lighter weight and size of the Lada help the car when moving off-road, but on city roads it can cause serious harm. Due to its lightweight dimensions, the vehicle is less stable; even a strong wind can knock it off its trajectory.
And thirdly, thanks to the improved suspension, the Chevrolet Niva has a softer ride. It also behaves better when cornering. More comfortable seats provide comfort during long trips, as do additional functions - a multimedia system, air conditioning.
Under the hood 4x4
Production
If you are hesitating between a VAZ Niva or a Chevrolet Niva, then you need to understand that both vehicles are produced in our country, in Tolyatti.
True, the first option is made at the facilities of AVTOVAZ, while Chevrolet is manufactured at the GM-AVTOVAZ plant. But the components (engines, chassis, bodies, etc.) are supplied from the same AVTOVAZ. The quality is about the same.
