Domestic and reliable: Experience of owning LADA (VAZ) Niva Legend 2022

The car is of interest as a reliable station wagon for bad city and suburban roads. Availability of spare parts and the possibility of hassle-free independent repair and maintenance are necessary. The question is, which version of this car is more profitable to purchase?

Option 1: look for a used one from 2013-2015 within 400t. rubles in the best possible condition and retrofit with the desired equipment

Option 2: save up money for a new LUX package (with ESP and heated seats)

Option 3: take not a VAZ-2131 at all, but a LADA 4x4 Urban 5 door version.

There’s not much you want to have in a car: power steering, front ESP, heated seats. The air conditioner, as it turned out, is not critical (I only use it in the spring and autumn to speed up the fogging of the windows). I heard that the transfer of production and the latest updates in 2016 greatly improved the car, is that true? Perhaps you can offer another car for these purposes? If so, then additional input data: 1) Budget about 400 thousand rubles. 2) The average annual mileage is planned to be about 3-4 thousand 3) No older than 2013 model year 4) Preferably of domestic production 5) All-wheel drive is not particularly critical 6) Driving style is moderate, I don’t plan to walk on the highway more than 100-110 7) Ground clearance no less 170-180 mm Preferably a car that is not too wide with good paintwork (many narrow passages with many bushes and branches) 9) Year-round operation 10) It is highly desirable to be able to install a trunk on the lid (i.e., either a flange (like on a Zhiguli) or roof rails , or cage nuts for installing crossbars/rails)

Thanks to everyone who responded.

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Domestic and reliable: Experience of owning LADA (VAZ) Niva Legend 2022

The famous Niva car, produced in Togliatti, managed to regain its good name, although in a slightly modified version - now the car is called Niva Legend.

The car not only changed its name, but also underwent a large-scale modernization. We’ll talk about the features of the updated car and its characteristics today.

Positive points . According to the owner, he purchased the Niva in a standard assembly, without any bells and whistles. One of its most important advantages is, without a doubt, cross-country ability. The all-wheel drive system, with the direct participation of a high seating position, helps ensure this. The car is warm, it is almost impossible to freeze in it in the winter season. The trunk is small, but quite roomy. Fuel consumption ranges from 8 to 9 liters per 100 kilometers. Sometimes this limit is exceeded, but here everything depends on where the owner plans to drive.

The updated version of the SUV is called Niva Legend

In addition, cross-country ability will depend on what kind of tires are installed on the car; you definitely shouldn’t skimp on it. According to the driver, he purchased his car for hunting, fishing and off-road travel. Without a doubt, city residents simply do not need such a device. The car picks up speed at a stretch, and its upper limit is 110 km/h.

The car becomes an ideal option for hunting and fishing trips

In addition, the owner spoke positively about the large windshield, which provides excellent visibility.

The car has a new dashboard, along with a center console and a more comfortable seat profile. The second feature is the side airbag built into the driver's seat, despite the absence of a front one. The tension ceiling upholstery was also replaced with a molded one, and a microclimate system was installed.

The car has a new dashboard, along with a center console, and a more comfortable seat profile.

There are three- and five-door versions of the SUV, produced in five trim levels.

Minuses. Standard small-sized mirrors needed to be immediately replaced with large ones. There is a slight problem with the cooling system, but it was resolved by installing an additional fan. However, the car was never able to get rid of its main shortcomings. These include an uncomfortable seating position due to the lack of adjustments in the steering column, as well as very little space in the back seat.

In technical terms, there were practically no changes - the car is equipped with the same rather voracious eight-valve engine, with a volume of 1.7 liters and a power of 80 hp. Another disadvantage is the high level of noise during operation. The same loud noise is produced when the transmission is running. Even plastic linings, which can reduce the noise by just a few decibels, cannot save you from this.

Front seat profile

A low degree of reliability can also be included in the liability of a machine. It’s not for nothing that the manufacturer gives this model a much shorter warranty than the front-wheel drive version, namely 2 years, or 50 thousand kilometers. The factory guarantees the service life of this car for 6 years, or 90 thousand kilometers.

Conclusion. In general, the owner was satisfied with the new version of the Niva, since, even despite its shortcomings, it remains the best option for trips outside the city and off-road driving.

Is it worth buying a Lada Niva Legend: all the disadvantages, owner reviews, photos and prices

How much does the new Lada Niva Legend 2022 cost in Russia: the price of an SUV on the official dealer’s website varies from 619,900 to 760,900 rubles . The car is sold in four trim levels: Classic, Luxe, Urban and [Black].

Under the hood of the Lada Niva Legend there is a non-alternative 1.7-liter petrol engine, which is paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The car is offered in three- and five-door bodies, while the base already has permanent all-wheel drive and a transfer case with a reduction gear.

Configurations and prices of Lada Niva Legend 3D 2021

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MT5 - 5-speed manual, 4×4 - all-wheel drive

Lada model range

• In the basic Classic , the SUV's equipment is sparse: it has 16-inch steel wheels, ABS, front electric windows and power steering. Off-road performance is ensured by the center differential lock and reduction gear.
• Luxe version has 16-inch alloy wheels and a metallic-painted body, while its equipment is expanded by heated seats and electrically adjustable heated mirrors. Air conditioning for this car is available as an option.
• The top version of the Urban air conditioner is already included in the base. Plus, the flagship configuration includes foglights, as well as bumpers and sills painted in body color.
• The special version [BLACK] corresponds to the Urban in terms of equipment, but has original upholstery with a black ceiling.

Pros and cons of Lada Niva Legend

+ Pros

• Reliability
• Suspension
• Patency

- Minuses

• Dynamics
• Build quality
• Transfer case (howling)
• Fuel consumption
• Noise insulation

Reviews from owners of Lada Niva 4x4 2020-2021

The distributor howls like a kettle is boiling. The injector lights up when it’s cold, it flashes, I turn it off, start it - everything goes out, let them look at zero maintenance. The kicks in the transmission are noticeable. For comparison, my father’s Niva 2022 is even quieter in the cabin and without kicks in the transmission. After 1,000 km I seemed to be driving better. Consumption from 10 liters on the highway and up to 16 liters in the city (according to the computer).

Overall, I like the car. Yes, the consumption is high and there is no dynamics, but on my last Fabia 2014 the consumption seems to be small, but replacing the chain, brake discs, engine mounts and other little things completely covers up all the gas savings.

Review of the new Lada Niva Legend 1.7 MT 2022

I'll skip the purchasing process. I took it and went. Well, how I went, to put it mildly - “without enthusiasm.” The car does not pick up speed at all, there is a terrible stench in the cabin, apparently from the updated panel, the gears are difficult to engage, and even when the clutch is released there are terrible shocks. I hoped for hope and drove towards the house.

“Maybe” didn’t disappoint, after 50 kilometers the knocking stopped, and it seemed like even the car started moving faster. The transfer case, by the way, howls in different ways at different speeds, and sometimes goes silent. The steering wheel is wobbly in the column, whether it’s the bearings or bushings - I don’t know. The third door is rattling, long live the blue tape.

Review of Lada Niva 4×4 1.7 with manual transmission 2022

Yesterday there was a strong snowstorm and few people were able to leave work (except me). When I started the car and said that I would go home, the owners of all-wheel drive crossovers laughed. And how I laughed later when the crowd dug up the all-wheel drive Honda and other cars)

It’s hard to imagine, but Niva paved the way for everyone without getting stuck anywhere. There were moments when the car stopped, but I turned on the rear, then the first and again drove forward, shifting the snow. I drove 500 meters in this mode. Then the glass of the front lamp burst, which was not replaced under warranty, but the aluminum bumpers withstood the load at 5+.

Nikolay, review of Lada 4×4 1.7 (83 hp) manual transmission 2022

It’s very nice that there is a lot of space in front of you due to the unobstructed windshield. With my height of 183 cm, there were 5 fingers above my head and I wanted to sit higher - I bought a pillow for the seat, which gave me 3-4 cm. The seat travel when moving back is enough for me with a reserve. My wife fits in the back seat behind me.

Folding the front seats is convenient. The trunk is quite roomy. The seat in the city is not bad. However, my back gets a little tired after two hours of driving on the highway. The air conditioner coped with 30 degrees, but there was no reserve. I'm afraid that in our summer 35-40 degrees it will be a little hot during the day.

Vasily, review about the new Niva 4×4 1.7 with manual transmission 2022.

Specifications

The 2022 Lada Niva Legend is built on a frame chassis. The front axle of the SUV has an independent suspension on double wishbones, and at the rear there is a dependent suspension with a rigid torsion beam. The braking system consists of disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.

The classic Niva already has all-wheel drive as standard. The center differential here distributes traction equally between the axles (50:50). Plus, the car is equipped with a reduction gear in the transfer case and a forced locking of the center differential, which can help the driver out on the roads.

The Lada Niva Legend SUV has the following overall dimensions, mm

• Length - 4,240 (3,740 - three-door version)
• Width - 1,680
• Height - 1 640
• Wheelbase - 2,700 (2,200 for a three-door)
• Ground clearance (clearance) - 200

In the five-door Lada 4x4, the default trunk volume is 420 liters (780 liters with the rear sofa folded), and on the three-door it is even less - 265 liters (585). The fuel tank of the 5D version has a volume of 65 liters, while on the 3D it is only 42 liters. When loaded, the five-door weighs 1,425 kg, and the three-door weighs 1,285 kg.

Configurations and prices of Lada Niva Legend 5D 2021

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MT5 - 5-speed manual, 4×4 - all-wheel drive

The Russian SUV is offered exclusively with a 1.7-liter four-row VAZ-21214 engine producing 83 hp. (129 Nm), which works in tandem with a five-speed manual transmission. The three-door version of the model is capable of accelerating from zero to hundreds in 17.0 seconds, reaching speeds of up to 142 km/h. The five-door is somewhat slower: its performance is 19.0 seconds and 137 km/h, respectively.

The sound insulation of the classic Niva's interior is mediocre (if any). It is unlikely that you will be able to listen to music on the road, since both the engine rumble and road noise add to the sound of the speakers. The plastic also rattles, the clutch pedal creaks, and in extreme positions the power steering also whistles. And, of course, we must not forget about the loudly howling transfer case. In general, the cacophony is still the same!

During the latest update, the Lada Niva Legend received more comfortable front seats with different padding, in which you can easily withstand a couple of hours of continuous driving. AvtoVAZ also tried to improve the ergonomics of the car by revising the location of some buttons and levers, but these controls were never backlit, which means you have to operate them blindly in the dark.

There are not enough stars in the sky on the new Lada Niva Legend. The SUV picks up speed slowly, and its handling is far from ideal. However, the car is still capable of driving steadily at 120 km/h, periodically overtaking and changing lanes.

The model’s suspension confidently “swallows” small and medium-sized bumps, and the higher the speed, the more imperceptibly it is possible to skip over them. In general, the car is not afraid of bad roads, and its native element is rough terrain.

Despite the low-power engine, the Lada Niva Legend 2022 in the new body can boast outstanding cross-country ability. Due to the short wheelbase, the car confidently crawls up steep slopes and is able to turn around even in tiny clearings.

Interesting Facts

The classic SUV VAZ-2121 was produced under its native name “Niva” since 1977, and the five-door version of the model subsequently received the same name. However, in two thousand and six the car was renamed Lada 4x4, since the name “Niva” became the prerogative of the Chevrolet Niva.

In 1919, AvtoVAZ regained the rights to this trademark and decided to rename it. As a result, the Lada 4x4 again became the Niva, and the Legend prefix was added to its name. The need for the latter is due to the fact that buyers do not confuse the model with the modern Niva Travel (renamed Chevrolet Niva).

The classic SUV has an Urban version, which differs from all others by the presence of neat plastic bumpers instead of far protruding metal ones. Thanks to this solution, the developers managed to reduce the length of the model by 10 cm. This configuration also includes improved sound insulation with ergonomics and air conditioning.

Photo of the new Lada Niva Legend 2022

Video test drive of a car

Source

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

When purchasing a VAZ-2131, you need to be prepared for additional costs. It is definitely recommended to carry out anti-corrosion treatment of the entire car and install dirt protection in the wheel arches. This will allow you to operate the car for a long time without any worries regarding body parts.

As for the speed parameters of the VAZ-2131, the technical characteristics do not allow it to be classified as a high-speed vehicle. The engine power allows you to reach speeds of up to 137 km/h, but the optimal speed is one that does not exceed 100 km/h. The reason for this is the presence of a transfer case, which at high speed increases the noise of its operation.

Drivers also speak positively about the trunk capacity. By removing the rear seats, you can transport cargo such as a refrigerator.

The increased wheelbase significantly increased the cross-country ability of the domestic SUV. Tires on 16-inch wheels are the optimal size for the car. For off-road trips, it is advisable to wear special tires for all-terrain vehicles with a high houndstooth tread. This will allow you to confidently overcome reasonable obstacles.

The machine is inexpensive to maintain and has a decent margin of safety. It should also be noted that the components and assemblies of the VAZ-2131 are unpretentious in operation.

The technical characteristics of the car as a whole are capable of satisfying many motorists who need an affordable and not too capricious SUV for travel.

Salon

"Niva" VAZ-2131 has a spacious and comfortable interior. The rear row of seats comfortably accommodates three passengers - the wheel arches do not narrow the space in the seat area. The second row of doors turned the Niva into a full-fledged car.

But do not forget that this is a car from a domestic manufacturer. If you're lucky, you can buy it and drive it without any modifications. And it happens that the build quality is frankly lame and cannot be done without skillful hands. Interior noise insulation can be said to be practically non-existent. A small layer of noise-absorbing material is located on the engine side. But it is clearly not enough.

To fully enjoy your car, it would be a good idea to completely soundproof the interior, including the doors. As a last resort, it will be enough to cover half the passenger compartment, the transfer case shaft with sound insulation and increase noise protection in the engine area. This will eliminate the need to listen to noise from the gearbox, driveshaft and transfer case every day.

Engine

Today's models are equipped with two types of engines:

1. Carburetor, with a volume of 1.8 liters.
2. Injection, the working volume of which is 100 cm3 less.

In terms of their performance indicators, these power units are almost equal to each other. At the same time, the carburetor engine is more dynamic, and the injector installed in the VAZ-2131 is more powerful by one horsepower.

Nevertheless, the carburetor system is definitely inferior to the injection system. The latter has no failures in operation, it is more reliable and economical. In addition, regardless of the quality of the fuel, it maintains stable engine operation. The carburetor is more sensitive to fuel and cannot boast of such stability. For it to work properly, you need a good specialist who will adjust it correctly. The injector does not require such costs.

And who needs it?

The Niva car is rightfully considered one of the best that has ever rolled off the assembly line of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. The small, lightweight all-terrain vehicle won millions of hearts in the vastness of the former Soviet Union. The Niva VAZ-2131 is 50 centimeters longer than its popular brother. This model was created on the basis of the Kedr car in 1993.

Today it is the second most popular car from the large Niva model range. Suffice it to say that the distance between the front and rear seats has been increased by 12.5 cm, which has led to a significant increase in comfort for rear passengers.

The high driving performance of the domestic SUV has made the car a favorite for many hunters and fishermen. It is preferred by residents of remote villages and city lovers of off-road driving. Many organizations and enterprises use this car as official transport.

Price also plays an important role - an imported SUV with such driving characteristics costs much more. Maintenance and repair of the VAZ-2131 also requires significantly less investment than its foreign counterparts.

Transmission

The car has a traditional five-speed manual transmission. The transfer case can disable the front-wheel drive, which allows you to use the car economically in the city and on the highway. In difficult road conditions, the car easily becomes all-wheel drive, which radically increases the cross-country ability of the VAZ-2131. The technical characteristics of the SUV determine the presence of a constant hum of the transfer case in the car's interior. The use of double-row bearings and a different cover design made it possible to significantly reduce the noise in the mechanism.