In 2022, AvtoVAZ will delight connoisseurs of domestic SUVs with a new generation of the legendary Chevrolet Niva (photo below). The date of the car's entry into the market was postponed many times: at first the manufacturer planned to introduce Russian drivers to its creation in 2016, but in 2015 the development of the car was suspended indefinitely. After the resumption of work, the SUV was planned to be presented to a wide audience in the summer of 2022, but things once again did not work out: AvtoVAZ had to modify the chassis and safety system of the car to ensure the required level of reliability of the Chevrolet Niva 2022.
Photo: new Chevrolet Niva 2019
The first generation of cars was released on the domestic market back in 2002. Initially, the buyer could choose between four trim levels of the SUV. Then, after restyling and the appearance of additional modifications, the Chevrolet Niva 2019 became a truly people's car: every driver had the opportunity to choose the ideal version of the SUV at an affordable price - usually no more than half a million rubles.
The second generation Chevrolet Niva (photo below), according to the manufacturer, will retain all the features that customers love:
- elegant appearance (Chevrolet heritage);
- comfortable, fairly spacious interior;
- reliability and maneuverability;
- safety for the driver and passengers.
In general, the new SUV will correspond to the conceptual development presented back in 2014 under the code name Niva II.
AvtoVAZ marketers are focused primarily on the domestic buyer, who prefers cheaper cars without frills, suitable for intensive development of Russian roads of any complexity - and also, of course, for driving on complete off-road conditions. In conditions of heavy snowfalls, river floods, forest debris and the general disorganization of the road network, the new Russian car should perform no worse than its foreign competitors.
Chevrolet Niva 2022 (photo below) will be a sure help for the motorist both when moving lightly and when transporting massive and oversized cargo, as well as trailers. Traveling for shopping and to work, on vacation out of town or to a remote locality will now become much easier and safer: the new SUV will not break down or get stuck in the most inappropriate place.
The driver can choose the optimal configuration and body color: the 2022 Chevrolet Niva will be produced in several shades traditional for AvtoVAZ. In addition, the manufacturer has provided many interior design options - a pleasant surprise for the unspoiled domestic buyer.
The new Chevrolet Niva 2022 (photo below) is a truly worthy SUV for the lower price segment: it does not have the frills inherent in a premium-class car, the main interior materials are fabric and plastic, and today there is only one option for an installed engine, but all these the shortcomings are covered by a significant advantage - the constant reliability of the Chevrolet Niva brand, known to more than one generation of Russian drivers.
Exterior of Chevrolet Niva 2019 (exterior photo)
The appearance of the new Chevrolet Niva 2022 (photo below) will not undergo major changes: the same recognizable “nose” of the car, high ground clearance, comfortable wide doors and the usual location of the fifth wheel.
The front view of the car is striking in its massiveness. The hexagonal grille, divided by parallel stripes and decorated with the Chevrolet logo, is flanked on top by narrow rectangular headlights with additional protection. The massive bumper is equipped with two rings and a winch with a hook. We are pleased with the round fog lights of the new SUV, which are not inferior in width to the front ones.
Photo: front view
Throughout the body of the Chevrolet Niva 2022 there are plastic body kits necessary to increase the vehicle’s cross-country ability. Depending on the configuration, a snorkel can be installed on the new SUV, which provides air access to the engine when the Chevrolet Niva is under water.
An additional trunk equipped with 4 powerful spotlights is installed on the roof of the 2022 Chevrolet Niva. Depending on the driver’s needs, another spare tire can be placed in this trunk - or another item required in the given conditions.
The rear view of the SUV is not much different from the first generation of SUVs, except that the spare tire will now be located strictly in the center of the tailgate. Otherwise, everything is the same: vertical red-yellow-red headlights with a protective mesh, slightly “climbing” onto the sides of the new SUV, a left-opening door with a spoiler and a convenient recessed handle, and a flattened exhaust pipe. Like the front, there are two towing rings at the rear of the car.
Photo: rear view
The manufacturer has taken care of the driver’s convenience: an absolutely flat trunk floor allows you to load any heavy or large object into the car without any extra effort, and also ensures that throughout the entire journey, properly secured cargo will not move chaotically throughout the luggage compartment of the new Chevrolet Niva 2019.
The Chevrolet Niva (photo below) is equipped with fairly high roof rails: cargo can be placed not only in the additional trunk, but also directly on the corrugated surface of the SUV's crash.
The side view of the Chevrolet Niva impresses with its high-slung body and a single line of windows smoothly tapering towards the “stern”. The front door features a chrome "4x4" badge. The wheel arches are quite high and have the shape of rounded squares. The image of the new SUV is complemented by sixteen-inch alloy wheels with large tires.
Photo: side view
Among the minuses of the new car, it is necessary to note the absence of side sills and the view of the road still limited by the frame: the driver cannot avoid the need to peer into the rear-view mirror from all possible angles.
Chevy Niva-2 hostage: what's happening to the new SUV?
At the end of January, auto news feeds covered the topic of the new Chevy Niva with particular scope. Insider reports unfrozen it (“the government approved the loan!”), and official denials immediately froze it again: there was still no money yet. The decision to provide state guarantees for the project was declared to have already been made, but no one saw it in the end. Approvals came and went, but did not come anywhere. And so on.
Behind all this, one rather important question got a little lost: what is the Chevy Niva of the winter 2017 model after two years of “freezing” and who needs it? Let's try to answer, but first a few formalities for the record.
Funding for the Chevrolet Niva-2 project is now in the hands of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economic Development: they must decide whether or not to provide GM-AvtoVAZ with state guarantees for the loan that Sberbank is ready to issue. Therefore, when reports appeared that the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in correspondence with the Ministry of Economic Development, issued a positive conclusion on such state guarantees, a wave of optimistic headlines immediately arose: “Money has been found for the production of the Chevy Niva!”
Meanwhile, a day later, the Ministry of Industry and Trade through the media denied the existence of a “final decision on state support,” and to our direct request about the presence of a positive resolution signed by Deputy Minister Alexander Morozov, the ministry’s press service responded evasively: “The decision to provide state guarantees is made not in the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, but in Government of the Russian Federation. At the moment, the Government of the Russian Federation has not made any decisions regarding GM-AvtoVAZ.” The Ministry of Economic Development was more frank: yes, there was correspondence on this topic, a positive conclusion was received from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The issue is being studied. But at the moment no government guarantees have been provided.
The GM-AvtoVAZ JV itself was stingy with information: “The decision on financing the project has not yet been made. We are negotiating this issue with Sberbank and are awaiting a decision on the provision of government guarantees, which are necessary to obtain a loan for the implementation of the project. To date, the project is being financed from the joint venture’s own funds.”
The bottom line is that the official result is something like: oh, leave me alone, nothing has been decided yet!
2014 Chevrolet Niva Concept
According to our information, the Chevrolet Niva-2 project indeed continues to hang, but the reason for this is not so much the lack of the necessary funds at the joint venture as the uncertainty of AvtoVAZ’s position. After all, VAZ itself has long been preparing a similar car, known as the Lada 4×4 New Generation (or Niva-3), the debut of which has been rescheduled for 2019. Of course, this car does not need a direct competitor in a very narrow market niche. But, being a 50% co-owner of the joint venture with the General Motors concern, AvtoVAZ cannot and should not openly sabotage the appearance of the Chevy Niva-2 - so it does this in disguise, through ostentatious indifference to the project and complete inaction in seeking co-financing.
There is an opinion that AvtoVAZ’s game with GM is strategic, aimed at buying out the American share in the joint venture along with the rights to a new model, which will become the real Niva-3, and the current sluggish work on its own model is being carried out rather by inertia, just in case. That’s why there are no noticeable successes there. The VAZ Niva-3 will most likely move to another platform; according to official information, the basis for it has not yet been selected, but according to unconfirmed reports, it will most likely be the platform of the second generation Renault Duster crossover. The AvtoVAZ managers we interviewed are confident that the plant has no strategy at all regarding the joint venture! Yes, the emergence of a competitor is undesirable, but no one really believes in it; everyone is waiting for the joint venture to die naturally, due to the uncompetitiveness of the old model and the impossibility of releasing a new one. But now participation in the joint venture with GM brings AvtoVAZ a stable cash flow as a supplier of main components and assemblies, so no one will intentionally cut this chicken.
Moreover, AvtoVAZ is participating as much as possible in the Chevy Niva-2 project from the technical side. For example, VAZ, by order of GM-AvtoVAZ, adapted its 1.8 engine for the new car; in the longitudinal version it received the designation VAZ-2199. This is practically an approved option; with any imported engine, the new Chevy Niva goes beyond a reasonable price.
Patent image of the new Chevy Niva
But there is no final decision on the transmission. AvtoVAZ has a modernized “classic” gearbox with index 2124, made for Niva-3, but it does not yet hold the necessary loads (it is currently being tested). The transfer case is also an old, but tinkered three-bearing unit from the Niva-2123, which was fine-tuned for noise and vibration at the Swedish company Vicura.
GM-AvtoVAZ insists on a cable drive of the shift mechanism and direct coupling of the gearbox with the transfer case, without an intermediate shaft. The VAZ units prepared for the Niva-3 are conceptually different, the shift lever is located directly on the gearbox housing, and the torque is transmitted to the transfer case through the intermediate shaft. Naturally, no one will make a gearbox and transfer case for GM in strict accordance with the “wants”, and the joint venture does not have the money for this. Therefore, AvtoVAZ is confident that they will take what we offer.
But GM is looking for alternative options. In particular, the idea of using a gas transmission from a Gazelle has not yet died, only with a modified crankcase so that it fits into the body of the new Chevy Niva. However, the latest contacts on this topic with Nizhny Novgorod residents date back to June 2016. ZF is also mentioned in conversations, but this option is unlikely to pass the price. And regarding the automatic transmission, there is even less certainty: some time ago it was planned to use the Punch VT4 variator, but it is obvious that it is not strong enough to localize it in Tolyatti, and it is expensive to purchase.
What about the units... GM-AvtoVAZ doesn’t even know yet where the production of bodies will be organized! Resuming the construction of a separate building in the Tolyatti SEZ is long, expensive and legally difficult; the dispute with the former contractor has not yet been resolved. The joint venture has an idle building 30, but there is not enough space there to organize a full-fledged welding line. But you will also need a warehouse.
Patent image of the new Chevy Niva
In May last year, AvtoVAZ made a proposal to locate body production in the building of the abolished OPP, but then it itself withdrew this proposal. Now, according to some reports, they want to offer the 62nd VAZ building for this role, from where the production of the first generation Lada 4x4 was recently withdrawn. Meanwhile, the welding equipment and some of the equipment already at the disposal of GM-AvtoVAZ are by no means getting any younger and will soon require major maintenance.
AvtoVAZ, as a co-owner of the joint venture, is emphatically distancing itself from the financial problems with the launch of the Chevy Niva-2, but it is not creating active obstacles to the project and is not even averse to making money on the hopeless situation of the American side. But - in moderation, without bending to other people’s technical specifications. A sort of mixture of egocentrism and intoxication with omnipotence. An elephant's look at a mouse's petty fuss.
But the irony of fate is that GM itself took a similar position in 2012, when it announced that the new generation car would be developed and produced independently, without the help of AvtoVAZ. Unofficially, the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture explained it this way: “We are tired of the disgusting quality of VAZ components and the difficult relationship with such a co-shareholder, so we will build our own body production and localize the assembly of imported units in Tolyatti - ourselves, with our own money.”
It was a demarche, although officially the parties continued to smile at each other. The market was growing, the ruble was strengthening, and the planned 200 million dollars seemed to be enough for everything. Not enough. And the risks of a technological “divorce” with AvtoVAZ were not fully calculated. Therefore, the Chevy Niva, in fact, found itself hostage to its own parents.
GM is now trying, by analogy with AvtoVAZ itself, to use administrative resources (the project of the new Chevy Niva is personally supported by the governor of the Samara region, Nikolai Merkushkin), dreams of receiving the state guarantee on the loan from Sberbank, already promised at the very top - and, most likely, will receive it. But in the end, alas, a car made of compromises may be born.
True, even such a Chevrolet Niva-2 should have a steady demand in the “brutal SUV” market, because it will remain the only domestic (read: affordable) car in this class. The Lada 4×4 New Generation crossover is designed for several other consumers, not those who knead mud through forests. The only question is whether there will be enough such narrow niche buyers to pay off the project. After all, even if production is carried out according to the cheapest option, with the location of the welding complex on its own territory, the break-even point, according to the unofficial estimate of the Dzhiemov people themselves, is unlikely to be below the mark of 50 thousand cars per year.
Interior (photo of car interior)
The inside view of the new Chevrolet Niva 2022 will delight lovers of domestic classics: the same ascetic fabric-plastic trim and three-spoke steering wheel with the Chevrolet logo.
The dashboard (photo below) comfortably houses the tachometer and speedometer dials and an additional on-board computer window with up-to-date information about the vehicle’s condition. There are no additional multimedia buttons on the steering wheel as standard.
The central panel (photo below) is equipped with a modern touch screen, under which there is a row of buttons and dials for fine-tuning the climate control. The new generation multimedia complex in advanced configurations is connected to navigation systems.
The angle of the side mirrors of the Chevrolet Niva 2022 can be changed either manually or via a separate electric drive. Basic SUVs are equipped with front airbags, while more expensive modifications are equipped with additional side airbags.
On the central tunnel of the new Chevrolet Niva (photo below) there is a gear shift lever, function keys and two cup holders located one behind the other.
The driver and passenger seats will take on an anatomical shape and become much more comfortable. However, the manufacturer failed to get rid of the lack of space on the common rear sofa: three adults of average build are unlikely to be able to comfortably fit there. Tall passengers will also have problems - the seat adjustment is still very imperfect.
Review
The famous Chevrolet Niva SUV, which has received consumer recognition, continues to be produced in 2022; this year it will be presented to consumers in a restyled form.
Although there has been a slight decline in consumer demand over the past year, the manufacturer still predicts a stable level of sales for the compact SUV.
Chevrolet Niva 2022 is equipped with an ABS braking system, a driver airbag and a modern GLONASS communication system with emergency services.
In addition, the model features some other improvements that will make the car more interesting, but there will be no fundamental changes.
Production of a new Chevrolet Niva body
The 2022 Chevrolet Niva will cost a little more, and experts say that this factor will not contribute to a sharp decrease in demand as the trim levels will become richer.
Car dimensions
The exact dimensions of the Chevrolet Niva 2022 (photo below) are still unknown, with the exception of several parameters:
- the length of the car will be 4.32 m;
- wheelbase - 2.6 m;
- The ground clearance of the new SUV is 20 cm.
The remaining dimensions are expected to be identical to previous versions of the Chevrolet Niva. This also applies to the luggage compartment, the volume of which will presumably be 650 liters. If necessary, this value can be increased by folding the rear row of seats.
Price and equipment of the new Chevrolet Niva
As of mid-April 2022, updated Chevrolet Niva models are already available at dealerships. In total, the buyer was offered to choose one of 6 trim levels. I would like to note that the multimedia system is available only in two maximum trim levels, labeled M.
| Options and price of Chevrolet Niva 2021 | |
| Equipment | Price from, rub. |
| L | 553500 |
| L.C. | 597600 |
| L.E. | 629100 |
| GLC | 660600 |
| L.E.M. | 670500 |
| GLC Multimedia | 670500 |
The 2022 Chevrolet Niva update is more likely to be small improvements than something global. As for me, the presence of a multimedia system is of course a plus, but why use an outdated operating system is beyond my understanding. Using Android Auto, progress would be much more noticeable, thereby expanding the capabilities of comfort and safety systems. We can only hope that the next update to the SUV will be richer or even in the form of a new generation.
And also interesting: the 12th Tver Offroadfest. 2-4.07.2021. Tver region
Video review of the updated Chevrolet Niva 2022:
Other photos of the Chevrolet Niva:
Chevrolet
Technical characteristics of Chevrolet Niva 2019
The main indicators of the new Chevrolet Niva known today:
- drive - only four-wheel drive, with reduction gear;
- gearbox - five-speed manual (in advanced trim levels - automatic);
- engine - four-cylinder petrol: 1.8 liters/130 horsepower, acceleration time to 100 km/h - 14 seconds, top speed - 170 km/h, fuel consumption - 9-13 liters/100 km (depending on the type of road );
- double wishbone front suspension while maintaining the rear axle;
- optional - differential lock.
Probably, more expensive versions of the Chevrolet Niva 2022 will be equipped with additional electrical systems, however, AvtoVAZ still leaves potential buyers in the dark regarding this issue.
Cars will rise in price by 7-8%
Nevertheless, Alor Group analyst Alexey Antonov believes that an increase in the VAT rate to 20% could ultimately lead to an increase in car prices by as much as 7-8%. According to his assessment, the effect of increasing the VAT rate will be most fully revealed in February-March 2021, when inventory balances from 2022 will be sold out, and new lots will be purchased taking into account the increased rate.
“The difference between rates of 18% and 20% is not so significant, and for the end buyer, it would seem, the cost of the car should not change significantly,” Antonov explained. — Technically, the negative effect for the end consumer should be almost unnoticeable, only 2% of the current cost.
But in practice, both dealers and manufacturers at all stages are sure to take the opportunity for another round of price increases as their costs rise. Thus, the production of a car involves a long procurement chain, and VAT is paid at each stage, which makes an increase in the cost of the final product inevitable.”
Head of AvtoVAZ: “Under certain events we will have to raise prices”
At the same time, the expert is confident that an increase in the VAT rate will inevitably affect the cost of all categories of vehicles, regardless of the country of origin. “This is a tax that the end consumer pays on the entire cost of the product, and regardless of whether the car has gone through the entire production chain in Russia or abroad, its value should change by an equal amount,” the analyst says.
“But taking into account the fact that for localized cars the chain during which increased VAT will be paid is much longer, it cannot be ruled out that it is localized brands that will increase prices more actively. However, the end consumer most likely will not notice this, since, as a rule, dealers distribute additional costs across the entire line of cars sold, both imported and localized.”
And also interesting: NIVA windshield wiper relay with pause adjustment 722.3777-02 Energomash 5971 - Electrics and Light - Shop of auto parts and accessories for Niva and NIVA-Chevrolet cars
