Content
- Looks stylish
- Air conditioner appeared
- You can't hide problems
- Getting stuck in a Lada 4×4 Urban is a pleasure
There is nothing superfluous in the Lada 4×4 Urban: minimum comfort, minimum electronics. If you want, Urban is a luxury version of the legendary Russian SUV Niva VAZ-2131.
Urban began production in 2014. As expected, domestic car enthusiasts appreciated the model. A year later, it began to be actively exported to Germany, and German drivers also warmly welcomed the foreign competitor. Although... There was a bit of sarcasm on the part of foreign auto experts, and we could not ignore it.
Also read: The Germans about the Lada 4X4: “The car has one name…”
“Niva Urban” is one of those cars about which you can’t just write a text. This must be a test drive. Therefore, I agreed to inspect the car with its owner named Evgeniy. Naturally, with off-road elements, but, as they say, “light”.
Looks stylish
We meet with Evgeniy in the parking lot of one of the shopping malls - “Niva” as “Niva”. Only clean. But the plastic bumpers, painted in body color, catch your eye. Double sensation. It seems stylish and fashionable, but you immediately figure out in your head how soon they will come off off-road. The color itself is unique for the Niva family - coriander. Only Granta, Vesta and X-Ray come in the same color.
I notice that Evgeny is already wearing rubber boots. Apparently, the trip will not be entirely “light”.
The body of the “five-door” was lengthened due to the fact that a section with rear doors was added to the middle of the “three-door” body. Actually, the same thing happens to all foreign cars when moving from a 3- to a 5-door design. Thus, the car increased from 3640 to 4140 mm - by as much as 50 centimeters. This made it possible to make the rear row of seats full.
The luggage compartment has also increased. In 420 liters you can cram all four wheels for changing shoes, and there will still be plenty of space for all sorts of off-road belongings. And if you fold the backrest, you can lie down to rest after difficult off-road tests.
The size of the front doors has also increased - getting in has become noticeably more convenient. Of course, the increase in the wheelbase had a negative impact on cross-country ability, but it had to be sacrificed for the sake of spaciousness. The “three-door” is still a car for an egoistic individual, and not a family car.
Budget tuning VAZ-2131. Final part
Looking back at the year of my life completely spent on the Niva, I remember what was done and what should have been done differently... And some things, probably, we did in vain...
I DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AS BEST, DO IT AS WELL!
Lada 4x4, VAZ-21214, as well as all other SUVs that we historically call “Niva”, have several obvious advantages and no less obvious disadvantages, most of which are revealed only during operation. For some time now, the main advantage of the Niva has been its price. Let me remind you that this was not always the case and, for example, in Soviet times, a VAZ-2121 cost 9,900 rubles, only slightly inferior to the Volga in this indicator. In fact, it was the only versatile SUV on the market. LuAZ was completely utilitarian, and buying a UAZ for private ownership was extremely difficult, that is, almost impossible. At the same time, if we remember that a Zhiguli, say, the fifth model, cost 5,300, then it becomes clear why there were no queues for the Niva. In the late eighties, the VAZ-2121 was even sold in installments (as, by the way, was the Moskvich). Now try to find a Niva of that time in decent condition! And especially in determining this decent condition is the body. This is the first thing I strongly recommend that a young man who is planning to buy a VAZ SUV pay attention to. And I don’t even mean the presence of rust, the strength of the side members and other strength elements, but the mandatory and indispensable anti-corrosion treatment. Even if the body is strong and the “red plague” is not visible, believe me, half of the winter it will appear even in a five-year-old car. The body of the Niva is load-bearing - that is, each element is, in fact, a force-bearing one. Any corrosion, especially advanced corrosion, especially through corrosion, plus vibration, plus loads when driving off-road - and then only expensive body repairs with reinforcement, welding, aluminum linings and scary-looking “extenders” of wheel arches. So, the first stage is anti-corrosion. You may ask, is it worth filling your car with popular and varied protective coatings? Yes, if you have money and the first stage is completed perfectly. This is beautiful, practical and well complements the preservation of the body, since the paintwork scratches easily and blooms instantly (you can read about a similar experience with our Niva and Titan in issue No. 12/2016 of our magazine).
Just step on the gas a little and damage is inevitable.
THE NIVA'S BODY IS SUPPORTING - THAT IS, EVERY ELEMENT IS, IN ESSENCE, POWER-BASED
The second thing to do is replace the main pairs. Even if you spend most of your time on the pavement, you may need a little more traction on one of your longer trips. For example, somewhere in the mountains or foothills. You press the gas, press it some more - it seems to be going, acceleration, impact... the cardan splits in half, the journey is over. You won't get far with front-wheel drive. And if you took your time, carefully, then perhaps you would see not a picture of a broken cardan, but the Lago-Naki plateau. Which specific pairs are needed depends on the circumstances: universal 4.1, if the wheels remain within 28 inches, starting from 29 and larger - 4.3. It is important to remember that it is not only the search for quality parts that causes difficulties, but also their installation. If possible, take assembled gearboxes. Better than the Soviet ones. They are found at showdowns and in “penny for spare parts” advertisements. It’s even better to supplement the traction main pairs with a tuning kit for the transfer case with a lower 2.95. But such a reduction will require the driver to think more with his head than to work with the pedal, since axle shafts and CV joints are also not eternal.
Now only expensive body repairs with reinforcement and welding will help
YOU DON'T NEED UNLOADED HALF AXLES, NIVA IS NOT A TRUCK
Strengthening the chassis - part three. You most likely do not need unloaded rear axle shafts. This is the prerogative of trucks with a large workload. Finding high-quality “reinforced” ones is also not easy. They complain about all manufacturers, but, in principle, forward - non-adjustable hubs with sealed bearings “like Iveco”, back - axle shafts, say, from Izhevsk. Of course, no one bothers to tighten the hub bearings every 30-40 thousand kilometers, however, after driving through fords, muddy ruts and puddles, we can face the rapid death of the mentioned bearings literally within a couple of hundred kilometers on the highway. Behind the general noise of the Niva, the roar of the transmission and the howl of mud tires, the sound of wear may not be noticed, and you will immediately get a replacement. Non-adjustable hubs are sealed, this is their main advantage. As for the rear axle shafts, it is a matter of faith that this will help. But it’s definitely worth strengthening the bridge. Especially on a long Niva, heavy load or gas equipment. Sometimes the bridge bends when driving onto a curb unsuccessfully, not to mention off-road use and expeditionary conditions, when the load on the car is maximum. Even a bend invisible to the eye can lead to permanent problems with axle shafts and gearboxes. Hypothetically, you can check the axle on a wheel alignment stand, or you can “clear it” by removing the axle shafts.
EXPERIENCED NIVA GROWERS SAY THAT NIVA IS GOOD IN STOCK, BUT ELEVATOR IS EVIL
The elevator is another popular reason for battles. Opinions are polar! We made a 40 mm lift, lengthened the bump stops and did not notice any negative consequences. Yes, maybe 8 cm spacers and springs from a Chevrolet Suburban are too much, but 40 mm is what you need. What's the point, you ask? Increased ground clearance in the base. For a long car this is critical. The maximum wheels that can be installed without cutting the arches are 215/75 R15, or, as in our case, 215/65 R16. More - cutting or lifting will be required, and more often both. Cutting arches is another stumbling block for Niv owners. But everything is simple here: if you are not going to resell the car for maximum profit, you are not going to install wheels larger than the ones above, then you don’t need cutting. But starting from 225/75 R16 or 235/75 R15, it is better to shorten the arches. At the same time, it is important that at the back, where the panels go end-to-end, there is not just sealant, but riveting or welding with the obligatory anti-corrosion agent.
Do you have to change rear axle bearings often? Check if the bridge is bent
We change the hubs to non-adjustable ones
It is very useful to install underbody protection. It is not necessary to “ski” from the bumper to the rear axle, but it is better to cover the engine compartment, transmission and, if you drive on rocks, the transfer case. We chose a light alloy, but steel will be cheaper. It is important to pay attention to ensure that dirt does not accumulate on the protection, which can significantly impair the cooling of units in the summer. What I categorically do not recommend doing is hanging the Niva with iron. Power bumpers, sills, an expeditionary trunk, a ladder, a bracket for a spare wheel, a mount for a canister, a jack, a shovel and sand trucks - that's an extra 200 kg for your car. And yet, even if you replace the generator, you should not abuse additional light. Fog lights, work lights, reverse gear - that's all. Needless to say, preference should be given to LED lights. In addition, I recommend replacing the standard headlights with sealed ones, they are available for sale. And you definitely shouldn’t mess around with xenon.
EVEN ON A SHORT “NIVA” YOU CAN PAINLESSLY INSTALL GAS EQUIPMENT
Of particular interest was the installation of gas equipment. We listed detailed pros and cons in the material on this topic (can be found on the website or in free archived issues on the App Store or Play Market). There were more advantages. A year and a half of operation confirms our conclusions. A kilometer of run is almost half the price, and the installation paid for itself a long time ago. Even a short Niva can be equipped with gas if you remove the cylinder under the bottom and protect it from behind with a tow bar. After the lift, there is almost 350 mm of ground clearance under the cylinder, and this does not interfere with off-road conditions. It is clear that if you are taking a car for sports, then it is better not to do this - in such a situation, every kilogram counts.
The Niva doesn’t need unloaded axle shafts, but reinforced ones won’t hurt
Wheels with a diameter greater than 29 inches require both a lift and arch cutting
CHIP TUNING IS USEFUL, BUT IT'S ALWAYS A COMPROMISE
Many Niva owners doubt the need for chip tuning and boosting the engine. I can’t recommend boring the block to 2.0 liters, but I fully approve of the low-level camshaft, the corresponding engine control program and the 4-2-1 exhaust manifold. Carburetor cars, in addition to the shaft and exhaust, definitely need to look for more high-torque main pairs. As for our Niva, I was quite satisfied with the chip tuning. And even though the car didn’t fly, it crawled much more confidently. By the way, the purchase of a snorkel can be timed to coincide with the work on the engine, and the installation of the protection units can be accompanied by the removal of unit breathers. Yes, and no one has canceled the snorkel from sanitary products yet. If you don’t want to cut the hood or fender, buy a corrugation from Priora and replace the standard pipe by bending the corrugation up towards the hood - you’ll get an additional thirty centimeters of fording depth for a hundred rubles. If funds allow, it is worth moving the generator higher, replacing it with a more modern and powerful one. The spare tire, however, will have to be removed from under the hood, say, onto the top trunk.
I wanted to write about the salon, but stopped in time... I will limit myself to only recommending replacing the seats with foreign ones. In general, for any, the main thing is to get rid of the factory ones! Believe me, you won't regret it! And in general, I must admit, “Niva” provides amazing scope for creativity, not limited by anything other than technical regulations and budget. The main thing is not to forget that the best is sometimes the enemy of the good!
Even a short Niva can be equipped with gas if you remove the cylinder under the bottom and protect it from behind with a towbar
Air conditioner appeared
Our trip begins with a tour of the interior. Surprisingly, the car already has central locking installed. Therefore, the door locks are obediently unlocked from the key fob. Now you don't have to pull out the button on each door to board passengers. What technology has come to!
The Urbana's interior has changed. The seat upholstery alone is worth it! The seats themselves have become more comfortable, and the fabric material has become dense and pleasant to the touch.
Now, pay attention! The Niva Urban now has air conditioning, as well as electric windows, heated electric mirrors and heated front seats. This is great progress for the Niva family, because their filling has not changed since 1993!
Yes, it still doesn’t have ESP, EBD, cruise control or a standard alarm system. But who needs this? Objectively, the Lada 4×4 is a good off-road vehicle. And the Urban version (translated from English as “urban”) only added the necessary minimum of comfort for the urban environment. Is it worth 550 thousand rubles for 2022? and whether to take the Lada 4x4 is up to everyone to decide personally.
Changes also came to the console of the central tunnel. Wide cup holders and electric window control buttons appeared there. It is unclear what prevented the creators from making these buttons on the doors. But thanks for that too. Above these buttons there is a joystick for adjusting the mirrors. The steering wheel in the Urbana has become smaller in diameter and more comfortable to grip (380 versus 420 mm in the Niva). Otherwise, the car has retained Russian pragmatism. Nothing extra.
Technical characteristics and filling
For the Lada/Dacia alliance, the French have prepared a simplified version of the modular CMF-B platform, which is called CMF-B-LS. One model has already been built on it - the fifth-generation Renault Clio hatchback with basic front-wheel drive.
The same “trolley” will be used to build the new Nissan Juke, Renault Duster, Logan, Sandero, and the extensive engine range should include 1.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engines with a capacity of 65 and 75 hp. s., their turbo variants are 100 and 130 liters. s., as well as 1.5-liter diesel power plants with a capacity of 85 and 115 horsepower. The new Lada Niva 2022 Vision will definitely get some of this.
You can't hide problems
While the road slowly moves forward along the highway, I check our “beauty” through avtocod.ru with my usual movement. Drivers of this class of cars do not particularly favor their care. As expected, the car had an accident:
I lazily ask Evgeniy what happened on that unfortunate day. According to him, even upon purchase, he noticed a slight damage to the front bumper, but did not go into details. “I painted it over with a spray can after purchasing it. This is Niva!”
But he tactfully talks about the existing limitation with a smile. Well, as they say, there is no demand and there is no demand.
Niva 4x4 review
Of course, in addition to the body, other parts of the car have undergone major updates. In particular, the transmission, steering and braking systems received useful innovations. The overall interior has been improved, although overall the interior looks the same as before the restyling.
At the level of the last century, not only the ergonomics, but also the level of the ShVI looks archaic. Niva 2131 is as noisy as before. This, according to experts, is due to the fact that Tolyatti was not ready for radical changes due to the high economic costs.
Reference dimensions 2121
There were not enough financial resources to improve security. The 4x4 did not receive, as expected, either ABS, airbags, or modern belts.
As for the body crash test results, they are also disappointing. Thus, the body could not earn a single point out of 16. It doesn’t even have a star, which lesser-known cars get at least in a single copy.
Here are the results of the crash test:
- After the impact, the steering wheel and pedals were thrown far into the cabin;
- The torpedo easily injured the lower parts of the mannequins;
- The Republic of Belarus was unable to protect passengers and the driver from serious injuries. The chest and head are at serious risk.
Note. By the way, the vaunted Chevrolet Niva was subjected to the same exam. The results were little different. Security is lame, although 1.6 points were still scored.
On the other hand, for the target audience, crash test results and safety levels are not among the most important priorities. Also, quality and comfort are not the main thing. For example, in Russia what is most valued is the highest level of maneuverability, reliability, and, of course, maintainability. In Europe, almost everything is the same, only with the difference that Europeans also consider the fuel efficiency of the car to be the most important element.
Dimensions Niva
In terms of cross-country ability, the Niva 2121 is always at a high level. Although, the version in the old body overcame off-road conditions a little better. Still, a permanent PP with differential lock. and “lowering”, geometric characteristics and much more made the car a real all-terrain vehicle.
