Used Lada 4×4: 3 advantages and 3 main disadvantages

Previously, we already compared the Niva VAZ-2121 with the UAZ-469 (3151). Today we’ll compare the regular short Niva with the Chevrolet Niva. We will not delve into the history of the creation of these cars, but will try to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of each SUV. And if the comparison of Niva with UAZ was not entirely correct because... These cars belong to different classes, but now everything is in order in this regard. The Chevrolet Niva is essentially a development of the VAZ-2121, so technically these cars are similar. So, let's start the comparison.

What is a VAZ 2131

Niva 2131 - restyling of the 2121 model . The changes affected mainly the car body. The car has 5 doors , which ensures comfortable boarding for passengers. The length has increased to 4240 mm , the width remains the same. The wheelbase has also undergone changes (more than the width).

The technical characteristics of the machine are presented in the table.

Whatever you call the car, so will it be lucky

Perhaps no car has had as many names as the Lada 4x4. By the way, the car acquired this name only in 2013, on the basis of an agreement between AvtoVAZ and General Motors, according to which the Niva trademark was transferred to General Motors and can only be used for the Chevrolet Niva car. During the first tests, the car was called Formika (ant), but this name did not catch on, just like the comic name of the VAZ-2121 prototype - “Crocodile Gena”. As a result, they agreed on “Niva”, which, contrary to popular belief, does not refer to a large wheat field at all, but to the names of the children of Project 2121 designer Pyotr Prusov and VAZ leading designer Vladimir Solovyov - Natalya, Irina, Vadim, Andrey.

Photo 2: The same “Crocodile” - prototype of the “Niva” E2121 (Source: Yandex.Pictures)

Pros of the car

Advantages:

• High quality pendant.
• Plenty of space in the back seat.
• Confident ride.
• Reliability and unpretentiousness of the engine.
• Permanent all-wheel drive.
• Good road performance.
• Large trunk volume and length.
• After folding the seats, you can sleep at full height.
• Low fuel consumption for an SUV (only 10 liters per 100 kilometers ).
• No difficulties in finding parts.
• Breakdowns are usually repaired in a short period of time.
• Dents can be easily straightened with physical effort.
• Does not require careful care.
• Low cost of cars and spare parts.
• Simplicity of design.
• Possibility of troubleshooting with a minimum set of tools.
• Adaptability to Russian roads.
• Low cost of maintenance.
• Good quality power steering.
• The presence of both low gear and axle blocking . All this can be used at the same time. Only expensive jeeps are equipped with this function.
• It is possible to transport long objects (up to 4 meters).
• When driving over curbs and rocks, the suspension never breaks through.
• Minimal risk of damaging the oil pan.
• Convenient engine location.
• Plenty of legroom for the driver and front passenger . You don’t have to keep your limbs strictly in one position.
• High ground clearance allows you to overcome various obstacles.
• Good radiator protection against corrosion.
• Possibility to repair VAZ 2131 on your own.
• A short wheelbase makes it easier to overcome various obstacles.
• High resistance to accidents.
• The spare wheel is located under the hood . This means that neither the interior nor the trunk gets dirty. An important point: the wheel can take a hit at the moment of a collision.
• Smooth angle of inclination of the backrest of the front seat.

Niva is the champion of the Paris-Dakar rally

Few people were interested in the biography of “Niva” so deeply, but there are many amazing facts hidden there. The VAZ-2121 not only gained incredible popularity in Europe (by the way, like many cars of the Soviet automobile industry), but also managed to distinguish itself with sporting achievements. “Niva” first announced itself at the 1986 rally, when about 170 cars took part in the race, and 5 crews started at once! No one expected such a scale, and even more so, few believed in the success of a then unknown car.

Photo 3: Lada 4×4 Niva Poch at the Paris-Dakar rally (Source: Yandex.Pictures)

Contrary to expectations, as many as two out of five crews reached the finish line. Of course, the VAZ-2121 models were presented for the rally not in a standard modification, but with slightly modified specifications in order to withstand the harsh conditions of the race - 15,000 km through the desert and dirt road. A reinforced suspension was installed, a larger capacity gas tank was installed, underbody protection was provided and a safety cage was welded in. Everything is in accordance with the technical standards of the Paris-Dakar rally.

To further achieve success, when the competition was carried out with more powerful cars, the Niva had to be tricked a little. In 1981, the engine capacity was increased to 1.8 liters, thanks to which the car's power almost doubled - to 140 horses, which created a sensation at the Dakar-81 race, then taking 3rd place. And already in 1983, when a new 2.4 liter Simca engine was installed, the VAZ-2121 took silver, leaving behind the powerful Range Rover. After the races, the authority of the Soviet automobile industry in the European market grew significantly, which became a powerful breakthrough in increasing sales of the Niva for export, which Europeans affectionately called the “Russian tank.”

Cons of the car

Flaws:

• A small amount of space in the front seat (you can move out without harming distant passengers).
• Slow acceleration.
• Overtake large vehicles with caution.
• Low engine power.
• A thin layer of paintwork reduces the vehicle's resistance to the environment.
• Poor body corrosion resistance . It often begins to rot after the first year of use. The reason is the low quality of the metal, treatment with cheap anti-corrosion agents.
• Vibration from transfer case. For some car owners, the problem begins very quickly. A temporary solution to the problem is a major overhaul of the mechanism.
• Problems with the cooling system , consisting of antifreeze leaks. It is important to constantly monitor the coolant level. Regularly eliminating leaks is the key to long-lasting car operation.
• The use of low quality oil seals leads to oil leakage from the engine, gearbox and other elements. Constant monitoring and prompt elimination of defects is important.
• The need to spill all technological holes with oil . It is also important to change the oil in the gearbox and axles to a semi-synthetic type.
• Clutch replacement usually occurs every 40-45 thousand kilometers .
• At high speeds, the cabin is noisy.
• After driving in the rain, a breakdown often occurs - lack of spark.
• Problems with carburetor settings , despite the presence of an injector. In addition, malfunctions in the operation of the fuel system and fuel lines are common.
• Some owners note shortcomings in the lighting system. The solution to the problem is to install additional lighting.
• Not exactly an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Outdated design.
• Under heavy loads the drive can break . You should not drive over large ravines at high speed.
• Small steering angle of the front wheels.
• For every 50 thousand kilometers, you have to change the shock absorber struts , as well as ball joints. In general, it is necessary to sort out almost the entire suspension.
• Unreliable electrics (instrument panel).
• Howling in the gearbox . The reason is the designers' miscalculations when developing the car.
• Low stove performance (especially noticeable in the winter months).
• The hub bearings are of low quality, some of them have to be replaced after a mileage of 10 thousand kilometers .
• The driveshaft crosspiece is not designed for high loads. It can easily fail, and this will entail expensive repairs.

avtoexperts.ru

The legendary Russian Niva has been produced since 1977. The model was created for residents of rural areas. Initially the car was called VAZ 2121 Niva. Then from 2006 to 2022 they were sold as Lada 4X4, and in 2021 they were completely renamed Lada Niva Legend. But this does not change the essence. This SUV has remained virtually unchanged for many years, yet remains in demand. What are the pros and cons of the Niva, why they buy it, we’ll figure it out in today’s article.

Lada Niva 4X4

I’ll say right away that the other day I independently tested a car in the VAZ 21214M modification. True, the copy was not new, but from 2012 with a mileage of about 150,000 km. But this did not stop us from understanding the essence of the car. Therefore, this entry is not only theoretical, but also practical. I’ll tell you about the condition, “sores” and differences of the model below.

Let's start with the fact that the Lada 4X4 has a monocoque body rather than a frame one. That is, the frame is integrated into the body. Thus, the creators managed to reduce the total weight of the car. Although there were proposals to create a Niva with a frame body and a fully dependent suspension at that time. Fortunately, they were rejected.

Niva scheme

Thanks to the monocoque body, the front suspension is independent on wishbones, and the rear suspension is dependent on four transverse and one longitudinal arms.

Rear suspension and axle

Thus, we have a three-door SUV, stylistically reminiscent of the VAZ 2106 passenger car. Only shortened and with a modified rear end in a hatchback body. The creators used existing developments from previous years and applied them to the Niva.

The body is very prone to corrosion. The 2012 copy has a lot of saffron milk caps all over the body. On the Internet you can find photographs and reviews in which even on a six-month-old car you can find traces of incipient rust. Apparently the plant uses low-quality steel, and it is not galvanized, which is a pity.

Lada 4X4 - side view

As you can see in the photos, the car has custom LED headlights. Price - about 7,000 rubles. Plus, the owner installed a snorkel (3,000 rubles), a roof rack with mounts for snowboards, as well as all-season Kama Flame tires, size 205/70/R16. Yes, and don’t forget about the tinted windows all around. All this changes Niva’s appearance, making her more brutal.

Externally, the VAZ 21214M differs from other versions by modified side mirrors, radiator grille and headlights. The interior has a different dashboard and a folding mechanism for the rear seat backrest. Suspension elements include different shock absorbers, front springs, ball joints, lower control arms with silent blocks. Clutch size increased to 215 mm from Valeo.

When you get into the cabin, you feel like it’s a VAZ 2106 or 2107. In general, on the first Nivas, the interior was completely identical to the VAZ 2106. In the process, it changed a little, but the essence remained the same - low quality materials and the absence of such a thing as ergonomics.

Interior

The owner installed more comfortable seats from Chevrolet Aveo. So the front seat has an armrest.

As for comfort, there is none here and you can’t expect it. On the one hand, it is worth remembering that the car was created in the USSR, on the other hand, it is now 2022 and we have become more demanding, accustomed to modern and comfortable cars.

Rear seat of Lada 4X4

To get to the back row, you need to move the front seat back and recline.

There is practically no trunk. The owner installed a subwoofer and amplifier, which took up almost the entire space. The volume according to the passport data is 265 liters, and with the rear seat backs folded down it increases to 585 liters.

Niva trunk

Looking under the hood, in addition to the engine, you find a spare tire. For “Nivavods” this is nothing surprising, but for the average person it is something new. The owner joked, saying that the Niva has heated wheels.

Under the hood 1.7

Engine 21214 with distributed fuel injection has a volume of 1.7 liters and a power of 83 hp. and 129 Hm of torque available at 4000 rpm. Four cylinders, eight valves, timing chain. The cylinder block is cast iron.

Engine 21214

In terms of maintenance, everything is simple and clear - change the engine oil every 10,000 km and fill in with high-quality fuel. The service life is about 160,000 km without major repairs, or even more.

The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. There is no need to talk about any dynamics. According to the passport data, acceleration from zero to hundreds takes 17 seconds, and the maximum speed is 142 km/h. The only problem is that driving at such a maximum speed in the Niva is, to put it mildly, not comfortable.

The VAZ 21214M has power steering. Of course, control is easier with it than without it. Power steering has been installed on Niva since 2006.

The drive is permanent all-wheel drive. The scheme is like this. The front and rear axles are connected by two driveshafts through a transfer case. The center differential of the transfer case constantly transmits torque to the front and rear axles in equal proportions, but when one of the wheels slips, the greatest torque begins to be transmitted to it. Therefore, the Niva has a differential lock, when turned on, the torque begins to be rigidly distributed between the front and rear axles, and not to one stuck wheel. Thus, the Niva has more chances to go off-road.

Niva all-wheel drive diagram

There is also a reduction row of the box. When turned on, the engine maintains high speed, but the speed remains low. This is suitable for off-road use. A locking center differential plus a low-range range is a Niva feature.

The differential lock lever is marked in red, the downshift lever is opposite, the gearshift lever is on the right

However, by default there is no cross-axle locking. It is additionally installed by those who often drive truly off-road. It allows you to lock the differential on the axle, and when it is turned on, both locked wheels will spin, not just one.

Self-locking differential

In addition, the car has excellent geometric cross-country ability. Short wheelbase, ground clearance of 220 mm, approach and departure angles of 40 degrees. Plus all-wheel drive, they made the Lada 4X4 a real SUV.

True, you shouldn’t be too arrogant when off-road. The chances of success should be adequately assessed. Niva is not a swamp vehicle or a tractor. Somewhere it will pass, and somewhere it will get stuck.

Lada 4X4 in the snow

While checking the passability, we got stuck in the snow. They simply sat on their belly. Fortunately, the wheelbase is short and there are a few holes under the bottom and wheels, so we got out.

conclusions

As a result, we have a passable SUV at an affordable price. By the way, the market value of the copy in the review is about 250,000 rubles. The new Lada Niva Legend costs from 554,000 rubles. For this money you get the opportunity to go places where you wouldn’t be able to go in a regular car.

Yes, besides this, Niva has a high moral passability. Because I don't feel sorry for her. And also strong bumpers that can be used to demolish branches and bushes, although in order to preserve nature, this should not be done.

It is not expensive to maintain and maintain. Spare parts are cheap, and they won’t ask you much for service, unlike a foreign car.

But there is a significant drawback. Lada 4X4 is not a comfortable car, so it is suitable only for those who want to travel far beyond the bustle of the city for an “inexpensive” price. But for driving only in the city and on the highway, there are more comfortable cars.

Good luck to everyone, Airat Kadyrmaev.

Recommendations for future owners

Experts advise moving the rear door washer hose to another location. In addition, it is important to think about additional heating methods during the winter season. The interior can also be insulated. Many car owners install a step at the thresholds.

In order to enjoy the benefits, you need to buy a new car. Only in this case there will be more positive emotions than negative ones. It is important to listen to all extraneous noise on the road , this will help prevent serious damage.