Why is the Lada Niva Travel the best SUV for Russia, or what is the UAZ Patriot missing?

Quite recently, a new domestic SUV Lada Niva Travel appeared on the Russian car market. After it became known that AvtoVAZ specialists were preparing an update for the classic Lada Niva, many car enthusiasts were eagerly awaiting the release of the new product. It must be said that the restyled version of the SUV turned out to be very successful in appearance and can now directly compete with another Russian “all-terrain vehicle” - the UAZ Patriot. It should be noted that both models have both positive aspects and disadvantages, and therefore their comparison must be carried out in more depth in order to finally understand which is better - the Lada Niva Travel or the UAZ Patriot.

UAZ Patriot 2021

Comparison of technical characteristics

Since technical capabilities are the main indicator of any car that motorists pay attention to, they are the ones you need to focus on first when comparing two SUVs. Main parameters of the compared models:

• UAZ Patriot accelerates to the first hundred in 20 seconds, and Lada Niva Travel - in 19 seconds;
• the average fuel consumption indicated by the Ulyanovsk automaker for its car is 13.7-14 liters, while the AvtoVAZ model spends 10.2 liters per 100 km;
• the top speed of the UAZ Patriot is 150 km/h, and that of the Lada Niva Travel is 140 km/h;
• both models are equipped with gasoline power units;
• As a recommended fuel, UAZ allows refueling with AI-92 or 95 gasoline, but Lada Niva Travel consumes only AI-95;
• Both SUVs are equipped with an all-wheel drive system.

In general, it can be noted that both cars are direct classmates and are designed both for traveling around the city and for the ability to overcome off-road conditions.

UAZ Patriot reviews

UAZ Patriot 2005 reviews

Name:

15172450
City:
Rebrikha Patriot, 2005, 2700 cubic meters.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
The car was unusually not rotten, whipped, and did not fall apart like some Patricks, I was pleased with the operation.
Cons:
Something is constantly leaking, either the gearbox, or the axles, or the engine, you need to keep an eye on it all the time;
What was repaired:
Maintenance of the gearbox at 300,000 km and replacement of internal combustion engine gaskets!

Name:
City:
Sayansk Patriot, 2005, 2700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Good reliable car.
Cons:
Without air conditioning, the car gets hot in the summer.
What was repaired:
At 100 thousand, the gearbox failed.

Name:

Alexey
City:
Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky Patriot, 2005, 2700 cubic meters.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Large roomy interior, feels good on any road
Cons:
in a word, an unfinished auto industry
What was repaired:
no heat, the car overheats in the summer, bad electrical wiring, bad interior plastic, etc. etc.3

Name:

Sergey
City:
Tomsk Patriot, 2005, 2700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Passable, easy to use and not expensive to operate
Cons:
From the rear springs, bounces on bumps.
What was repaired:
The oil valve on the block is getting wet

Name:

Mikhalych
City:
Kyshtovka Patriot, 2005, 2700 cubic meters.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
The Patriot is strong and warm and performs excellent off-road.
Cons:
it's a jerk like all UAZs.
What was repaired:
Weak timing chain tensioners; the chain jumped onto a tooth at 150,000 km, but the valve does not bend, this is a plus.

Name:

Yu
City:
Sovetsk Patriot, 2005, 2700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
a real SUV.
You can drive in the city, on the highway or in the forest! It copes with dirt with a bang! Large and roomy. Low consumption: 10 l/100 km on the highway. Cons:
poor handling at high speed on the highway.
It's a little cold in the cabin in severe frosts. What was repaired:
with the wiring under the hood, there was poor contact at the sensor and the jack kept lighting up. Conclusion: they washed it under the hood with a car wash before selling it, and I had to look for this reason for a whole year. Never wash the engine compartment on injection machines. The gasket under the head of the block burns out. 409 Euro2.

UAZ Patriot 2008 reviews

Name:

Car enthusiast
City:
Biysk Patriot, 2008, 2700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
High cross-country ability is what you need in Russia! Very unpretentious! You can fix everything yourself!

Minuses:

Low anti-corrosion protection!
The sills and fenders are riddled with rust! Constantly needs care! Something needs to be repaired, adjusted, lubricated, stretched all the time... What was repaired:
There were no serious breakdowns!

Name:

Alexey
City:
Vladivostok Patriot, 2008, 2700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Drives everywhere and always
Cons:
I would like a diesel engine
What was repaired:
You need to constantly monitor the car

Engines and transmission

When choosing between the Lada Niva Travel and UAZ Patriot, you must definitely take into account the characteristics of such important units as the engine and transmission. In the case of two domestic models, the advantage is on the side of the SUV from the Ulyanovsk manufacturer. The Patriot can be equipped with one powertrain, but it has an alternative in terms of available transmission. But AvtoVAZ has released an updated car with the usual engine and gearbox that have been installed on it for many years.

Under the hood of the restyled Lada Niva Travel there is a 1.7-liter naturally aspirated engine with a performance of 80 horsepower and a torque of 128 N*m. It is paired with the usual 5-speed manual transmission. For any configuration, the manufacturer offers an all-wheel drive system. This technical design is considered by many car enthusiasts to be the best option for a model designed to conquer off-road conditions.

The Ulyanovsk manufacturer offers a more interesting car in terms of variety of engines and transmissions. The power unit that powers the SUV is a 2.7-liter gasoline engine that operates with and produces torque of 235 N*m. In terms of transmission choice, the UAZ Patriot is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission with 6 gears. Since the car belongs to the SUV class, it is equipped with permanent all-wheel drive.

VAZ Niva 2131 reviews

VAZ Niva 2131 1996 reviews

Name:

10505422
City:
Novokuznetsk 4×4 2131 Niva, 1996, 1700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
the car is fire
Cons:
noisy
What was repaired:
the heater fan failed

Name:

6520071
City:
Dir 4×4 2131 Niva, 1996, 1700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Unpretentious, moderately passable, spacious interior.
Cons:
Russian auto industry.
What was repaired:
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever; almost everything gets rebuilt over time.

Name:

Ural
City:
Omsk 4×4 2131 Niva, 1996, 1700 cubic meters.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
High ground clearance, cross-country ability, condition of the internal combustion engine and gearbox
Cons:
None

Name:

bolo
City:
Omsk 4×4 2131 Niva, 1996, 1700 cc.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
Easy to maintain, not expensive, cross-country ability, large interior.

Name:

alexey
City:
Ordynskoye 4×4 2131 Niva, 1996, 1700 cubic meters.
see, Gasoline, Transmission, All-wheel drive Pros:
large roomy interior
Cons:
the whole car is a big minus
What was repaired:
weak transfer case, chassis

Ride quality, maneuverability and handling

Comparison of these characteristics when analyzing two cars is no less important than technical parameters. First of all, both models are designed to easily overcome off-road conditions, so you need to pay attention to their ground clearance level. Here, the Lada Niva Travel, which has a ground clearance of 220 mm, looks preferable. But for the UAZ Patriot this value is 210 mm. Considering the compactness and relative lightness of the body, the new product from AvtoVAZ looks more preferable.

If we talk about the handling and driving performance of the models, then both cars do not have outstanding characteristics and capabilities in this component. The Lada Niva Travel is characterized by an independent front suspension, built on double wishbones, as well as a dependent rear suspension, which is based on springs. In addition, the car is equipped with anti-roll bars, front disc brakes and rear drum mechanisms.

The UAZ Patriot relies on a fully dependent suspension. At the front it is represented by a spring base and anti-roll bar, and at the rear – an axle built on longitudinal springs. Despite the rather “ancient” version of the design, this solution is one of the most reliable in terms of the possibility of realizing the off-road capabilities of the car.

On the road

“A real car for the male half of the population” - this is definitely about the UAZ. All-wheel drive would please many, but we have what we have and we will build on it. Driving a car like this is real work. The steering wheel is heavy with a lot of play, the clutch and brake pedals are tight, the gear shift knob requires effort - the car is clearly not for women's hands.

On the highway, the driver will need a lot of patience and a firm hand, stopping the wobbling of the SUV through steering with very low information content and sensitivity. The long-travel brake pedal must be pressed with a certain amount of force, but without fanaticism. The car is not equipped with an anti-traction system, so during sudden braking and skidding, the driver can only rely on himself.

At high speed, the SUV overcomes relatively small road irregularities harshly and noisily, trying to leave the trajectory. On bumps and undulating dirt roads, a completely different “song” begins, which is due to the short wheelbase of the “Sport” version. This is where the noise and serious shaking of passengers in the cabin begins. By the way, you can drive on such roads at high speeds: the suspension is strong and will withstand anything, but you should take into account that you will have to work hard with the steering wheel.

• TOP-8 modifications of UAZ Farmer by technical characteristics

Compared to the “cargo” spirit of the UAZ, the Niva seems like a toy. The steering wheel, pedals and all levers are practically weightless. The wheelbase of the Chevrolet Niva 4x4 is 50 mm longer than in the sports modification of the Patriot. The front suspension of the car is independent, which makes it more stable and collected on the road.

The relatively dense suspension makes it possible to drive over speed bumps more smoothly and steer on dirt roads no worse than on the Patriot. Things are also better with sound insulation.

But I can’t even call it a quiet Niva. After 100 km/h, the transmission no longer makes a guttural hum, as it did with its older “relatives”. But the transfer case still “sings along” with the loud engine during acceleration. Something rattles in the cabin, and the folding backrest of the rear right seat knocks on potholes. But still the car is less noisy than the Patriot.

What these two SUVs have in common is the lack of a traction control system and a tendency to “float” out of the lane and turn around during braking with the wheels locked. They clearly saved on safety. As a justification, model developers argue that systems like ABS and airbags are not so necessary in cars with such weak powertrains.

Comparison of configurations and prices

Another indicator that makes it possible to figure out which is better - Lada Niva Travel or UAZ Patriot, is the cost of the presented trim levels for SUVs. If we analyze the available price offers for domestic models, then the undisputed favorite here is the car produced by. At the same time, the UAZ Patriot offers a more interesting package in terms of the technical capabilities of the SUV. Therefore, we can say that both models will be able to find their buyer, based on his wishes and preferences.

The recently debuted Lada Niva Travel is offered to customers in five modifications, the cost of which ranges from 747.9 to 905.9 thousand rubles. The level of equipment of the updated SUV can be called quite modest, which is reflected in its cost. In the basic version, we can note the presence of electric mirrors with built-in heating, front electric windows, heated front seats, air conditioning and several driver assistants. The most expensive configuration adds front foglights, tinting, an additional airbag, a rear view camera and a parking assistant, a multimedia system with a 7-inch display and a car alarm.

UAZ Patriot, even in its basic version, will be more expensive than the most “packaged” Lada Niva Travel. The cost of this car ranges from 939 thousand to 1.4 million rubles. The SUV base includes power steering, electric mirrors with built-in heating and turn indicators, a heated rear window with a wiper, an adjustable steering column and a full set of electric windows. The most expensive Patriot is equipped with alloy wheels, roof rails, leather braided multifunction steering wheel, a combined interior, heated rear seats and windshield, climate and cruise control, as well as a host of additional assistants. Thus, despite the higher cost, the Ulyanovsk SUV also has significantly greater capabilities in terms of available equipment.

Equipment and prices (UAZ Patriot)

* — information on prices is for reference only. Check with your local dealer for exact pricing.

Suzuki Jimny

The closest foreign analogue of our Niva is the Suzuki Jimny. They have similar dimensions and similar engines. The “Japanese” has a 1.3 naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a power of 85 horsepower. So the Jimny is also a slow mover on the highway.

And there is no more space in the cabin. When traveling, you will have to choose between the ability to seat passengers in the second row or load the trunk. Moreover, there is even less legroom for those sitting in the back than in the Niva.

In terms of the range of options, the Jimny is not far ahead. But it has valuable positions that are not available to the Niva: airbags and an automatic transmission. Exotic lovers can choose right-hand drive. These cars have a Keycar engine, 660 cc and 64 hp. But - Japanese reliability!

Surprisingly, for 700,000 - 800,000 rubles, even today, during a period of wildly soaring prices, there are offers for quite cheerful-looking cars. The range of years of production is wide - from 2006 to 2016. The most recent examples are, of course, right-hand drive. But mileages even on older cars are often up to 100,000 km. Not a bad alternative.

Source

Maintenance costs

The costs incurred by the car owner during its operation are a fairly important factor that is recommended to be paid attention to. Speaking of two domestic models, it is difficult to find a favorite in terms of savings. Both cars are considered budget and will not require huge expenses for repairs. The only factor that speaks in favor of the Lada Niva Travel is lower fuel consumption per 100 km of travel.

Appearance and dimensions

The appearance of the car is what motorists who want to purchase a new model pay attention to. A modern SUV should look stylish and brutal. And if all motorists have long been accustomed to the appearance of the UAZ Patriot, and it does not have an outstanding and memorable exterior, then the updated Lada Niva Travel can become a bestseller on the market precisely thanks to its fresh exterior.

The restyled version of the SUV from AvtoVAZ has become similar to the Japanese bestseller Toyota RAV4. Such a decision by the manufacturer was not expected by experts, and therefore the car caused a real “wow” effect at the time of presentation. If we talk about the dimensions of the two domestic cars, then the UAZ Patriot will look much more impressive. Among the main indicators are:

• body dimensions of the Lada Niva Travel are 4099 x 1804 x 1690 mm, and for the Ulyanovsk model - 4785 x 1900 x 2100 mm;
• the distance between the axles for Lada Niva Travel is 2450 mm, for UAZ Patriot – 2760 mm;
• the weight of an SUV from AvtoVAZ is 1485 kg, a car from Ulyanovsk is 2000 kg;
• The trunk volume of the Lada is from 320 to 650 liters, for the UAZ – 650-2415 liters;
• The gas tank of the Lada Niva Travel holds 58 liters, and that of the UAZ Patriot – 68 liters.

In general, the SUV from UAZ looks much more powerful, but in the visual department the Lada Niva Travel wins quite seriously.

Salon and trunk

Finishing the comparison of the Lada Niva Travel and UAZ Patriot, one cannot help but dwell on the interior decoration and free space of the cabin of each of the models. In addition, you must take into account the available volume in the trunk, allowing you to transport cargo.

Speaking about each of the models, it should be noted that the interior decoration uses not the highest quality materials, which emphasize the budget status of SUVs. In the interior of the Lada Niva Travel, only a multimedia system control display can be noted, but it is available exclusively in the top-end equipment version. Exactly the same can be said about the capabilities of the UAZ Patriot.

It is surprising that the management of AvtoVAZ did not decide to qualitatively update the interior decoration of the Lada Niva Travel, especially considering the radical change in the appearance of the SUV. The obviously outdated interior, which was also reserved for the model called Chevrolet Niva, has not gone away and significantly worsens the perception of the car, especially after the pleasant impressions of car enthusiasts associated with its updated appearance.

An important indicator in the characteristics of off-road models is the capacity of their luggage compartment. When going on a trip out of town, you definitely need to put a lot of useful items in your car that you can’t do without. Therefore, the undoubted advantage of the car is its spacious trunk. In this case, the advantage goes to the UAZ Patriot model, which can accommodate cargo up to 2415 liters. In comparison with the “tiny” 650 liters of the Lada Niva Travel, this figure is phenomenal.

What is better to choose

Despite the fact that both models are the result of the work of the domestic automobile industry, they differ quite significantly. Therefore, it is impossible to definitely choose the Lada Niva Travel or UAZ Patriot. Lada Niva Travel has a more modern appearance and low cost, which speaks in favor of its purchase. In addition, the car’s not so large dimensions make it possible to maneuver in city traffic conditions. For those who can allocate more money for the purchase and want to get a powerful car, you can consider the option of purchasing a UAZ Patriot. The SUV from Ulyanovsk has large dimensions, a high-torque engine and the best level of equipment, which is especially valuable when driving in off-road conditions.

Niva or UAZ; what's better?

Almost every off-road vehicle enthusiast asked this question. In general, comparison of Niva and UAZ is a popular topic of discussion on many “off-road” sites and forums. And this is not surprising, because these two cars are the most popular SUVs of Soviet and Russian production. What other full-fledged SUV in working condition can you buy for less than 100 thousand rubles, except Niva or UAZ. You can, of course, also consider the LuAZ (Lunokhod, Bagpipe), but this is a slightly different car, and besides, it has not been produced for a long time. So, let's highlight the pros and cons of each car and compare them with each other.

Other options

Considering competing models from representatives of this class that can be purchased as an alternative, we should note several more high-quality off-road vehicles that have similar capabilities and costs. First of all, the car enthusiast needs to pay attention to the Lada 4x4, which is now sold under the “name” Niva Legend. We also cannot fail to mention such affordable foreign crossovers with off-road capabilities as the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. Each of these models has its own advantages that make the car stand out from its main competitors.