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.
A little history
In general, comparing Niva versus UAZ is not entirely correct, because these cars were created for different purposes and belong to different classes. And if the UAZ is a full-fledged SUV with a frame, a spartan interior, strong and reliable components, then the Niva is closer in design and characteristics to modern crossovers. The fact is that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant jeep was created by order of the military on the basis of another frame SUV - the GAZ-69. The goals for the vehicle were set accordingly: movement in a tank column, towing light artillery pieces, etc.
UAZ - an SUV with a military past
The Niva was created from scratch (based on the components and assemblies of the Zhiguli “classics”) and as a purely civilian car. It was already given completely different tasks: comfortable movement both in the city and on country roads and moderate off-road conditions. At the time of its creation (70s), the Niva became the first representative among crossovers, it was distinguished by excellent characteristics and quality, as evidenced by the high achievements of this car in motorsport. This Soviet SUV was exported to many countries around the world, including Western Europe, where it is still popular and respected.
What is the difference between a crossover, a SUV and an SUV, a jeep. Niva (lada4*4) what class does it belong to?
Niva (also known as VAZ-2121 and LADA 4×4) is a Soviet and Russian all-terrain vehicle - a small-class all-terrain vehicle with a monocoque body and permanent all-wheel drive (Wikipedia)
Also interesting: Fuse and relay diagram for Chevrolet Niva / VAZ 2123
A crossover is a car that looks like a jeep, but is smaller and cheaper. Doesn't even always have all-wheel drive. SUV = Crossover. SUV = Jeep = off-road vehicle. Usually large, on a frame, all-wheel drive with locks and lowering is required. Niva = jeep. Extremely cheap, homeless class, but a jeep. ))
Niva is a full-fledged zhyp. because it has a lowering, locking and four driven wheels without any viscous couplings and other crap
SUVs and crossovers are practically the same thing. Jeep is a car brand in the United States that has become a household name among people for all SUVs (Jeep of the Chrysler concern). The main difference between an SUV and a SUV or crossover is that the first, unlike the latter, can move off-road and is adapted to this, while the latter do not, and SUVs also have downshifts and transfer cases... others do not. Niva is an SUV; it has lowering and even locking.
It's like alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer
You can have all this, but the drive is only one hey on two wheels
Niva is both, and the third, combined. In Soviet times, these types of vehicles were called all-terrain vehicles. Niva is a passenger all-terrain vehicle.
SUV, crossover is a car that is made on the platform of a regular passenger car by increasing the ground clearance, and often with all-wheel drive. the body can have any shape, but here you need to look from below, and not from the side, in order to understand what is intended for what. An SUV is a car that was originally made with the ability to drive anywhere, so the suspension is structurally more complex than a passenger MacPherson strut, the body (frame) is stronger, and the transmission is more sophisticated.
and the Niva is finally a masterpiece. on the one hand, a modified Zhiguli (that is, passenger) body, on the other, a good transmission and a suspension that is relatively correct for an SUV. but this is all due to the fact that the Lada itself is quite archaic in design: a rigid axle at the rear and double wishbones at the front, a longitudinal layout of the power unit.
What to choose: UAZ or Niva?
This question is of interest, first of all, to those who want to buy an inexpensive SUV. The closest foreign analogue of these Russian cars will cost no less than 250-300 thousand rubles in decent condition, so many do not even consider them. In addition, almost all modern SUVs are designed more for the city than for off-road use. Therefore, in terms of cross-country ability, they, for the most part, will obviously lose to the old Nivas and UAZs. So, let’s compare UAZ vs. Niva on off-road, as well as in terms of reliability and maintainability. Let's highlight the pros and cons of each car. Let's start with Niva.
Niva: advantages and disadvantages
To begin with, let’s highlight the obvious advantages of the Niva compared to the UAZ:
- small weight;
- low fuel consumption;
- small dimensions;
- relatively high level of comfort;
- greater ground clearance (by a couple of centimeters).
Now let's list the disadvantages:
- lack of frame;
- smaller safety margin of main components;
- small trunk;
- low engine power (although it is enough for the Niva’s mass).
Of course, the Niva has many other advantages and disadvantages compared to the UAZ. Now let's talk about the Ulyanovsk SUV.
Niva tuning
UAZ: pros and cons
So, the advantages (compared to Niva):
- frame structure;
- higher strength, reliability and maintainability;
- dependent suspension (often it is better than independent suspension on off-road);
- more powerful engine.
Main disadvantages:
- outdated construction and design;
- low level of comfort;
- poor interior;
- high fuel consumption;
- weak dynamics.
Again, the UAZ has many other pros and cons.
UAZ on Ya-192 tires
Which is better for off-roading: UAZ or Niva?
The following answer can be given to this question: If you need a purely all-terrain vehicle, then take the UAZ. And if you need a universal car that is suitable for both the city and off-road, then the Niva is the best choice. While the UAZ behaves well in severe off-road conditions, it is not very comfortable in the city or on the highway, although it feels quite confident in this situation. The Niva, on the contrary, is well suited for the city, a little worse for the highway, but on rough terrain it will be inferior to the UAZ in terms of all its characteristics.
Niva does not always lose to UAZ
And one more thing: UAZ is much easier to tune than Niva. We are talking specifically about off-road modifications: lifting, power bumpers, winch, wheels of increased diameter. All thanks to the frame structure and high strength of the main components. A simple example: if a UAZ can safely tolerate an increase in engine power, a significant increase in body weight and the installation of large wheels, then for a Niva only the installation of larger diameter wheels can lead to the fact that some suspension and transmission parts will become consumables.
The world's first crossover: VAZ-2121 Niva - about everything and nothing
Well, let's add something from other sources.
How was the car created?
Soviet designers turned to the idea of creating a comfortable domestic SUV in the late 60s. In any case, work began at AvtoVAZ itself in 1970. Since in those days no issues could be resolved decisively without high authorities, it is worth thanking the Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, Alexei Kosygin, for the Niva.
As it turned out, the “kopeks” and “treshki” issued at that time (in various modifications) attracted only city dwellers. Villagers, not spoiled by asphalt roads, preferred the “indestructible” “Muscovites”, which were produced in much more modest series. But the organization of large-scale automobile production on the banks of the Volga was conceived, among other things, in order to “pump out” the money supply of savings that were dead weight for the citizens of the USSR - there was nothing to buy anyway... So they decided to organize the production of an affordable off-road passenger car .
And work began to boil. By the way, parallel - and not unsuccessful - design of an SUV has been carried out since 1965 both at Moskvich (where in 1959-61 the all-wheel drive Moskvich-410 was produced in small series and a prototype of the Moskvich-415 SUV was being prepared), and at GAZ , and at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant (then still a very young enterprise). By 1970, two prototypes had already been created there - Izh-5 and Izh-14 (NAMI engineers took part in their development). VAZ workers started work from scratch.
The first version of the car - E2121 - was nicknamed the “crocodile” for its chopped shapes, which were reminiscent of both the Kubelwagen (a floating SUV of the Wehrmacht) and the Willys - it was born 35 years ago, in April 1972. The body lines were straight, the top was canvas, and the front window was folding. Ideas were tested on this mockup.
As a result of road tests, several basic principles of the future Niva were determined. For example, permanent differential all-wheel drive, the possibility of using front disc brakes, front independent suspension, the presence of a reduction gear and the need to lock the center differential.
Also interesting: Do-It-Yourself Niva Tipper
It was only later that leading designer Pyotr Prusov, bodybuilder Lev Murashov and designer Valery Semushkin asked the question - why does the VAZ car not have the “Zhiguli” comfort? And then Semushkin drew a new body... However, they didn’t like the car: the designers pointed out that they were moving away from the classic layout of an SUV - a frame structure, leaf spring suspension, solid axles, and a low-speed, large-volume engine.
The VAZ team suggested using a monocoque body - no one in the world had ever made such an SUV before. Suzuki Vitara and Jeep Cherokee appeared later. The fate of the SUV was decided by the then general designer of VAZ, Vladimir Solovyov - it was he who convinced the plant’s technical council to once again consider the developers’ proposal. And after very heated debates, the project was approved.
And soon the time came for the first tests - accompanied by military UAZs, camouflaged prototypes (their radiator grille was decorated with a Latin F - Semushkin explained to everyone curious that this was a new Fiat model) passed under their own power through the deserts of Central Asia to the southernmost point of the USSR - the city of Termez. The mileage showed that it is necessary to finish the front suspension, cooling systems, ventilation and air intake.
In addition, it was decided to abandon solid glass doors - they were warped. However, the most serious changes had to be made to the suspension. The plant did not have equipment that would allow the production of synchronous universal joints. I had to buy a license for CV joints from.
And on February 16, 1974, tests began at the Dmitrov test site, in which the VAZ-2121 and Izh-15, which had already received the index, took part. Their performance was compared with the test UAZ-469, Land Rover and Range Rover. No matter how proud people in Izhevsk were of their all-terrain vehicle, tests showed that the vehicle was very “crude.” The Niva was faster (130 km/h versus 120 for the Izh-15), acceleration to hundreds took 22.1 seconds (versus 30.5).
A year later, Niva was shown to the general public. At that time, there were no car shows yet, and the premiere took place in August 1975 at VDNKh.
And finally, it happened: on April 5, 1977, the first production car, the VAZ-2121, rolled off the VAZ assembly line. Those cars had a lot of serial parts from “three-ruble” cars - for example, lights, which were later replaced with more modern “six” ones. And the headlights remained “three-point” for a long time.
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Conclusion
When choosing between Niva or UAZ, you must first decide what you need the car for. If you live in a rural area and rarely go into the city, then an UAZ is better suited here. The same is true if you buy a second car purely for off-road use, and for the city you have some kind of comfortable sedan. Those. UAZ is preferable in cases where the car is needed purely for off-road use.
The Niva is a compromise between cross-country ability and versatility. Yes, it often loses to UAZ off-road, but not always. For example, on sticky soils, where the UAZ gets stuck due to its high mass, the light Niva rides calmly. But still, the Niva is better suited for those who need one car both for trips around the city and for forays into nature.
Write in the comments what you think about comparing Niva and UAZ!
