A high-quality SUV should have a lot of positive qualities. Among them, it is worth noting the reliability of every part of the suspension, engine and transfer case, high cross-country ability and high-quality implementation of all-wheel drive. It is also desirable that a real jeep has a frame structure and copes well with hanging wheels without losing control and balance. A powerful engine will be an excellent addition to the technical advantages of the car, however, it is not a mandatory element of a productive and passable car for all occasions. There are SUVs that can only be used off-road, and there are universal jeeps for use as the only vehicle for the city, highway, swamps and mountain roads.
Among all modern jeeps, many pay special attention to domestic proposals. It’s hard to say that they have excellent technology, and that they have absolutely no shortcomings. However, many people choose Russian SUVs as a purchase, since the cars offer affordable prices and a completely free range for expanding functionality. Today we will look at four models proposed by the manufacturers UAZ and AvtoVAZ. These are Hunter, Patriot, Niva, as well as the new Niva Urban.
Technical specifications
To put it simply, the Niva is a light SUV, but taking into account modern terminology, it is even an all-terrain crossover. Carrying a three-door station wagon body, a wishbone independent front suspension and a low weight of 1850 kilos. In addition to this, the Niva is quite compact, which is appreciated in dense city traffic. Oddly enough, the ground clearance of the VAZ brainchild is even greater than that of the Hunter - 22 cm versus 21.
According to its main parameters, Hunter can be considered a classic SUV with a frame structure, a five-door body and leaf spring suspension. The height of the UAZ is a little over 2 meters, but the Niva is 40 cm lower and shorter. The UAZ weighs about two and a half tons (depending on the configuration), which is a somewhat controversial advantage: in one situation it will help to grip “solid ground”, in another it will only land the SUV deeper in the mud.
Both cars can accommodate 5 passengers including the driver, but the presence of two more doors makes the UAZ much more convenient for getting people on and off.
In terms of power plants, there is parity between the cars: both SUVs offer only one engine. The UAZ is driven by a 2.7-liter engine with a capacity of 128 horsepower, the Niva is driven by a 1.7-liter gasoline engine with 83 horsepower.
Please note that the word “dynamics” is practically not applicable to these cars: if the Niva accelerates to a hundred in 19 seconds, then the Hunter will need 35 for this.
If fuel consumption is important to you, then you should prefer the Niva: it consumes 8.3 liters in the combined cycle, while the Hunter consumes more than 13 liters per hundred.
Both cars are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. But their drive is different: the UAZ has a plug-in front axle, while the brainchild of the VAZ has permanent all-wheel drive. Another advantage of the Niva is the locking of the center differential, which significantly increases the vehicle’s cross-country ability.
UAZ Hunter - a classic of the SUV genre in Russian design
Since the development of this UAZ, little has changed in it. The company did some work with the exterior, brought the interior closer to more modern standards and received a lot of positive customer reviews. However, the UAZ Hunter retained the same engine with minor modifications. The company supplemented the updated model with a diesel unit and a slightly different transfer case. However, Hunter has many significant advantages:
- classic design that inspires confidence, brutal masculine appearance of an SUV;
- excellent frame design, as well as very high ground clearance, allowing you to drive on any road;
- there is a choice of engines - a diesel or gasoline unit, but you can’t expect power from them;
- the ability to implement the most daring improvements, engineering and design additions.
The reliability of the car is quite high, and the thickness of the metal body is also impressive. UAZ Hunter is in demand among lovers of outdoor activities, fishing, hunting and traveling on uncharted roads. However, the car provides quite adequate comfort when driving on asphalt roads. True, I would like to get a little more power. The price of 360 thousand rubles looks very attractive to buyers.
UAZ or Niva: suspension and addition to the off-road arsenal
UAZ or Niva, what to choose? Hunter's dependent leaf spring suspension transfers vibrations to the body very well. In terms of reliability and driving in mud, there are practically no complaints about it, just as there are no hints of comfort (it’s not for nothing that they called it a “goat”).
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In terms of comfort, the Niva is definitely better. Judge for yourself: there is only a rear dependent suspension, while an independent system is installed at the front, so bumps and bumps are not overcome so harshly. VAZ offers owners some other nice bonuses: power steering, brakes with anti-lock brakes and emergency braking booster. The interior is trimmed with fabric, but there are no other frills here: what the Niva was 20 years ago, it remains the same, except that they began to install an electrical package in front.
With all this, this UAZ is finished even more modestly and minimalistically, one can only say about the power steering and washable floor covering and interior. The scarcity of the basic configuration is to some extent compensated by the possibilities of tuning and purchasing additional equipment (winches, luggage racks, protective bumpers, etc.)
Formation of complete sets
In this parameter, SUVs are not fundamentally different from each other. As a rule, everything corresponds to the standard scheme in the domestic automobile industry.
UAZ Patriot equipment
The basic set of options is called Classic and includes the following:
- bumpers are not painted;
- stamped wheels R16;
- seat headrests;
- floor mats in the cabin and trunk;
- power steering;
- central locking.
The average Comfort package is complemented by R16 alloy wheels, audio systems with two speakers, standard alarm, electric front windows, heated rear window and rear-view mirrors, as well as fog lights in the front bumper. The Limited's top-of-the-line option package adds air conditioning, a spoiler, and heated front seats.
Chevrolet Niva configurations
The basic one is simply called: L. It includes the following options:
- security system with central locking and immobilizer;
- steering wheel height adjustment;
- electric front windows;
- power steering;
- fabric interior;
- side rear-view mirrors are unpainted, but are equipped with electric drive and heating;
- full-size spare tire;
- heated feet for rear passengers;
- headlight range control and some other little things.
The LC package is complemented by air conditioning.
And the top-end GLS modification also includes a combined interior trim, lighting for rear passengers, aluminum trim throughout the cabin, audio equipment with two speakers and a remote antenna. There are also heated front seats, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, roof rails, P16 alloy wheels, isothermal glass and an aluminum bracket for mounting a spare wheel.
UAZ Hunter equipment
For this SUV, due to its asceticism, everything is even simpler, since there are only two main options: basic and top-end. The database includes the following set of options:
- five sets of seat belts;
- stamped steel wheels R16;
- hydraulic power steering;
- cigarette lighter;
- hydrocorrector of headlights;
- Interior trim in washable fabric.
The top-end equipment does not stand out in anything special, except that it is complemented by fog lights and some changes in appearance: nothing drastic, just linings.
Off-road argument
The main aspect of the dispute between UAZ and Niva is off-road driving. Over the decades, many comparative tests have been carried out, but even now it is impossible to say with certainty which car you can drive next. It would seem that the UAZ is designed for driving precisely where there are simply no roads, but the Niva is definitely not much inferior to it in this regard.
When getting behind the wheel of these SUVs, try not to put them “on their bellies” or on bridges, otherwise you will have to run for a tractor to the nearest village or always carry a winch with you. However, in terms of “getting stuck” driving, the Niva is somewhat superior to the heavy UAZ: less weight allows you to not sit down so deeply, and with some skill, in some places you can even get through at speed (but remember that this requires some experience).
Answers (2)
Hello! It depends on what purposes. The Niva is more comfortable, has lower consumption, and has better handling (although it’s not worth driving it (standard) either; in winter, with a short wheelbase, it’s like nothing to do on the highway). Hunter is a tough rogue, with no interior as such, high consumption, rear-wheel drive on a permanent basis and a front axle that can be connected if necessary. But this is a full-fledged frame SUV. Of course, this does not detract from the Niva’s off-road capabilities, but in severe off-road conditions the frame still makes the difference. For everyday use in the city + occasional trips out of town, it would be better to choose a NIVU. If you are preparing a car for hard off-roading, then a UAZ is preferable. Although the Niva has its own advantage in this regard - a short wheelbase. In terms of reliability, it all depends on the nature of the operation. Regarding ease of maintenance, both cars are as repairable as possible, both in the garage and in the field, especially for carburetor versions.
approximately the same in terms of maintenance, because both need to change the oil not only in the engine, but also in the transfer case, axles, and the Hunter also has more horses, which will affect the price of insurance and transport tax
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.
Price issue
In terms of price, the Niva is more attractive than the UAZ: a new car will cost you 465 thousand rubles, while the Hunter is available from 609 thousand. However, it should be noted that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant regularly holds special promotions and produces anniversary series.
As part of the promotion, for example, the Hunter in the basic configuration is available from 490 thousand, the “Victory” series – from 670 thousand (550 for the promotion), the Trophy configuration – 670 and 550 thousand, respectively.
Additional Variables
On the secondary market, both the VAZ 2121 and the UAZ Hunter can be purchased for around 100 thousand. If you are going fishing or hunting in a remote area, but you don’t want to go to unknown distances in an expensive passenger car, there is an option to buy a used UAZ or Niva “on the spot” and feel free to hit the road. Even if you destroy the car you bought, it will be worth the money spent in full.
When planning a long journey, keep in mind that the Hunter’s trunk is much larger than that of the Niva, which means you can take more supplies, and there will still be room for trophies.
When choosing any of the compared cars, keep in mind that they have virtually no room for modern technology. The owners openly say that the same Niva was frankly outdated 15 years ago, and the manufacturer simply does not see the point in changing anything in it in the presence of the Chevrolet Niva and Urban. But both cars can rightfully be called proven, even verified by time. There are no problems with spare parts, as well as with repairs: the service station has long known how to eliminate various malfunctions of these old-timers. However, for Niva both spare parts and the cost of additional services are somewhat more attractive.
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.
And also interesting: LADA Niva from 713,000 rubles. – Prices and configurations – Official LADA website
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.
