Is Niva better than UAZ, and in what cases?

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.

Niva Urban - a new generation of an old SUV

The AvtoVAZ concern reacted quite passively to requests for updating the good old Niva, offering either a new shape of the steering wheel or minor and invisible changes in the interior. But last year, a new product thundered - Niva Urban, which the concern positioned as an excellent solution for lovers of off-road vehicles. The car can be used both off-road, receiving all the advantages of a regular Niva, and in the city. The main features of the Urban model are as follows:

• the same 1.7-liter engine and 83 horsepower became a definite disappointment for potential buyers;
• the concern offered several new designs, changed the exterior in some details, and added modernity;
• the new wheels look very attractive, this has become an important replacement in the appearance of the car;
• all the functions of the SUV remain intact, you will be able to conquer any obstacles;
• The interior has become more comfortable; you can operate the Niva Urban in city or highway mode.

Of course, a consumption of 10 liters per hundred kilometers will not please the buyer. In the urban cycle, this car consumes up to 14 liters per hundred. The outdated power unit clearly needs to be replaced and thoughtfully updated. However, while there are no options for updating the power plant, the company sells the Niva Urban SUV, which has slightly changed its appearance, for 445,000 rubles in the basic version, which is quite bearable under the current circumstances. We invite you to look at the capabilities of the old UAZ and Niva in really extreme conditions in the following video:

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”).

See how to remove scratches on plastic inside a car? How to sharpen brake discs yourself? More details here..

We will show you how to independently adjust the beam of your car headlights here.

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.)

Technical characteristics of Niva and UAZ

The VAZ Niva weighs less, and in general it’s difficult to call such a compact car an SUV; the Niva is a compact 3-door crossover with increased cross-country ability. The Niva's weight is only 1850 kg, and its ground clearance is 22 cm. Hunter's ground clearance is 21 cm.

UAZ Hunter is a classic frame 5-door SUV with springs. Its height is more than 2 meters, which is 40 cm more than that of the Niva. The weight of the UAZ, depending on the configuration, exceeds 2.5 tons. The heavy weight of a car can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

It will also be interesting to read: Mercedes Benz G500 4×4 2

In skillful hands, such a jeep will cling better to solid soil, but in inept hands, such a heavy jeep can easily bury itself. Despite the number of doors, both Hunter and Niva can easily accommodate 5 passengers along with the driver. But, it is clear that disembarkation and embarkation of passengers is more convenient in the UAZ.

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).

UAZ or Niva: differences in suspension design

The UAZ Hunter has a dependent leaf spring suspension, which is distinguished by its reliability when driving on mud and stones, but on the other hand, there is a complete lack of comfort. That is why this car is called the “goat”.

Below is a video about how a UAZ overcomes a puddle:

Compared to the Hunter, the ride on the Niva is softer, since the suspension here is different: independent in the front and dependent in the rear. In addition, the Niva also has power steering, ABS brakes and emergency brake assist.

The interior has a fabric interior and power accessories have been added to the front doors, but otherwise the car remains the same as it was 20 years ago. Among the options is only a cigarette lighter, and what else is needed for a comfortable ride on the harsh Russian off-road.

It will also be interesting to read: Lada XRay - a crossover with a modern design for domestic roads

As for the UAZ Hunter, its finishing is even more modest, but there is an opportunity to make tuning based on your taste preferences. Typically, Hunter owners purchase a winch, a protective bumper or a guardrail, and also install an additional trunk or gas tank. Since this is an off-road vehicle, it is usually made as functional as possible for off-road driving.

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.

Comparison table of UAZ Hunter or Niva Chevrolet cars