In the opinion of the Russian consumer, the Chevrolet Niva or Renault Duster is an inexpensive car with increased cross-country ability, and a significant category of future owners cannot determine which brand to give preference to. Comparing two brands of cars is purely subjective, since a significant disadvantage for one owner will be insignificant for another. Let's try to objectively evaluate two cars produced in Russia. The Russian assembly puts the Chevrolet Niva and Renault Duster in the same position in terms of availability of spare parts, but car service centers are “more willing” to take on servicing VAZ products.
Exterior comparison
Let's start, perhaps, with the “clothes”, which, as you know, are used to greet even cars. Let’s face it, AvtoVAZ’s joint project with General Motors produced an outwardly laconic and design-complete car.
But this was at the turn of the century. The Niva received only a relatively minor restyling in 2009. Naturally, the Renault Duster looks more modern, although there are some skeptics who claim that its appearance is “morally outdated” for our time.
However, here Renault takes the lead.
Appearance
Both models have one similarity - a station wagon, 5-door, and can accommodate 5 people. But in terms of external design, there are still differences. The Duster is a little wider, higher, and longer, its ground clearance is also 1 centimeter higher - 210 m versus 200 for the Niva.
The difference in the contours of both cars is much more noticeable. Chevrolet looks much simpler; there are no unnecessary details or design delights in its appearance.
Duster looks a little more brutal, more masculine. But this model is much more modern - it began to be produced in 2014, 5 years later than the Niva. Here the designers worked a little more and the car looks quite modern.
Interior
The interior decoration of the cars fully satisfies their budget status. If we take into account that the Niva was designed back in 1993,
and therefore Duster is more modern, the interior decoration of both competitors is in no way close to ideal.
Relatively inexpensive plastic tends to make squeaks after the first thousand kilometers. If desired, the owner must independently modify the sound insulation. When it comes to controls, an SUV doesn't have to be elegant. The entire design of cars rests on this basis. We will consider it a draw on this point.
Interior arrangement
According to this characteristic, the Frenchman is a leader. Climate control, comfortable seats, roomy interior, sound equipment. True, some people have complaints about the interior trim material. The steering wheel is a bit thin and can be adjusted vertically. The luggage compartment capacity is impressive: 408 liters in standard condition and 1,750 liters with the rear seats folded down. A sleeping place for two can be created without any problems. The weight of the load that Duster can carry is 510 kg.
The climate control of the Chevrolet Niva is not as good as that of the Renault Duster: if there are no questions about the operation of the split system, then the interior heating leaves much to be desired. Equipment and sensors are located in more familiar places, despite the simplicity of the interior layout. But regularly something goes wrong and sometimes shortcomings are revealed.
The switches are not ergonomic, and the instruments are simple and do not provide the driver with additional information. The back seat is not wide. The trunk is not so roomy: in normal condition 320 liters, with the rear row raised 650 liters. The maximum cargo weight is only 450 kg. The brake system does not have ABS, the safety system does not have airbags.
Suspension and chassis
Tuning the Renault Duster suspension makes driving comfortable. It holds the road better, even at high speeds. Driving over uneven surfaces, thanks to the moderate stiffness of the suspension, is not a problem. A huge portion of the energy is absorbed by the front levers. Chevrolet Niva lags significantly behind in this regard. Stiff springs transmit vibrations to the body, and when driving along the highway at high speed, you can encounter vibration that occurs when the driveshafts are unbalanced. The owners note that this vibration is the “calling card” of the Niva.
Which car should you prefer?
If you are thinking about what to choose – Chevrolet Niva or Duster, then first of all decide for what purpose this car will be used. After all, they are completely different, although outwardly they are not so different. They have different purposes.
On the highway, in the city, and generally on the asphalt, the Duster will “rip” the Niva in all respects, from speed and ease of control to comfort and low fuel consumption. This is a good option for the city and rare trips into nature, where you may encounter a puddle or two. No matter what Duster owners say, this is just a raised passenger car with slightly increased cross-country ability.
But in difficult conditions, on muddy fields, on northern winter roads, or in the taiga, Niva already beats Duster in all respects. It will go almost anywhere, low gearing, all-wheel drive and long suspension travel will play their role. In the conditions of northern winter roads, Niva has been saved more than once by Duster, which simply cannot withstand harsh conditions and is not at all as good in cross-country ability. Where the Duster is already starting to catch on its bottom, the Niva will easily pass, and if something happens, it can be easily repaired and move on.
You can travel in both cars, but, again, it depends on which routes you take. Duster is good for long road trips; you can drive it around the whole country, in comfort and at lower costs. But Niva is the choice of those who want to visit places where there are practically no roads, drive through mountains and forests. This is an extreme tourist's car.
Therefore, the choice between Chevrolet Niva and Duster depends on the purpose - if you drive on asphalt, with rare trips into nature, then you should definitely choose Duster. For rural areas and frequent trips to difficult terrain, Niva is better suited.
Engine and transmission
Many characteristics of a car depend on the coordinated operation of the power plant and transmission. Renault Duster is equipped with three types of engines, 1.5 liters (diesel), 1.6 liters (gasoline) and 2.0 liters (petrol). The two-liter power unit is paired with a manual and automatic PP gearbox. The power of the 2 liter engine is 143 hp, and the 1.6 liter engine is 102 hp. Judging by the reviews of the owners, the engine power is quite enough to turn the Duster into a city crossover, but the off-road qualities are still questioned.
The VAZ is equipped with a native engine with a volume of 1.7 liters, while its power is only 80 hp.
It would seem that AvtoVAZ has no chance in this indicator, but the Chevrolet Niva is equipped not only with a five-speed manual transmission, but also with a transfer case that allows increasing torque.
The Niva is good both for off-road driving and for overcoming steep slopes.
What to choose in the end
In comparing these two cars, it is difficult to find a winner, since both are designed not only for city driving, but also for serious off-road use. Of course, it is worth realizing that each car has its own maximum capabilities that it cannot exceed. As for the Niva car, this is simply an excellent option for people who want to find a high-quality, inexpensive and fairly comfortable option for traveling out of town, fishing, hunting, and so on. If we talk about the French car, it is much more attractive in terms of comfort, it is more suitable for city driving, it corners much more smoothly, the gearbox works much better, and there are a large number of additional systems. The cost of the initial versions of the cars is approximately the same. Renault is 50-70 thousand rubles more expensive, but this is due to a much more powerful engine.
You need to choose based on your own needs, so it is simply impossible to say which option is more reliable and of higher quality.
Service cost
The most difficult task is to estimate the cost of servicing two different cars. The difficulty lies in the fact that the list of routine maintenance work, as well as the list of interservice work, is different. Spare parts for Niva Chevrolet are available in almost every store. The cost of parts for purely Russian cars is legendary. However, the complex design of the transmission increases the number of consumables. When servicing a car, changing the engine oil or replacing the brake pads is indispensable. Given the low quality of components, some types of work have to be performed repeatedly, not according to regulations.
Price of all configurations
Niva is available in five trim levels - from L to LE+. Their cost ranges from 574,000 rubles in the minimum configuration to 724,000 rubles in the maximum configuration. The latter is equipped with many useful things - a passenger airbag, ABS, improved comfort, even a snorkel for those who like to ford.
Duster has many more configuration options, since its design can be different. This car is more expensive - the price starts from 709,000 rubles and reaches up to a million. But in the maximum configuration, the car is equipped with everything possible - from cruise control to the Era-Glonass system, an advanced audio system, remote start, and rich leather trim.
Driving and off-road qualities of Renault Duster and Chevrolet Niva
If we compare the handling and behavior of cars on the track, then the Renault Duster outperforms its opponent on all fronts.
The “French” is not only faster, but also much more pleasant to drive, both on a straight and on a winding road. In addition, the Duster boasts better maneuverability, which is once again confirmed by the turning circle being 10.8 m versus 11.4 m for the Chevrolet Niva.
But the situation changes dramatically once the cars go off-road, where Chevrolet feels like a fish in water. This is facilitated not only by higher ground clearance and better geometric cross-country ability, but also by the presence of a permanent drive with the ability to forcibly lock the center differential.
But it’s worth paying tribute to the Renault Duster, despite the fact that the car can only boast of electronic locking.
It’s also worth noting that in terms of noise insulation, Chevrolet does not stand up to any criticism, so it’s simply impossible to do without additional “noise.”
Honesty in everything
In general, despite the fact that Duster and 4x4 are cars from different eras, they are very close in spirit. They are honest with the driver and do not try to pretend to be something special. Slightly unprepossessing, a little old-fashioned - like an old friend with whom you don’t communicate too often, but who is always ready to help and understands everything without words. Such friends definitely need to be protected.
Comparative test of Nissan Terrano and Renault Duster 2020
However, being old-fashioned is not always a bad thing.
For example, unlike many competitors, the Duster has excellent visibility thanks to its low sill line and high seating position. The interior is unique and not without ergonomic miscalculations. Thus, the multimedia screen is not very conveniently located, which is especially noticeable when using the rear view camera. Cost of ownership per year, rub.
| Renault Duster | Lada 4×4 | |
| Maintenance at an official dealer* | 12 700 | 11 000 |
| Fuel (20,000 km) | 48 972 | 111 078 |
| OSAGO** | from 2746 | from 2746 |
| CASCO*** | 31 913 | 18 225 |
| Transport tax | 2725 | 996 |
| Total | 99 056 | 144 045 |
*prices vary by dealership** for Moscow, with minimal increasing factors*** full coverage, without deductible, based on the example of one insurance company with the maximum age and experience of the driver | ||
Tuning
Today there are many body kits for a car like the Niva-Chevrolet. They slightly modify the body lines and optics, making them more modern. There are also tuning options for Renault Duster. But there is an opinion that under the plastic body kit, pockets of metal corrosion appear first, so their installation is very controversial.
The most popular type of modification to the cars in question today is increasing the ground clearance. The easiest way to do this is by installing special spacers. This is not entirely beneficial for the car in terms of its stability when cornering at high speed. But those who install them on these cars to improve off-road performance are ready to put up with this drawback.
Also, these cars are equipped with wheels for SUVs (larger diameter and increased tire width), various power bumpers, pipe sills, roof racks, etc. This must only be done with appropriate permission.
It is worth noting that with a properly prepared vehicle, its performance in off-road conditions increases. It is also important to understand that professional tuning in the appropriate workshops can cost a very large amount, but sometimes such modifications cannot be done without. The operating conditions of the machine are always different.
Take a diesel one
But how gorgeous the Duster drives! Diesel 109 hp Available only in version with manual transmission and all-wheel drive. And this is definitely the best modification for this car. The traction is excellent even from the bottom - under the pleasant rumbling of the engine, the Renault accelerates confidently and assertively. The first gear is here exclusively for the start, and on off-road it successfully replaces the “lower” gear.
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The shifts themselves are clear, and the gearbox is a pleasure to operate. And you will have to use the lever often, since the gears here are “short”, and the Duster drives decently in a very small rev range. But there are six steps themselves, which is very pleasing for long trips. I'm also very pleased with the fuel consumption.
The advantages of the diesel version are especially noticeable off the asphalt. We connect the all-wheel drive using a convenient “washer” near the gearbox lever, and you can storm deep puddles, hillocks and everything that gets in your way.
Renault Duster I 109 hp I 0–100 km/h – 13.2 sec.
The high-torque motor allows you to start vigorously and not lose speed when passing obstacles, and in Lock mode (the center coupling is locked) you can move at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The suspension, quite soft in urban conditions, spares passengers and the driver even off-road - it is moderately elastic and even on bumps the Duster is not subject to strong swinging.
The main thing to remember is that the Duster is still more of a city car. The height of plastic bumpers, for example, limits cross-country ability. “French” is a successful compromise between the city and off-road, moderately comfortable, but with a talent for off-road. But there are other cars for conquering virgin lands.
Such as Lada 4x4. In terms of brutality, it is surpassed only by the classic UAZ models, and even then not by much. Those who complain about cheap finishing materials and poor ergonomics of the Duster need to drive a Lada, and their opinion will immediately change. Anyone who enters the 4x4 cabin is covered with a powerful wave of memories of the Ladas of the late 1990s.
For Lada 4×4, one engine and “mechanics” are available.
This car is from a time when driving a car was a job. Therefore, for the modern driver there is a lot of incomprehensible and inconvenient things here. The control keys are scattered chaotically across the panel, the hazard warning button is located on the steering column, and to reach it you need to be almost a trained acrobat.
In general, the right arm of a 4x4 driver should be longer than the left and well trained. Not only does she need to move the three “sliders” of the heater with enormous effort, but the main “ambush” here is with the gearbox lever. It's positioned so far away from the driver that fifth gear has to be engaged with your fingertips.
And if your arms are short, you will have to take the most incredible poses in order to switch the gearbox, click buttons, and turn the steering wheel.
By the way, there are almost no complaints about him. The large steering wheel is comfortable, although raising it a little higher would not hurt. There is also a hydraulic booster, which emits a terrible hiss when the steering wheel is in extreme positions. Euro NCAP safety
| Renault Duster | Lada 4×4 | |
| Driver/adult protection passengers | 74% | n. d. |
| Child protection | 78% | n. d. |
| Pedestrian safety | 28% | n. d. |
| Electronic assistants | 29% | n. d. |
A short overview of the technical characteristics of both cars
These two cars are the main competitors in the Russian market. This can be judged by the sales of these cars. These cars, like all others, have their advantages and disadvantages, which sometimes makes their choice difficult. To find out their strengths and weaknesses, you can make comparisons based on basic parameters.
Chassis
These two cars have a monocoque body. At the same time, the Niva has an interaxle blocker and low gears. Renault does not have a low range, and the rear wheels can only be driven when required. But this does not greatly affect cross-country ability, and therefore both cars can be classified as SUVs, although they cannot be called full-fledged SUVs.
Safety
Duster is a fairly safe car, equipped with airbags and seat belts.
According to the crash tests carried out by Euro NCAP for each model, the Duster received 11 points out of 16, which is quite acceptable. If we compare Duster and Chevrolet Niva, the latter does not stand up to criticism. The only crash test that was carried out for a production car gave a result of 1.6 points out of 16. In this case, the driver’s legs and the front passenger’s head are particularly at risk. Tests of the improved version, equipped with all security systems, showed the best result - 12 points, but this model never entered production.
