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.

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.

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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.

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.)

Prices for Niva and UAZ

Lada Niva is cheaper than UAZ Hunter. If we consider new cars, the Niva costs 465,000 rubles, and the Hunter costs 609,000 rubles. There are promotions when the basic configuration of the UAZ Hunter is sold for 490,000 rubles. There are also more advanced configurations - “Pobednaya”, which costs 670,000 rubles, but with a promotion it can be purchased for 550,000. There is also an off-road “Trophy” series, it costs the same.

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But the cost of these cars on the secondary market is approximately the same; you can find good options even up to 100,000 rubles. So if you suddenly decide to go hunting or fishing, then you can take a Niva or UAZ with mileage and feel free to use them for these purposes. As for the trunk capacity, Hunter’s is clearly larger, so there will be room to put trophies.

But we must remember that these cars have long been obsolete, they do not use any modern technologies, which is quite sad and not interesting. But for driving through mud, hunting or fishing trips, these are the best options; you don’t even mind drowning these cars in the mud. Of course, if we are talking about old and inexpensive used cars.

For those who want to see something modern in their Niva, it makes sense to take a closer look at the Chevrolet Niva or the new Niva Urban. Another good thing about Niva and UAZ vehicles is that there are no problems with spare parts and repairs. Any more or less experienced service station employee knows how to repair these cars.

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).

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.

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.

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

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