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.
Does Soviet mean excellent? Nikita Gudkov
We also went to the bank of the Moscow River, where near the village of Verkhneye Myachkovo several years ago local enthusiasts erected a monument to the Rocket. That's right, with a capital R, because Rocket is the name given to a high-speed hydrofoil motor ship. The first of its kind and extremely successful - about four hundred of these were produced.
It is separated from UAZ and Niva for a decade and a half. Looking at the descendant of the 469 model against the background of the rapid contours of the Rocket, it is difficult to believe that it was born in 1957, and the UAZ in 1972, and not vice versa. And we haven’t yet been in the passenger cabin with anatomical aircraft-type seats.
The level of technical innovation puts the Rocket on a par with the Niva and its permanent all-wheel drive, unique for the 1970s. Designer Rostislav Alekseev was far from the first to tackle the topic of hydrofoils. A new engineering approach - in particular, the priority to meet the requirements of fatigue strength and the use of lightweight materials (the hull is mainly made of D16 aluminum alloy) made it possible to make the 66-passenger ship faster and more cost-effective than transportation by rail or bus. Rocket with a diesel engine with a power of 1000–1200 hp. I calmly maintained a speed of 55–60 km/h.
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An elegant solution: the engine exhaust is used as a thruster. It extends underwater and can be fully pointed to starboard or port to assist when approaching or leaving the dock. Following the Rocket, from 1957 to 1964, seven more types of hydrofoils were developed, including Meteors and their marine version, Comets.
These ships are still in use, they are being transferred to more modern engines, they are groomed and cherished... But the Rockets were not lucky. A couple seem to have remained on the move in Yakutia, a beautiful example is in circulation in Lithuania, but the last three Moscow ones were disposed of back in 2020.
On a pedestal in Myachkovo there is a Rocket with tail number 102. Its history is a reflection of what is happening in the country. She carried passengers for more than twenty years, and then was converted into a VIP banquet vehicle. In 2007, she was stolen and stranded by a drunk motorman. After this, the ship was hardly used until it ended up in Myachkovo.
As a silent monument to the triumph of Soviet engineering and Russian carelessness. Is it normal when in Lithuania the legacy of the brilliant Alekseev is again “put on the backburner”, but in the capital of Russia it is mainly handed over to non-ferrous metal?
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.)
The purpose of the UAZ and Niva
An important factor is that the UAZ Hunter was originally created as an army vehicle. It has a reliable frame design. Then it was called UAZ 469, people call it “goat” or “bobby” to this day.
As for the Niva, it was created as a civilian car. It has a different design - without a frame, and the body is load-bearing. But the main purpose of the Niva is driving on broken country roads and in places where there are no roads at all.
Since the UAZ is a military vehicle, it has less comfort than the Niva, but its off-road qualities are slightly higher. The frame design demonstrates its advantages off-road.
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).
Which car is better to choose
Chevrolet is a more versatile car. It handles country roads well, maintains an acceptable cruising speed on the highway and feels comfortable in the city thanks to its relatively compact dimensions. Even in the maximum configuration it costs less than 1 million rubles. Spare parts can be purchased at low prices.
The Patriot copes better with off-road conditions and has a more spacious interior and luggage compartment. This car is suitable for those who like to travel in high mountains, snowy or wetlands.
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.
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.
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_0OkH3VY0k
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.
Read news about the new Niva
- UAZ Hunter 2021 - photos, all the disadvantages (owner reviews), prices and configurations, video test drive, characteristics.
- Niva or UAZ; what's better? —
- New name LADA Niva Legend – Official LADA website
- Lada 4×4 Bronto 2021 new body | Lada 4x4 Bronto prices and equipment for 2021 from an official dealer.
- Lada Niva Bronto with a new interior appeared in Slovakia earlier than in Russia - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
- LADA Niva – Operating manual – Official LADA website
- Lada has started sales of the new Niva Travel - PRIME, 02/09/2021
- Lada told when the new Niva and C-class crossover will be released - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
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.
Let's sum it up
It is very difficult to objectively answer the question of which car is better to buy - UAZ or Niva. This is an individual matter for each driver, because you will be the one operating the car. Therefore, listen to advice, read reviews, and then try to take a test drive of cars in showrooms and independently evaluate their beneficial and disadvantageous aspects for your operation.
People have different goals when purchasing an off-road vehicle. Hunting takes place in different areas, so high ground clearance and large weight are more suitable for some, while short wheelbase and lightness are more suitable for others. Evaluate your individual needs, not the subjective opinions of other people. Which Russian jeep would you prefer today as a car for active recreation?
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.
