lada niva travel pickup

Curbside Classic: Lada Niva Pickup Truck

Sadly, the Lada Niva SUV is no longer a common sight on Canadian roads. They sold in moderate numbers during the 1980s and 1990s, but rust, neglect and parts-supply issues have significantly reduced their numbers. The pickup variant always was uncommon, and is properly rare now. There is almost no documented history to be found on how they came about, but there are two competing theories…

Before we jump directly into the pickup version, perhaps a quick primer on the regular Niva is in order. The Niva’s development started in the early 1970s, with the goal of designing and building a cheap-to-build-and-run-off-road vehicle. The first prototypes look rather Jeep-like and feature foldable fabric tops and body-on-frame construction. The attempt to create a more civilized vehicle resulted in a redesign, with a closed, more car-like body and unibody construction.

The Niva (2121) was Lada’s first attempt at the in-house design of a vehicle not directly based on a Fiat. Sure, the engine and gearbox were carryovers from the Fiat-based models, but the all-new suspension and chassis designs rather recalled a scaled-down Range Rover. You don’t have to squint much to see it, either. The Niva has coil springs all around, independent suspension up front. and a live axle with a five-link setup at the rear–just like the Range Rover of the time. It was certainly a step up from the rather brutish contemporary 4x4s with the typical leaf springs at both ends.

At the time, the Niva was also different for having full-time four-wheel drive and three differentials: One at the front, one at the rear and a middle one that could be locked via a lever in the cabin. The transfer case offered both high and low ranges–pretty impressive specifications for a vehicle introduced in 1977, let alone one from the Eastern Bloc. This is no modern soft-roader style SUV; although a bit crude on-road, it definitely comes into its own when the pavement ends. Still, that crudeness has its charms, as the Niva gained a reputation for robustness and easy serviceability.

The most commonly-seen Niva is the familiar three-door SUV, but there have been different variations for different markets, and that’s where it gets very confusing. There’s an extended-wheel model, which gave rise to a five-door SUV model, an extended cab four-seater pickup, and a van. There were also a larger variety of similar models produced by coach builders for such specific uses as ambulance service, and even armored trucks built for bank deliveries.

There was also a two-door convertible, usually called the Cabrio. It was available in several markets including Canada, and I’ve managed to see a handful of them. From what I’ve been able to gather, the convertibles were converted at a tractor factory in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) and then shipped back to Russia for final finishing and rustproofing, thus making them even more rust-prone than regular Nivas. A rather curious body kit was inflicted on quite a few of them.

New Zealanders had their own pickup variant, which was created in the simplest imaginable manner. New Zealand Motor Bodies, in Palmerson, would cut off the rear of the body and then weld on two big frame rails then suspended the rear axle with leaf springs. The result was a generic box that looked like it was sourced from the utility trailer on which it was then placed, but nevertheless had a somewhat cab/chassis look. The model was called Taiga, and quite confusingly since Taiga was also the Niva’s name in other markets.

Not to be outdone by its neighbor, Australia had its own Niva pickup (or should it be ute?), but one with a much more interesting back story. In the late 1980s, the Australians had a huge agricultural surplus with the Soviet Union and were looking for creative ways to equalize it. The trucks were converted to pickups in Martin, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), at the same tractor factory that had converted the convertibles. Having just lost their contract to build Soviet tanks, they were eager for work.

There was no change in wheelbase, but in order to permit reasonably-sized payloads, 50.5 cm in length was added behind the rear wheels. The pickups also received an upgrade to Michelin tires instead of the Russian tires they wore out of the factory. The trucks were imported by Louis Dreyfus to Australia, where they were sold at an $AU7,000 loss and enjoyed tax-exempt status to qualifying farmers. Unfortunately,  they arrived right about the same time an Australian TV program had done a Suzuki Samurai/Consumer Reports-style hit job on the front-wheel drive Lada Samara. The demand for all Lada models dried up almost instantly, and only a single batch of around 200 “Beaute Ute” pickups were produced.

Now we get to the Canadian Lada Niva pickup and the two competing theories. According to the first theory, they and the Australian pickups were converted at the same Czechoslovakian plant. That would actually make a lot of sense, as the company was already producing  pickups and one would think that knocking out a few more wouldn’t be an issue. However, this theory presents some possible problems.

First, the taillights are different, although market differences would dictate the use of a rear cluster already approved for that market. I can’t quite place the Australian cluster, which looks vaguely but not quite VW van-like. The origin of the Canadian treatment is much clearer; it is sourced from a Chevrolet/GMC Astro Van. Surely, Lada Canada could have shipped a case load of taillights to Czechoslovakia, but the Austrailian truck’s less well-integrated lamps produce a much different-looking tailgate. In both trucks, the area around the rear window also is different, and there’s definitely more of an angle on the Australian truck where the cab ends versus the more severe cutoff of the Canadian version. There is also a slightly indented ridge at the top of the Canadian box that’s absent from the Ute. Why would they make these changes on such a small number of conversions? For this reason, the Czechoslovakian source seems a bit unlikely for the Canadian truck. Romania has been tossed around as a possible source for the truck, but I wonder if it’s just a case of people mistaking one old Eastern Bloc country for another.

The other theory is that they were built right here in Canada. Volvo had been building cars in Canada from CKD (Complete Knock Down) kits at the Halifax Autoport, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since 1963. Lada Canada had set up shop practically next door and began assembling Nivas in Canada during the late 1980s and early 1990s. These pickups were sold from roughly (nothing seems to be exact with Canadian Ladas!) 1990 to 1992, so the time frame fits. It makes sense that as long as the facility was turning out regular Nivas it could easily have done likewise with pickups. Production numbers are unknown, but likely in the couple-hundred range.  Even when they were new, the pickups always were much rarer than other Niva models, and today probably a mere handful survive.

The Canadian pickups retain the stock, rear coil spring suspension. Like their Australian counterparts, they have the standard wheelbase with a few inches added behind the rear wheels. Better watch how you load the bed though, as too much weight at the very rear would undoubtedly produce some very interesting handling characteristics.

All the pickups came standard with the same carbureted 1.6-liter OHC four-cylinder engine used in the regular Niva, rated at 72 hp and 93 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices were either a four- or five-speed manual.

All pickups have the earlier-style dash with separate gauges, but the Canadian version included the nicer cloth seats and sunroof of the Cossack trim level.

I spotted this particular orange pickup a number of years ago at a mall parking lot. I managed just a single shot then, but fortunately I saw it once again outside a local Lada specialist shop. Shortly after that, it was sold to a caring owner who moved it up north to Edmonton. Given that Niva means “wheat field” in Russian, a home out in a prairie province seems appropriate. Very seldom does one of these pop up for sale, and so they remain a very rare find.

31 Comments

Wow – you Canadians get all the fun stuff. I do not ever recall seeing one of these in the U.S. There is something about this little pickup that I find oddly appealing. But I would have to get myself one of those Russian fur hats to wear while driving it. And vodka for after.

That’s one of the advantages of NOT being one of the leading players in the Cold War. Can you see trying to sell a Lada anything in the US in the late 1980’s, much less earlier. It’ll take one hell of an ad-man to come up with a sales pitch that would effectively be based on (or in opposition to), “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

I could see the hard-core right wingers throwing rocks thru the showroom windows and vandalizing units on the lot at night . . . . . . and of course the lefties wouldn’t buy because cars are environmentally evil anyway.

But what a cool TV ad campaign it could have been – the tough little Lada truck pulling down one wall after another. 🙂

Don’t forget Jawa-CZ motorbikes!

The only bikes that I know of that use the gear selector for the kick starter. Owned one and loved it.

I could really enjoy using one of these little pickups. Look the size of the subaru brat (the first ones) which I would prefer. This would make me pretty happy though.

I remember there being a Lada dealer in my hometown in Atlantic Canada in the ’80s. I think it may have lasted a year or two until it was replaced with a used car dealer.

All the rumours I heard about Ladas growing up had to do with their shoddy build quality. There were the usual stories of radios sliding out of the dash when a new Niva was driven off the lot for the first time. I don’t know if they were true or not, but I do know that not too many were sold in our area. The Samara was even more rare.

I have seen a few Nivas around in recent years, but I have not seen one for sale in ages. The tinworm has claimed most of them, I’d bet.

These are nifty. They seem like something to be driven by Fisher-Price “Adventure People.”

My one Russian history course was long ago, but isn’t Cossack an odd name for what looks like the cushy high-zoot version?

The folks doing the naming were probably counting on not many people knowing what Cossack means.

The Cossack name was used in several other markets too as the higher trim level. Often the importer created the higher trim level not the Lada factory. In the UK the base version was called Hussar for a time which is a Hungarian light cavalry.

Hussars were badass. A good name for a 4×4.

I remember looking at Nivas with my Dad, during one of our frequent Sunday afternoon car lot jaunts. I remember that the dealer had them all rust proofed on arrival and they were coated with slimy Oil Gard. Not that it helped much.

Thanks for the very informative write up; I really didn’t know a Lada about the pickups. The Lada Niva was undoubtedly the most successful home-grown Russian car; they were very popular in the Alpine regions in Europe; there’s still a fair number around. It was an unbeatable combination of performance and price, and with a rather timeless look. A genuine mini-Range Rover.

What does `im Limousinen-Charakter’ mean?

“With the qualities of a sedan”. In other words, a genuine cross-over!

The communists were three decades ahead of Western marketroids. Wow! Although I usually hate strongly dislike crossovers, I think I can make an exception in this case. 🙂

A4x4dable. I love it.

The base 3 door Niva was all over the country side surrounding Beijing when I lived there in the mid-90s. I’m pretty sure they didn’t offer the Cossack version there, way too upscale, and I never did see a pickup. I would have loved to drive one, to compare it to the BJ2020 Land Cruiser ripoff that got to drive occasionally.

I’ve had a number of Ladas since I moved to the UK from the US- Rivas, ‘Fiat 124’ style 1500, a Niva and a Samara.

The Samara was an unmitigated disaster- incredibly poor seats that have no thigh support and a ridge under your butt, a shifter angled the wrong way, cheap plastics, and rust traps to name but a few of its problems.

However, the old Ladas were very good cars- if you accept that they were basically products of the malaise era. Sure radios slid out and trim wasn’t screwed on, but a few hours with a screwdriver and the new owner could rectify most faults themselves such was the maintainability. Added to this was the UK Lada dealer network’s ability to bend over backwards for its customers, which made these some of the best selling cars of the 80s.

Anyone who appreciates working on their own car would love the Lada. It was designed so that any repair could be made on the roadside as quickly as possible to avoid frostbite. Everything was accessible, and all bolts could get a wrench on it without having to remove another part.

The Niva in particular remains very popular here, as it is actually far more capable than Land Rovers and Range Rovers due to its size. Yet, its width gives it a stability and solidness that Suzukis lack. Even the suspension parts were made of forged steel instead of pressed steel like most cars and trucks. You can still buy them new on the other side of the tunnel in France for about £8000 or so. Sadly, although the thickness of the steel prevents them from rotting out like the Fiats they were based on, the rust traps remain and they love to rust in the parts that are difficult to fix- door pillars, windscreen surrounds and roofs/gutters.

The hatred of these cars- in the UK at least- was due to a combination of the fact that they were often purchased on finance by poor families who didn’t have the money to do even basic oil changes and washes, which led them to look scruffy early and the (much less prevalent than in the US) anti-communist sentiment. Those who purchased one with their own money and was able to do their own work could have a very reliable car that would last years for next to nothing. Sure they were rough around the edges, but I honestly do not think the build quality was any worse than a K car, X body, or Fairmont- let alone anything from British Leyland, Renault or Fiat. My ’93 Riva replaced an ’88 Austin Maestro, and I can honestly say that the Lada was far more solid than the tinny and brittle Maestro ever could be.

A Civic it was not, but for a third the price of one, you really have to value soft touch plastics and good shut lines enough to take out a car loan at 15% interest in those days when your down payment alone would get you a Lada Riva or Niva outright.

Yes the same sort of sentiment existed here in Canada. The old rwd models are solid cars assuming you take them for what they are. The Samara … not so much. Apparently Porsche had some hand in the design of the engine.

We only occasionally see Ladas here in this part of Michigan, but I’ve always liked their size. They seem rather handy, and the closest sized 4×4 I can think of are the original S10 and Bronco II from Ford and GM. I had a couple of Yugos, and am a fan of 70’s Fiat styling, so I was pleased to learn that the Niva came from the same roots.

There was a company trying to sell Chinese assembled Nivas (I believe) locally for awhile back in the late 90’s – early 00’s; they were supremely cheap, but even though I had Yugos, I was afraid to take a chance on one of these for all of the usual reasons (lack of support, parts availability, etc.). I saw several around for a few years after, I thought it would be fun to grab one and stuff a S10 V6 drivetrain underneath, but I don’t have the facility to perform such a swap. And, as luck would have it, they all returned to iron oxide by the mid-2000’s or so, I haven’t seen one of the Chinese ones for at least 6 or 7 years now.

Now, if they could build one that didn’t rust…

Having owned a trio of Ladas, the last one being the Canuck pick-up, here is my $0.02:

I loved driving the Ladas. Fun, fun, fun, and great feeling on winter roads. And with the diffs locked? forget about it!

It’s true, loading up the box with half a yard of soil did produce some dodgy handling, as well as a pair of busted (stock) shocks. I got a replacement pair from a garage owner in ontario (don’t recall who/where) who was very familiar with them, and owned the pick up version himself. He told me that the conversion was an in-Canada order farmed out to a Canadian engineering firm (don’t recall which), and a total of 150 were made.

I heard the same thing from Julio of Pioneer Motors in Edmonton (about 10 years ago). I miss the fun of driving the Lada, but there’s no way I would think about getting another one: couldn’t afford the maintenance or down time! Sigh…

p.s. thanks for the post!!

Thanks for sharing your story. That is exactly the sort of confirmation I hoped to hear. The later fuel injected Nivas are apparently less maintenance intensive.

Interesting post, I’ve had a soft spot for the Niva precisely because of its concept and parts of its execution. I didn’t realise the Canadian version existed or that it was subtly different, nor for that matter the NZ cab-chassis version.

It was hinted at, but I understand that the vehicles imported to Australia were paid for with wheat rather than currency. They had an operation (Peter Brock after his fall-out with GM-H) to check and rebuild vehicles where necessary to make sure that drivelines were aligned properly for example.

The Suzuki Sierra/Samurai pickup was probably its main competition, with the Daihatsu Rocky I think being no longer on the market by that time. The Subaru Brumby/Brat was also available and had a bigger following. I think I have only ever seen one ute version of the Niva.

The handle on the hatch of the Canadian pickup is a Skoda part, which definitely supports the Slovak theory (funny how the squared-off back of the Canadian pickup looks a lot more modern than the rest of the car does).

Yes the Niva was imported into the USA around 1986-87 under the name DENNIS!. Not the UK fire and refuse truck maker but to hid its communist origins!. Can any one tell more about it?. Once rode in the back of a Uk spec 91 Cossak version .Like 50mph sitting in a frame tent! Nivas are still made and sold thru out the EU with an Opel engine to pass emissions.

UK imports are sold via a tractor dealer in London for around £10000 base with LHD. RHD and LPG conversions extra.

These Nivas were quite popular here in New Zealand – although I must admit I hadn’t realised the cab-chassis pickup was a local concoction. Still see Nivas around regularly, and there’s always a handful to choose from on trademe. An uncle of mine bought a Samara new…and replaced it with a new Hyundai Excel within three months, which says it all about the Samaras really! The Nivas seem to have a fairly good reputation by comparison. A lot of our Ladas were received as payment for our dairy produce – I believe the official NZ retailer was the NZ Dairy Board at one period!

I had many rides in Nivas in Russia during the early 1990s, and one experience as the driver of one, and the earlier comment comparing them to a Chinese Land Cruiser knockoff is generally on the mark. They are crude steel boxes that ride brutally with their short wheelbases and bouncy off-road suspension, are deafeningly loud at any speed, and are filled with bare metal and the cheapest imaginable plastics — very similar to the FJ40 Land Cruiser that I have now. I would go to great lenghts to avoid being a passenger in one, but Russians respect them for their go-anywhere capability.

i talked to a dude in northern bc, he had two then, one he welded the rear axle solid = no differential at all. he used her for off road and hunting. he loved them.

the failing of lada perhaps begin right after the shooting of the KAL 007 circa 83 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

The ‘Dennis’ name was the importer of Ladas to Canada, Peter Dennis. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19781119&id=yIQyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zOYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3043,3885643 After the late 1983 destroying of the Korean Air Lines jet that flew into Russian airspace, Lada sales dropped, and never truly recovered. And Peter Dennis thought a name change would work, however, very few Ladas received it.

As for radios sliding out of a Niva dash, that would have been a dealer installation; the factory never installed radios.

Yesterday while I was cycling in Brisbane (Australia) I saw that – Lada Niva.

Had a Niva ute in Australia. Great little car but regrettably a mate pestered me and I gave in and sold it to him. Conversion in what was the Zetor tractor plant in Martin, Slovakia (later ZTS). Subsidised by the Australian Wheat Board.

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2021 Lada Niva Travel 1.7 (80 Hp) 4x4

• 1.7 (80 Hp) 4x4

Lada Niva Travel specs

Performance, powertrain specs, more lada cars 16.

1977 Lada Niva 1.6 81 ps, 1150 kg

2010 Lada 4x4 1.7 83 ps

1999 Lada 111 91 ps

hostboy    3y ago

How is it so much slower than old Niva? Less powerful, heavier and all...

FastestLaps    3y ago

Is it really much slower than the old one? I think that the old one was already so slow that nobody had time in a day to measure 0-100 and things like that...

dr. cosimo    3y ago @FastestLaps

This post has received too much negative feedback and is hidden. Click here to show it anyway.

hostboy    3y ago @FastestLaps

That's not even the biggest thing that I am concerned about. What I am concerned about is its larger displacement engine making less power despite being Lada's first SUV design in about 45 years.

dr. cosimo    3y ago

i suggest you add the new lexsux lx600 specs

i would like to add some important notes :)

196ss    3y ago

It is heavier and it has the same archaic 1,7l engine from 70-s.

And that's a shame. This car have a potential, it just needs modern engine and gearbox.

That snorkel looks very pretentious... How often will it be used by the average owner and how often will it just waste fuel due to extra drag?

It is optional.

His Nevera actually 1450kW now, they will upgrade this car, and two prototypes! ...

before u get too cocky u should remember christian gebhardt is ...

still quite a good time today

Porsche 991.2 GTS is faster😁😁

Of course its the Z06's usp

anyone know who the driver was?

Toughest time to buy a home or car in history. Millennials who bought 5 ...

That used to be Golf R32 money back in 2007. It's over.

The Nissan is the 300ZX anyway so the idiot got that wrong too. Smh. ...

Here's Everything We Know About The 2024 Lada Niva

The Lada Niva was introduced in 1977 from AvtoVAZ and was initially called the VAZ-2121.

We haven't met the Lada Niva in the US, even if it was called the Chevrolet Niva as opposed to the Lada car for most of its recent life. The parent companies, the lesser-known AvtoVAZ and General Motors, Russia entered into a joint venture called GM-AvtoVAZ in 2003, which started out at a 46.1% share each, and later, after repayment of loans, became an equal partnership.

In 2020, AvtoVAZ bought all of GM's shares, and the cars have been rebranded the Lada Niva, after a long gap of 17 years. AvtoVAZ in itself is a slightly complicated company, in that it’s a subsidiary of Alliance Rostec Auto company. 67.61% of Rostec, the controlling share, is owned by Groupe Renault, the guys who not only own Renault, but Dacia and Alpine, and a 40% stake in Nissan as well. Plus, there’s the whole Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to contend with, as well. So that's a whole lot of cars in there.

And now news has trickled in that 2024 is going to see a sparkly new Lada Niva on the streets, and we are excited, even if we don’t know if it will reach US shores. But it looks so cool, we really want one, and this is why…

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The History Of The Lada Niva

The Lada Niva was introduced in 1977 from AvtoVAZ and was initially called the VAZ-2121. It was supposed to be a rugged vehicle aimed at the rural market, but many of the urban folk also found it to be a fairly economical and tough-as-nails vehicle, and so they too adopted it. In Russian, Niva means crop field, and since the onset, the Lada Niva was supposed to be a farmer’s and farming car and has existed in almost the same avatar for a long, long while. Later, the Niva introduced better trims for urban use too.

The Niva was the first mass-production off-roader to not only have a unibody but also combine it with a coil-spring independent front suspension. It may not have reached US shores, but this was the granddaddy of all current crossover SUVs , that combines the best of a car, with the best of SUVs. The body of a car, the kind that bonds the shell and the chassis together, and the suspension that could a severe beating and still stands strong.

This made the Niva relatively comfortable and very, very off-road worthy, the latter of which became its USP.

RELATED:  These Are The Things We Actually Like About The Lada Niva

The Legend Of The Niva

The vehicle was so tough, the Russian Antarctic expedition used it straight on for fifteen years , and it lasted even though prolonged used at -54 degree-Celsius. In 1998, the Niva was air-dropped via parachute on the North Pole and became the first wheeled vehicle to successfully spend time there. It climbed all the way to 5,200 meters to the base camp of Mt. Everest the same year, and then in 1999, reached an even greater height of 5,725 meters.

For the 2003 model, the production of the Niva went to the joint venture between GM-AvtoVAZ, and while AvtoVAZ had a 50% stake, the actual production was all handled by GM. This ended in 2020, and now that the car is back with AvtoVAZ, it has been rebranded and production has moved to Tolyatti in Russia. The Niva 4X4 is called the Niva Legend and we are on board with it . And the new Lada Niva, a bigger-sized SUV, is the Niva Travel.

We do not get to see many of these in the US, and people often confuse the name with the Lada Riva, Jeremy Clarkson's favorite “worst car in the world”. This car ended in 2012, but the Niva is like Russia's version of the Jeep. The only way, way cheaper.

You can import one of these in the US , as long as they satisfy the 25-year-rule. They may not look fancy and the safety features are more negative than zero, but this is a car that will go anywhere, anytime, anyhow…

RELATED:  The AK-47 Of Cars: Here’s Why The Lada Niva Is An Awesome SUV That Deserves Respect

The All-New 2024 Lada Niva

The actual look and features of the car are all very hush-hush, considering it's likely to arrive only in 2024 as a 2025 model.

The all-new Niva compact off-roader, called the Niva Vision teased audiences at the 2018 Moscow Motor Show, and the debut is now promised to be in 2024, six years after the concept was shown. The idea, according to Lada is to explore new horizons and make a vehicle that will not only be immensely popular in Russia and the rest of the Soviet subcontinent, but also take the other unexplored parts of the world by storm.

And this step also brings the Lada-Dacia partnership closer together, helping both the brands bring out the best in their cars by combining mental acumen and of course, financial prowess. The Niva Vision will be the next generation move for the Lada Niva Travel, and there may be a new CUV in the offing as well, under the Niva nameplate.

What we loved, are the headlights. Look closely enough and can spot a “D”, nestled inside the “L” for la-da, as in Lada. La-di-da? You bet!

Sources: LADAMoscow, Motor1

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2024 Lada Niva Goes High Tech With ABS And Backlit Cluster

The engine of the 47 year old Niva Legend has also been updated to make it Euro 5 compliant

by Brad Anderson

The classic Lada Niva Legend had just been updated for the 2024 model year with one of the most basic and standard safety features that has been around, for well, decades now; an anti-lock braking system. However, this is not the first time it has been offered with ABS.

Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ has been producing the current Niva since 1977 and had previously offered it with ABS. However, it was forced to drop the feature due to sanctions against Russia following the escalation of its war with Ukraine. It has been built without ABS and airbags since mid-2022.

Watch: Lada Niva Driver Survives Miraculous 50-Foot Fall After Failed Rooftop Jump

This isn’t the only update that the Niva Legend has received for the 2024 model year. The off-roader’s engine has been updated so it is compliant with Euro 5 regulations. That’s quite an upgrade given the outgoing model was built to the Euro 2 standard introduced in 1996, but it’s still far behind most modern engines. In fact, Motor1 notes Euro 5 regulations have been around since 2009, Euro 6 was introduced in 2014, and Euro 7 laws could be enacted as soon as 2025.

The upgrades made to the Niva Legend have seen its starting price jump from 829,900 rubles (~$9,100) to 927,500 rubles (~$10,200).

A handful of updates have also been made to the more modern Lada Niva Travel. It too will be updated with ABS and also comes with cruise control, a trip computer, a backlit instrument cluster, and two-tone alloy wheels. The starting price for this model has also jumped from 1,198,900 rubles (~$13,200) to 1,215,000 rubles (~$13,400), although that small price increase seems more than worth it for the inclusion of ABS and some other basic updates.

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Next-gen Lada Niva rendered to life as rumours suggest a turbo engine

It's not coming until 2024 though..

Earlier this month, Lada teased the next-generation Niva scheduled to arrive in 2024. That’s surely a lot of time from now but for those of you who are eager to see how the next-gen off-roader could look like, we have something to feed your appetite. 

What you see in the gallery below are two unofficial renderings of the new Niva coming from our friends and colleagues at Kolesa.ru . The goal was simple - turn the official teaser into a production model with a toned-down styling and a better connection with the original car. Job done - it’s here, it’s rugged, and it’s awesome.

Gallery: 2024 Lada Niva renderings

If you are confused by the fact that there are two models on sale with the Niva moniker, let us explain that briefly. This new SUV will be launched in 2024 as a replacement for the recently refreshed Niva Travel, which is the more civilian version of the model. The more off-road-focused vehicle originally known as the Niva is currently sold under the Niva Legend moniker.

Early rumours suggest the new Niva will be based on the CMF-B platform that underpins a number of models within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. The deeper connection between Lada and Dacia means there will be a lot of technologies shared between the two automakers and among them will be Renault’s 1.3-liter turbocharged engine.

A new Niva is coming:

Word on the street is the 2024 Niva will be offered with a base 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated unit mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Optionally available will be the said 1.3 turbo coupled with a Jatco-sourced CVT gearbox and sending power to all four wheels.

Source: Kolesa.ru

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10 most popular cars in Russia (PHOTOS)

In Russia, every third resident has their own vehicle. At the beginning of 2021, 45 million passenger cars were registered in the country. Almost a third of these are made by the Russian car company LADA. Toyota is currently the second most popular brand, with over four million cars in the country— the RAV4 and Camry are the most popular models. Next come Hyundai and Kia with over two million cars each in the country.  

Compared with the United States and most of Europe, where around two out of three residents have their own vehicle, the car market in Russia is still relatively open and continues to develop. Russia imposes rather large customs duties on imported cars in order to force international car companies to produce their vehicles inside the country. As a result, many foreign car manufactures have localized their production in Russia and in some cases even modified their car models to accommodate Russian road conditions and people's tastes.  

Russians prefer low-budget crossovers and sedans. Hatchbacks and station wagons are less common, and small electric cars are generally an unusual sight (there are just 11,000 electric cars in the country, and 9,000 of them are the Nissan Leaf). 

"Russians are not interested in hatchbacks because of the lack of association with a high position in society," says Alexey Kozhukhov, an automotive marketing expert. He notes that in the Soviet period, a long Volga sedan was considered a high-class car and a symbol of power, and that these associations have been passed on to subsequent generations. 

Manufacturers have created economy-class sedans and SUVs that are specifically catered to the Russian market. According to the Association of European Businesses , in the first half of 2021 around 45% of new cars sold were crossovers. 

Best selling cars in Russia in 2021

1. lada granta.

The simplest and cheapest car on the Russian market, the Granta is assembled at the AvtoVAZ plant in Togliatti. Some typical customer reviews state that the car is “reliable and without problems” or that “I didn’t have big illusions and got what I expected.” A sedan without air conditioning costs 560,000 rubles ($7,800), and the LUXE version with a heated windshield, cruise control and an automatic transmission costs 780,000 rubles ($11,000). 

2. Lada Vesta

Lada’s latest model, the Vesta, is designed to be a sedan and crossover, although there is also a sports version. The car meets most consumers’ needs but is cheaper than foreign brands. “When I bought it, I understood that it was AvtoVAZ and there might be problems ahead, but the desire to buy this beauty simply prevailed, and I only wanted a new car in this budget,” one Russian driver writes , adding that he didn’t want to buy a used car. 

The simplest model with a manual transmission, air conditioning and airbags sells for 795,000 rubles ($11,200), while the most expensive “Sport” version costs 1.2 million rubles ($17,000).

3. Hyundai Creta 

This crossover is one of the most inexpensive cars in its class in Russia. Its price ranges from 1.2 million rubles ($17,000) to about 2 million rubles for the top version ($28,000). “Many Creta owners with a 1.6-liter engine complain about the sluggish dynamics. I wasn't looking for a racing car, so the car is fine for me. My priority was AWD, which fully justified itself. Now I can go to nature any time and not worry about getting stuck on a dirt road,” writes one driver from the Urals. 

Hyundai also was also the first car manufacturer in Russia to offer online sales directly from the factory without the dealer.

4. Hyundai Solaris 

The Solaris is a version of the Accent that was localized specifically for Russia in 2010 and is produced in St. Petersburg. Russian drivers seem quite satisfied with the model, which is a budget sedan that is resistant to temperature changes and harsh weather conditions and is generally reliable. “I wanted to use it for at least five years without looking under the hood,” wrote one driver about why he chose this model. 

The Solaris ranges in price from 890,000 rubles ($12,500) to 1.3 million rubles ($18,300) for the top configuration.

5. KIA Rio 

The KIA Rio has also been produced in St. Petersburg since 2011, and, like the Solaris, only comes in a sedan model, which is more popular among local customers. The design and technical characteristics of the Russian Rio are slightly different from versions sold in other countries. Many drivers note that it has good heating and the ability to start at minus 30 Celsius. As a result, the car has become one of the best-selling models in the country. It ranges in cost from 950,000 ($13,400) to 1.3 million rubles ($18,300)

6. Volkswagen Polo 

All Polo models sold in Europe are hatchbacks, but in Russia Volkswagen opted to modify this legendary model to produce what has become one of the most popular sedans in Russia. “The car is a car. The trunk is huge and comfortable. There is quite a lot of space in the cabin, both in front and behind. The driving is not bad, better than other cars of this class,” writes one owner. 

The Polo Sedan is assembled at a factory in Kaluga (about 200 km from Moscow). The cheapest model costs 1 million ($14,100), while the most expensive version goes for 1.9 mln rubles ($26,800). 

7. Lada Niva 

The first Soviet SUV is still in production and has a loyal customer base for its combination of being extremely cheap and strong for off-road driving. Many Russians use it to get to their remote dachas. 

The simplest version costs 660,000 rubles ($9,300). The most expensive version is called the Niva Travel (formerly the Chevrolet Niva), costs 993,000 rubles ($14,000) and is equipped with a snorkel in case the car is overtaken by water in severe road conditions. And there is no automatic transmission! “Its passion is dirt roads, super suspension, it ‘swallows’ holes in the roads, you don't notice irregularities,” wrote a driver from the Amur Region in the Far East. However, customers note that the interior is not particularly comfortable and that the car consumes a lot of fuel.

8. Škoda Rapid PA II

This is another economy class sedan that has won the hearts of many Russian drivers. “The new Rapid is comfortable to drive, there is a lot of automation,” says one owner from St. Petersburg. They go on to write : “Turn the steering wheel and hit the gas, and switch on cruise control on a high-way, and the car will do everything else by itself.” 

The Škoda Rapid is assembled at a plant in Kaluga. The simplest version costs 990,000 rubles ($14,000) and already includes a media system with a touch screen and Bluetooth. The most expensive version costs 1.4 million rubles ($19,700).

9. Renault Duster 

Renault cars are assembled in Moscow. For a long time, the most popular Renault model was the Logan sedan, but this year the Duster SUV took that title. "Who can imagine a life that is no longer just being in a hurry," one driver jokes about driving the car. "The Duster is a family car. The car is enough to cheerfully stay in traffic" writes another.

The price of the simplest model with a manual transmission starts at 1 million rubles ($14,300), while the most expensive 4x4 version is twice as much.

10. Lada Largus VP 

The only wagon model in this list is also produced by the Russian company AvtoVAZ. Largus is a fairly budget car that is popular not only among dacha enthusiasts, but also for commercial purposes. “The main plus is the suspension and stability on the road,” writes a driver from Tyumen (Siberia), “No need to worry about driving the highway on Largus in winter.” All versions are equipped with a manual transmission and cost from 780,000 ($11,000) to 978,000 rubles ($13,700).

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Lada Niva Bronto Returns As Off-Road-Ready SUV From (And For) Russia

Bronto, not bronco..

At the end of last year, Lada announced the end of production for the hardcore Niva Bronto. However, the customer demand for the off-road -inspired version of the SUV remained high and the Russian manufacturer decided to bring it back to life in the summer of 2021. Lada has just unveiled the refreshed Niva Bronto with improvements focused mainly inside the cabin.

Based on the rugged Niva Legend, the Niva Bronto will be sold in two versions - Luxe and Prestige, with the former offering a more utilitarian appearance with metal bumpers and 15-inch wheels. The Prestige trim adds beefier plastic bumpers, side sills protection, and wheel arches, fog lamps, and a model-specific radiator grille. Both variants can be equipped with factory-certified equipment including a LED light bar for the roof and a special “camouflage” exterior paint.

The Niva's Different Alter Egos:

As mentioned above, the interior is where most of the changes for the new model year are focused. These include a new instrument cluster, a modified center console with new climate controls, new and more comfortable seats with heating function, and improved noise and vibration insulation. A few other small tweaks can be seen inside the cabin.

Power continues to be provided by Lada’s immortal 1.7-lite naturally aspirated gasoline engine delivering 83 horsepower (62 kilowatts). The four-cylinder unit is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, sending power to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system with locking front and rear differentials. The Niva Bronto also rides on a slightly modified and reinforced suspension.

Lada is already accepting orders for the refreshed Niva Bronto at its dealerships across Russia. Needless to say, the model will not be exported to other markets.

A brand new generation of the Niva is scheduled to finally arrive in 2024. It was teased earlier this year and the first rumors suggest it could get a Renault-sourced 1.3-liter turbocharged engine . If this turns out to be true, this will mark the first time in history the Niva will be powered by a turbo engine.

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New Niva coming soon

Classic 4×4 sold in Canada until 1998

All-new retro styling, but not an ev.

Four all-new models are coming from Lada including the first all-new Niva since, well, forever if you’re not counting the rebadged Chevrolet that stole the name in the early 2000s. It’s all part of Renault ‘s efforts to revitalise (in what it calls a Renaulution) all of its brands including the iconic Russian marque.

The original Niva, now called the Niva Legend, launched in 1977 as an off-roader specifically for the rural market. The name means “crop field” in Russian, to give you an idea of its mission. Largely unchanged since then, the Niva was even sold new here in Canada as late as 1998, though you might have trouble finding one these days.

Lada, owned by Avtovaz, which is owned by Renault, will see the development of its models combined with other Renault affordable brand Dacia, but it’s the new Niva that has us interested.

The rendering the automaker showed looks like an EV rebirth of the Niva much like the Renault 5 Prototype its parent revealed earlier this week, however, it will be built on the Renault CMF-B platform, currently used by the Renault Clio and next-gen Nissan Juke, so don’t expect this one to be battery only.

Were Lada to put out a modern EV platform wearing that name, there might be another revolution at dealers. To fit the company’s own briefing of the off-roader as “a cult product…the Russian automotive proxy of the swiss knife,” it would need to use 12V lead-acid batteries and motors used to turn turrets of surplus T-55 tanks instead of Li-Ion and modern motors.

Instead, the company knows its target and will build a new model, available in two sizes and arriving in 2024, with the 4×4, high stance, and construction that Lada buyers expect. Just with some more modern bits under that wonderful retro sheet metal.

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