Today, the car market is simply crowded with various brands and models of crossovers and SUVs. But despite such a huge amount of assortment, the VAZ-2121 car remains out of competition. There has always been a demand for this car. Niva is considered one of the cheapest SUVs. At the same time, the car has excellent cross-country performance. Often it is bought specifically for these purposes - fishing, hunting, off-road or off-road competition. The car is cheap, easy to use and has great potential for tuning.
Description
VAZ-2121 is a Soviet, and later Russian, small-class off-road vehicle. Assembly is carried out at the AvtoVAZ plant in Tolyatti. The machine has a load-bearing body and permanent four-wheel drive. Serial production of the model began in the 77th year.
For more than 30 years, this machine has been manufactured almost unchanged. Now the car VAZ-2121 has a modernized power plant and a slightly changed look. But first things first.
Appearance
The design of this car is familiar to many. Everyone saw such a car. Outwardly, during this time, the car is significantly outdated. The body has simple shapes. "Niva" is devoid of any design refinements. This is an ordinary SUV with round headlights, compact bumpers and wheels that are not remarkable.
In 2013, the situation changed a bit. For the first time in many years AvtoVAZ (apart from changing the trunk lid) made adjustments to the design of this car. At the moment, the car is available in the following guise.
The design of the car was changed, but not significantly. So, among the main differences, it is worth noting the grille and bumper. The latter have become plastic and are slightly larger. Also, "Urban" is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels. The shape of the side mirrors has changed. Otherwise, the body is identical to the Niva that was produced during the Soviet era.
What do owners reviews say about the VAZ-2121 Niva car? The quality of the metal on this machine is not the best. Reviews say that the car rusts very quickly. After five years of operation, paint flies and “bugs” form everywhere. From the factory, the metal has a weak anti-corrosion treatment. And if we talk about models older than 15 years, it is completely impossible to find a living specimen with whole thresholds and a more or less normal paintwork. Thus, poor corrosion protection is one of the main disadvantages of this car.
Sizes, clearance
The total length of the three-door "Niva" is 3.72 meters. Height - 1.64, width - 1.68 meters. By the way, the rear track is 3 centimeters narrower than the front. The ground clearance on standard wheels is 22 centimeters. This is a very solid indicator, which, along with a short base, gives excellent cross-country performance. But as for the latest versions with plastic bumpers, due to the lower overhangs of the Niva, the angle of exit and arrival has decreased. On steep hills, the car catches in the first place with plastic, which is not practical.
Salon
It is no secret that the basis for the creation of "Niva" became the classic "Lada". This can be recognized not only by the configuration of the motor, but also by the interior design. Inside, the same four-spoke steering wheel without adjustments and an ascetic panel. On the center console is a pair of ducts, as well as a control unit for the stove. Many are surprised by the fact that the design of the buttons has remained the same since the Soviet years. The keys here are very massive. And the steering wheel is not compact. Salon "Niva" can be called one continuous weak point - the owners say. There are omissions everywhere. You can start from the door.
The locks on it are very noisy and the door closes poorly over time. The seats are shapeless with a limited range of adjustments. In most versions there are no power windows, no central lock, no air conditioning (what to speak of acoustics - it is absent in principle). Janitors are too high, which interferes with visibility. Space in the cabin is not enough. Especially it is not enough from behind. On a sofa two passengers can hardly accommodate. Noise isolation in the cabin is missing. In winter, the car cools quickly, and in the summer it heats up. Plastic rattles everywhere, and on older models there is also a draft in the cabin, reviews say. The stove on all models is madly noisy, and this ailment has not been eliminated in the new Niva Urban. Thus, in terms of comfort, this car is noticeably outstripped even by the cheapest Great Wall Chinese from the mid-2000s.
Specifications
Initially, a carburetor engine from the Six was put on a VAZ-2121 car with a volume increased to 1.69 liters. But since the mid-2000s, all "Niva" began to be equipped with injection engines.
So, under the hood of today's “Niva” a 1.7-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine is placed. The VAZ-2121 engine complies with Euro-4 standards and develops 83 horsepower at 4 thousand revolutions. Paired with this engine is a five-speed manual transmission. By the way, at the very first Soviet "Niva" four-step was used from the "Lada-Three". The box has a common ailment. It is noisy, and some programs are engaged with a crunch.
There is no need to talk about the dynamics of acceleration. In fact, a slightly modified Soviet engine is installed on this machine, which originates almost from a “penny”. Acceleration to hundreds of three-door “Niva” takes 19 seconds (although the passport 17 seconds). Fuel consumption is relatively large - 10 liters on the highway and 13 in the city. The maximum speed is 137 kilometers per hour.
Chassis
"Niva" was the first Russian SUV, which was not built on a frame. The body itself is used as the supporting element. Its power elements are made of high strength steel grades. Front - independent suspension with shock absorbers and coil springs. Behind is a bridge on springs. VAZ-2121 has a permanent four-wheel drive. The torque is evenly distributed along the axes in a proportion of 50 to 50.
Also, the VAZ-2121 is equipped with a transfer case with a reduction gear and forced locking of the center differential. All this gives good terrain characteristics.
Cost, configuration
In the basic configuration "Standard" a car can be purchased for 435 thousand rubles. This price includes:
- Auxiliary braking system.
- Two 12-volt cigarette lighter (in the cabin and in the trunk).
- Daytime Running Lights.
- Brake force distribution system.
- 16 inch steel wheels.
- ABS system.
- Light tinted glass.
- Two power windows.
- Hydraulic booster.
- Full size reserve.
The "Lux" package is available at a price of 470 thousand rubles. This price includes alloy 18-inch wheels, air conditioning, heated front seats and side mirrors. Also, as an option, the manufacturer offers a metallic paint finish. The following colors are available:
- Dark green.
- Black Panther.
- Deep purple "Benefit".
- Golden Brown Coriander
- Light silver "Snow Queen".
- Silver dark gray Borneo.
- Orange pearl "Orange".
Surcharge for metallic paint is 6 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
So, we found out what the Lada Niva car is. As you can see, this car is not without flaws. It has an uncomfortable and uncomfortable interior, the quality of the metal is in doubt. On the other hand, this is the cheapest SUV with an “honest” all-wheel drive, transfer case and locks. It is thanks to the price that the Lada Niva car remains out of competition and is still relevant in the market.