As a replacement for the obsolete VAZ-2121 car, employees of the Volga plant in the mid-90s developed a model under the index 2123. Due to financial problems, it was not possible to improve the car much, and its production was in small batches. As a result, General Motor-s bought the rights to production. After making more than a hundred changes in 2002, the joint production of a practically new car began. At the same time, the weight of Chevrolet Niva amounted to almost 1.9 tons. Basically, the changes affected the exterior and interior, engine power and driving performance left much to be desired.
Restyling
The next changes of ShNiva took place in 2009. Compared with the previous modification, the car has changed significantly in appearance. The front part of the body received a new design, the bumpers, radiator grille, lights, arched expanders and plastic door linings were modified. The weight of the Chevrolet car has slightly decreased due to the installation of alloy wheels and new interior trim materials.
The power unit remains the same. It is a 1.7-liter petrol unit with 80 horsepower. The engine is equipped only with a manual gearbox, which gives additional fuel savings, the exhaust system in terms of toxicity complies with Euro 2 standards. It is also worth noting the increase in comfort for the driver and passengers, which is expressed in the use of new materials, lowering the level of vibration and noise.
Exterior Features
The relationship with the American counterpart is guessed only by the emblems on the grill, bodywork and steering column. This car belongs to the class of light SUV category SUV. The weight of the Chevrolet Niva allows you to confidently overcome obstacles and stay steady on the road.
The exterior of the car looks quite nice and modern. There is a powerful motor protection, thoughtful axial weight distribution, small overhangs on the sides, as well as plastic body equipment. Everything in combination with optimal clearance is in perfect harmony and inspires respect. Additional aggression is given by short plastic bumpers and squinted light elements. Practicality is added to the installed upper rails on the Chevrolet Niva. Weight 100 kg - this is how much you can transport on them.
Ergonomic performance
On this side, the car also performed well. Given the rather compact appearance, the doorways turned out to be very spacious, the "reserve" migrated from the engine compartment to the rear door. This aspect, coupled with a continuous beam of the rear axle, once again reminds of the “off-road” purpose of the car.
The front pillars are slightly beveled, the modified side window provides good visibility. Rear optics harmoniously complements the entire package along with a plastic bumper backing from both a practical and ergonomic point of view. Now, no matter how much weight Chevrolet Niva would carry, you can not be afraid to damage the paintwork during loading.
Salon equipment
For a domestic SUV, the interior looks good. True, the finish is made of rough plastic, the front seats are equipped with outdated adjustment systems, and the instrument panel could be more modern.
On the other hand, the car is designed to ride both in the city and in the countryside. It is worth noting the presence of air conditioning, power steering, front airbags and high-quality soundproofing. Three passengers will comfortably sit behind. Front landing also does not cause special complaints. Folding rear seats allow you to carry the weight of the Chevrolet Niva up to 0.5 tons.
In general, the interior design is quite successful regarding functionality. The main controls are located in easily accessible places, the seats are equipped with headrests and lateral support. The upholstery is made of practical and beautiful materials that are easy to clean. Transmission noises even though they penetrate the interior, but do not cause much concern. The overall impression of the interior as for the domestic budget SUV is only positive.
Weight "Chevrolet Niva": specifications
The basic power unit of this car is a four-row engine with a volume of 1.7 liters and a power comparable to 8 dozens of “horses”. Not so much for a modern jeep, however, the calculation is more focused on cross-country ability, and not on outrageous speed and cargo transportation.
Below are the parameters of the overall plan:
- Length / width / height with railing (m) - 3.91 / 1.9 / 1.69.
- The weight of the Chevrolet Niva in running order (t) is 1.41.
- Gross weight (t) - 1.86.
- Wheelbase (m) - 2.45.
- Track (m) - 1.46 / 1.45 (front / rear).
- The volume of the luggage compartment (standard / with the rear seat folded down) is 320/650 liters.
- Gas tank capacity (l) - 58.
- Ground clearance (cm) - 22.
- Tires - 205/70 (75) -R15.
The dynamic qualities of the car in question improved slightly after 2009. The new power unit develops power up to 125 “horses” with acceleration dynamics of up to hundreds of kilometers of about 17 seconds.
Other key indicators
Not very happy with the Chevrolet Niva fuel consumption. The technical characteristics of this plan are presented below:
- Fuel costs in the city - 14-14.2 liters.
- On the highway - about 9 liters per hundred kilometers.
- The fuel consumption rate in the combined cycle is 10.5-11 liters.
- One hundred kilometers per hour from zero the car picks up in 19 seconds.
- The car is equipped with a timing chain drive.
- Torque - 127 Nm / 4000 rpm.
- Power - distributed fuel injection.
Cost depending on configuration
Consider the configuration of the Chevrolet Niva. The weight of the car of all modifications is approximately the same. Five basic compositions of the car in question are produced:
- Model L. This is the basic kit, equipped with 15-inch wheels, there are no roof rails, but there is a lower rear seat heating and power windows.
- Variation LC. Air conditioning is installed here, which increases the price of the car by 50-100 dollars with its cost in the standard version from half a million rubles.
- LE version. The car is designed for extreme off-road trips, equipped with 215 / R 16 wheels with black alloy wheels. The vehicle is equipped with an external air intake, fasteners for mounting the winch, additional protection for the motor and transmission unit. In addition, the availability of roof rails and a tow bar is provided. The price of such a car is 50-100 thousand rubles higher.
- The most expensive versions have the designation GLS or GLC, they differ in the interior trim with artificial leather, built-in seat heating, the presence of ABS, airbags on the side and the original coating of door handles and mirrors.
Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to develop their brainchild and modernize the car. But high competition in the market requires the use of non-standard marketing approaches and constructive solutions.
Prospects
In fact, the car itself is slightly outdated, despite equipping it with all kinds of electronic products. On crash tests "ShNiva" shows low results. At the same time, combining an excellent transmission with a rather weak engine and high fuel consumption, even against the background of an acceptable price, few people are attracted.
Attempts were made to improve the situation through the installation of German engines and the modernization of the transfer case and clutch. However, the increased price and quality obtained were not optimal. As a result of this experiment, a new modification of the VAZ-21236 in two years was sold in just a few hundred copies.
In the near future, manufacturers intend to release a couple more variations of the updated Niva Chevrolet auto. The weight of the machine of this version should be in harmony with a powerful economical motor and safety. Otherwise, competitors will simply physically expose the modification outside the market, despite its low price.
Reviews: Pros and Cons
Considering the feedback from the owners, the following can be distinguished among the weak points:
- Weak interior design for the money.
- Imperfection of the chassis, problems with electronic equipment, in particular with the operation of power windows.
- Quick wear of ball bearings and seals.
- Short service of starter and generator.
In addition, the body of the car, which is susceptible to corrosion, as well as the functionality of the gearbox, which is noisy and vibrating at high speed, received complaints.
Among the advantages, the owners distinguish good maneuverability of the car and its affordable price. The car is quite suitable for movement along country and village roads, and also behaves well on the highway and on city streets.
Summing up all the above, we can conclude that the Chevrolet Niva is one of the few domestic SUVs with an excellent exterior and good cross-country ability. Unfortunately, the desire of developers to save on finishing materials and additional improvements leads to the fact that this car becomes obsolete faster than it has time to enter the market for serial sale. I would like to believe that the joint efforts of the manufacturers will find a middle ground and will soon introduce the progressive and inexpensive SUV Niva Chevrolet.