"Niva Urban": owner feedback, characteristics review

No matter how covetous motorists abuse the domestic automobile industry, it is, albeit not too fast, but qualitatively reacts to the changes and fresh trends of this market. So, in 2012, AvtoVAZ began to understand that it is necessary to urgently improve VAZ-2121, or simply "Niva".

For those three decades, how many this model exists, it has changed many times. This car has performed well in the Far North.

Lada 4x4 Urban - updated "Niva Urban"

Large-scale statistical studies were conducted at AvtoVAZ. And only after this work the designers and engineers began to modernize the legendary domestic machine of high cross-country ability.

The business started with polls of motorists, or rather, owners of VAZ-2121 off-road vehicles. Then the factory took into account all the reviews. So there was a new or updated "Lada Urban". The car was delivered to the conveyor in October 2014.

It is not necessary to consider that this is a completely new "Niva Urban". The manufacturers themselves say that this is just a modernization of the base "Niva". No one even thought of doing a completely new model.

Exterior changes

The exterior still changed a little. This is not difficult to notice. The car received a completely new frame grille. Now it also captures the main headlights. Framing is made of extremely durable and wear-resistant plastic. Also plastic framed side windows. The bumper is painted in a body color and is equipped with plastic covers.

The side mirrors are enlarged, and the door handles are now slightly different in shape. Engineers slightly increased the wheel arches.

In other respects, the new "Niva Urban" did not receive any special changes in the exterior, and its body is almost the same as that of the ordinary "Niva". The geometry of it did not change at all.

In this case, the machine itself is perceived better. At AvtoVaze realized what was missing this car in order to get a lot of popularity.

In the cabin

Let's continue the review (Lada 4x4 Urban) and see the interior of the car. Interior changes are. There are not many of them, but it's better than nothing. So, the very first is the steering wheel. It decreased in diameter and became slightly thicker. As for the reviews, the motorists unanimously repeat that now the steering wheel lies much better in the hand.

Another change is the tunnel of the floor. There are two cupholders for glasses of different sizes, as well as an ashtray. In addition, on this block are located the keys for controlling the electric window regulators and the adjustment of the side mirrors. Also the electropackage includes heated seats.

Armchair manufacturer introduced as completely new. They are stitched with an orange stitch, but there is one but. Experienced drivers will notice that this is a chair from "Samara". And remind not only about the appearance. This is directly screaming sensations of landing in this chair. The cross is still compulsively pressed into the lower back. But because of the other upholstery and the modified profile, the landing seems more comfortable.

What do the owners say? Lada 4x4 Urban ("Niva") has become more comfortable. In long trips and in the city from sitting in the chair, the back does not get tired, although the landing is unusual. Car enthusiasts say that the sensations can be compared to sitting on a stool rather than lying on a sofa. Sitting behind will be convenient only for children.

The roof rack can hold 265 liters with the standard rear seat arrangement. If the back is folded, then the volume will be doubled.

New "Niva Urban" - now with air conditioning

The main and almost invisible inside the novelty, which is in the car - a button to start the air conditioner. The air conditioner in this car was needed a long time ago. And, according to the owners of this car, it works pretty well.

In the announcements AvtoVAZ specialists informed that it will not turn out to be too noisy, and according to work it will not eat off the dynamics of the engine. And this is a plus, since the power unit is not particularly powerful.

Air conditioning is very, very good, but the owners' feedback about Lada Niva Urban says that it's not everyone can set up air flows, their direction, and volumes with the help of old sliders.

What's under the hood?

Here everything is the same, native and familiar to everyone. Under the hood of this car is a petrol 1.7-liter engine. The unit is in-line, four-cylinder and produces 83 liters. from. This, of course, a small figure, but a high torque of 129 Nm is able to compensate for the lack of power. The engine accelerates the car to 100 km / h in just 17 seconds.

Transmission

At the stage of creation for manufacturers of the off-road car "Niva 4x4 Urban" the owners' feedback was crucial. At first glance at the transmission levers it seems that the interior has not changed at all. This is one of the features that are unique to the "Nivam".

It is strange here that in this modification we had to remove the downshift, and lock the differential to the electronics. As a result, there should have been one gear shift lever, there was a significant reduction in vibration and transmission noise.

But while the car is completed with the usual transmission system for the serial model. Perhaps in 2015 will be a new "Niva Urban". The owners' feedback literally begs the developers to remove these levers.

As Steve Mattin states, such a system will be introduced if it shows itself well on test cars.

Geometry

The wheels remained the same, and the ground clearance did not change. Although the head of this project has repeatedly stated that the car will be 20 mm lower. This will slightly reduce the center of gravity of the car "Niva Urban". The feedback of the owners of this model makes it clear that the geometry is the same - nothing has changed.

Suspension and driving qualities

Suspension - this is the main and main advantage of the old lady "Niva" (after high passability). On the notorious Russian roads on it you can really rush. However, it is worth to go to a good asphalt, as the car immediately "extinguished." "Horses" is not enough.

What do car owners say?

Many believe that the car is perfect for travel around the city, as well as fishing or dacha. Due to the design of the suspension, "Niva" is suitable for driving on dirt roads. However, the majority of owners are sure that the technology has long been obsolete - about 15 years ago at 15. "Niva" many bought only because of the affordable price and a complete lack of analogues.

You can talk about the shortcomings of the car "Niva Urban" for a long time. The owners' comments, however, are also very enthusiastic. For example, many of them claim that this is an excellent off-road domestic car with all-wheel drive. Car enthusiasts believe that the car is not inferior to some models of all-terrain vehicles. "Niva" is equipped with a normal engine, transmission system, has reliable brakes. The seats are soft, the design is also good. But the bumper could have been stronger. Also encourages motorists to low fuel consumption. In addition, there are no more cars in the Russian automobile industry, on which one can also travel through the swamps. In general - not a car, but a fairy tale.

However, there are other reviews. So, some owners believe that the car is a guest from the past. A small trunk, small rear seats, which are convenient only for children. The archaic nature of most solutions and technologies. Low quality of components, as well as a low level of safety. It's impossible to turn an old car into a new one just from Mattin's design.

Yes, Urban is not a modern comfortable crossover. Nevertheless, he has a brutal appearance, and the content is quite serious. Everyone who sits behind the wheel of the Niva will forever remember the vibrations, the sound of the wind, the sound of the box.

To drive "Urban" is a kind of romance. Many car owners and look at the car from this angle, not paying attention to minor inconveniences, annoying breakdowns, creaking panels. That's it, "Niva Urban". The responses of the owners, as already clear, are very ambiguous about it.

However, a competent motorist gets a vehicle in his hands, which allows you to open the fourth dimension on the road. The car perfectly goes on snow, dirt, gravel.

Who will buy Urban?

New bumper, the presence of air conditioning and the name did not make any fundamental changes. Many will remember "Niva" as a car for trips to fishing or hunting. Interested in this modification of those who previously drove the car Lada 4x4. They are real fans of this model. The car is not suitable for those who were counted on marketers AvtoVAZ.

Prices and complete sets

What is the price for the SUV "Lada 4x4 Urban"? The characteristics of the model are different, but the cost starts from 438,000 rubles for the version with air conditioning, electric mirror adjustment and power windows.

You can expect the immediate availability of Niva with a 16-valve engine in 90 liters. from. Here the price will be higher (until it is regulated), but this model is worth buying.

What's next?

In 2016, you can expect a powerful upgrade of the cabin. Here a new climate system awaits motorists. Also, the statistical departments of the manufacturer are still conducting surveys about what else is missing in the car.

In the very near future, some changes are also possible. In addition to the transmission optimized for the city, they promise new wheels, anchorages for the towbars.

As a conclusion

Now you can finish the review of Lada 4x4 Urban. It is difficult to tell anything else about this car. And the conclusion is this: modernization could not make Niva city car, as it can be seen with imported analogues such as Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen and so on. But it is also passable, has four-wheel drive and other enviable characteristics.

The machine is fighting off-road, reliable, enduring. It is worth believing that Urban is not the latest model in this model range. At AvtoVaz constantly analyze the information received from the owners, and do everything to satisfy all requests. SUV series "Urban" is a very successful attempt. This all-wheel drive car is considered the best of what happened to the "Niva" for the last 30 years.

So, we found out what Niva Urban has, owner reviews, design, interior and initial cost.