Lada 4x4 Urban. Production Russia. On sale since autumn 2014. From 449,000 rubles.They say big things are seen from a distance. In a year and a half, Niva ... oh, sorry, Lada 4 × 4 will turn forty years old! And now it is impossible not to admit that this is the most successful VAZ and one of the best domestic cars. The ancestor of all crossovers in the world. Our first non-army SUV. He went through a lot of modifications and improvements and is still in demand.
The current reason for the meeting is a new modification of Urban. All-wheel drive with an urban accent? Why not?
UPGRADES AND DECORATIONS
FROM THE BEST CELLARS
A car is not wine, it doesn't get better with age. And in the case of the Lada 4×4? In the year of its thirtieth anniversary, which was celebrated in 2007, up to 87% of VAZ exports accounted for this model. The annual output was about 35 thousand cars. Then a large-scale modernization was carried out with the expectation that the potential of the car would last until 2015. Was it enough?
In the first half of this year, 20,800 cars were sold - a thousand more than in the same period last year. Lada 4×4 is one of the ten best-selling models on the Russian market! And in terms of the number of components of domestic production (75%), this is the leader among Togliatti cars.
Urban is not the last variation of the old woman. A new upgrade is coming. This time, the calculation is for five years: the car should last in production until 2020. Further, if everything goes according to plan, a new generation will see the light. There are plans, there are contracts, there is a soulless designation Lada 4×4. And there is a name known to everyone, which now belongs to the joint venture GM-AVTOVAZ ...
Popular recognition allows you to break taboos and call a spade a spade. Long life to you, Niva!
The best, of course, is ahead?
From 2013 to June 2015, Lada 4 × 4 introduced several innovations. The main thing is the modified coloring technology. A cataphoretic primer is applied to the body. The secondary primer is polyester. This guarantees durability of the coating and better anti-corrosion protection.
We said goodbye to the cardan shafts in the transmission. The transfer box is connected to the gearboxes by drive shafts with constant velocity joints. Instead of a mechanical connection to the throttle, there is now an "electronic pedal".
What are other news? Hood release cable sheath, twin-jet washer jets, extended wiper blades, black door handles, spring clamps in the cooling system, windshield seal without chrome inserts, daytime running lights. The list of options has been expanded: air conditioning, power windows, heated seats, athermal windows appeared.
Further modernization is planned to be carried out in three stages. By December 2015, the anti-lock braking system and Isofix fasteners for child seats will be installed on all cars of the family, including the five-door VAZ‑2131. The backs of the rear seats will meet modern safety standards - we are talking about keeping the load in the trunk in the event of an accident. The upholstery of the tailgate will not be molded, but cast. A socket and a backlight will appear on the left side of the trunk. The rear seat belts will be changed, and their coils will be moved under the upholstery.
The molded radiator grill will give way to a cast one, and it will be fixed with self-tapping screws screwed into plastic nuts.
A Valeo module (master and slave cylinders, tubes) will appear in the clutch hydraulic drive. The modernization will affect the intermediate shaft: to reduce vibrations, it will be balanced at 2200 rpm, and the 2101 clutch will be replaced with the 2123 clutch. The windshield and rear windows will receive new seals.
By the spring of 2016, new hub units, springs and gas-filled shock absorbers will appear. In the front suspension, the break-in shoulder will become negative. The front gear to reduce vibration will be mounted on the anti-roll bar, as on.
Change the inner panels of the doors and sidewalls. Along the way, the door wiring will be upgraded, and power windows will become standard equipment.
There will be door opening limiters - like on Kalina. New seals and edging side windows will finally get rid of chrome inserts.
No matter how motorists scold the domestic automotive industry, it, albeit not too quickly, but qualitatively responds to changes and fresh trends in this market. So, in 2012, AvtoVAZ began to realize that it was urgent to improve the VAZ-2121, or simply Niva.
Over the three decades that this model has existed, it has changed many times. This car showed itself perfectly in the Far North.
Lada 4x4 Urban - updated "Niva Urban"
Large-scale statistical studies were carried out at AvtoVAZ. And only after this work, designers and engineers began to modernize the legendary domestic cross-country vehicle.
The business began with surveys of motorists, or rather, owners of VAZ-2121 SUVs. Further, the factory took into account all the reviews. And so the new or updated Lada Urban appeared. The car was delivered to the assembly line in October 2014.
Exterior changes
The exterior has changed a bit though. This is easy to see. The car received a completely new grille frame. Now it also captures the main headlights. The frame is made of highly durable and wear-resistant plastic. The side windows are also framed in plastic. The bumper is painted to match the body color and equipped with plastic overlays.
The side mirrors have also increased, and the door handles are now a slightly different shape. Engineers slightly increased the wheel arches.
Otherwise, 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. Its geometry has not changed at all.
At the same time, the car itself is already perceived better. At AvtoVAZ, they realized what this car lacked in order to gain great popularity.
In the cabin
Let's continue the review (Lada 4x4 Urban) and see the interior of the car. There are interior changes. There aren't many, but it's better than nothing. So, the very first thing is the steering wheel. It has shrunk in diameter and become a little thicker. As for the reviews, motorists unanimously say that now the steering wheel is much better in the hand.
Another change is the floor tunnel. There are two cupholders for glasses of different sizes, as well as an ashtray. In addition, this block housed the control keys for power windows and side mirror adjustment. The power package also includes heated seats.
The manufacturer presented the chairs as completely new. They are stitched with orange stitching, but there is one thing. Experienced drivers will notice that these are chairs from Samara. And not only the appearance will remind you of this. This is directly screaming sensations from landing in this chair. The crossbar still obsessively presses on the lower back. But due to a different upholstery material and a modified profile, the fit seems more comfortable.
What do owner reviews say? Lada 4x4 Urban ("Niva") has become more comfortable. On long trips and in the city, the back does not get tired from sitting in a chair, although the landing is unusual. Motorists say that the sensations can be compared to sitting on a stool rather than lying on a couch. Sitting in the back will be comfortable only for children.
The trunk can hold 265 liters with the standard rear seat. If the back is folded, then the volume will double.
New "Niva Urban" - now with air conditioning
The main and almost imperceptible novelty inside the car is a button to start the air conditioner. Air conditioning in this car was needed for a long time. And, according to the owners of this car, it works pretty well.
In the announcements, AvtoVAZ specialists reported that it would not turn out to be too noisy, and at work it would not eat away at 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' reviews of the Lada Niva Urban say that not everyone can adjust the air flows, their direction, and also the volumes using the 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 1.7-liter gasoline engine. The unit is in-line, four-cylinder and produces 83 hp. With. This, of course, is a small figure, but the 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 the manufacturers of the Niva 4x4 Urban SUV, the feedback from the owners 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 Niva.
The strange thing here is that in this modification they had to remove and give the differential lock to the electronics. As a result, one gearshift lever should have remained, there was a significant decrease in vibration and transmission noise.
But while the car is equipped with a transmission system common to a production model. Perhaps in 2015 a new Niva Urban will be released. Owner reviews are literally begging developers to remove these levers.
According to Steve Mattin, such a system will be implemented if it performs well on test cars.
Geometry
The wheels remain the same, and the clearance has not changed. Although the head of this project has repeatedly stated that the car will be 20 mm lower. This will slightly lower the center of gravity of the Niva Urban car. Feedback from the owners of this model makes it clear that the geometry is the same - nothing has changed.
Suspension and ride quality
The suspension is the main and main advantage of the old Niva (after high cross-country ability). On the notorious Russian roads, you can really race on it. However, it is worth leaving on good asphalt, as the car immediately "goes out". "Horses" is not enough.
What are car owners saying?
Many people think that the car is perfect for traveling around the city, as well as for fishing or summer cottages. Due to the design of the suspension "Niva" is suitable for driving on dirt roads. However, most owners are sure that the technologies have long been outdated - about 15 years or so. Many people bought Niva only because of the affordable price and the complete absence of analogues.
You can talk for a long time about the shortcomings of the Niva Urban car. Owner reviews, however, are very enthusiastic. For example, many of them claim that this is an excellent off-road domestic car. Motorists 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 be stronger. It also pleases motorists with low fuel consumption. In addition, there are no more cars in the Russian automobile industry that can also be used to drive through swamps. In general - not a car, but a fairy tale.
However, there are other reviews as well. So, some owners believe that the car is a guest from the past. Small trunk, small rear seats, which are convenient only for children. Archaism of most solutions and technologies. Low quality components, as well as a low level of security. It is impossible to turn into a new one only with the design from Mattin.
Yes, Urban is not a modern comfortable crossover. Nevertheless, he has a brutal appearance, and the content is quite serious. Everyone who was behind the wheel of the Niva will forever remember the vibrations, the noise of the wind, the sound of the box.
Driving an Urban is a bit of a romance. Many car owners look at the car from this angle, not paying attention to minor inconveniences, annoying breakdowns, panel creaking. Here she is, "Niva Urban". The reviews of the owners, as is already clear, are very ambiguous about her.
However, a competent motorist gets a vehicle in his hands, which allows him to open the fourth dimension on the road. The car rides great on snow, mud, gravel.
Who will buy Urban?
New bumpers, the presence of air conditioning and the name did not make any fundamental changes. Many will remember the Niva as a car for fishing or hunting trips. This modification is of interest to those who previously drove a Lada 4x4 car. These are the real fans of this model. The car will not suit those whom AvtoVAZ marketers were counting on.
Prices and equipment
What is the price for the Lada 4x4 Urban SUV? The characteristics of the model are different, but the price starts from 438,000 rubles for the version with air conditioning, electric mirrors and power windows.
You can expect the Niva to go on sale soon with a 16-valve engine of 90 hp. With. Here the price will be higher (until it is regulated), but this model is worth buying.
What's next?
In 2016, we can expect a powerful interior update. Here, motorists are waiting for a new climate system. Also, the statistical departments of the manufacturer are still conducting surveys about what else is missing in the car.
Some changes are also possible in the near future. In addition to the transmission, optimized for the city, they promise new wheels, towbar mounts.
As a conclusion
Now we can finish the review of Lada 4x4 Urban. It's hard to tell anything else about this car. And the conclusion is this: the modernization could not make the Niva a city car, as can be observed with imported analogues such as Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and so on. But it is also passable, and has other enviable characteristics.
The machine is struggling with off-road, reliable, hardy. It is worth believing that Urban is not the last model in this lineup. AvtoVAZ constantly analyzes the information received from the owners and does everything to satisfy all requests. The SUV of the Urban series is a very successful attempt. This all-wheel drive car is considered the best that has happened to the Niva over the past 30 years.
So, we found out what Niva Urban has owner reviews, design, interior and initial cost.
It is unlikely that in the distant 70s of the last century, two famous Soviet design engineers - Vladimir Sergeevich Solovyov and Pyotr Mikhailovich Prusov - could imagine that their own brainchild VAZ-2121 "Niva" would someday have a name that does not contain any one Russian word. But then it was quite possible to count on the fact that this car would live for forty years and remain on the assembly line. Well, what does this legendary model represent today: the Niva as an unnecessary relic of the past or a modernized classic Lada 4x4 Urban, capable of fighting today's under-crossovers?
Of course, no plastic bumpers, door linings and new three-dimensional emblems will hide the body of our native Niva from 1977, or rather, 1993. It was in the early 90s that a five-door version stretched by 500 mm was launched on the AvtoVAZ pilot production line.
Actually, the Latin word Urban is nothing more than the name of a configuration (also available for a three-door), to which almost all possible options have been added and slightly decorated with decor. But there were rumors that the version of "Urban", that is, "urban", will lose off-road attributes, remaining in the form of a crossover - just with permanent all-wheel drive. It's gone!
In all dimensions (4140x1680x1640 mm), Lada 4x4 loses to the same Renault Duster, but it turns out to be longer than its related “neighbor” on the Chevrolet Niva conveyor. According to the modern classification system, all three cars can be attributed to SUVs of the subcompact class “B” without any +. By the way, the military UAZ "Hunter" is only 4100 mm long, however, it is more than two meters in width and height. UAZ "Patriot" with its almost five meters against the background of all of the above is a whopper
Before you get into the salon, you will have to feel nostalgic: the keys - that of the mailbox - remained with the Niva from Soviet times, in which, as you understand, there were no central locks. And therefore, having opened the driver's door, passengers will have to be let into the cabin in turn by pulling up the lock "mushrooms" long forgotten. And, of course, there should be a can of silicone at hand: in the very first frosts, the driver's larva froze, and after warming up, it stopped closing tightly. In general, an alarm system with a central locking function for all doors can be immediately added to the cost - also because sometimes you simply forget to close all four doors.
With the exception of the steering wheel, instrument panel and seats - inside 1977, or rather - again 1993. Together with the advent of the five-door version, the first (!) restyling was made in 16 years. The classic "six" salon received an upgrade, which is now in the photo. The interior, of course, causes a condescending smile, but how to evaluate it by modern standards is a difficult question.
Let's start with the fact that in Lada 4x4 Urban 5D you will break your tongue! - that is, damn it, in the "Niva", spacious. Despite the frankly modest dimensions, nothing and no one interferes inside, since the interior decoration is, in fact, just a rectangular body covered with plastic from the inside.
It is covered, by and large, conveniently, since everything you need is in plain sight. However, the loud word "ergonomics" is still far away: the low beam switch button is on the stove, the stove fan is next to the rear wiper button, which is next to the non-working rear window heating button. Power window buttons — next to the handbrake. And this is not counting the good old thin Soviet levers to the left of the steering wheel, with which you regularly turn on the far instead of the turn signal.
The main innovation of the Niva, along with ABS, hydraulic booster and heated seats, is, of course, air conditioning! But there is no radio - add to the cost along with the speakers.
You get used to tight seats with a marked profile, as well as to landing. The steering wheel, which is quite pleasant in thickness and grip, alas, is not adjustable, the chair itself is in two directions, and that is specific: the sled is sloping back, and the seat, on the contrary, is down. At the same time, you will have to tune in not only on the steering wheel and pedals, but also on the gearshift lever, which you have to reach for. In general, people of average height will be able to find a compromise, and even then not all. But in the back, in general, there is complete order: there is enough space even for three, since the floor is almost even.
In Niva, there is still room for pleasant additional benefits. There are pockets in the doors, front cup holders, an ashtray glass, a kind of platform for the phone next to the handout levers, a shelf under the glove box, pockets in the backs of the front seats, mesh holders for belt buckles and even Isofix mounts. Progress!
The trunk does not fail either: 420 liters of usable volume is more than in the Duster. Moreover, the rear sofa develops - however, alas, only in its entirety. A legacy from the past - a separate washer reservoir for the rear window, from the present - a 12-volt outlet
Under the hood is a native VAZ engine 1.7, covered from birth with a “spare tire”, “pumped” to EURO-5 standards and 83 horsepower. Together with him - all the same "seven" 5-speed mechanics, downshift and the ability to lock the center differential of the permanent all-wheel drive system - the main pride of the car.
How does it all move in 2016? We must start with the fact that a lot of various technical improvements were made in the Niva, starting with calibrating the hardness of the pedal stroke or adjusting the operation of the motor and ending with the installation of the same power steering. So if you take the Niva of the early 90s and today's Urban, even without modern options, the step in driving comfort will be a huge one. However, as we found out during a long test, by what can be improved, you can write more than one candidate.
Most importantly, unlike most modern cars, the Niva is alive. Absolutely all the mechanisms that can make at least some sounds - they all make. The engine hums recklessly, the gearbox howls (sorry, all the time in the same key, otherwise one could play on the steps of the melody), one of the rollers whistles like a nightingale in dampness, the brakes creak. Even standing at a traffic light, the Niva gurgles quietly in the depths of the engine and shudders from time to time - you just want to ask: “Is everything okay, dear?”. Everything is fine! Because this is a Russian woman ... that is, a car. For three weeks and almost 10,000 km of total mileage - not a single question, not a single light bulb lit up, not a single serious breakdown.
Assembly flaws: the headlight adjuster washer, the seat latch and the wheel for adjusting its inclination fell off almost immediately, the loose emblem on the steering wheel is picked off in one motion. Little things, the speed does not affect.
"Niva" does not go - according to the sounds and sensations, rushing forward. And, I must say, it does it quite well. Firstly, despite the declared almost 20 seconds (!) to 100 km/h, the dynamics up to 50-60 km/h, i.e. urban, is quite competitive: the car doesn’t lag behind the flow, just have time to poke the gears. The latter are switched on clearly, but sweepingly: for the fifth, you have to break away from the back of the chair and at the same time beat your neighbor on the knee. But sometimes it is possible to turn off the lever from the grooves only with a light blow of the palm, as well as stick the back one - the most uninformative step.
The long-wheelbase Niva has sane brakes and excellent directional stability. No yaws and deviations from the course on any road and, most importantly, speed - even at the limit of 140 km / h, you can safely drive an SUV with one hand. This, among other things, is the merit of the universal all-season off-road tires K-156-1 of the Kirov plant, which, surprisingly, despite their narrowness, cope even with a wet road.
But with extreme loads in corners, not very: too soft. In a tight turn, 185/75/R16 tires break almost to the rim with the threat of damage and disassembly. At the same time, the car itself is not weakly heeling, although this is not felt behind the wheel: the Niva has no tendency to skid, and the drift is corrected by slowing down. There is nothing to say about the suspension - we forgot how to slow down in front of speed bumps during the test. In terms of energy intensity, shock absorbers are not inferior to Duster ones, and even surpass them in smoothness. True, how much bullying the racks can withstand is a question.
The exit from the asphalt for the Niva and its driver is a holiday: both can frolic at full strength with almost no restrictions. Actually, off-road qualities with compact dimensions and an attractive price are what the Niva is loved and bought for.
Ground clearance, suspension travel, approach/departure and axle crossing angles, central block, lowering and tires - a complete arsenal for almost any task that, however, you need to be able to use. For example, Niva struggles with diagonal posting only by blocking. Any dirt or uphill travel in tightness is only in a lower gear: due to the low-power motor, you have to burn the clutch. Well, and most importantly, there are great chances to put the long-wheelbase version on the “belly”.
What is the upshot?
We say it like it is: if the car came out with a similar number of improvements and options even in the early 90s, it would be a compact analogue of some Mitsubishi Pajero of that time - no less! However, in modern conditions of the metropolis, it is not easy to live with Lada 4x4 Urban. If the general driving parameters of the car even today do not cause any special problems, then the operational and driving trifles, which a whole carriage has accumulated, have tired me in three weeks.
"Niva", as before, every minute keeps the driver in good shape. Firstly, it is, of course, the non-stop hum and whistle of everything around, to which you don’t even get used to over time, but you just put up with it. Secondly, the motor heats up in traffic jams, which is why the temperature sensor is constantly under control. It poisons one of the wheels, so you have to pump it up every two days. The stove has only two modes - either you fry or freeze, and we could not adapt to the management of the microclimate system in order to get something in between. The heated rear window no longer works. Due to the very small angle of rotation of the wheels, the Niva does not fit into a U-turn even on a three-lane road, not to mention maneuvers within crowded yards. Plus all the features of ergonomics forty years ago.
If I were the real owner of this car, I would probably have been cursed at the nearest VAZ service, given that there was not a single breakdown in 10 thousand kilometers with the car. We would simply eliminate and improve everything that is simply not completed and overlooked in the new Niva, even if this has to be done at our own expense.
Buying a Niva for the city, even with weekly trips to the dacha, is pointless - only if the dacha is located in impassable swamps.
Hence the conclusion. For a resident of a modern metropolis, the Niva is a kind of toy. It is clearly not the only car in the family that acts exclusively as a tuning project for serious off-road adventures - hunting, fishing, or even participating in trophy raids. Considering how many prepared Nivs I saw at various off-road competitions, the demand in this segment is good: there is simply nothing cheaper from serious SUVs.
Well, the second application, in fact, is massive: the Niva is the most affordable, simple and, considering all the finishing touches, a relatively comfortable SUV for the village, which will not be a frank "iron" either on the highway or in the city. Even the absence of a branded service nearby is unlikely to become a problem, since our men will repair their native Niva from penny spare parts themselves. Given that today Lada 4x4 with a forty-year background is in the top 20 best-selling cars in Russia, it is really too early to put the legend to rest.
Niva Urban is the latest modification of the well-known SUV from the domestic company Lada. The first copies of this model left the factory assembly line in 2014, at the same time the car became available to potential buyers. After two years, it is already possible to draw the first conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of the model, and we will talk about them in this article.
General features Niva Urban
Already from the name of the car it follows that this version of the Niva is something unusual. The car, firmly entrenched in the minds of our compatriots as an ideal option for off-road trips, mud and the famous Russian asphalt, suddenly gets the definition of "Urban", i.e. "urban".
Indeed, even the design of the new Niva, streamlined and less aggressive, equipped with a redesigned radiator grille and 16mm wheels, hints at the possibility of its use as a city car. 
In addition, representatives of the AvtoVAZ company listened to the opinion of drivers and made some adjustments to the configuration of the car, making it more comfortable and suitable for many hours of driving through traffic jams in the metropolis. Moreover, this year it is planned to redesign the main controls, which is currently being tested at manufacturing plants.
Thus, Niva Urban was originally supposed to be a new page in the history of Russian SUVs. Let's see how successfully we managed to implement this concept by identifying the main advantages and disadvantages of the car. 
Advantages of the model
As we have already defined above, Niva Urban is a kind of urban SUV. Therefore, the creators decided to equip it with amenities that are mandatory for other city-class cars. They became:
- Air conditioner.
- Power window.
- Electric drive.
An addition to the air conditioner are glasses with an athermal effect, which allow you to keep cool inside the car for a longer time. 
We have already mentioned the new design above, as an advantage, we note that it has changed not only outside, but also in the cabin, and the manufacturer also proposed a new, more convenient steering wheel shape for the Niva. In addition, it became possible to purchase a model with a metallic color scheme, which was not previously used for this type of Lada product.
Also, the SUV has a wider field of view. This was achieved by increasing the rear window cleaning area and installing heating on the mirrors, which is especially convenient in winter.
Main disadvantages
The main disadvantage of Niva Urban is the problem of all SUVs: impressive fuel consumption. So, the indicator of gasoline consumption (the minimum allowable brand is 95) while driving around the city is 12.1, and when traveling outside the city - 8.3. Added to this is the general weakness of the engine, which does not simultaneously pull the movement and the operation of the air conditioner.
In fairness, it is worth noting that the manufacturer intends to fix errors during 2016 (we have already mentioned the upcoming revisions of controls above). So, it is planned to bring a separate differential lock button, which, of course, will greatly simplify everything. The downshift and transfer case will also be completely removed. All this will reduce the noise level, which is now quite high in Niva Urban (and this is unacceptable for a city car), and get rid of two extra control levers in the cabin. It remains to be hoped that these developments will be implemented on time and successfully pass all the tests.
And the last (probably the most significant) minus of Niva Urban - unreasonably high price. Yes, the model has been modernized, a lot of things have appeared in it, but, alas, its own almost 500,000 rubles she's not worth it. This is the reason for such a low sales rate, which is currently observed.
Who is Niva Urban suitable for?
Of course, the main category of Niva buyers, even if modernized, are all the same summer residents, hunters, villagers and other car owners who often find themselves in off-road conditions. Now they have a chance to go there in a car with a higher level of comfort. Perhaps this model will attract young people due to the redesigned design, it may well become the first SUV for a young car enthusiast who cannot afford foreign cars in this category yet.
There is nothing superfluous in Lada 4x4 Urban: a minimum of comfort, a minimum of electronics. If you like, Urban is a luxury version of the legendary Russian SUV Niva VAZ-2131.
"Urban" began to be produced in 2014. As expected, domestic motorists appreciated the model at its true worth. A year later, it began to be actively exported to Germany, and German drivers received the foreign competitor just as warmly. Although ... Without a share of sarcasm on the part of foreign auto experts, we could not leave it unattended.
Niva Urban is one of those cars that you can’t just write a text about. It must be a test drive. Therefore, I agreed to inspect the car with its owner named Eugene. Naturally, with off-road elements, but, as they say, "in light".
Looks stylish
We meet with Eugene in the parking lot of one of the shopping centers. In appearance, "Urban" - "Niva" as "Niva". Only pure. But the plastic bumpers, painted in body color, catch the eye. Double feeling. It seems stylish, fashionable, but you immediately figure out in your head how many times they will come off off-road. The color itself is unique for the Niva family - coriander. Only Granta, Vesta and X-Ray come in the same color.
I notice that Eugene is already wearing rubber boots. Apparently, the trip will not be quite “light”.
The body of the "five-door" was lengthened due to the fact that a section with rear doors was added to the middle of the "three-door" body. Actually, the same thing happens with all foreign cars when switching from 3- to 5-door design. Thus, the car increased from 3640 to 4140 mm - by as much as 50 centimeters. This made it possible to make the rear row of seats full.
The luggage compartment has also increased. In 420 liters, you can stuff all four wheels for changing shoes, and there will still be plenty of room for any off-road belongings. And if you fold the backrest, you can lie down to rest after difficult off-road tests.
The size of the front doors has also increased - it has become much more convenient to sit down. Of course, the increase in the wheelbase had a negative impact on cross-country ability, but I had to sacrifice for the sake of spaciousness. "Three-door" - after all, a car for an egoist-individual, and not a family car.
Appeared air conditioner
Our trip begins with a tour of the cabin. Surprisingly, the car already has a central lock. Therefore, the door locks obediently unlocked from the key fob. Now you do not have to pull out the button of each door to board passengers. How far technology has come!
Salon "Urbana" has changed. The seat upholstery alone is worth it! The seats themselves have become more comfortable, and the material of the fabric is dense and pleasant to the touch.
And now, attention! Air conditioning appeared in Niva Urban, as well as power windows, heated electric mirrors and heated front seats. This is a great progress for the Niva family, because their filling has not changed since 1993!
Yes, it still lacks ESP, EBD, cruise control and standard alarms. But who needs this? Objectively, the Lada 4x4 is a good off-road vehicle. And the version of Urban (translated from English. "Urban") only added the necessary minimum of comfort for the urban environment. Is it worth 550 thousand rubles for 2017? and whether to take the "Lada 4x4" is up to each individual to decide.
Changes have also come to the console of the central tunnel. There appeared wide cup holders and electric glass control buttons. What prevented the creators from making these buttons on the doors is unclear. But thanks for that too. Above these buttons appeared a joystick for adjusting the mirrors. The steering wheel in the Urban has become smaller in diameter and more comfortable in grip (380 versus 420 mm for the Niva). The rest of the car retained Russian pragmatism. Nothing extra.
You can't hide problems
While the road along the highway is slowly moving forward, I check our “beauty” through avtocod with the usual movement. ru. Drivers of this class of cars do not particularly favor their care. As expected, the car had an accident:
I lazily ask Yevgeny what happened on that unfortunate day. According to him, even when buying, he noticed a slight damage to the front bumper, but did not go into details. “I painted it myself with a spray can after the purchase. It's Niva!
But about the existing restriction, he tactfully brushed it off with a smile: “You can’t hide anything from you!” Well, as they say, no, and there is no demand.
Getting stuck on Lada 4x4 Urban is a pleasure
We start moving towards the suburban summer cottage of Evgeny. There, according to him, you can always "plant" the car. He seems to enjoy the idea of being stuck somewhere.
Having the experience of traveling as a passenger in a simple Niva, I hear an unusual silence in the cabin. No, of course, you can hear both the engine and what is happening on the street - this is AvtoVAZ! But much less. The reason for this is the additional noise and vibration isolation on the doors, rear fenders and, apparently, on the partition with the engine compartment. Offset!
In general, the Urban rides like a regular Niva. Standard front suspension struts with the usual buildup work out speed bumps and sharp turns. Racing stability in the "Niva" as it was not, and is not expected. Tolerant - we would get to off-road ...
The long-awaited turn onto the country road leading to the gardens. A little further away you can see how the muddy rut begins to deepen. "Are we sure we're going through here?" I call out to the driver anxiously. “Don’t be afraid, I haven’t even turned on the dispenser yet,” Evgeny replied.
With easy manipulations with the levers of the transfer case, the Urban turns into a real rogue. Slowly, at high speeds, we crawl further. The lowering here is most welcome, because the standard engine is 1.7 liters per 83 liters. With. hard to turn the wheels in the mud.
After 100 meters we run into a stuck BMW X3. As it turned out later, this is Yevgeny's neighbor in the dacha. Probably, now the BMW driver feels helpless behind the wheel of a SUV.
Not without difficulty, "Urban" goes around the left of the Bavarian four-wheel drive passenger car, and Eugene takes out a cable from the trunk to tow the poor fellow. 10 minutes later, the rescued Bavarian foreign car and our "Urban" safely park in front of the gates of the garden association. Stage completed!
Yes... The Lada has the character of a stubborn hard worker - the razdatka howls, but the car creeps forward, no matter what!
If you wanted to get the maximum comfort from this car, then you made a big mistake in choosing. The beautiful Urban postscript does not at all make the Niva an urban SUV. My opinion: "Urban" is just an extended package of options for acceptable use in an urban environment. In general, the Niva remained the Niva.
The main buyers of Urban are summer residents, fishermen, residents of villages and villages - everyone who needs to get from point A to point B without a hard road surface between them. "Restyling" is just a marketing ploy to involve modern youth in the off-road life. Maybe it's for the best - someone buys them! But I would buy myself something else for half a million rubles.
One German auto reviewer described the car as follows [in free translation from German, approx. ed.]: “Lada 4x4 is a car that evokes nostalgia for the past. He fell out of his time, which makes him even more attractive. The motto of "Lada" is "the good old things have not yet died out."
There is nothing to add here. As they say, golden words, Yuri Venediktovich ...
Do you agree that Urban is better than the usual Niva? Leave your opinion in the comment below.
