What is better Chevy Niva UAZ Patriot. What to choose Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot? Prices and configurations of UAZ

I will first express a seditious thought. Do you, generally speaking, need a rather serious "rogue"? Are you willing to pay for increased cross-country ability with high fuel consumption, noise, lower cruising speed, less reliability and other disadvantages? If you're ready, go ahead! We'll show you how one of the three vehicles can overcome the disadvantages and highlight the advantages of an SUV.

I pay for my image

SUVs are not always bought for the sake of their off-road qualities. What does the buyer pay for in this case? Often for the image of a kind of macho who is reluctant to bend down, sitting in a hatchback or sedan. Of course, at the same time, he will be the king in winter snow-covered yards and will not get stuck on the primer soaked after the rain. But if you look only from the point of view of the image, then you can immediately say what it would be most preferable to look like, because this car is the most bulky and brutal of the whole trinity.

Price

The simplest three-door Lada 4x4 costs from 499,000 rubles. Five-door, or an extended version of the Lada 4x4, - from 542,000 rubles. start from 628,000 rubles. You can become the owner of a Patriot by paying at least 731,000 rubles. Obviously, the initial configuration of all cars will be simple in terms of equipment, comfort, and safety. For example, air conditioning for Lada 4x4 will be available only in the highest configuration Luxe for 538,000 rubles. Shniva air conditioning is installed starting from the LC version for 660,000 rubles, and for the Patriot - in the Optimum configuration for 830,000 rubles. Electric heating of the front seats can be obtained for 515,000 rubles for Lada in the Luxe configuration, or by paying 757,000 rubles. for Chevrolet Niva GLC. A Patriot with electric seat heating will cost 949,000 rubles (Prestige version). Separately, it is impossible to equip cars with either air conditioning or heating. All configurations are fixed.

Many fashionable imported crossovers have single-drive initial configurations. All the models we are considering are already in the database. And the same all-wheel drive systems are installed on the most expensive versions of cars. There is no discrimination in cross-country ability depending on the price. The cost affects only the number of options and comfort.

Reliability

From this point of view, Lada 4x4 and Chevrolet Niva are quite close. This was also influenced by the fact that, on the one hand, Shniva was created as a result of a deep modernization of the ordinary Niva, and then reverse unification began. Many components and technical solutions from the "foreign car" began to be used on the Lada 4x4. In general, the reliability of these machines is considered average, especially given the harsh operating conditions that their owners often drive them into.

A design from a completely different world. The history of the model stretches from the first all-wheel drive passenger cars in the country. For more than half a century, the army was considered the main customer, and therefore the car had to be quite large, roomy, and repaired “on the knee”. Of course, now the car has gone far in terms of comfort and power from the "commander's" "UAZ". Some nodes have become completely different, but their reliability is still lame. Moreover, the added comfort systems, coupled with other options, also sometimes do not work perfectly. So the lowest reliability rating of the trinity, unfortunately, belongs to the Patriot.

Capacity and load capacity

Here the undisputed leader is the UAZ Patriot. Luggage capacity - 650 liters. The load capacity is 525 kg. Further, in descending order, are the Chevrolet Niva with a trunk of 320 liters and a load capacity of 450 kg. The rating is closed by a short Lada 4x4 - 265 liters in the trunk and a load capacity of 400 kg. But the five-door modification of the “old woman” will fit 283 liters into the luggage compartment and, due to reinforced suspension springs, takes on board up to 500 kg.

patency

Many consider the leader in cross-country ability UAZ. The frame structure, larger wheels, powerful, beam-shaped bridges allow you to “rude” along broken primers and rocky mountain roads, where two competing cars will quickly loosen load-bearing bodies and more delicate suspensions. Only in deep mud can Lada 4x4 and Chevrolet Niva have some due to their lower mass.

The owner of a simple Lada 4x4 does not face the danger of damaging the plastic body kit, because it does not exist. It is also obvious that the long-wheelbase five-door version of Lada will have worse cross-country ability than the short one, due to a 500 mm longer wheelbase equal to 2700 mm and, accordingly, a small ramp angle. The Patriot has an even longer wheelbase, but the ground clearance in the middle of the base exceeds 300mm.

So, for what operating conditions is UAZ preferable, and where will all the descendants of the Niva do better? For driving with a small load, especially on soft soils or snow, lighter cars are preferable - Lada 4x4 and Chevrolet Niva. If you need to transport a lot and the road requires precisely good geometric cross-country ability (for example, mountainous), then the advantage will be with the Patriot.

Of course, only the standard equipment of cars is discussed here. Tuning - enlarged mud wheels, lifts, blocking bridges - can achieve a significant improvement in the off-road performance of all the cars in question. For example, a frame UAZ lifts better than the rest.

economy

The efficiency of any car largely depends on the driving style, and in relation to SUVs, this factor plays a decisive role. Attempting to drive any of the discussed cars in a "sporty" style with sharp starts and stops will lead to a terrible waste of fuel. Indeed, during acceleration, we will not only accelerate the mass of the car, but also intensively spin a lot of shafts and gears, each of which has its own moment of inertia. Still, they remember how in childhood it was not easy to start the “inertial” machine, starting to disperse it across the floor. In absolute terms, UAZ will consume 30-40 percent more fuel than Lada 4x4 or Chevrolet Niva. Among the latter, Shniva will provide slightly lower fuel consumption at high speeds - thanks to somewhat better aerodynamics.

Maintenance cost

Here, UAZ, by a combination of factors, is the most expensive in. And fuel consumption is great, and reliability leaves much to be desired. The difficulty is also caused by the fact that the Patriot is very often upgraded, and, accordingly, different spare parts are needed. A rare item is an expensive item. For the descendants of the Niva, many parts have the index 2101. That is, they were also produced for the VAZ "penny", but they are also suitable for cars made in 2018.

maintainability

All that has been said about spare parts has a direct impact on the maintainability of cars. And in UAZ, almost any unit is larger and heavier than that of Togliatti cars. Therefore, self-reliance is limited. And in the workshops, UAZs are less willing to work than Shniva and Lada 4x4. After all, the latter have changed the design in recent years much less than the Ulyanovsk offspring, which either tries on one razdatka or another.

Applicability

All the cars in question are quite versatile, but if we talk about the range of applications - from “transporting a wild boar carcass” to “driving up to a theater”, then UAZ and Shniva will be preferable. The five-door, and even the three-door, still look a little outdated and utilitarian. Time takes its toll - the fifth decade has gone.

Safety

Of course, the active and passive of all "Russian jeeps" is small, but here the Lada 4x4 stands out for the worse. Even the most expensive equipment will not offer you a single airbag, and this is already somehow strange in our time. Active safety is also low by today's standards. The short wheelbase version is nimble and rolly.

The range of inexpensive crossovers on the Russian market seems quite impressive. But really high quality and at a low price is actually not so much.

Yes, there is a huge list of Chinese SUVs available. But the vast majority of them are only conditional crossovers, more reminiscent of SUVs or even station wagons with increased ground clearance. The total lack of all-wheel drive in cars from the Middle Kingdom does not allow them to be operated in frankly difficult conditions.

If you need maximum cross-country ability, reliable all-wheel drive and confident off-road behavior, then you should look at Chevrolet Niva and UAZ Patriot cars. They are extremely inexpensive, optimally suited for fishing, hunting, trips to the wild. At the same time, many are naturally interested in the question of which of the machines is better, and who should be given preference. To make a choice, you need to compare these crossovers, compare their technical capabilities and other parameters that play an important role when buying a car.

General information

UAZ Patriot belongs to the category of medium-sized SUVs with a frame structure and all-wheel drive. The car has a brutal appearance, excellent indicators of practicality and increased cross-country ability.

After its official debut, the model did not change generations, but it went through several restylings. UAZ first showed an updated version in October 2016. As part of the modernization, the exterior was slightly changed, but the interior and technical components were significantly redesigned. After 2 years, another update took place, which barely affected the exterior and interior, but significantly changed the filling of the engine compartment. As a result, the Patriot received a new engine and an upgraded gearbox. Also went over the suspension and improved the operation of the front axle.

UAZ Patriot uses a frame chassis with dependent suspension front and rear. Moreover, there is a spring structure in front, and several semi-elliptical type longitudinal springs are provided at the back. The steering mechanism is rack and pinion with hydraulic booster. The front brakes are disc and the rear are classic drums.

Despite numerous promises and statements, the second generation Chevrolet Niva never came into being. The reasons can be called different, but the fact remains. Therefore, the first generation of the Chevrolet Niva is still relevant.

For the first time, Niva under the Chevrolet brand was discovered in 2002. Although in 1998 AvtoVAZ presented the VAZ 2123 project, which was supposed to be a replacement for the old Niva 2121. The project turned out to be interesting, but there was simply not enough money for serial production. Therefore, in 2001, AvtoVAZ sold a license to the project to General Motors, and a year later production of the Chevrolet Niva began. Compared to the VAZ 2123 project, the American concern has made over 1000 changes.

The last actual restyling took place in 2014. Chevrolet updated the exterior, as well as redesigned the interior and technical stuffing. One of the main innovations was the installation of new seats.

Chevrolet Niva is an all-wheel drive crossover, which is built on the basis of a carrier body with a front spring independent suspension and a pair of wishbones, as well as a rear spring suspension consisting of 5 bars. Disc brakes were placed in front, and drums were located at the rear. The steering is rack and pinion, supplemented by a hydraulic booster.

Appearance

It is unlikely that the Chevrolet Niva can be called an incredibly beautiful SUV. The appearance of the model is rather crossover, although the capabilities and cross-country ability fully correspond to the concept of a full-fledged SUV.

Soft lines, the absence of sharp and obtuse corners, neat optics, a lean front and rear bumper, solid glazing, roof rails and high wheel arches make it possible to talk about fairly correct and rational decisions by designers.

The appearance of the UAZ Patriot is brutal, monumental and sometimes rough. Here you can immediately see the features of a frame SUV, moreover, a sample of the 80-90s. It would be reckless to say that the Patriot has some common features with the Gelendvagen, but the squareness of the body still suggests such thoughts.

It will not be superfluous to compare the two cars in size.

Chevrolet Niva offers the following options:

length 3919 mm. (without spare wheel at the rear);
wheelbase 2450 mm.;
width 1800 mm;
height 1652 mm;
from 200 to 240 mm.

Ground clearance decreases when fully loaded, but still does not fall below 200 mm.

As for the Patriot, he answers with the following numbers (dimensions depend on the configuration):

length from 4750 to 4785mm;
height from 1910 to 2005 mm;
width 1900 mm. (without mirrors);
wheelbase 2760 mm.;
ground clearance 210 mm.

It is difficult to identify a favorite in the fight between the Niva and Patriot models, based only on appearance. If you are attracted to a more urban and crossover body variation, then take the Niva. If you want to get a brutal and aggressive design, the Patriot will be a priority.

Interior and luggage compartment

Compared to the SUV before modernization, the updated interior of the Patriot has changed very significantly. Previously, there were many complaints about the poor quality of finishing materials and other shortcomings. The manufacturer drew conclusions and tried to correct previously made mistakes.

The driver has a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel at his disposal, the dashboard has become more conveniently readable and informative. The center console is made in the style of minimalism, while flaunting a 7-inch multimedia touch screen. Plus there is single-zone climate control. The front panel was made in the spirit of modern crossovers. But it is important to add that almost all of this is missing in the basic configuration.

The interior of the Patriot is made mainly of inexpensive materials and not the most expensive plastic. But on the seats they pulled a very pleasant to the touch fabric. If you fork out for the top version, the buyer will receive a leather interior at all.

The interior layout remained the same. It can comfortably accommodate 5 adults. At the same time, the luggage compartment is available. In the stowed state, it holds 650 liters of cargo, and with the rear seats folded down, it increases to 2415 liters.

Having explored the interior that the Patriot offers, one needs to take a look at what the Chevrolet Niva has to offer.

The interior of Niva can hardly be called modern and spacious. There is an acute shortage of space in the legs of the rear passengers. This shortcoming is especially pronounced against the background of the Patriot.

The driver was provided with a rather ergonomic seat, a conventional but comfortable steering wheel, an ergonomic interior space. Extensive glazing provides an important advantage in the form of excellent visibility. In 2014, new seats with improved lateral support and head restraints appeared in the Chevrolet Niva.

The trunk here is not bad, considering the dimensions of the car. But in comparison with a competitor, it looks frankly small. In the standard position of the rear sofa, 320 liters are available. And if you lower the backs of the back row, you get 650 liters. There is no threshold in the trunk, the doorway is very wide, making loading and unloading much easier.

Considering the fact that the dimensions of the cars are completely different, it would be unfair to talk about the superiority of the Patriot in terms of the spaciousness of the luggage compartment and the cabin. But the interior design is still better for the product of the UAZ plant. More frequent updates, as well as the desire to impose a fight on foreign cars, forces us to carry out active modernization. Chevrolet Niva is not among the key projects, so here the issue of updates is given a minimum of time and effort. Needless to say, if the latest innovations, and insignificant ones, were introduced 5 years ago, and the Patriot received a portion of new things literally last year 2018.

If you are looking for a car with a modern filling in the interior and a huge supply of luggage space, then choose the UAZ Patriot. If the requirements for the back row are not a key parameter, and you do not need to constantly carry a large amount of luggage in the car, the opportunities offered by the Chevrolet Niva will be enough for you.

Motors, gearboxes and their capabilities

When buying a new car, you can’t count on a wide variety of engines and gearboxes in the case of a Chevrolet Niva car.

Currently, this machine is sold with only one non-alternative power unit. But this is a very reliable atmospheric gasoline engine with a volume of 1.7 liters with 4 cylinders, 16 valves and distributed injection. The motor complies with the Euro 4 eco-standard. It produces 80 horsepower and 127.4 Nm of torque.

As a gearbox, there is also a non-alternative 5-speed manual. In this combination, Niva accelerates to 140 kilometers per hour. At the same time, it takes as much as 19 seconds to accelerate from zero to hundreds. The numbers are truly appalling. Fuel consumption is also solid. In the city, Chevrolet Niva needs about 14 liters per 100 kilometers, and on the highway, appetites drop to about 9 liters.

It is worth adding that in the period from 2006 to 2008 Chevrolet Niva was produced in a special version of FAM1 or GLX. It was equipped with an Opel engine with a capacity of 122 hp. With. and a 5-speed manual transmission from Aisin. But the car did not receive due demand, as a result of which only 1000 copies were sold in 2 years. Then production was curtailed.

In order to understand what is better between the Chevrolet Niva and the UAZ Patriot, you definitely need to look at the technical parameters of the latter.

The Patriot is currently offered with 2 powertrains.

The junior 4-cylinder engine has a working volume of 2.7 liters. It produces 135 horsepower and 217 Nm of torque. Runs on AI-92 gasoline. The motor is equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. In the city, the car consumes about 14 liters per 100 kilometers on the road, and in the extra-urban cycle, 11.5 liters will be required to travel the same distance. The maximum speed is 150 kilometers per hour.
The older engine has the same volume of 2.7 liters and the same 4 cylinders. But the power has been increased to 150 horsepower, and the torque has been raised to 235 Nm. Runs on gasoline. Like the younger motor, it works in tandem with a 5-speed gearbox. In terms of fuel consumption in various conditions, the manufacturer gives similar figures.

Another comparison, this time in terms of technical parameters, dynamics and economy, allows you to choose a more priority option between Chevrolet Niva and UAZ Patriot.

Modernization of engines in the case of the Patriot makes itself felt. Yes, none of the cars can boast of solid dynamics or low fuel consumption. But with its 80 horses, Niva consumes noticeably more fuel than a competitor. Plus, the Patriot accelerates to hundreds in about 14 seconds, which is just 5 seconds faster in comparison with a conditional competitor.

Handling and maneuverability

You can choose what is best for a particular buyer, taking into account the requirements for Chevrolet Niva and UAZ Patriot cars, as well as their operating conditions.

If you want to get a confident, most durable and reliable off-road car, then the UAZ Patriot frame will be the best option. It overcomes a deeper ford, has a solid ground clearance and a suspension adapted to difficult conditions.

At the same time, the Chevrolet Niva is not particularly inferior. Ground clearance from 200 to 240 mm. bears fruit. Plus, as it turned out, Chevrolet's approach and departure angles were larger. Here we got the numbers 37 and 35 for Chevrolet versus 35 and 30 for the Patriot.

But the problem of a completely domestic UAZ SUV is that this car behaves extremely insecurely in urban conditions. It makes no sense to buy a Patriot as a city car for very rare trips to difficult roads. You will significantly lose in terms of comfort, you will constantly complain about the stiffness of the suspension and its poor behavior on asphalt. Management is far from exemplary.

With its good off-road performance, Chevrolet Niva is more of a city car. That is why it is equally comfortable to ride on flat paved areas, go out into nature, and overcome difficult off-road obstacles.

Therefore, first clearly define the goals and objectives facing the machine. With the dominance of urban operation, Chevrolet is definitely worth taking. If the car is bought for fishing, hunting, regular trips to bad roads, then the UAZ Patriot will be the best choice for such a situation.

Safety

You should not expect an increased level of security from any domestic SUV or crossover. UAZ Patriot did not manage to get high scores according to the results of the safety assessment, even in expensive trim levels. In slippery conditions, due to the operation of the drive, the machine moves due to the rear drive wheels. Plus, the body itself has far from optimal parameters.

Against the backdrop of the Patriot, Chevrolet Niva looks like a more balanced car. Here, the security systems are better calculated. The issue of body deformation in case of serious accidents is also thought out, which more reliably protects the driver and passengers.

Maintenance cost

If we add all the factors together, it turns out that the UAZ Patriot is noticeably more expensive in the maintenance and service component. Fuel consumption is quite impressive, plus reliability is far from ideal. Breakdowns do not happen regularly, but sometimes car owners have to visit a car service or hang out in the garage for several hours to fix them.

A certain problem, oddly enough, was the frequent modernization of the UAZ Patriot. This complicates the search for suitable spare parts, which change every now and then. And the rarer the item, the more expensive it is in the end.

Chevrolet Niva has far fewer major upgrades. Especially in the technical stuffing component. Spare parts for it can be easily found in the markets and car dismantling. Plus, the car turned out to be quite reliable, there are no problems with self-service.

Chevrolet Niva wins here. In many ways, direct participation in the development of General Motors affects.

Despite the apparent difference and somewhat different purpose, Chevrolet Niva and UAZ Patriot are often compared with each other. And if you compare all the components and key characteristics, then it is not so easy to determine a clear favorite.

Options and cost

Chevrolet Niva is sold in Russia in 6 different equipment options.

Standard equipment costs from 590 thousand rubles. For such money you can get:

power steering;
front power windows;
immobilizer;
steel wheels 15 inches;
central locking;
isothermal glasses;
audio preparation for 2 speakers;
heated legs for rear passengers;
external heated mirrors;
electric drive for exterior mirrors, etc.

Having paid from 740 thousand rubles and more, you get a much wider list of equipment. Namely:

2 front airbags;
combined trim;
air conditioner;
fog lights;
heated seats in front;
audio system for 4 speakers;
at 16;
roof rails;
signaling;
ABS, etc.

Patriot sample 2019 costs from 805 thousand rubles. Last year's versions can be found at about 760 thousand rubles. At the same time, they do not differ significantly in terms of configuration.

Regularly UAZ Patriot is equipped with the following equipment:

one airbag;
exterior mirrors with heating;
electric drive of external mirrors;
16-inch steel wheels;
athermal glazing;
power steering;
on-board computer;
power windows in front, etc.

If you take the top-end equipment, then official dealers will ask for it from 1.18 million rubles. But here is:

2 airbags;
fog lights;
alloy wheels 18 inches;
glove box with cooling system;
roof rails;
multimedia center with touch screen;
single zone climate control;
hill start assistance system;
audio system with 6 speakers;
Rear View Camera;
Cruise control;
navigation system;
front and rear parking sensors;
heated front seats;
heated steering wheel, etc.

The package is really impressive, but the price for it is appropriate.

What is the best choice in the end?

The question remains as to which is better to choose - UAZ Patriot or Chevrolet Niva.

If you need the most versatile car that can drive you around the city with a fairly good level of comfort, and if necessary or desire to conquer off-road, then definitely take the Chevrolet Niva. The main disadvantage of this car is a frankly weak power unit, due to which it is required.

If you want to get a real rogue and off-road conqueror, without being tied to urban operation, then the UAZ Patriot will be the undisputed favorite. The car is large, roomy, brutal. But get ready for the fact that the Patriot will break down more often and the Chevrolet Niva will cost more in the maintenance component. But this is in many ways a unique car that is bought, even despite the obvious and well-known shortcomings.

Chevrolet Niva has the most "dense" and attractive price list. The price range for different versions is from 628,000 to 765,000 rubles (we do not take into account promotions and discounts hereinafter). The price range for the 2018 Renault Duster is much larger - from 699,000 to 1,111,900 rubles. Not far and - from 746,500 to 1,049 rubles. Obviously, Shniva is much cheaper. But price isn't everything.

Dimensions

Alas, it's tight. This can be said about the cabin, and even more so about the luggage compartment. Its volume is only 320 liters. With the rear sofa folded - 650 liters. Salon in the Duster is more spacious, especially in the back row. Trunk volume depends on the type of drive. For front-wheel drive cars, its capacity is 475 liters with the seats unfolded and 1636 with the seats folded. All-wheel drive - 408 and 1507 liters, respectively.

And the Patriot is a giant. In the back seat, it is quite possible to ride even three of us, in winter clothes and for a long distance. And the trunk - 650 liters only under the curtain, 1130 liters to the ceiling (and this is with the seats unfolded) and 2415 liters with the seats folded down! I immediately recall that once the Patriot was a nine-seater, with folding benches on the sides. And it is also believed that it is possible to comfortably spend the night in it together. In Duster and Shniva - hardly.

And of course, the Patriot has a greater carrying capacity: 600 kg versus 510 and 450 kg for competitors.

Comfort

By the way! The Chevrolet Niva is not the most spartan car, especially in the GLC and LE+ versions. However, the plastic in the cabin leaves much to be desired, as does the insulation. You have to attach to the seats (although it should be the other way around), there is no multimedia system and never has been. There is a radio and two speakers (in the same GLC and LE +). You can add two more. Plus (no, minus) - low smoothness.

Renault Duster is more comfortable. Slightly better plastics and sound insulation, higher ride comfort due to suspension settings and a much larger wheelbase (2673 mm versus 2450 mm for Shnivy). The base of the Duster is not only bigger, but also wider. Front track - 1560 mm, rear - 1567 mm. Chevrolet has 1466 and 1456 mm respectively. That is, the European is even more stable.

And the most comfortable UAZ Patriot again. Wheelbase - 2760 mm. The latest restyling for today was just aimed at a significant increase in the convenience of an SUV. And if he had a quieter chassis, on the pavement the Ulyanovsk car would differ little from foreign cars.

With leaf springs, the smoothness of the ride became higher, with the stabilizer and steering damper, there was no need to adjust the course all the time. Engineers have worked on the elimination of vibrations. The seats are quite comfortable for a person of any build, the steering wheel is adjustable both in reach and in height. A variety of heating and climate control are available (competitors have only air conditioning). And the multimedia system is at least no worse than on the Duster. In addition, you can look at the screen directly, and without bowing your head.

Recently it has become more comfortable in the city with the front axle from the Pro with new steering knuckles. So far, he has lost a lot in maneuverability.

Added convenience to the car and the transmission control washer - like in decent foreign cars. Previously, I had to operate with the levers of the transfer case, as on the Shniva, and develop a skill so that the levers would not knock out.

Semi-officially they say that the Patriot will soon still have an automatic, which is much more convenient to ride with. Too bad it's not there yet.

power unit

Unfortunately, Chevrolet Niva customers are offered one, outdated power unit - a 1.7 petrol with a capacity of 80 hp. with 5-speed mechanics. To put it mildly, with the modern rhythm of movement, it is not enough. And the consumption is high - 13.2 liters in the city. And this is according to the manufacturer! At one time, GM made an attempt to introduce an "opel" motor into Shniva, but very few such machines were made, and you will not find them even on the secondary market.

It would seem that they are completely different cars: a large frame SUV UAZ Patriot and two compact crossovers with load-bearing bodies - Chevrolet Niva and Renault Duster. But they are compared, first of all, because of the all-wheel drive and comparable cost, although two of the three cars have already overcome the bar of a million rubles. Let's start with this.

Duster has a much richer choice. Petrol 1.6 and 2.0 for 114 and 143 hp, diesel 1.5 with 109 hp, five and six-speed manual gearboxes, 4-speed "automatic". In addition, you can purchase a front-wheel drive version. Competitors do not provide such an opportunity.

The Patriot is now equipped only with a ZMZ Pro with a volume of 2.7, a power of 149 hp, with a torque of 235 N.m. The gearbox is also only one, five-speed mechanics. But this power unit is lucky. True, the fuel consumption corresponds: 14 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, according to official figures. In fact - at least 15 liters. Fortunately, the Patriot's tank is the largest of the three - 68 liters. Shnivy has 58 liters, Duster has 50.

patency

Despite the fact that the Chevrolet Niva and Renault Duster may have some advantage over the UAZ on sand and in liquid mud due to their lower weight and with the right tires, the UAZ is still the favorite off-road in most cases. First of all, due to the excellent geometric parameters. The clearance in the middle of the base is about 300 mm, the smallest is 210 mm, the angle of entry is 35 °, the exit is 30 °, 360 mm to the front bumper at full load ... The Patriot's suspension travels are large even after the introduction of a stabilizer and small leaf springs. A sufficiently powerful, high-torque power unit and transmission capabilities have a positive effect on cross-country ability. Eaton's factory electronically controlled rear differential lock is now available. Options include BF Goodrich AT tires, a winch, a whole Offroad package, and even a special expedition version.

Shnivy off-road sorely lacks a powerful engine. And Duster - suspension moves. In addition, it has a viscous coupling, which is prone to overheating during intensive slippage. In this case, the four-wheel drive is turned off, you have to wait until it cools down.

Maintenance cost

According to our experts, the cost of maintaining an UAZ can be compared with the “Duster”, and the most affordable is Shniva. Yes, UAZ is not a foreign car, unlike Renault (even if it is locally assembled). But it has the highest fuel consumption, fairly short service intervals (15,000 km under normal conditions and 7,500 under severe conditions) and many imported parts (purchased for currency). If the car is new, you have to purchase not only OSAGO, but also CASCO.

The same Duster is more economical, but there are even more imported parts in it, and the service costs in a foreign brand. And the omnivorous suspension, which allows you not to be afraid of bumps, forces you to repair it quite often.

Outcome

Perhaps our regular readers remember that in 2016 he lost. The authors put it in last place, primarily because of bad behavior on the roads. But more than two years have passed, and during this time the Ulyanovsk SUV has become much better on the pavement. And off-road, he was already the best. So the lineup has completely changed.

To some, this choice may seem somewhat strange, because, nevertheless, the format of the cars is not exactly the same, and the price of the UAZ Patriot (UAZ Patriot) is higher than for the Niva. But it is precisely this question of choice that confronts many who want to purchase a budget SUV up to 600 (or even 500) thousand rubles. The writing of this post was prompted by the article “A Severe Case” in the January issue of the magazine “Behind the Wheel”. This article compares three cars: UAZ Patriot Sport (suddenly discontinued), Chevrolet Niva (Chevrolet-Niva) and Great Wall Hover H3 (Great Wall Hover). The latter, of course, is more likely to simply show a possible contrast compared to domestic cars. Nevertheless, the price of the Hover is an order of magnitude higher than the UAZ with the Niva, so it can hardly be called a full-fledged competitor.

In my opinion, the comparison of these two cars is not entirely correct, their format is somewhat different. UAZ Patriot is a heavy frame SUV weighing more than two tons, with a huge trunk (four medium-sized men fit on the side benches). Chevrolet Niva is a crossover, but with very decent capabilities, sufficient to conquer very serious off-road conditions, even in the stock configuration. The trunk, in comparison with the Patriot, is very small in it and can accommodate a maximum of one man bent in three deaths. Yes, and it is not intended for transporting men 🙂 Although some carry quite impressive dogs in it without any problems.

Chevrolet Niva, restyled version of 2010

Outside

Well what can I say, like any other car - for an amateur, whoever likes what. Personally, I like the design of the Chevrolet Niva very nice. The car looks neat, there is no excessive angularity, the forms are quite modern. The main thing is not to spoil the car with an unnecessary body kit: all sorts of kenguryatniks, steps and other nonsense (this is my opinion). Good optics, I really liked the head light. The workmanship of the body elements is very decent, I didn’t reveal any very noticeable stocks, not ideal of course, but still. By the way, most of the Chevrolet Niva body parts are galvanized, so the car is very resistant to corrosion.

Inside

It cannot be said that the interior of the Chevrolet Niva is completely ascetic, yet this is no longer the old Niva 21213 (4). Everything here is very simple, no frills, but does not cause rejection. Quite comfortable in my opinion. A nice new steering wheel, very high-quality plastic, quite ordinary seats, in general, everything is pretty good. I am of average height, so I was very comfortable behind the wheel. Judging by the reviews, tall people can have problems with the placement of their legs, even with the seat as far back as possible. The rear passengers are quite comfortable, there is enough legroom, the ceiling is high. The Chevrolet Niva is a very warm car, the stove works with a bang, and the good heat and sound insulation of the cabin does not allow it to cool down quickly. Visibility at height (literally and figuratively). Large mugs of mirrors allow you to perfectly control what is happening around.

On the run

Start the car, let's go! Outside, a rather noisy operation of the engine is immediately noticeable, nothing inside, but it can be quieter (if desired, it can be treated with additional sound insulation). First, second, third - the dynamics are not very good, but what did you want from an 80 horsepower engine, which is now also strangled under Euro-4? And this car is not for racing. The howl of the dispenser is heard, although not much, it does not interfere with life, you can calmly carry on a conversation without straining. We leave on a broken road with potholes, pits, tram rails. I did not expect such a smooth ride from this car, all the bumps Niva goes through only smoothly swaying. It made me very happy.
On impassable roads, you should not expect miracles from Niva, yet this car is not for conquering fords on the hood or tearing off cardans in swamps. At least without special training. But the off-road qualities of the Chevrolet Niva are at their best and much better than many can imagine. And if you still have good tires and a “gasket” between the steering wheel and the pedals, then it will go wherever any normal person may need.

UAZ Patriot, equipment Limited 2010

Outside

Next to the Chevrolet Niva, the UAZ Patriot looks much more impressive. From afar, it can be confused with a serious foreign SUV, and at dusk it is not at all clear what kind of jeep this is. The general view of the UAZ Patriot is very pleasant, but in my opinion the stern is too angular, but again, this is not for everyone. But if you look in detail, then everything is far from being so good. I looked at several copies and everywhere is about the same. The poor workmanship is immediately evident. Welding in some places was done very sloppily, dots are generally visible on the roof at the welding points, I didn’t like it very much ...

Inside

Space and more. How many of you? Four, five, seven, NINE? Yes, no question, climb, we'll all fit. Inside the car, 9 adults are quite accommodated, four of them are on the side benches in the trunk, where the ride is quite tolerable, if not very long. The seats are comfortable, the gearshift lever is long and frequent gear shifting is not much fun, it reminded me of riding a Sable. The plastic in the cabin is soft, gray, not outstanding, in general, I liked the interior design less than in ShNiva and it seemed not so cozy. Of course, the review is excellent, in a traffic jam you can see everything ten cars ahead, which is not surprising at such a landing height. The interior is warm, the stove works well, but the windows constantly strive to fog up, with airflow not very good.

On the run

A more powerful engine is immediately felt, a car with a driver and 8 (!) passengers takes off rather quickly, and in general the ride is very dynamic. The suspension is stiff, driving through the tram rails while sitting on the benches in the trunk is still a pleasure, especially considering that there is not much to grab onto there 🙂 The cabin is noisy, the engine is clearly audible, and the noise of the wind cut by the Patriot, the roof rails whistle. You need to get used to the steering wheel of the Patriot, after the Chevrolet Niva it seems empty (perhaps a feature of a particular instance) and it is quite difficult to believe that it is so easy to drive a heavy 2-ton machine. Therefore, at the very beginning you start to twist it a little, but then you get used to it. As for off-road, there is nothing to say here, UAZ Patriot is out of competition. With a full cabin of passengers, he walks along a snowy track without much strain, overcoming snow-covered ravines and hillocks. From the outside, his off-road behavior inspires sincere respect. Yes, there is more than enough off-road potential here ...

To whom what?

So what do you choose? In my opinion, the UAZ Patriot has a very narrow audience of buyers, but, unfortunately, not everyone understands this and continues to get themselves an extra headache. So, it turns out the Patriot is a bad car? No, but this is a car for those who really need it. Is your work closely related to off-road? Do you live in a village, to which there are several kilometers of a difficult road, and the rest is dead asphalt? Are you a hunter or fisherman and regularly go hunting with a few men and a full set of equipment? You cannot live without off-road, do you participate in competitions, trophy raids, etc.? You are ready to consume 17-18 liters. in the city and at least 11-12 on the highway? Not? Then UAZ Patriot is not your car!

Chevrolet Niva is more versatile in every way. Fuel consumption for permanent all-wheel drive is not so great - 11-13 liters per 100 kilometers in the city and about 9 on the highway (according to the passport, 8.8 is stated, but some lowered it even lower). Small dimensions make the car convenient for everyday use in urban areas, and decent cross-country ability will allow you to make quite serious off-road trips. Car maintenance is also somewhat cheaper than UAZ. The trunk is small, but here you need to decide and decide whether you really need such a huge trunk and whether you will carry it empty most of the time ... The engine for the car is rather weak, off-road and for a quiet ride it is enough, but you need to approach overtaking with caution .

Well, I shared a little my thoughts about the UAZ Patriot and Chevrolet Niva. In no case am I saying that this car is bad and the other is good, but when choosing, you must clearly understand whether you need it or not. Or maybe you don't need an SUV at all? Estimate how much time you will spend off the road? ..

The global automotive market is characterized by increased competition in all segments. This pattern is also observed in the domestic auto industry. But still, here the rivalry is not so obvious and is more local due to the limited model range. "Niva" or UAZ - which is better?" - many motorists cannot find the answer to this question.

To determine the advantages and disadvantages of a particular model is possible only in comparison. It should be remembered that rivalry is relative. This is due to the fact that SUVs have a number of differences in both structural and technical performance, which can be seen with the naked eye even in the photo. "Niva" has much smaller dimensions.

A legacy from the Soviet Union are three common SUVs that can overcome impassable roads: UAZ, Niva and LuAZ. At one time, LuAZ was very popular due to its phenomenal cross-country ability, but today it is no longer being produced. Therefore, when buying a domestic SUV, they choose among the remaining two and ask themselves the question: "Niva" or UAZ - which is better?" UAZ is produced and produced in Ulyanovsk and Niva - in Volzhsky.

And this choice will not be easy. A car that can safely go fishing and not be ashamed to show itself in public will cost twice as much. Therefore, if the budget is small, you will have to prioritize.

Body and dimensions

First of all, UAZ and Niva cars differ in size and body. In UAZ, it is presented in a classic five-door style. "Niva" is made in a three-door station wagon. Both SUVs are designed to carry 5 passengers.

If you pay attention to the convenience of boarding and disembarking passengers, then the Niva is clearly inferior here. The presence of two rear doors makes UAZ much more convenient in this regard. So, if one of the priorities for the driver is convenience for passengers, then when deciding which is better - Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot, the latter will be the best option, although its main purpose is off-road driving.

UAZ is much larger than Niva in size. Its length is 4.1 m, while for the "Niva" this characteristic is only 3.7 m. The width of the cars is approximately the same: the width of the Ulyanovsk-made SUV is 1.73 m, and the Volga - 1.68 m. Most of these SUVs vary in height. The “growth” of the UAZ is 2.025 m, and the “Niva” is only 1.64 m.

Despite these differences in appearance, both SUVs are approximately the same popularity. For example, for many, the compactness of the car is important, therefore, when deciding which is better - the Chevrolet Niva or the UAZ Patriot, preference will be given to the first.

Despite the smaller dimensions, the Volga-made SUV is larger and is 220 mm, and the one produced at the Ulyanovsk plant is 210 mm.

Passability of cars largely depends on their total weight. "Niva" is significantly inferior not only in size, but also in weight as a whole. The reason for this is the lack of a frame and a load-bearing body. Depending on the installed power unit, the total weight of the UAZ is 2520-2550 kg, and the Niva is 1850 kg. During off-road trips, this characteristic can affect both positively and negatively the passability of vehicles. Therefore, it is impossible to say that the Niva or UAZ Patriot definitely overcomes off-road better, since many additional factors that directly affect this should be taken into account.

"Heart"

Speaking of power plants, it should be noted that in terms of their number, the Niva is inferior to the UAZ car. The technical characteristics of the engines of the latter are head and shoulders above those of the competitor. The Niva goes on sale with one engine option, while the UAZ is available with two different power plants.

UAZ is supplied with a diesel or petrol engine. The 2.7-liter gasoline engine is capable of delivering 128 “horses”, and the 2.2-liter diesel unit is capable of 113 hp. With.

In terms of power, Niva is significantly inferior to its competitor. This is due to the fact that it is equipped with an 80-horsepower 1.7-liter engine.

It should be understood that the Ulyanovsk SUV significantly exceeds the Volga one both in size and in weight. Therefore, a powerful engine is more of a necessity, since a car with a lot of weight and a weak power unit will not be able to successfully overcome impassability, and this is what it was created for. On the track, the Niva behaves more briskly, with a maximum speed of 137 km / h. UAZ with a gasoline engine can accelerate to 130 km / h. With a diesel power unit, this figure is even less - 120 km / h.

As you can see, even these data do not allow us to unconditionally determine what is more suitable: Niva or UAZ. Which is better, the buyer decides.

Transmission

In this matter, none of the models has advantages. Both SUVs are equipped with a manual 5-speed gearbox and a two-speed transfer case. The difference lies in the drive. "Niva" 4x4 has all-wheel drive. UAZ is inferior in this regard, since the rear wheels are leading. In addition, the front axle of the SUV is rigidly connected, which is far from always convenient. For a UAZ car, four-wheel drive would significantly increase its road potential.

The blocking of Ulyanovsk SUVs has a positive effect on their patency through the mud.

Fuel consumption

"Niva" consumes about 10 liters of fuel per 100 km of road. UAZ, equipped with a gasoline engine, consumes about 13 liters. The diesel power unit consumes a little less - 10 liters of diesel fuel. These figures correspond to reality when driving on hard surfaces. During off-road driving, this figure increases significantly.

Salon "Patriot"

As already noted, landing in the UAZ cabin can be difficult. The door sill is located at a height of more than half a meter, the lack of steps and a narrow handrail under the ceiling make landing not the most pleasant process.

But inside you feel like a "king of the hill" thanks to a very high landing, providing excellent visibility. This can be confirmed in the photo. UAZ is quite spacious: there is enough space in the cabin for both the driver and rear row passengers. Ahead are wide comfortable seats from the Korean company Daewon with a wide range of settings and lumbar support. By the way, the model provides for adjusting the angle of inclination of the separate backrest, which allows you to ride reclining.

There are some shortcomings in the cabin. For example, the front seats are heated, but there is no heating control. After a certain time after turning on the heating, it starts frankly to bake. After the doors are closed, it is difficult to adjust the front seats - you can’t reach the “twists” of the settings, your hand can’t crawl through.

The car has 3 positions of the steering wheel, which partially covers the instrument scale. Upholstery made of cheap muddy plastic. And more minor flaws: friction of the steering wheel, periodic jamming of the cup holder, problems with the handle on the backrest folding mechanism, and so on.

It should be noted the luggage compartment of the car. In the normal state, it is 1300 liters, and with the rear seats folded down - 3490 liters. In the "Patriot Sport" version, due to the stripped-down body, it decreased to 600-1200 hp.

What about the salon in the Chevrolet Niva?

The car has low thresholds and a wide rear door opening, which cannot but please passengers. Inside the SUV, there is less space than its competitor. Unlike the "Patriot", the seats are shapeless, you get tired quickly in them. But in general, the interior is made more accurately both in terms of assembly and materials than in UAZ.

The steering wheel is more comfortable to set up and doesn't obscure the instrument dial. The driver has normal ceiling lighting, softer, and the brake and clutch pedals are wider - here is a list of what has been done better in the Chevrolet Niva. This SUV has a less menacing look than the "Patriot", but this does not make the car less "capable" on the road.

On the road

"A real car for the male half of the population" - this is definitely about UAZ. Four-wheel drive would please many, but we have what we have, and we will build on this. Driving such a car is a real job. A heavy steering wheel with a lot of backlash, tight clutch and brake pedals, a gearshift knob that requires effort - the car is clearly not for women's hands.

On the track, the driver will need a lot of patience and a firm hand to stop the wobbling of the SUV through steering with very low information content and sensitivity. A long-stroke brake pedal must be pressed with a certain effort, but without fanaticism. The car is not equipped with an anti-slip system, so during sudden braking and skidding, the driver can rely only on himself.

At high speed, the SUV hard and noisily overcomes relatively small bumps in the road, striving to leave the trajectory. On bumps and undulating dirt roads, a completely different “song” begins, which is to blame for the short wheelbase of the Sport version. Here begins the noise and serious shaking of passengers in the cabin. By the way, you can drive on such roads at high speeds: the suspension is strong and will withstand everything, but it should be borne in mind that the steering wheel will have to work pretty hard.

Compared to the “cargo” spirit of the UAZ, the Niva seems like a toy. The steering wheel, pedals and all levers are almost weightless. The wheelbase of the Chevrolet Niva 4x4 is 50 mm longer than in the sports version of the Patriot. The front suspension of the car is independent, which makes it more stable and collected on the road.

A relatively dense suspension makes it possible to drive speed bumps more smoothly and steer on dirt roads no worse than on the Patriot. With soundproofing, things are also better.

But to call quiet "Niva" language does not turn. After 100 km / h, the transmission no longer emits a womb rumble, as was the case with older "relatives". But it still “sings along” during acceleration to the vociferous engine. Something rattles in the cabin, and the folding back of the rear right seat knocks on the potholes. But still the car is less noisy than the Patriot.

What unites these two SUVs is the lack of an anti-slip system, the tendency to “float away” from the lane and turn around during braking with wheel locks. They obviously saved on safety. As an excuse, model makers argue that systems like ABS and airbags are not really necessary in cars with such weak powertrains.

"Niva" off-road

In difficult situations, reduced speed, a locking center differential and a high ground clearance of 220 mm come to the rescue. The suspension travels are comparatively small and the risk of diagonal weighing is low. From all this we can conclude that it is desirable to go “on the move” over rough terrain.

UAZ "Patriot": cross-country ability

The car has a decent weight and a high center of gravity. Jumping over bumps in such a car is not the best idea. Despite this, the SUV's suspension moves are the envy of even modern models. "Slowly but surely!" - a suitable motto for the UAZ SUV. The technical characteristics of the car allow you to overcome serious off-road conditions in a "strong" mode at a reduced speed.

Prices and configurations of UAZ

The basic version of the Patriot Sport car will cost 460,000 rubles (the cost of the regular version starts at 512,000 rubles). In this configuration, the SUV is equipped with a 2.7-liter gasoline 112-horsepower power unit. As for any additional equipment, it is simply not here.

The wheels are stamped, there is no spoiler on the rear door. There is perhaps a central locking and a spare wheel cover. The Comfort package will cost 495,000 rubles. The car is equipped with an alarm system, fog lights, servo mirrors and front windows. There are also fender liner, a spare wheel container, athermal glass and R16 alloy wheels.

The top version of Limited is available for 545,000 rubles. Under the hood of the modification is a gasoline engine with a capacity of 128 "horses". This one differs from cheap versions by the presence of air conditioning, heated front seats and a spoiler on the rear door.

Prices and configuration "Niva"

The basic equipment of a Chevrolet Niva car is cheaper than a Patriot and amounts to 434,000 rubles, but, despite this, it is a little richer in terms of equipment. The car has an alarm system with an immobilizer, there is a front window servo drive, and audio preparation, side mirrors with a thermal drive, a cabin filter, and a headlight range control.

Following the standard equipment is the GLS, the cost of which is 483,000 rubles. Cast 16-inch wheels, roof bars, an aluminum bracket for a spare tire, and athermal glasses are put on the car. Heated chairs trimmed with leather substitute. Both configurations can be equipped with air conditioning, but for an additional fee: in the first case it is 27,000 rubles, in the second - 29,000 rubles.

The manufacturing firm is not going to stop, and new "Niva" will be produced in the coming years. The prices of three-door versions, which will be released in 2017, will be about 600-700 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

Both cars have their advantages and disadvantages and generally deserve the same rating. Therefore, the answer to the question: "Niva" or UAZ - which is better?" - Ultimately, the buyer himself must give himself.

How are they different? The fact that for a city dweller who periodically travels to nature, the Niva would be the best option. It holds the road better at high speed and will help you overcome moderate off-road. As for the UAZ "Patriot" car, the city is clearly not his element. It is undesirable to ride such a "colossus", and if possible, then only if absolutely necessary. It is significantly inferior to the "Niva" on asphalt, but in heavy off-road it feels much more confident. The suspension is softer, and, accordingly, serious pits will not annoy passengers so much.