Despite the American name, Chevrolet Niva (Chevrolet Niva) is a completely domestic serial production car, which belongs to the class "D".

Regardless of the generation, the models are equipped with all-wheel drive on a permanent basis, a two-stage transfer case, and a differential lock.

During 2004-2009, the Chevrolet Niva was one of the best-selling cars in the CIS, Russia, including.

Basic configurations of Chevrolet Niva

The first three are considered basic, with minimal equipment, the last two are the maximum possible assembly (see photo).

The range of power plants on a Chevrolet Niva car is typical - a four-cylinder gasoline-type engine with a volume of 1.7 liters, with a capacity of 80 hp. Power units comply with Euro - 4 standard.

Basic versions are equipped with: central locking, electric windows, power steering, alarm, headlight hydro-corrector. The rear row of seats folds in a 60/40 ratio.

The side mirrors are not painted in the main color of the car. Steel wheels, 15 inches in size. In the top-end modifications, there is an option for heating the legs of passengers in the rear row of seats, cup holders, and audio preparation.

The LC is preinstalled with air conditioning, the GLS and GLC have improved interior trim, artificial leather inserts, and other decorative linings. And also, heated seats, alloy wheels, fog lights.

The LE version has a special role - the model is prepared for off-road driving. Externally, "LE" is easy to distinguish from its counterparts by the pre-installed antenna and roof rails, external air intake, winch on the front bumper.

Suspension: front double wishbone, independent, rear multi-link, dependent. The suspension is harsh, but just right for off-road driving. Braking system: front disc and rear drum brakes.

Considering that the design of the car was developed in the late 90s, it does not meet many modern requirements. In order to "stay afloat" the manufacturer has to quickly refine the Niva modifications.

So, three years after the presentation of the first generation, the Chevrolet Niva (FAM-1) model was released. The security system has been improved, moreover, passive, the ABS system is preinstalled, belt pretensioners.

Since 2015, similar equipment is included in series production when assembling the GLS and GLC. The shape of the seats has been changed, now they have clear lateral support, which was lacking in previous versions.

Specifications, comparison of modifications Chevrolet Niva

• Chevrolet Niva Trophy

In 2006, they presented a version of the Chevrolet Niva in a new body - Trophy. There are no obvious differences from previous modifications, with the exception of a pre-installed winch, snorkel, and rims with an increased radius (R16).

Parameters: length 4050 mm x width 1780 mm x height 1650 mm. The wheelbase is 2445 mm, the ground clearance is 200 mm. Of course, the height of the ground clearance is not enough, but for a small off-road it is quite acceptable.

The interior, unfortunately, is a bit old, in places it is just miserable. The material is simple and cheap. The joints are island, no fit. The useful space of the luggage compartment is 325 and 655 liters, with the rear row of seats folded down, respectively.

The power plant is classic: an in-line, eight-valve engine with a volume of 1.7 liters, with a capacity of 87 hp. The transmission is five-speed, four-wheel drive, permanent, the transfer case is two-stage. Acceleration to hundreds in 20 seconds, top speed 145 km / h. Average fuel consumption is 10.9 liters / 100 km. Maximum fording depth for overcoming: 500 mm.

The suspension is typical for the Chevrolet Niva family: front independent, spring, rear dependent, multi-link. Rack and pinion control system with hydraulic booster. The brake system is disc type at the front and drum at the rear.

A few words about the "powerful" version of the Chevrolet Niva FAM-1

In early 2007, AvtoVAZ officially presented the next version of the Chevrolet Niva - FAM-1.

The main difference about the basic versions in the pre-installed power unit from the German Opel. The model can be identified by the chrome “GLX” badge on the center section.

Dimensions: length 4049 mm x width 1775 mm x height 1645 mm. The width of the wheelbase is 2445 mm, the height of the ground clearance is 200 mm. curb weight one and a half tons.

Inside, the interior trim is of average quality, the material is plastic, the seats are upholstered in fabric. The joints are not perfect, but quite tolerable. The luggage compartment is allocated 325 liters, and with the rear row of seats folded down 655 liters.

Under the hood is a 1.8-liter Opel Z18XE power unit, a 16-valve timing system, a distributed fuel injection system. And also, 123 hp, 168 Nm of torque.

The transmission is five-speed from Aisin, two-speed transfer case. Drive type: full, permanent. Acceleration to hundreds in 11.9 seconds, average fuel consumption 10.1 l / 100 km. The maximum speed is 166 km / h.

The suspension is borrowed from its predecessor. Safety system: one front airbag, side curtains are missing. The steering rack is reinforced with a hydraulic booster, the ABS system is preinstalled.

Characteristic disadvantages of the Chevrolet Niva

• Insufficient sound insulation, or rather its complete absence;
• Rigid suspension, which can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage. What to choose in the final version - decide for yourself;
• The security system is poorly implemented. Add at least one pillow, side curtains;
• Fuel consumption increased, including in the "highway" mode;
• Original parts for the first generation are difficult to find due to the lack of sale.

Chevrolet Niva Prices

* check prices with an authorized dealer at the time of purchase.

The Chevrolet Niva is a five-door compact SUV with permanent all-wheel drive. The release of this model was launched in 2002. It is worth taking a closer look at the Chevrolet Niva car. Reviews, the weak points of the SUV - further in our article.

A brief history of the model

In 1977 of the last century, on the basis of the Volga Automobile Plant, a VAZ-2121 car was launched into production. A simple, unremarkable design, but good performance and technical characteristics have led to the fact that the production of "Niva" continues at the present time.

In 1998, AvtoVAZ presented a concept at the auto show that was supposed to replace the usual Niva.

The model received the index 2123, but there were practically no fundamental differences - the model differed only in the five-door body.

In 2001, the launch of a new "Niva" was launched, however, financial problems at AvtoVAZ did not make it possible to establish mass production. The machines were built in small batches. The management made a decision to sell the brand. General Motors acted as the buyer. The employees of the concern have done a great job and made more than 1,700 changes in the design of the Chevrolet Niva. The model has become completely independent.

Further development

In 2006, the Americans completely bought out all the rights to this model. In 2009, a large-scale restyling was carried out, during which the body received a new design. Also, the interior trim has changed, sound insulation has been significantly improved. In 2012, they announced the development of a new model, and in 2015 it was born. But first things first.

Appearance

The model of the first generation was distinguished by a rather attractive, but at the same time by no means bright design.

But against the background of other domestic cars, the all-wheel drive SUV looked fresh and new.

In 2009, together with the restyling, the car received a new body from the Italian designers Bertone. Thanks to the efforts of the specialists working on the exterior of the Chevrolet Niva car, the model began to look even better.

The radiator grill has changed significantly - the designers decided to enlarge the emblem. A new original appearance was also given to the optics - the fog lights got a round shape, new direction indicators were installed on the front fenders. The side parts of the body were decorated with plastic overlays, and the mirrors were painted. More expensive configurations were equipped with 16-inch disks.

The first thing that catches your eye at the back is the bumper. Chevrolet Niva has a special platform designed to facilitate loading. Also, the bumper is equipped with special grilles, the functions and tasks of which are not only decorative. Thanks to this innovation, it was possible to improve air circulation in the vehicle interior. In general, the design commands respect even from those who really like to look closely at the little things.

Salon

The designers did a great job on the interior as well. But this was done for a reason, but at the request of the owners of cars of the first generations. For example, the interior of the restyled Niva Chevrolet has become more ergonomic - several new compartments have been added.

Also, many appreciated the cup holders and the glove box, which no longer sags. In addition, the changes touched and which no longer rattles. The interior is illuminated by two lamps.

The steering wheel is three-spoke and the dashboard feels richer. It has also been significantly improved. In addition, the Americans also took care of safety - the car is equipped with airbags and pretensioner belts. Added the ability to increase the volume of the trunk by folding the rear row of seats. The tailgate has a locking function in one of three positions.

All owners of these cars now have an ignition key with a remote control. What can you say about the Chevrolet Niva car in general? The interior is more ergonomic, made with high quality, the materials are quite reliable and durable, and the assembly is at a high level.

Specifications

Despite the fact that the appearance of the SUV has changed significantly, there is no need to talk about improving the technical characteristics in the car from 2009. Everything is still rather modest.

Under the hood is a 1.7-liter gasoline unit for 80 horses.

But this is not a sports car, but a conqueror of mud and swamps. The maximum possible speed, according to the passport data, is 140 km / h. However, this is more than enough for a quiet ride.

The SUV has a permanent four-wheel drive, 5-speed manual transmission. The transfer case is almost identical to that used on the VAZ-2121. Fuel consumption in urban conditions is 14.1 liters, and on the highway - 8.8 liters.

Options and prices

There are several basic configurations of the Chevrolet Niva car. Price, characteristics are different. So, in the LC version, an air conditioner is available. The LE is prepared for off-road driving and comes with air conditioning.

Luxury trim levels - GLS and GLC.

A LE + version is also available - this is comfort based on a suite. As for the cost, the basic version can be purchased from authorized dealers at a price of 399,000 rubles, which is quite affordable.

Reviews: pros and cons

With the advantages, everything is clear - there are many of them in the Niva Chevrolet car. Reviews of weaknesses are also emphasized quite often. Among the shortcomings, the interior design is still distinguished. The owners expected a little more for their money. Many are not satisfied with rough buttons, cheap trim materials. The drive to reduce production costs is the wrong move, according to the automotive community.

But the interior is not everything. During operation, there are also flaws in the Niva Chevrolet car. Reviews of the weaknesses of the car are often identified: buyers note the imperfection of the chassis and problems with electronic equipment. This is manifested in the operation of the power windows. On the undercarriage, customers criticize ball joints and seals. These parts are made of low-quality materials that are subject to rapid wear. The starter and generator only work properly for 80,000 km, and then they can fail and damage the fuses.

The body is also not without flaws: the car is prone to corrosion. The first thing worth paying attention to when analyzing a Chevrolet Niva car is reviews. Weak spots for corrosion are thresholds (sometimes clients even cite photos as evidence). If there are paint chips on the surface, then the car is especially vulnerable in these places.

Owners also face problems in the operation of the checkpoint: it is practically the same as that of the VAZ 2103. When working with it, extraneous sounds are often heard, and if you accelerate the Niva to 120 km, the plastic in the cabin may begin to vibrate.

But at the same time, many like the car for the cost and cross-country ability. It was appreciated by extreme lovers, residents of villages where off-road is a harsh routine. And they are ready to put up with these disadvantages, because a car of similar quality at such a price is hard to find. Besides, there is no car without flaws.

People often and with pleasure choose the Chevrolet Niva SUV. The price, its characteristics are very acceptable. No other manufacturer is ready to offer four-wheel drive, a reduced range of gears, a transfer case and a differential lock for 400,000 rubles.

New "Chevrolet Niva"

From the photo of the exterior, we can say that the design is quite successful. The body is quite brutal, it embodies aggression and power. The car is not suitable for the city - here it will look ridiculous. A new engine appeared on the Niva Chevrolet car - 16 valves, engine power. - 120 l. with.

What changed?

The front end is equipped with a huge grille that takes up half of the bumper.

Its lower part is closed by a winch. The optics are also covered with a metal grill. The impressive size of the ground clearance and large wheel arches are noticeable. Sills and arches are decorated with plastic overlays. As for the rear, it is also quite impressive. A powerful roof rack and additional headlights are installed on the roof.

The interior is not inferior in seriousness to the exterior. A completely new design awaits the owners. The dashboard looks very modern. The steering wheel is quite large, with three spokes. The cabin has comfortable seats and improved sound insulation.

As the manufacturers assure, the power unit is simple and new, but at the same time as reliable as possible.

The new car "Niva Shervole" has 16 valves, a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine produced by Peugeot. Its power is 120 liters. with. The unit has an in-line layout, four cylinders, a distributed injection system.

A 5-speed mechanic works in tandem with the motor. During its development, emphasis was placed on reliability, but an automatic machine will also be available as an option. The cost of the basic configuration will be from 500,000 rubles. This is a very reasonable price for a car of this level.

Despite the fact that work on the 2123 project began in the first half of the eighties of the XX century, at a certain moment it became clear to the designers that it was more expedient to create a new model, and not try to improve the usual VAZ-2121.

Since all the forces of the factory workers at that time were thrown into the production of the VAZ-2108 on the conveyor, they began to seriously engage in a promising off-road passenger car a little later. The year 1986 can be considered the official starting point, when the technical specification for the 2123 model was finally formed and sent to the design departments of AVTOVAZ.

An important feature of the terms of reference for the model 2123 was the body type - frame. This design with hinged plastic panels at that time in Togliatti had both supporters and opponents. There have already been production cars in the world made according to this scheme - for example, the Renault Espace minivan.

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However, soon the idea to "frame" the Niva was abandoned, because this required huge financial costs and a complete changeover of production: in large-scale production conditions, the production of a car with a frame body required the development of new technologies and materials. The load-bearing structure had to be made using high-alloy steels, and the bezels required expensive and difficult-to-manufacture plastic. And this meant that with all the seeming advantages of the frame-panel construction with the use of "eternal" plastic, its serial implementation at that time was inexpedient.

Crossover thoughts

In order to test the idea of ​​using a chain drive in a transfer case in practice, VAZ purchased a transmission from a first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero SUV.

As it turned out, in order to use such a design, the plant would have to acquire a license, as well as eliminate all the "technological" issues associated with a cardinal alteration of the transmission. New propeller shafts, pedal assembly, body parts (central tunnel and bottom), exhaust system and much more stopped the designers, forcing them to remain faithful to the "native" scheme, which by that time had already been tested and verified by both professionals and hundreds of thousands of privates car owners.

There were also those at the plant who believed that the new Niva needed to be brought closer to a passenger car, deliberately deteriorating its off-road qualities. Moreover, such a "crossover" model could be widely unified with the newest front-wheel drive - VAZ-2108. Yes, some experts insisted that the motor on 2123 should be placed not along, but across the engine compartment!

In order to study the issue in practice, the UGK VAZ purchased two "Japanese" - Nissan Prairie and Honda Civic Shuttle, which passed comprehensive tests.

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Opinions were divided: some designers believed that in the new car it was possible to sacrifice cross-country ability in favor of other consumer qualities, while others believed that the Niva-2 should not be inferior to the VAZ-2121 in its off-road potential. It is not surprising that the "jeep" concept was adhered to by those designers, constructors and testers who were directly involved in the development of the first Niva. They just stood up for the "native" scheme and did not allow turning the compact Togliatti SUV into a crossover like Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson. History does not imply a subjunctive mood, but Niva seems to have had the opportunity to step into the same river twice and again ahead of time with his own concept - this time "parquet". It did not work out - due to the fact that the "twenty-first" in terms of off-road qualities showed itself very brightly, they did not dare to abandon its main trump card at the plant.

Don't forget about beauty

Having finally decided that the new Niva will conceptually be an improved successor to the ideas of the previous SUV, the designers moved on to the body design.

Initially, two mock-ups were made. V. Syomushkin's version strongly resembled the modernized VAZ-2123, which was clearly "tied" to the old platform.

Early design of the new Niva (1980)

While in the sketches of A. Belyakov, the promising Niva appeared completely different - a five-door, more streamlined and "chubby", with narrow headlights and an aerodynamic silhouette.

Much in the lines and solutions in one way or another echoed with, on which at that time they were also working at VAZ.

More precisely, the concepts of Belyakov and Syomushkin (later) looked more like a station wagon with an index of 2111 - plasticine models of 2123 give a clear understanding of who the car of the tenth family owes its original appearance to.

A little later, Belyakov emigrated, and for obvious reasons they departed from his ideas on the appearance of 2123. But somehow a delegation from Japan came to the plant. Honda representatives got acquainted with the developments and ... in the late nineties, the world saw the compact crossover HR-V, amazing.

Another version of the appearance of the VAZ-2123 belonged to the VAZ designer V. Stepanov, who a little later used his own developments for a new UAZ with an index of 3160, also produced at the STC VAZ.

The technical part of the future Niva-2 was being run in by that time.

Despite the fact that conceptually the car remained the same, the designers had to qualitatively improve its driving performance and increase the level of comfort, and without deteriorating the cross-country ability! We coped with the task perfectly.

More powerful, more comfortable, more spacious

The designers have not seen the new Niva with the same engine. As a power unit, they proposed using the engine of the future "ten" (16-valve 2110), as well as a 1.8-liter diesel engine, which at that time was being developed for the "forty-first" Moskvich together with AZLK.

At VAZ, they tried to adapt a purchased diesel engine to the Niva - for example, the ultra-efficient German ELKO unit, which the Germans themselves wanted .

Finally, there was also a "voice of reason", suggesting at first to install under the hood an ordinary "Zhiguli" engine "unclenched" into a hundred or two cubes, which later received the index 21213. Irony of fate, but the new Niva was destined to be born and grow old with just such a unit - albeit not the most modern and high-power, but really existing in production.

Working on the interior and ergonomics of the future Niva, the designers were faced with the fact that the compact five-door has practically no serial counterparts that could be used as a "starting point"! So I had to measure anything - larger imported jeeps, Suzuki Samurai and Vitara, even my own "perspective" - ​​a model of a tenth model car!

The designers were faced with a difficult task: the new car should become noticeably more comfortable than the usual old Niva woman, providing an acceptable fit for all five occupants of the cabin, and not just for the driver and front passenger, as was previously practiced taking into account the intended purpose of the off-road vehicle. The builders and ergonomists did a great job on the layout, trying to get the most out of the project for the driver and four passengers. Over time, the landing mock-up turned into a demo interior project, which clearly showed what the interior of the new car would be like.

Long road to release

By 1989, at the technical council of the STC VAZ, the concept of model 2123 was considered and finally approved. Thus, the result of five years of research and experimentation was a five-door car with a longitudinally positioned engine and permanent all-wheel drive according to the usual scheme for Niva - through a center differential with the ability to lock.

Alas, the collapse of the USSR in 1991 greatly influenced the history of the 2123 model, the work on which was temporarily tacitly recognized as secondary. As in the case of the "eight", all the forces at the plant were concentrated on the launch of a new passenger car - this time the model 2110.

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In addition, at the VAZ, while the upgraded Niva with the index 21213 was being launched into the series, but due to problems with the taillights, at first it was possible to master only the "hybrid" with the index 21219, where the "two hundred and thirteenth" 1.7-liter engine was installed in the old body with a short tailgate and six rear optics.

For a number of reasons, the work on project 2123 from the VAZ STC was transferred to the OPP - a pilot industrial production, where four bodies for aggregate carriers were welded out of eight ordinary Niva bodies. Alas, they did not wait for their components and assemblies, leaving for write-off after a couple of years of fruitless downtime.

Variant of appearance from V. Kryazhev (1992)

Since the plant did not pull off a serious modernization of the transmission in the new economic conditions, it was decided to stop at the maximum unification with the transmission of serial VAZs - gearbox 21074 and "razdatka" 2121.

There were also problems with the exterior: since the design of the previous models turned out to be too "lightweight", it did not really fit with the "jeep" concept of the car. In addition, at the beginning of the nineties, the exterior of the prototypes looked already from the strength of today, and not tomorrow. And this means that by the time it was put on the assembly line, the new Niva would be hopelessly outdated. At VAZ they understood this and tried to find another "timeless design", as it was possible to do on the 2121 model.

Nevertheless, by 1993, the same Syomushkin "again found" the look of the Niva - this time a five-door and modern one.

An interesting detail - the designer really did not want to place the spare wheel on the tailgate, which many of his colleagues insisted on. After all, the previous solution with a "spare" in the engine compartment was, first of all, "beautiful in terms of engineering."

That is why they tried to attach the fifth wheel under the trunk bottom - in much the same way as it was done on the Renault Duster. However, for layout reasons, the "spare wheel" was still placed "in a jeep" - on the tailgate.

In parallel with the usual five-door model, the designers worked on modifications of the Niva-2 - a pickup, a van and even a convertible!

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Moreover, the work on enthusiasm was successful not only in terms of the final result, but also in terms of time - it turned out to complete the entire range in just one and a half to two years.

By that time, the first running samples of 2123 were ripe. They showed that the car should be more stable, roomy and comfortable, but ... in cross-country ability, the new model was clearly inferior to the old woman-2121.

In parallel with the fine-tuning of the technical part, the VAZ worked on the appearance of the Niva. In particular, the management of the plant did not like the "Dnieper power station on the front end", as the plant workers aptly dubbed the solution of the radiator grille with many vertical holes.

The most popular of all NIVs is the Chevrolet Niva today. This car became the prototype of our Soviet Niva, famous for its cross-country ability and ease of serviceability of breakdowns. But, as it turned out, according to the reviews of the car owners of these cars and according to the statistics of failure of parts, components and assemblies, the Chevrolet Niva does not differ in anything better than the overpriced. Therefore, below we will consider the weakest points and disadvantages of these cars.

Weaknesses Niva Chevrolet 2002-2009 release

• Valve train chain;
• Throttle sensor;
• Cooling system;
• Transfer case;
• Problems in the manual transmission.

Now in more detail….

In general, the gas distribution mechanism on this machine is very unreliable and requires special attention in maintenance and constant monitoring during the entire cycle of the vehicle's operation. The fact is that with an untimely replacement of the elements of the gas distribution mechanism or improper installation, the chain may jump by a couple of teeth, which will come to sad consequences, namely, to the failure of the heart of the car - the engine. Therefore, when buying, you need to pay attention to the operation of the units under the hood. When the timing chain is not tensioned, a significant operating noise is heard. And as a result, in the near future, you may encounter problems such as breakage of a damper or a restraining finger.

Throttle sensor.

One of the common sores of the Chevrolet Niva is also a failure of the throttle sensor. This malfunction is not critical and its repair is not expensive, but it is important to know that this happens, not as rarely as we would like. A symptom of this malfunction is an arbitrary stop of the engine at the factory after a long stay. Therefore, although the sensor is not expensive, it will be necessary to replace it. It is important to know, both for the future owner of this car, and for the present, who has not yet encountered this problem. The sensor may fail even if the vehicle has run less than 10 thousand km. after the last sensor change.

Cooling system.

Here it is necessary to highlight two important and at the same time the most problematic elements of the system - this is the radiator itself and the expansion tank. Very often, the owners of this Chevrolet model complain about radiator leaks. Indeed, this malfunction mainly arises from a constructive flaw in the radiators themselves. But it is also important to pay attention to the fact that the tank, the so-called expansion tank, is an equally significant headache for the owners of the Chevrolet Niva. Even in a slight cold, the tank can burst at the seams, and the most unpleasant thing if this happens on the road. Therefore, this problem must be taken seriously and conclusions must be drawn.

Problems in the manual transmission.

The most common problem in these gearboxes is knocking out fifth and reverse gears. There is only one reason - the rocker of the gear selection mechanism has not been adjusted. The input shaft bearing can "die" in the region of 50-60 thousand km. You can check it yourself beforehand. When the clutch is squeezed out, the noise in the gearbox disappears, then the bearing is most likely to be replaced. A disease in this unit is also a leak in the area of ​​the speedometer drive.

Transfer case.

The weak point in the "razdatka" are the oil seals. Not infrequently, many Chevrolet Niva owners notice oil leaks and the transfer case itself in oil. You can check this yourself by driving into the pit. But it is important to know that oil can also be squeezed out through the o-ring of the gear shift shaft. This problem arises when the breather is clogged. Therefore, in any case, for example, when purchasing this car, it is necessary to check the "handout" at least visually and during the run.

The paintwork on this car is not entirely of high quality, namely, weak anti-corrosion protection. Even the owners of the new Chevrolet Niva noticed traces of corrosion in the third or fourth year of operation. It is especially necessary to pay attention to the paintwork of the wheel arches.

Less frequent malfunctions of the Chevrolet Niva:

• Failure of the oil pump (in the region of 100 thousand km of run);
• Idling regulator (in the same run area);
• Burnout of the cylinder head gasket;
• Failure of the starter (90-100 thousand km of run);
• Tearing off the lower radiator pipe;
• Destruction of the exhaust manifold attachment;
• Hand brake cable;
• Pump leaks;

The main disadvantages of the Chevrolet Niva:

1. Vibration of the manual transmission lever;
2. Weak insulation;
3. Separate heating for legs and windshield;
4. Small trunk volume;
5. Poor quality of spare parts;
6. Tailgate creak;
7. "Crickets" in the plastic of the panel;

Conclusion.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that, in general, the Chevrolet Niva car is intended for those who like to constantly deal with the repair of their car. And what is most important is that any part or unit as a whole can fail on a given car at any time.

P.S: Dear car owners, do not forget to write in the comments about the problem areas and shortcomings of your Niva.

Disadvantages and weaknesses of the first generation Chevrolet Niva with mileage was last modified: August 22nd, 2019 by Administrator

Sales market: Russia.

Chevrolet Niva is a Russian compact SUV. According to the Association of European Businesses of the Russian Federation, it was the best-selling off-road vehicle in Russia in 2004-2008. Manufactured at GM-AvtoVAZ. The concept of the VAZ-2123 car was first demonstrated at the Moscow International Motor Show in 1998 and was presented as the successor to the Niva VAZ-2121. Serious changes in the model affected only the body, which became more spacious and acquired a more modern look, while the mechanical part was left practically unchanged. In 2001, the license and rights to the Niva brand were sold to General Motors, which significantly corrected the design and in 2002 launched production of the Niva under the Chevrolet brand. In March 2009, a restyled version of the SUV was presented. The body design was brought in line with the general corporate identity of the Chevrolet model line, with major changes affecting the exterior and interior design. All Chevrolet Niva cars are equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a VAZ-2123 gasoline 4-cylinder in-line engine with a volume of 1.7 liters and 80 hp.

The restyled version of the Chevrolet Niva is offered in five trim levels: L, LC, LE, GLS and GLC. The basic one includes central locking, power windows for the front doors, a height-adjustable steering column, power steering, alarm, headlight range control, rear folding seats in a 60/40 ratio, unpainted exterior mirrors with electric drive and heating, tires with steel rims 15 " ". There are heating for the feet of passengers in the back seat, a cabin filter, cup holders and a section for small items, audio preparation (a connection block and wiring to the acoustic speakers in the front doors). An air conditioner is provided in the LC configuration. More expensive GLS and GLC trim levels include an additionally improved imitation leather interior trim, interior trims, rear lighting, heated front seats, roof rails, painted mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, isothermal glass, fog lights. The LE version stands apart in the model range, it is specially prepared for off-road conditions and assumes the presence of an external antenna and roof rails, off-road tires on black alloy wheels, an external air intake (snorkel) for overcoming water obstacles, a winch mounting bracket in front, engine protection and a front axle gearbox , rear bumper protection with tow bar (towing hitch).

A VAZ-2123 engine is installed on the car, which is a development of the VAZ-21214 injection engine with adaptation to the new engine compartment. Equipped with a multipoint fuel injection system, it has an output of 79.6 hp. at 5200 rpm and a torque of 127.5 Nm at 4000 rpm. It is clear that with such an engine, Niva does not pretend to be a dynamic car - acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h according to passport data will take 19 seconds. Combined fuel consumption is 10.8 liters per 100 km. The toxicity standards correspond to Euro-4.

The front independent double wishbone and rear dependent suspensions of the Chevrolet Niva are in fact the legacy of their distant predecessor, the Niva VAZ-2121. A sturdy, reliable design, perhaps not very comfortable by modern standards, but great for riding over rough terrain and poorly paved roads, and easy to maintain. There are disc brakes in the front, drum brakes in the back. However, this car is appreciated by another - a real ("honest") mechanical permanent all-wheel drive, where there is no such thing as transmission response simply does not exist. According to the manufacturer, "the Chevrolet NIVA is in constant off-road readiness." The lowered row (a rare feature today) in the transfer case allows for extra traction. The parameters of the geometric cross-country deserve respect.

Considering that the car's roots go back to the development of the mid-80s, the designers had to work hard to improve safety. In particular, the mechanism of the seat belts was improved, the power elements of the body were modernized for better damping of the impact energy. Separate versions (FAM-1) were produced with ABS, airbags and seat belt pretensioners. Since August 2011, this equipment is already included as standard in the GLS and GLC trim levels. In 2014, the seats were modernized - now they have more pronounced lateral support, a backlash-free mechanism for adjusting the backrest position, and a new shape of the head restraints.

The Chevrolet Niva remains one of the most sought after SUVs on the market. This car will suit those who are ready to close their eyes to some objective shortcomings (cramped interior, small trunk, weak and uneconomical engine), but for whom the affordable price, Niva's cross-country ability, more modern, unlike its predecessor, appearance are of decisive importance and interior, a variety of trim levels. Chevrolet Niva is for those who are mentally prepared for what may have to put their hands on the car, especially if it is a brand new car.

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