The Lada Urban 4x4, the technical characteristics of which we will describe in detail in the article, was announced two years ago by AvtoVAZ as a real new domestic SUV, based on the well-known Niva, produced since the distant 1977. In October 2014 The updated crossover began to be produced at its subsidiary in Togliatti, JSC PSA VIS-AUTO.

A little history

When creating a new model, the engineers set their main goal not only to thoroughly update the outdated Niva, but also to make the car more aggressive, modern and attractive to the average city dweller. This is where the Lada Urban 4x4 came from, which met European standards. How does the updated model differ from the Niva? Let's take a closer look at all the changes.

Dimensions

Due to the fact that the new SUV is made on the basis of the Niva, it retained it:

• the length did not exceed 3740 mm;
• width - 1680 mm;
• height also remained the same - 1640 mm;
• wheelbase - 2200 mm.

The trunk volume, equal to 585 liters, has also remained unchanged. A load capacity of 400 kg also does not surprise anyone.

Studying the overall characteristics of the Lada Urban 4x4 car, changes are noticeable in size. Now there is a lower ground clearance, reduced by approximately 20 mm. However, this innovation can be called an advantage, since thanks to it the car has become more stable at speed. It is worth noting that even 200 mm is enough for an SUV for excellent cross-country ability and regular off-road forays.

Exterior

What new did the designers add to the design of the Lada Urban 4x4? This is not the only aspect that has undergone updates. New elements have appeared in the exterior. These are plastic bumpers, a modified radiator grille, and exterior mirrors. The door handles, made in black, added a certain contrast. In addition, the SUV is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels from the factory. In appearance, these are all changes - it’s true, and they were enough to give the already classic and boring image of the Niva fresh shades and some youthful spark.

Interior of the car "Lada Urban 4x4"

The photo of the interior clearly demonstrates all the changes that were made in the restyled version of the car. It is worth noting that this particular part of the car will delight you with numerous new products. Here car enthusiasts will find many interesting and useful functions.

A modern lighting unit was installed on the ceiling, and standard rubber carpets were added to the trunk and interior. The new seats are made from high-quality, easy-to-clean upholstery, with colored stitching around the perimeter. In the Lada Urban 4x4 car (see photo of the interior below), unlike the ascetic Niva, air conditioning finally appeared, and the external mirrors received not only the ability to be electronically adjusted, but also heated. Innovations also include a more modern steering wheel, electric windows, a standard radio and better sound insulation than its predecessor.

The front panel and dashboard look old-fashioned, even the “instrument panel” borrowed from the VAZ-2115 does not help. Ventilation and heating can be controlled using archaic sliders. The plastic is cheap and hard, there are a lot of creaks and crickets, and the ignition switch is located on the left, like in the post-war Moskvich.

"Lada Urban 4x4": technical characteristics

As for driving performance, the Lada 4x4 Urban received ABS and BAS systems, but the engine remained unchanged - the familiar and outdated 1.7 liter engine with an output of 83 hp. With. and a torque of 129 Nm. Naturally, such a unit is of little use for the urban cycle and active driving. According to internal tests of AvtoVAZ, the Urban model was able to reach a maximum speed of 142 km/h. By the way, diesel versions of engines are not produced to this day.

Remains unchanged and is still all-wheel drive. The driver is not afraid of curbs, holes and snowdrifts in the yard if he is driving a Lada Urban 4x4. The technical characteristics of the gearbox are standard (5 steps). It was borrowed from the VAZ-2121. This all-wheel drive transmission distributes torque between the axles, improving cross-country ability. left with the possibility of forced blocking. The manufacturer’s plans were to deprive Urban of a low gear, which was not popular with owners of the regular Niva. But in fact, the restyled version remained with three levers (gearbox, transfer case and “lower”).

Fuel consumption

According to the manufacturer, fuel consumption in the combined cycle of the Lada Urban is almost 10 liters per hundred kilometers. True, according to reviews from owners, the SUV has a much greater appetite: a weak engine, an outdated transmission in all respects and a decent weight of the car affect consumption no less.

Sales 2016

The production of Lada Urban continues in 2016, and prices vary from 479,000 to 516,700 rubles, depending on the configuration and equipment. Buyers of an SUV are offered a wide choice of colors in which the car can be presented: “jasper”, “coriander”, “Odyssey”, “port”, “cosmos”, as well as standard ones - white and black.

Let's sum it up

Considering the long-term history of the development of the Lada 4x4 model, Urban should in no way be considered a new generation. This is just a modification, a small update that affected the Niva in terms of internal and external design; several useful functions were also added. With the release of the Lada Urban 4x4, the interior has become a little more attractive, but to truly be called a bestseller in the SUV market, AvtoVAZ will still have to work hard.

Lada 4×4 Urban is a modernized version of the legendary Lada 2121, which is still popularly called NIVA. The main differences from the classic model are the presence of plastic bumpers, an upgraded suspension, air conditioning and a full power package, which includes electric mirrors and power windows. Although this car has not been produced for a long time, there are several problem areas that can currently be identified that future owners need to know about before purchasing this car.

Weaknesses of Niva Urban

• Transmission;
• Transfer case;
• Seals and cardan cross.

Now more details...

Since the Lada 4×4 Urban is an urban version of the classic Niva, many of the problems these cars have are the same:

Front wings.

This car is not highly resistant to corrosion, and within a couple of years, quite serious corrosion may appear on the front fenders, near the headlights. In order to check the condition of the wings, you need to take a flashlight with you and carefully inspect their inner surface. To be sure, you can touch the metal with your hand.
If the car is wearing fresh fender liners, then most likely they tried to cover up pockets of rust in this simple way.

Transmission.

One of the weakest points of this SUV. The gearbox is checked while the car is moving. If the speeds are turned on with a squeaking and grinding sound or there are other unpleasant sounds, then the gearbox is probably excessively worn out due to untimely maintenance and this in turn will require expensive repairs.

Transfer case.

It is imperative to check how easily the differential lock is engaged. If, while driving with the lock engaged, strong vibration occurs or a grinding noise is heard, then the car needs urgent repairs. But if a howl is heard while driving, then this is quite natural for these cars.

Seals and crosspiece of the cardan shaft.

Do not forget that the Lada 4×4 Urban has impressive off-road potential, so oil seals and CV joints have not gone away. Don't expect them to be perfectly clean. The main thing is that the seals are physically intact, without cracks or leaks. The driveshaft cross must also be intact, without visible damage. All this can be checked by driving the car into the simplest garage pit.

It is also worth saying that you should avoid buying lifted cars or cars with installed power bumpers. Such design changes seriously reduce the vehicle's service life and leave no doubt that the NIVA was used in severe off-road conditions.

Main disadvantages of LADA 4×4 Urban

1. Poor sound insulation;
2. Ergonomic miscalculations;
3. Some cars have difficulty downshifting;
4. Cheap interior plastic for a car of this price;
5. Poor quality plastic elements of the car;
6. Small trunk volume.

Conclusion.

As a practical domestic car, the interior quality and ergonomics of the Lada Urban are not all that good. But if the choice fell on this particular car, then in any case it is necessary, with the help of specialists and the necessary equipment, to diagnose all systems, components and assemblies for the absence of defects. If this is not possible, then at a minimum it is necessary to visually and during a test run pay attention to the performance of all elements of the machine.

Review of Lada Urban

P.S: Dear current and future owners of Niva Urban cars! Write in the comments about the weaknesses, diseases and shortcomings of your car that were identified during operation. Thank in advance.

Weaknesses and main disadvantages of the Lada 4×4 Urban was last modified: March 29, 2019 by Administrator

Minor changes in appearance nevertheless significantly affected the impression left by the appearance of the car. If you look at the photo of LADA Niva Urban, you will notice that the look of the classic car has become more modern. This variation received a modified radiator grille and plastic bumpers made in body color. The plastic is scratch-resistant, so any off-road terrain will be conquered without mechanical damage. You can also recognize the new Lada Niva Urban 4x4 2019 by the absence of chrome parts, replaced by a strict black coating. The car also stands out for its 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interior convenience and comfort are built into the base

The owner of a legendary car in a new variation can count on more:

• Comfort in the compact interior of the LADA Niva Urban is ensured by the basic option - a powerful climate system. Athermal glass keeps the car pleasantly cool for a long time. And the use of new materials for upholstery.
• The slightly modified central tunnel received cup holders and a special handle, which is used to control the electric windows and electrically adjust the heated exterior mirrors.
• Driving convenience has also been enhanced by expanding the rear window cleaning area, which has improved the driver's visibility.

Both Niva-2121 and Niva Urban cars are produced by the same VAZ manufacturing plant - the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. Only the first model is an ordinary passenger car, familiar to every Russian, and Urban is its luxury version. What is the difference between the Niva Urban and the regular Niva 2121? All features will be discussed in this article.

Basic information about the Niva 2121 car

Niva 2121 is also known as LADA 4×4 and is considered a car with increased cross-country ability. The manufacturing plant presents its creation as a small-class all-terrain vehicle, which is equipped with:

• monocoque body - station wagon, with three doors;
• transmission with permanent all-wheel drive;
• four-speed gearbox (manual);
• two-speed transfer case;
• center differential (with the possibility of blocking if necessary).

The high level of cross-country ability of the Niva 2121 is achieved due to the following characteristics:

• high ground clearance - 220 mm;
• small body overhangs – approach angle is 32 degrees, departure angle is 37 degrees;
• short wheelbase - 2.2 meters;
• safety steering with telescopic shaft;
• steering mechanism in the form of a globoidal worm.

Serial production of this vehicle began during the Soviet Union - in 1977, and continues to this day.

The first model of the Niva 2121 was developed and manufactured by VAZ specialists for off-road use, and it did not have a covered body. Literally a year later, this all-terrain vehicle was equipped with a metal roof, which made it possible to recognize its high-class characteristics in the global automobile market. Its package included:

• permanent all-wheel drive;
• independent front suspension;
• closed all-metal monocoque body;
• low cost.

Niva 2121 is recognized internationally as the best all-terrain vehicle, while being the leader in AvtoVAZ export products. High successes of this vehicle in motor sports were noted. This has been confirmed repeatedly at prestigious rally raids - Paris-Dakar, Rally of the Pharaohs, etc.

In accordance with the requirements of progress, some design details of the Niva 2121 also changed. Thus, in 2016, changes were made:

• a modernized bearing has been introduced into the front hubs, which does not require periodic adjustments;
• improved steering knuckle;
• an independent type front axle gearbox was installed;
• Gas-filled shock absorbers are installed.

Today, several dozen different models of the Niva 2121 are known, including the Niva Urban. This version of the three-door all-terrain vehicle began production in 2014 on the Russian market, and in 2015 it entered the German market.

Basic information about the Niva Urban car

This modification of the Niva went on sale in 2014 and was designed for those motorists who prefer off-road driving and urban asphalt roads (hence the name “Urban”).

Urban trends were also reflected in the appearance of the vehicle. It has become less aggressive and more streamlined. This happened thanks to a redesigned radiator grille. VAZ specialists also introduced a number of innovations to the equipment of the all-terrain vehicle. This is directly related to the opinion of experienced car enthusiasts and owners of other Niva 2121 models. The changes made made the Niva Urban suitable for long trips through city traffic jams with the greatest comfort. The amenities of Niva Urban include:

• car air conditioning;
• glass with athermal effect (thanks to them, the coolness in the car interior remains longer);
• electric window lift;
• electric drive;
• comfortable steering wheel shape;
• increased rear window cleaning area;
• heated mirrors.

But the new plastic bumpers are less practical than the old bumpers made of steel. But thanks to this change, Niva Urban has become shorter in length (3640 mm) and squat. The lower center of gravity increased the steering stability of this vehicle, which improved its maneuverability during high-speed turns.

Comparing Niva 2121 and Niva Urban

We have already mentioned some of the innovations introduced into the Niva Urban package earlier. Experts say that all other changes are purely symbolic. Let's see if this is true.

All changes can be divided into several groups:

1. In the car showroom:
   • steering wheel with a reduced wheel diameter - 380 mm (on a regular Niva 2121 - 420 mm);
   • electric windows;
   • car air conditioning;
   • heated seats for the driver and passengers;
   • outside mirrors are electronically adjustable and heated;
   • new floor tunnel lining;
   • the floor tunnel is equipped with two cup holders, a round ashtray, a cigarette lighter and a toggle switch to turn on the car air conditioning;
   • between the front seats there are buttons for turning on the power windows and a joystick for adjusting the position of the mirrors;
   • the seats are upholstered with yellow-beige stitching;
   • "Prior" lampshade for interior lighting.
2. In design:
   • removable towing device (on the bumpers under the plugs there is a thread for screwing in an eye);
   • light alloy wheels;
   • ICE with distributed injection;
   • there are no cardan shafts in the transmission;
   • drive shafts with constant velocity joints are installed to connect the transfer case with the gearboxes;
   • compacted cable sheath for opening the hood;
   • dual-jet washer nozzles;
   • spring clamps in the cooling system;
   • extended wiper blades;
   • Daytime Running Lights.
3. In external design:
   • new model of radiator grille;
   • back door ornament;
   • the windshield seal does not have chrome inserts;
   • black door handles;
   • the painting technology has been changed (two painting primers - cataphoresis and polyester);
   • Stylish body color – cappuccino metallic.

The small diameter of the steering wheel is justified by the fact that in this case it is more convenient for the driver to sit in the driver’s seat. Thanks to almost weightless control parts, Niva Urban is convenient to drive. Taking into account the increased visibility, parking has become much more rational.

New plastic bumpers are prone to scratching, especially when driving on off-road terrain. And the new body paint, thanks to double primer, guarantees the durability of the coating with improved anti-corrosion protection. The luggage compartment capacity is 265 liters. But this is not the limit. The trunk volume can be increased using a simple procedure: folding the rear row of seats. The resulting luggage compartment volume will be 585 liters. This is very convenient when transporting large items.

Engineers LADA talked about the next stage of modernization of the legendary SUV LADA 4x4. Specialists have done serious work on changing the chassis of the car. The main emphasis was placed on improving the consumer properties of the suspension. The engineers were faced with the task of increasing the strength, reliability and durability of individual components. The necessary changes were also made to the design of the front axle: it was disconnected from the engine and installed on the front suspension. This decision led to a reduction in unnecessary vibrations. This innovation also allows, if necessary, the installation of almost any power unit on a car.

To make changes to the car's hub assembly, specialists worked on the front steering knuckle: instead of installing tapered bearings, it was decided to use a double-row ball bearing with improved tightness. One of the main advantages of this part is that it does not require adjustments during operation. Previously, it was necessary to do this every 10-15 thousand kilometers. The steering knuckle as a whole has been modernized from a kinematics point of view. Thus, updated LADA 4x4, will become more stable when braking. The hub, outer joint housing and brake disc have undergone changes and modifications - the latter is currently installed as standard for all LADA scheme. Previously, this happened according to a separate scheme for an SUV.

We should take a closer look at the brake disc. Currently, thanks to the work of engineers, it is coated with an anti-corrosion compound. The upper and lower ball pins have been modified - the front stabilizer mounts and the design of the stabilizer mounting pads have been changed. This eliminates the process of squeezing the airbags out of the cages during the operation of the SUV.

The next stage of improvement is retuning the suspension. The operation was performed to improve damping characteristics. The changes affected the front springs. To increase energy intensity, gas-filled shock absorbers are currently being installed.

To improve quality, specialists made changes to the lower hinges, replaced the fluid in the shock absorbers and modernized the valve group. First time on an SUV LADA 4x4 Gas boost was applied and synthetic oil was used.

Rubber-metal hinges have undergone modernization. The rods can be painted or powder coated, thus increasing corrosion resistance.

It was possible to achieve a reduction in noise during the operation of shock absorbers and increase their service life - now it is almost the entire service life of the car.

Specialists are especially proud of the introduction of a non-adjustable wheel bearing - the unit has become much more reliable and does not require maintenance costs.

Tests of the modernized cars took place in the Samara and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as in the Krasnodar Territory.
Engineers noted that the changes made it possible to significantly increase comfort, and the speed of passing test distances increased.