Lada Niva Journeys: Russia’s more present day and refined ‘mountain goat’ SUV

Zagreb, Croatia - February 27, 2012: Russian iconic off-roader Lada Niva on the high crest before mountain Medvednica.

The Niva Travel is a more comfortable, quiet, and well-equipped sister model to the more well-known classic Niva, which is Lada’s more refined take on the classic, compact, and straightforwardly capable Niva SUV line.

The Niva Travel is a 5-door utility vehicle with contemporary rugged styling that serves as a complement to the 3-door Niva as a vehicle that is more up-to-date and practical. Despite the fact that it lacks some of the charms of the original and iconic Niva, the Niva Travel is not diminished in its extensive off-road capabilities and shares the same engine, drive-line, or suspension design as the Niva.

A different take The rebranded and restyled Niva Traval, which will be released in 2021 by the now-wholly Russian-owned and independent automaker Avtovaz/Lada, is an evolution of the VAZ 2123 compact SUV, which was first released in 1998 and was later marketed as the Chevrolet Niva in a joint venture with General Motors. The Niva Travel sits in between the three- and five-door versions of the original Niva, which now goes by the Legend name. It has a lot of the same mechanicals as the older model, but its design is very different from the clean lines of the simpler model.

The more contemporary styling themes of the Niva Travel include a large, wide, and hungry trapezoidal grille flanked by slim, scowling, and heavily browed headlights. This distinguishes the Niva Travel from the enduring Niva Legend, which has a beautifully proportioned and uncomplicatedly boxy design. Additionally, it incorporates cutting-edge details like a windscreen that is more swept back, lower black cladding, black B and C pillars, and stylized rear lights. In the meantime, the spare tire has been moved from under the Legend’s hood to an external mounting on the side-swinging rear tailgate.

The design of the Niva Travel differs from more modern SUVs in that it is comparably narrow and tall for manoeuvrability through off-road routes. However, its low waistline and large glasshouse provide excellent road visibility for manoeuvring and accurately positioning it on- and off-road, as well as when parking. The Niva Travel is a small mountain goat-style off-roader that is 4.1 meters long. It sits high above the ground at 220 millimeters and has short front and rear overhangs of 749 millimeters. This gives it generous off-road angles and the ability to traverse rough and inhospitable terrain.

The Niva Travel produces 79 BHP at 5,000 rpm and 94 lb/ft at 4,000 rpm thanks to a slightly detuned version of Lada’s renowned, long-lasting, and uncomplicated longitudinally mounted 8-valve 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Despite losing only 3 BHP and 1 lb/ft in comparison to the lighter Niva Legend, the larger, better-equipped, and better-insulated 1,485kg Niva Travel is only slightly slower. However, it gains 200 kg. The Niva Travel can reach a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour and achieve a combined cycle fuel economy of 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers by accelerating 0.2 seconds later from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.

Reassuringly rugged Although the headline statistics have not changed, the Niva Travel’s increased weight over the Legend is more apparent on the move and can be felt as slightly blunted and less responsive. It is tempting to use the Niva Travel’s low gear ratio range for more robust low speed performance for certain on-road conditions and topographies because it requires one to hold gears at higher revs to build enough power and momentum before upshifting on steeper inclines. Despite this, the engine’s character and operation are pleasantly linear and smooth.

The Niva Travel’s 5-speed manual gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive system provide ample traction for confident off-road driving. The Niva Travel’s extensive off-road capabilities include a locking center differential, low gear ratios for challenging inclines, and rugged live axle and coil spring rear suspension, as well as long wheel travel for traversing large obstacles while maintaining ground contact. It can be optionally outfitted with a high intake snorkel mounted on the A-pillar, which can propel it 500mm through the water.

The Niva Travel is a genuine, yet rugged off-roader with fantastically unexpected refinement. It is a small, maneuverable SUV with reassuring road holding. The older, lighter Niva Legend’s loud, visceral, and ultimately engaging charisma is actually diminished by its refinement. However, the Niva Travel proved to be steady and steadfast on the road, absorbing flaws with forgiving composure. The Niva Travel’s steering and braking were also accurate and natural in motion, turning in smoothly but slightly leaning through corners due to its comfortable suspension.

The cabin of the Niva Travel is quiet and comfortable. It has easy-to-use controls, a high but supportive driving position, and great road visibility. The movement of the gear lever is crisp, clear, and satisfyingly precise, as is the clutch’s intuitive precision.

Despite its narrow and compact frame, it is well-packaged and has ample luggage space as well as adequate leg and headroom at the rear. The Niva Travel is relatively modern and well-equipped, finished with honest, well-built materials. It has powerful air conditioning and a clever driver’s armrest that rotates to serve as a rear cupholder instead.

Specifications in Technology Engine: 1.7-liter, four-cylinder inline engine. Bore x stroke: 82 x 80 mm Ratio of compression: 9.3:1
Valve-train: SOHC eight-valve gearbox: Driveline: Four-wheel drive, 5-speed manual low gear transfer and a locking center differential Power, BHP (PS), [kW]: 3.9:1 79 (80) [58.8] Specific power at 5,000 rpm: Power-to-Weight Ratio of 46.7 BHP/liter: 53.2/ton Torque in pounds per foot (Nm): 94 (127.4) with a specific torque of 4,000 rpm: Torque-to-Weight: 75.4Nm/L 85.8Nm/ton from 0 to 100 km/h: 19 seconds maximum speed: 140 km/h of fuel consumption, combined urban/extra-urban: Fuel capacity: 13.4/8.5/10.2 liters/100 kilometers Minimum ground clearance: 58 liters 220mm Minimum and maximum cargo volume: Kerb weight: 320-650 liters (estimated to the waistline) Gross weight: 1,485 kg Capacity for towing, braked or unbraked: 1,860 kg F: 1,200/600kg Suspension Coilovers, anti-roll bar, double wishbones Suspension, R: Steering: Live axle and coil springs Re-circulating ball brakes, front and rear: Drums and discs Tires: 215/65R16

The Niva Travel is a more comfortable, quiet, and well-equipped sister model to the more well-known classic Niva, which is Lada’s more refined take on the classic, compact, and straightforwardly capable Niva SUV line.

The Niva Travel is a 5-door utility vehicle with contemporary rugged styling that serves as a complement to the 3-door Niva as a vehicle that is more up-to-date and practical. Despite the fact that it lacks some of the charms of the original and iconic Niva, the Niva Travel is not diminished in its extensive off-road capabilities and shares the same engine, drive-line, or suspension design as the Niva.

A different take The rebranded and restyled Niva Traval, which will be released in 2021 by the now-wholly Russian-owned and independent automaker Avtovaz/Lada, is an evolution of the VAZ 2123 compact SUV, which was first released in 1998 and was later marketed as the Chevrolet Niva in a joint venture with General Motors. The Niva Travel sits in between the three- and five-door versions of the original Niva, which now goes by the Legend name. It has a lot of the same mechanicals as the older model, but its design is very different from the clean lines of the simpler model.

The more contemporary styling themes of the Niva Travel include a large, wide, and hungry trapezoidal grille flanked by slim, scowling, and heavily browed headlights. This distinguishes the Niva Travel from the enduring Niva Legend, which has a beautifully proportioned and uncomplicatedly boxy design. Additionally, it incorporates cutting-edge details like a windscreen that is more swept back, lower black cladding, black B and C pillars, and stylized rear lights. In the meantime, the spare tire has been moved from under the Legend’s hood to an external mounting on the side-swinging rear tailgate.

The design of the Niva Travel differs from more modern SUVs in that it is comparably narrow and tall for manoeuvrability through off-road routes. However, its low waistline and large glasshouse provide excellent road visibility for manoeuvring and accurately positioning it on- and off-road, as well as when parking. The Niva Travel is a small mountain goat-style off-roader that is 4.1 meters long. It sits high above the ground at 220 millimeters and has short front and rear overhangs of 749 millimeters. This gives it generous off-road angles and the ability to traverse rough and inhospitable terrain.

The Niva Travel produces 79 BHP at 5,000 rpm and 94 lb/ft at 4,000 rpm thanks to a slightly detuned version of Lada’s renowned, long-lasting, and uncomplicated longitudinally mounted 8-valve 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Despite losing only 3 BHP and 1 lb/ft in comparison to the lighter Niva Legend, the larger, better-equipped, and better-insulated 1,485kg Niva Travel is only slightly slower. However, it gains 200 kg. The Niva Travel can reach a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour and achieve a combined cycle fuel economy of 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers by accelerating 0.2 seconds later from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.

Reassuringly rugged Although the headline statistics have not changed, the Niva Travel’s increased weight over the Legend is more apparent on the move and can be felt as slightly blunted and less responsive. It is tempting to use the Niva Travel’s low gear ratio range for more robust low speed performance for certain on-road conditions and topographies because it requires one to hold gears at higher revs to build enough power and momentum before upshifting on steeper inclines. Despite this, the engine’s character and operation are pleasantly linear and smooth.

The Niva Travel’s 5-speed manual gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive system provide ample traction for confident off-road driving. The Niva Travel’s extensive off-road capabilities include a locking center differential, low gear ratios for challenging inclines, and rugged live axle and coil spring rear suspension, as well as long wheel travel for traversing large obstacles while maintaining ground contact. It can be optionally outfitted with a high intake snorkel mounted on the A-pillar, which can propel it 500mm through the water.

The Niva Travel is a genuine, yet rugged off-roader with fantastically unexpected refinement. It is a small, maneuverable SUV with reassuring road holding. The older, lighter Niva Legend’s loud, visceral, and ultimately engaging charisma is actually diminished by its refinement. However, the Niva Travel proved to be steady and steadfast on the road, absorbing flaws with forgiving composure. The Niva Travel’s steering and braking were also accurate and natural in motion, turning in smoothly but slightly leaning through corners due to its comfortable suspension.

The cabin of the Niva Travel is quiet and comfortable. It has easy-to-use controls, a high but supportive driving position, and great road visibility. The movement of the gear lever is crisp, clear, and satisfyingly precise, as is the clutch’s intuitive precision.

Despite its narrow and compact frame, it is well-packaged and has ample luggage space as well as adequate leg and headroom at the rear. The Niva Travel is relatively modern and well-equipped, finished with honest, well-built materials. It has powerful air conditioning and a clever driver’s armrest that rotates to serve as a rear cupholder instead.

Specifications in Technology Engine: 1.7-liter, four-cylinder inline engine. Bore x stroke: 82 x 80 mm Ratio of compression: 9.3:1
Valve-train: SOHC eight-valve gearbox: Driveline: Four-wheel drive, 5-speed manual low gear transfer and a locking center differential Power, BHP (PS), [kW]: 3.9:1 79 (80) [58.8] Specific power at 5,000 rpm: Power-to-Weight Ratio of 46.7 BHP/liter: 53.2/ton Torque in pounds per foot (Nm): 94 (127.4) with a specific torque of 4,000 rpm: Torque-to-Weight: 75.4Nm/L 85.8Nm/ton from 0 to 100 km/h: 19 seconds maximum speed: 140 km/h of fuel consumption, combined urban/extra-urban: Fuel capacity: 13.4/8.5/10.2 liters/100 kilometers Minimum ground clearance: 58 liters 220mm Minimum and maximum cargo volume: Kerb weight: 320-650 liters (estimated to the waistline) Gross weight: 1,485 kg Capacity for towing, braked or unbraked: 1,860 kg F: 1,200/600kg Suspension Coilovers, anti-roll bar, double wishbones Suspension, R: Steering: Live axle and coil springs Re-circulating ball brakes, front and rear: Drums and discs Tires: 215/65R16

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