If there is a need to purchase a car that can easily cope with off-road conditions on country roads, then it’s time to pay attention to SUVs. This is exactly the equipment that will allow you to comfortably travel on hunting or fishing trips; you can safely travel with it to nature or to the country, without looking at the time of year. But it immediately becomes clear that the list of available options will be regulated by cost, because the price of SUVs is quite high.
Practical and Popular
One of the best offers in the budget series of cars of this class could be the Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot. These models are always available on the domestic market and are noticeably cheaper than their imported counterparts. They may be inferior in design and technical characteristics to branded models, but this does not mean that these cars are not capable of coping with the task and ensuring a comfortable country holiday.
Differences in configuration
The UAZ Patriot car is available in three versions: Classic - basic version, Comfort - intermediate version, Limited - top version. The estimated minimum cost of a new UAZ Patriot is 731 thousand rubles. For this amount, you can purchase a car exclusively in the basic (starter) configuration, which will include the minimum number of possible options. In this case, manufacturers are ready to provide the following set:
- unpainted bumpers;
- stamped wheels size R16;
- seat headrests;
- mats, both for the interior and trunk;
- power steering;
- central locking.
The next configuration with the Comfort designation is equipped with alloy wheels, an audio system played by 2 speakers, an alarm system, electric drive for front lifts, heated rear window, as well as rear-view mirrors and fog lights located in the front bumper. The Limited package features air conditioning, heated front seats and a spoiler.
The Chevrolet Niva is also available in three versions - L, LC and the top-end GLS. Today's approximate minimum cost of a new Chevrolet Niva is 628 thousand rubles. For this money, the buyer will be offered a car with basic equipment:
- security system with immobilizer;
- steering wheel height adjustment;
- electric front window lift;
- power steering;
- fabric interior;
- automatic change of rear view mirror positions and heating;
- full-size spare wheel;
- heated legs in the rear seat;
- headlights corrector.
The package with the LC designation additionally includes air conditioning. The top-end GLS trim level additionally uses a combined type of interior trim. It also includes additional lighting for passenger seats, aluminum linings inside the cabin, and an audio system that includes two speakers plus a remote antenna. In addition, this equipment includes heated front seats, roof rails, alloy wheels, isothermal windows, and an aluminum bracket for the spare wheel.
Appearance
The Chevrolet Niva can hardly be called an incredibly beautiful SUV. The model’s appearance is more like a 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, lean front and rear bumpers, solid glazing, roof rails and high wheel arches allow us to talk about fairly correct and rational decisions by the 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, of the 80-90s type. It would be rash to say that the Patriot has some common features with the Gelendvagen, but the squareness of the body still suggests such thoughts.
It would be a good idea to compare the two cars by size.
Chevrolet Niva offers the following options:
- length 3919 mm. (without rear spare wheel);
- wheelbase 2450 mm;
- width 1800 mm;
- height 1652 mm;
- ground clearance from 200 to 240 mm.
The ground clearance decreases when fully loaded, but still does not fall below 200 mm.
As for the Patriot, it answers with the following figures (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 style, then take the Niva. If you want to get a brutal and aggressive design, the Patriot will be the priority option.
Differences in Specifications
Both presented cars cannot be called racing cars, besides, according to the passport data, the UAZ Patriot is superior in power to the Chevrolet Niva, however, ultimately, they are designed to perform similar tasks, although they have a number of differences.
The UAZ Patriot has two engine options: in the first case it runs on gasoline, in the second - on diesel fuel. The gasoline engine has a volume of 2.7 liters with a power of 128 horsepower, and the diesel unit has a volume of 2.2 liters with a power of 112 horsepower. The Chevrolet Niva has in its arsenal only a gasoline version of the engine capable of producing 80 horsepower. Also, its engine does not have high dynamic performance. But it is worth noting that the device of the Ulyanovsk plant is much heavier than its opponent and cannot use a lower power engine.
The maximum speed that both presented cars are capable of is within equal limits. The maximum speed for the Niva is 137 km per hour. A UAZ Patriot with a diesel engine has a top speed of 120 km per hour, and if it is equipped with a gasoline engine, its speed will increase to 130 km per hour. However, the Patriot significantly improves in power and has more flexible dynamic characteristics.
In terms of transmission characteristics, both cars do not have significant differences. In this indicator they occupy equal positions. Also included in both models is a five-speed manual transmission. But differences are observed in the drive design. If the Chevrolet is distinguished by its front-wheel drive, while having the ability to connect the rear axle, then the Patriot has rear-wheel drive and the ability to use the front axle. If manufacturers plan to release a version with all-wheel drive, then UAZ will benefit, having improved its road qualities.
Recent Upgrades
Over the past two years, the Chevrolet Niva has undergone several changes:
- the seats and their mechanisms are tilt adjustable;
- new throttle body reduced transmission pulsation;
- Thanks to SAAZ gas shock absorbers, controllability and stability have improved.
The technology for tensioning the alternator belt when installing it on the power unit has also changed.
Patriot received the following changes:
- strengthening the fastenings of the windshield wiper wires;
- The mounting of the washer reservoir has changed.
In 2022, the SUV received a new front axle with steering knuckles and a new clutch. The three-leaf rear springs were replaced with 2-leaf ones.
Differences in Exterior
In appearance, both presented cars are not small in size and are spacious. But if you put them side by side, it will immediately become clear that the UAZ is larger than its opponent and has superior dimensions. The design of the Niva is distinguished by smoothed shapes and better streamlining, while the Patriot, on the contrary, looks angular, but no less stylish and more brutal. Although which form of car to choose is an individual matter for everyone, relating only to their taste.
The body of the Niva and UAZ has a classic design, which means that a five-door design is used. There are also no differences in the number of passengers carried in the basic version; both SUVs have 5 seats. However, the overall interior of the Patriot can be modified due to an equally large trunk; after installing additional seats, it can already accommodate 9 passengers. In turn, the Chevrolet Niva wins in compactness, which can be very useful on the road.
Results
Based on the characteristics of the cars, it is clear that the Patriot defeats its competitor. It has better cross-country ability, larger dimensions, and a more powerful engine. At the same time, Niva is ahead of Chevrolet in terms of build quality, efficiency, and handling.
Read news about the new Niva
- What to choose Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot
- What to do if the right or left power window does not work in a Chevrolet Niva
- Razdatka Niva - Device - Lada master
- Chevrolet Niva won't start; the starter doesn't turn: it just clicks.
- Do-it-yourself Niva 4x4 tuning: updating the interior of the Lada VAZ-2121
- Additional light for an SUV - you need to know this!
- Transfer case seals Niva Chevrolet in Balashikha
