Which is better - Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot? We choose a reliable SUV for Russian realities. Comparison of UAZ Patriot and Hunter with Chevrolet Niva What is more reliable Chevy Niva or UAZ Patriot

The topic of comparing UAZ Patriot and Chevrolet Niva is increasingly popping up in forum discussions where the owners of domestic SUVs scrupulously examine the advantages and disadvantages of cars. The conclusions of the comparative analysis will be useful both for those who already have a Patriot or Niva, and for those who are just going to buy a car, but have not yet decided completely.

In principle, opinions about these cars were divided into two camps. The division code consists of a base for comparing dimensions, cross-country ability and endurance. Supporters of Patra do not consider Niva a full-fledged SUV, because the squat body contour and smaller dimensions make the Niva very similar to a crossover. The width of the cars is the same and is 2m, only Niva is 32 cm lower and 70 cm shorter than UAZ. The Patriot fully justifies its name with its appearance, it cannot be confused with any other representative of the jeep family. But for the brutal scope in size and due to the angularity of the forms and high ground clearance, the Patriot clearly loses to the more maneuverable Niva on the track, where she will not lag too far behind the passenger "brothers". As a result, at this stage, the Patriot is for those who easily adapt to the impressive dimensions of the car and love aggressive hard off-road, and the Niva is for those who prefer versatility and do not tend to drive one car by a company that includes more than 5- you man.

And now about the hidden details and technical features of the “stuffing” of the UAZ Patriot and Chevro Niva. Of course, there is simply a huge difference in power parameters. First of all, it is worth realizing that Patras is a heavyweight in the domestic auto industry, because. its weight, depending on the modification, ranges from 2070 to 2170 kg (with the exception of Sport), and the weight of the lighter Niva is 1860 kg. The UAZ gasoline engine for 127 horses is increasingly preferred to a diesel engine, which is smaller in power, but stubbornly keeps good speed at increased loads. The Niva engine allows you to keep up in heavy traffic on the highway, but overtaking with effort accelerates it.

In general, both cars are clearly not designed for high-speed drifting and, of course, Patriot's fuel consumption is higher than Niva's. In the urban cycle, these differences will be most noticeable. Shniva on the track fits into the classic consumption of 10\100, but the Patriot falls short of 13\100. In the city, any of the cars rises by another 3 liters, so the Patriot is an SUV for those who will not bother with fuel economy calculations.

There are no complaints about the handling of both cars, but there are also significant differences. Both the UAZ Patriot and the Shniva are equipped with 5-speed gearboxes with a separate transfer lever control from the passenger compartment. On the restyled Patriots, the transfer case is already turned on automatically. Only the long-term inclusion of the front axle and the constant operation of the machine in extreme conditions lead to wear of the box itself, respectively. you can rely on the Patriot for cross-country riding, but inspections of the condition of the box should be regular. Niva in this regard is a "permanent all-wheel drive" car and even though it successfully copes with off-road, nevertheless Shniva is not designed for demonstration performances outside of tourist routes.

And finally, the aspect of comfort in Patriot and Niva is conceptually different. Of course, in terms of dimensions, Patr wins with spaciousness, and in Niva, a neat and pleasant interior design can accommodate up to 5 people who are not particularly fond of fast food). Patriot in motion, of course, tougher, so that the Niva for "peaceful" purposes on the beaten paths will behave more accommodatingly, tk. on the move it is softer and smoother. As a result, that Patrick, that Shniva - both cars are worthy of attention (especially in comparison with the prices for foreign cars of the same class), but in comparison they differ most of all not in quality, but the main selection criterion is the operating conditions of the machine.

There are special people who enjoy overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles and driving cars in almost impassable conditions. This requires specially prepared cars - not every car is able to go through a deep ford and not get a water hammer.

For these purposes, four-wheel drive jeeps and crossovers have long been produced. There are "Land Cruisers", "Mitsubishi Pajero" and much more. But this is not all. For Russian off-road and local dirt, domestic models are best suited, and there are only two of them today. This is "Niva" from AvtoVAZ and various models from UAZ. There are constant disputes about which is better - "Niva" or UAZ, but none of the disputants has come to a consensus. Let's compare two legendary SUVs and find out which one is the best.

UAZ "Hunter"

Since the creation of this model, almost nothing has changed in it. The factory did a little work on the design, the interior became more suitable for the modern standard, and that was it. But the car received a lot of positive feedback from the owners. The engine on this car remained the same, but carried out minor improvements.

The updated model received a diesel engine and a different transfer case. The car has a lot of serious advantages.

  • Firstly, it is reliability, the classic brutal appearance of a real car for conquering Russian and not only off-road.
  • Secondly, the car boasts an excellent frame structure and high ground clearance, allowing you to move anywhere.
  • Thirdly, there are gasoline and diesel engines, but you should not expect particularly high performance from them. This car, among other things, is an excellent object for various modifications and improvements, which is done in numerous garages.

Reliability is really on top - say the reviews. Also, many people buy this car from UAZ for a thick metal body. The car is in demand not only among fans of kneading mud, but also among hunters and fishermen. The car is very comfortable in the mud and on the pavement, especially considering its price.

Lada 4x4

This is no less popular model of the domestic SUV from AvtoVAZ. The car is also quite hardy, able to conquer any goal. Most of those who own old versions of the Niva claim that cars built in the 80s will easily last another 10-15 years.

Modern "Niva" also has a lot of serious advantages.

  • This is a 1.7-liter injection engine with a capacity of 83 horsepower, the only “but” is that the engine has practically not been modified since its inception.
  • Five-speed mechanics - there are no complaints here, the box is very reliable, but it does not add dynamics to the crossover.
  • The dispenser is made in the form of a manual mechanism, but it works without any problems. Naturally, since this is a crossover, the ground clearance here is also high, but still less than on UAZs.

What is better, "Niva" or UAZ? In this regard, the latter wins. But back to Niva.

A small wheelbase gives the SUV a mousse of additional advantages. VAZ also offers a model with five doors, but it is not so popular due to the strange settings and the same behavior of the car. The base model is reasonably priced, but it's not the most affordable option.

UAZ or Niva?

It is difficult to say which is better - UAZ "Hunter" or "Niva". Both that and the other SUV are sold in the same price class, have almost the same technical characteristics for conquering off-road. However, this is not all that modern drivers need. It is necessary to take into account quality indicators, the level of reliability, as well as endurance.

"Niva" is more popular in all respects. However, the UAZ model also has a lot of fans. Among the differences that UAZ has, several can be distinguished (and the Niva does not have any).

  • UAZ has a larger size. There is also more space for cargo and passengers.
  • "Hunter" in terms of off-road qualities is significantly higher than the "Niva" in terms of off-road qualities.
  • The wheel arches on the UAZ are quite large, which means that the owner has the opportunity to install large wheels. The ground clearance is already large - there is no need to raise the car additionally and redo the chassis.
  • The metal is made using technologies for the military, the suspension is reliable even in harsh conditions.

And now it seems that the question of which is better - "Niva" or UAZ is decided by the victory of UAZ, but no.

"Niva" is more compact and will pass where the UAZ gets stuck due to the greater mass. The shorter wheelbase will perform well in any conditions. Fuel consumption is also significantly lower. There is some, but still comfort.

We must not forget about the price. "Niva" is cheaper. Therefore, if you choose between these two models, then Niva should be preferred. And if at the same time you still have to drive in the city, then definitely a VAZ. If we compare which is better - "Niva Chevrolet" or UAZ "Hunter", then here, without any talk or doubt, UAZ wins, but only in terms of cross-country ability. If you need comfort, the choice is obvious.

"Chevrolet Niva" or UAZ "Patriot"

It is impossible to compare these models - they have a completely different character. The comparison in this case will be very relative. Both cars have serious differences in design and technical terms. "Niva" is much smaller in size. But still, let's try to find out which is better - UAZ "Patriot" or "Niva Chevrolet".

Dimensions and body shapes

There are external differences. UAZ has a classic five-door body. "Patriot" is a heavy frame SUV - the mass of the car is more than two tons, and the length is more than four meters.

The height of the "Patriot" is more than two meters. "Niva" boasts much more modest dimensions, but its design is more attractive. The trunk of the UAZ "Patriot" SUV is also huge, four passengers will fit on the back sofa, while only three will sit in the "Niva", and even then - without much comfort. Those for whom a compact body is important will buy a Niva.

Design

If we compare which is better - UAZ or Niva in terms of design, then Niva is much more beautiful and neater. There is nothing superfluous here. Body parts are executed at a high level, there is good light. Many fragments of the body are covered with zinc.

"Patriot" is more solid. But this appearance is only for those who love everything big, angular and bulky. And the body is not so good. The quality of manufacturing body parts is much lower than the "Niva" - say the reviews.

Driving performance and maneuverability

Both cars are not designed for racing. "Niva" cannot boast of high dynamics - its engine is not designed for racing. However, the road bumps the car passes gently and smoothly, which is good news. But on the roads you should not expect miracles. Therefore, if someone thinks what is better in terms of cross-country ability - UAZ or Niva, then there is no need to think - you should take UAZ.

Driving the "Patriot", you can immediately feel the power of its 2.7-liter engine. However, the suspension is stiff and all this is felt when conquering gullies. The salon is quite noisy. The steering wheel is large, but the car is controlled quite easily. The car's cross-country ability is excellent - in mud, in snow, where there are no roads at all, this car just goes.

It is difficult to say which is better - "Niva" or UAZ "Patriot". You can not compare these machines - they are initially different and designed for different purposes. Those who prefer more compact sizes choose Niva. Dirt lovers choose "Patriot".

Conclusion

The equipment of the UAZ is much poorer than the Niva, if we do not consider the new Patriot. "Niva" is equipped with hydraulic booster, diagonal brakes, ABS and amplifiers in case of emergency braking. UAZ also has a hydraulic booster, but this is where all the options end. But, despite the configuration, real lovers of off-road conquest will buy a UAZ - it is brutal, masculine, with character. "Niva" is more urban and can go where only a tractor will pass. But still, it was not created for this. It is very difficult to say which car is better - UAZ or Niva. It's like comparing a dog with a cat, coffee with tea is a matter of taste. Same with these cars.

In addition to the fact that these cars belong to different "weight categories", they still have a lot of structural differences with all the ensuing advantages and disadvantages. One has a load-bearing body, the other has a frame, one has permanent four-wheel drive, the other has a plug-in, one has an independent front suspension, the other has continuous axles ...

Discussion on Internet forums, where users find out which is better, "Patrick or Shniva", takes up dozens of pages, and disputes in garages are completely endless. Automakers themselves have recently thrown fuel on the fire. On the one hand, UAZ Patriot Sport came out - essentially a shortened and simplified Patriot, and on the other hand, a restyled Chevy Niva, updated with the participation of the Italian design bureau Bertone. And if the “big” Patriot was noticeably more expensive than the Niva, then the Sport falls into the same price niche. So Sollers Auto decided to recapture some of the buyers from GM-AVTOVAZ. They do not hide this: when announcing the UAZ Patriot Sport, company representatives said that it was addressed to those who did not have enough Chevy Niva and a lot of the “ordinary” Patriot. Sollers is not afraid of internal competition: the buyer, marketers believe, will figure out for himself which SUV he needs, medium or full-size.

In the initial configuration, the Sport is cheaper than the simplest Patriot by 52 thousand rubles, which is more than one tenth of the cost of the car. The difference is significant in order to think: do we need a large wheelbase and a huge trunk, airbags and ABS? Maybe more important is cross-country ability and maneuverability, which are better in the short version?

As for competition with the Chevrolet Niva, Sollers representatives are preparing another weighty argument - a diesel engine, the Italian Iveco F1A, will appear under the hood of UAZ Patriot Sport. True, such a modification will be at least 44,000 rubles more expensive (this is how much they now pay extra for a diesel Patriot Classic compared to gasoline). This is going to be a car!

However, even now it cannot be said that the gasoline Patriot Sport is experiencing any power shortage. Even in the 112-horsepower version, it rides pretty well. And the 128-horsepower version was even awarded the title of "the most dynamic Russian SUV." Although the difference with the Chevrolet Niva in acceleration to hundreds is only a second. And the gain in the maximum speed of 15 km / h is rather theoretical, since driving faster than 140 on UAZ cannot be called comfortable. Yes, it's time to slow down, otherwise we have already pretty much gone ahead ... First, let's look around.

Looked

The Sport version is 307mm shorter than the regular Patriot and features a 360mm shorter wheelbase. The weight was reduced by 50 kg, while the width and height remained unchanged, so that UAZ is significantly superior to Chevrolet in terms of all mass and overall characteristics. But compared to the "big brother", Sport is less hospitable: a narrower doorway makes access to the back seat a little cramped. The luggage compartment has also been cut here, although it is three times larger than the rival's trunk. Sport retained the carrying capacity - the same 600 kg, which is a plus. True, the Sport looks frankly kurguzo, reminiscent of its progenitor, the UAZ-3160. Maybe he will “goat” like an ancestor?

Inside, there are no differences from the usual Patriot in a similar “top-end” Limited configuration.

Chevy Niva - the black plastic dashboard looks better here and is nicer to the touch. And outwardly Niva, in our opinion, is more attractive. She has a holistic image that does not fall apart into fragments, especially after the Italian fine-tuning. Internal transformations cannot be called cardinal. Pseudo-metal inserts on the transmission control levers look controversial - they do not look like the work of Italian masters. The combination of leatherette with fabric in the seat upholstery is not impressive either. The chairs are also not so hot, I would not call them comfortable, while the Patriot Sport seats (he got from SsangYong) liked much more.

Better in UAZ and visibility: thanks to the high landing, the road is visible very far. In the Chevy Niva, you also sit a little higher than in an ordinary passenger car, but this does not give any special advantages. In addition, the window sill line is higher and there are fewer mirrors. It turns out that in Chevy Niva you feel like in a golf-class car, and in UAZ Patriot Sport - like in a small truck.

The quality of the materials and the fit of the parts in the Chevy deserve more praise. As a result, Chevy Niva wins on points in this round. We add that the "Niva" interior warms up faster, and this is not surprising with such an impressive difference in internal volumes. But after all, capacity is far from the last consumer property.

swept

In rear-wheel drive mode, the UAZ Patriot Sport wiggles its rear whenever you are not gentle enough with the accelerator pedal - a shortened base increases the tendency to skid. Connecting the front axle, as expected, relieves nervousness ... Where asphalt is shown under the wheels, you have to return to the monodrive again so as not to overload the transmission, in which there is no center differential. Chevy Niva is much friendlier to drive: it does not require special skills.

On rough roads, the Patriot Sport, as expected, strives to "goat". In urban tight spaces, the short wheelbase becomes an advantage, as the Sport's turning radius is almost 70 cm smaller than the regular Patriot. Niva wins in maneuverability by only 18 mm. Parking a short UAZ is also easier.

The Patriot Sport picks up speed more easily and makes less noise, consuming no more fuel than the Niva.

UAZ also wins in such a specific, purely Russian nomination as "authority" in the stream.

About off-road speech is special. Patriot Sport is valued not only for its high ground clearance, but also for the best, thanks to the short base, geometric cross-country ability. Although ... Chevy's ground clearance is only a centimeter less, and Niva's entry-exit angles are no worse. Being lighter, Niva is less likely to get stuck, and if it does, it's easier to pull it out. The UAZ drivers parry: the Niva reaches exactly the place where the real “UAZ trail” begins, and the Patriot flattens the obstacles like a tank. And in extreme cases, you can pull it with a tractor without fear of tearing something off!

It cannot be argued that Niva is worse in terms of cross-country ability. It’s just different, and when you change into it after UAZ, you instantly switch, realizing that you have a different instrument in your hands, and you should use it differently. But just like the Patriot Sport, the Niva inspires confidence in its capabilities. These cars were made by people who know what off-road is.

The results of the round: Niva is more comfortable in the city, but loses on a suburban highway, UAZ is stronger off-road. Thus, the score in this round is 6:5 in favor of the Patriot.

asked the price

UAZ Patriot Sport in the initial Classic configuration, with a 112-horsepower engine, without electric drives, heating, air conditioning and on steel wheels costs 460,000 rubles. If you add molding, a plastic spare wheel box, energy-absorbing, as the manufacturer calls them, glass, audio and security systems, electric drives and fog lights, then the car will cost 495,000 rubles. Another 50 thousand will have to be paid extra for adding heated front seats, air conditioning and ... a roof spoiler to the list. By the way, this is a distinctive feature of the UAZ Patriot Sport in the Limited configuration.

More recently, the warranty period for UAZ Patriot, UAZ Patriot Sport, UAZ Pickup has been extended to 3 years or 100,000 kilometers.

At the very beginning of the year, GM-AVTOVAZ also made a New Year's gift to its customers by extending the warranty period for Niva SUVs to 2 years or 35,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Prior to this, the warranty terms implied a year or 30 thousand km.

At the same time, the cost of all versions of Chevy Niva was raised by 5,000 rubles. After the increase in price, Chevrolet Niva in the initial configuration L is estimated at 429,000 rubles. True, it is not easy to find one in dealerships - sellers prefer more expensive options. In the more common version of the LC, equipped with air conditioning, Niva already costs 458,000 rubles. A richer GLS package without air conditioning costs 478,000. GLC (still the same plus air conditioning) - 505,000. In addition, dealers have a catalog of approved accessories, and you can be sure that they will try to sell you as much as possible.

So, these SUVs cost about half a million each. Of the new cars, only Chinese all-wheel drive vehicles and those assembled by TAGAZ can compete with them. And there, and there their nuances. Of course, we are talking only about the initial costs, without taking into account the costs of operation. In practice, it may well turn out that the cost per kilometer of a Chevy Niva will be lower than that of a UAZ Patriot Sport. But Sollers offers its goods on more favorable terms, which undoubtedly impresses the consumer. Here the score is 7:6, again in favor of UAZ Patriot Sport.

If there is a need to purchase a car that can easily cope with off-road on country roads, then it's time to pay attention to SUVs. This is exactly the technique that will allow you to comfortably travel hunting or fishing, you can safely ride it on nature or in the country, without looking back at the season. 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 deals in the budget series of cars in this class can be or. These models are always available on the domestic market and significantly outperform imported analogues in terms of cost. Maybe they are inferior in design and technical characteristics to branded models, but this does not mean at all that these cars are not able to cope with the task and provide a comfortable country holiday.

Differences in equipment

The complete set of the UAZ Patriot car is presented in three versions: Classic - basic equipment, Comfort - intermediate version, Limited - top version. The estimated minimum cost of a new UAZ Patriot is 731 thousand rubles. For such an amount, you can buy 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 cabin and for the trunk;
  • power steering;
  • central locking.

The following equipment with the Comfort designation is equipped with alloy wheels, an audio system reproduced by 2 speakers, an alarm system, an electric drive for the front lifts, a heated rear window, as well as rear-view mirrors and fog lamps located in the front bumper. The Limited package is distinguished by the presence of air conditioning, heated front seats and a spoiler.

The complete set of the Chevrolet Niva car is also presented in three versions - L, LC and top-end GLS. Approximate today's minimum cost of a new Chevrolet Niva is 628 thousand rubles. For this money, the buyer will be offered a car with a basic configuration:

  • security system with immobilizer;
  • steering wheel height adjustment;
  • electric front window lift;
  • power steering;
  • fabric salon;
  • automatic change of positions of rear-view mirrors and heating;
  • full-size spare;
  • heated legs in the back seat;
  • headlights corrector.

The package with the designation LC additionally includes air conditioning. In the top-end GLS configuration, a combined type of interior trim is additionally used. It also includes additional lighting for passenger seats, aluminum lining inside the cabin, an audio system that includes two speakers plus a remote antenna. In addition, this package includes heated front seats, roof rails, alloy wheels, isothermal glass, and an aluminum bracket for a spare wheel.

Specification Differences

Both presented cars cannot be called racing, moreover, according to the passport data, the UAZ Patriot is superior in power to the Chevrolet Niva, however, in the end they are designed to perform similar tasks, although they have a number of differences.

UAZ Patriot has two engine options in its configuration, in the first case it runs on gasoline, in the second - on diesel fuel. The petrol 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. Chevrolet Niva has in its arsenal only a gasoline version of an engine capable of delivering 80 horsepower. Also, its motor does not have high dynamic performance. But it is worth noting that the apparatus of the Ulyanovsk plant is much heavier than its opponent and cannot use a lower power engine.

The maximum speed that both presented machines are capable of is in equal limits. The speed limit for the Niva is 137 km per hour. UAZ Patriot with a diesel unit has a top speed of 120 km per hour, and if it is equipped with a gasoline engine, then its speed will increase to 130 km per hour. However, the Patriot wins significantly in terms of 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. Both models are also equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. But differences are observed in the drive device. If the Chevrolet is distinguished by its front-wheel drive, while having the ability to connect a rear axle, then the Patriot has a rear-wheel drive and the ability to use the front axle. In the event that manufacturers decide to release a version with all-wheel drive, then UAZ will win, improving its road performance.

Differences in the exterior

In their appearance, both presented cars are not small in size and differ in capacity. But if you put them side by side, it will immediately become clear that the UAZ is larger than its opponent and is distinguished by 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 what form of car to give preference to is an individual matter for everyone, relating only to his taste.

The body of the Niva and UAZ has a classic design, which means that a five-door design has been used. In terms of the number of passengers carried in the basic version, there are also no differences, both SUVs have 5 seats. However, the overall interior of the Patriot can be modified at the expense of no less than the overall 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.

Differences in the interior

The high clearance of the UAZ Patriot causes difficulties when landing. To get to the threshold, you need to overcome the height of half a meter. Therefore, you first have to climb on the bandwagon, and only after that you can enter the salon. But, once inside the cabin, you can get a pleasant feeling, contemplating the surrounding space from a decent height.

The Patriot's cabin is distinguished by its spaciousness, it can comfortably accommodate the driver and all passengers, regardless of build. The Japanese company Daewon is engaged in the manufacture of complete seats. They may well provide a comfortable fit for a comfortable ride. The trunk of the car deserves special attention. Its dimensions allow you to keep at hand a large number of useful equipment and devices.

The lower location of the Chevrolet Niva thresholds provides a comfortable fit into the car. However, the space in the cabin is much less. Here, passengers in the back seat have to rest their knees on the front seats. But, if we evaluate as a whole, then all the elements of the interior are made quite neatly, the seats have a comfortable fit.

Differences in patency

The Patriot's suspension is a bit stiff. For this reason, small pits and potholes in the cabin are felt. However, the passage along the snowy track is given to him without much stress, even if all the passengers are on board. Also, the car easily overcomes snow-covered hills or ravines. This device is distinguished by high cross-country qualities, in which it is clearly ahead of Niva. Excellent cross-country ability is ensured by high ground clearance, which is 210 mm, and for models produced by the Volga plant, this figure is 220 mm.

Chevrolet Niva copes well with bumps on the roads, including tram rails. The car overcomes minor damage to the coating smoothly enough, so that it is almost not felt in the cabin. However, super passability is not to be expected from this model. Still, it is not intended for mountain road conditions or off-road washed out by floods. However, on country roads the car feels quite confident. With it, you can confidently go on a picnic or fishing, especially if you take care of high-quality rubber.

Advantages and disadvantages

Both presented cars have enough differences, both in appearance and in driving characteristics. The only thing that unites them is confident behavior on country roads with poor road surfaces. However, each car has its own strengths and weaknesses.

UAZ Patriot

Advantages:

  • high maintainability and perfect ease of maintenance that does not require specific equipment;
  • very high permeability;
  • large interior space and spacious trunk;
  • has many additional options;
  • relatively low cost.

Flaws:

  • rear-wheel drive, which complicates the movement on the tracks in the winter;
  • excessive stiffness of the suspension.

Chevrolet Niva

Advantages:

  • the main advantage of the Niva is its affordable cost, compared to other cars of this class;
  • ease of maintenance and affordable spare parts;
  • has a reliable suspension;
  • bright headlights;
  • compact dimensions;
  • relatively roomy trunk.

Flaws:

  • lack of an ABS system in the basic configuration;
  • poor engine dynamics;
  • not high-quality factory painting of the body and bottom.

conclusions

To decide which of the proposed cars to give preference, you must first of all have an idea about its future purpose. UAZ Patriot will suit the owner who picks up a car for systematic trips out of town, and with a company or with a large family. This car has an enviable cross-country ability and feels great on country roads.

If the car is to be operated within the city limits, taking into account regular trips to the country or fishing, then you should give preference to the more compact Niva, which has an advantage on the highway, especially in winter. In addition, the difference in cost is noticeable, because the Chevrolet Niva can be purchased for 100 thousand rubles cheaper. Therefore, having carefully considered all the strengths and weaknesses of the presented cars, it is worth coordinating the decision with the family budget.

Video test drive


In the Russian automotive industry, two models take pride of place among SUVs: the UAZ Patriot and the Chevrolet Niva. These cars are characterized not only by high cross-country ability, but also by comfort. Today we will find out which of the presented models is better and who to give preference to in choosing a modern SUV.

The designs of these two cars differ from each other, but, nevertheless, they are not inferior to each other, both in technical parameters and in the interior. To find out which car is better, you need to compare both SUVs. What the comparison looks like, and what parameters are important to know in order to determine which SUV is better, we will find out further.

At first glance, the UAZ Patriot and Niva Chevrolet are two voluminous and roomy SUVs that differ from each other both in the exterior and in the interior. This is not strange, because these models are produced at different factories, so the manufacturer seeks to fill his offspring with the best units.

So, let's start in order, the UAZ Patriot is equipped with a voluminous body that can accommodate up to 9 people. Chevrolet Niva cannot boast of such properties, since this SUV can only accommodate 5 people. But at the same time, the trunk in the Niva remains free. The UAZ body has a more powerful and brutal look, so it can be easily confused with foreign SUV models. Although the Chevrolet Niva is called an SUV, it has a much lower body and visually is something between a passenger car and a crossover.

The low body allows the car to pick up speed faster, so the Chevy Niva is good not only for off-road, but also for urban areas. The length of the UAZ patriot car is 4.75 meters, and the Chevrolet Niva does not reach 70 cm. The width of both cars is the same and is approximately 2 meters, only their growth differs significantly. The height of the Patriot is 2 meters, and the Chevy Niva only reaches 1.68 meters. But even such a small growth of the Niva does not make it a less passable SUV. UAZ Patriot is an aggressive car that is not suitable for everyone. After all, you need to get used to the parameters of the car, but the Chevrolet Niva in this regard is much more compact and practical, so it stands out less on the road than the tall Patriot.

SUV engine

The engine is the most important thing in a car, especially if it's an SUV whose main task is to get out of any off-road obstacle anyway. UAZ Patriot has a much more powerful engine than Chevrolet Niva. In addition, the Patriots are available with both 2.7-liter gasoline engines and 2.2-liter diesel engines. The diesel engine has 113 horsepower, while the gasoline engine has 127 horsepower, but still the unit with the Iveco engine is much more durable, more reliable and more passable.

Niva Chevrolet is equipped only with gasoline engines with a volume of 1.7 liters, and the number of horses does not exceed 80 forces. Actually, here it is clear that the UAZ Patriot is not just more powerful, but much more powerful and enduring than Shnivy.

It’s not just that a more powerful engine is installed on the UAZ, because in order to achieve maximum cross-country performance for such a colossus, you need to have a lot of horses under the hood. But even 127 horses on a Patriot is sometimes not enough to overcome various types of obstacles. For Shnivy, an 80-horsepower engine is enough to be able to pull itself out of any trouble, but moving along the highway, overtaking, power is often not enough.

Both SUVs develop speed approximately the same, and the maximum reaches 150 km / h, although if you choose a real SUV with a powerful engine, then UAZ Patriot is preferable.

Transmission Features

The transmission of both SUVs is worthy of respect, as they are equipped with 5-speed gearboxes with a mandatory transfer case. The transmission is controlled using a lever located in the cabin of both cars, and the transfer case is controlled using a similar lever. Only on restyled Patriot models, instead of a lever, a washer is installed to switch the transfer case control modes.

It is also important to note that UAZ Patriot SUVs are equipped with a transmission from the Korean company Daimos, while Shniva has a Russian transmission model. The difference in the control of the all-wheel drive mode is only that Shniva functions with all-wheel drive constantly on. UAZ Patriot, on the other hand, has a permanent drive - rear, and the front - additional, connected using wheel couplings and transfer cases.

Fuel consumption

An important aspect that every driver thinks about when choosing a future car. The cost of fuel at the moment is quite decent and not everyone can afford to have a car due to high fuel prices, so having a car with high fuel consumption is irrational.

Fuel consumption on a Chevrolet Niva is 10 liters per 100 km with a mixed traffic schedule, but the Patriot will need 2.5-3 liters more than the Shniva. There is one feature on the Patriot - this is the presence of 2 tanks, which, willy-nilly, indicates that this giant loves fuel. In urban driving mode, Shnivy's consumption is about 13 liters per 100 km, but Patriot consumes about 15-16 liters. Therefore, if the moment of consumption is very important, then Shniva should be preferred.

What kind of salons

UAZ Patriot has a high ground clearance, which sometimes causes difficulties for landing not only passengers, but also the driver himself. As a result, Patriots are equipped with special sills for the convenience of passengers and drivers getting into the cabin.

Exterior view of the Patriot cabin

Shniva also has a similar threshold, only it is most often used as an element of interior decor, since getting into the salon does not cause great difficulty. In the cabin of the UAZ there are pleasant seats, which are both Russian and foreign, depending on the year of manufacture of the model. There is a lot of space in the cabin, and high ground clearance gives its plus - an excellent overview of the roadway.

There is not much space in the cabin on the Chevrolet Niva, although it is possible to accommodate 5 people with the driver. Tall rear passengers will complain about the small amount of space, so the Shniva is designed for medium-sized passengers. Seats and upholstery are pleasing to the eye and pleasantly surprise not only the owner, but also passengers.

If we compare Shniva vs Patriot, then in terms of spaciousness, the latter wins.

In terms of suspension, Shniva should be noted, which copes well with various types of bumps and works smoothly on pits. The Patriot is much tougher in this regard, so you can see that the suspensions of these models are completely different.

Interior view of Chevrolet Niva

Which car to choose?

You can compare these two SUVs for a very long time, but already on the basis of what has been considered, preliminary conclusions can be drawn. Of course, someone likes a low and small SUV, and someone likes to stand out on the road, driving a powerful car.

In terms of technical indicators, the UAZ Patriot is certainly better, since it has a more powerful engine that allows it to overcome various kinds of obstacles, transmission and other technical indicators. The Chevrolet Niva is inferior to the UAZ in this regard, but it is also impossible to speak badly about it. Shniva is good in its own way, since it is designed more for the contingent who make weekly trips for fishing, hunting or expedition. Patriot, on the other hand, is more intended for long journeys and expeditions, which is why the cars differ from each other.

To choose what is best for yourself, you should decide why you need an SUV and do you need all-wheel drive at all? After all, all-wheel drive is not only a pleasant addition, but also several tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of rubles to the cost of a car. Repair of the additional bridge will require a lot of investments, so it is important for yourself to decide on these advantages.

Summing up, it is important to note that the Chevrolet Niva vs with the UAZ Patriot are excellent options for off-road vehicles that the Russian auto industry can be proud of. Of course, there are moments that require improvement, but in general, these SUVs show excellent performance, which can be seen in the video below.

From the video, you yourself can evaluate all the parameters of the cross-country ability of both SUVs. Shniva practically does not lag behind the Patriot, for which she has great respect

You can check your CBM and reduce it if needed!