In our region, where roads are a relative concept, Niva will always be in demand. The inexpensive compact SUV with all-wheel drive confidently holds its place among sales leaders — both the time-tested Lada 4x4 and its more comfortable sibling Chevrolet Niva. If the starting price of Lada 4x4 at $8,653 (69,224 UAH) forgives a lot, the more expensive Chevrolet Niva, as intended, represents a compromise between the affordable VAZ and a more comfortable and higher-quality foreign car.
GM-Avtovaz JV does not deny the obvious drawbacks of its car and systematically improves it, not forgetting the main trump card — price. Last year, the restyling affected the exterior and interior of the “Shniva”, and now it has come to more serious technical changes. The key task for 2010 was to reduce noise and vibrations at 3500-4500 rpm, which exhausted the driver. To check what GM-Avtovaz engineers achieved and how drivers will appreciate the innovations, journalists went to the off-road near Moscow.
In the fight against noise and vibration in the cabin, it was decided to install cardan shafts with CV joints and a transfer case with double-row bearings on the output shafts, as well as to refine the gearbox lever. To improve ride smoothness, handling, and driver comfort, the assembly technology of the front suspension, its arms, and bushings was improved.
All these changes are aimed at increasing the service life of both individual components and the entire vehicle. For owners, this means that the listed components will last longer.
As noted by Vadim Klassen, development program manager at GM Avtovaz, the weather in the Moscow region turned out to be surprisingly good, so it won't be possible to test the “Niva” in deep mud or a swamp. However, everyone already knows about the outstanding off-road capability of this compact SUV with permanent all-wheel drive, symmetrical torque distribution between axles, low-range gear, and locking center differential, short overhangs, and 200 millimeters of ground clearance. By the way, there was still some mud — a real SUV will always find a place to get dirty.
It was much more interesting to evaluate the behavior of the updated car on asphalt, in city traffic, and on what can only conditionally be called a road.
The steering column is not adjustable for reach, but this does not prevent a driver of any trim level from sitting comfortably behind the wheel. The plastic is, of course, hard, but everything is fitted neatly and evenly. The gear lever travel is still long and not particularly precise; to engage reverse gear, you have to apply force, and the clutch engages at the very top of the pedal travel. However, you quickly get used to these features and stop noticing them. On the center tunnel, there are two levers. The larger one is for gear shifting, and the smaller one controls the transfer case: you can engage low range or lock the center differential.
The test drive itself was organized in the format of a spy quest: participants had to solve logic puzzles, break into a smoke-filled building wearing gas masks, free a girl chained in chains, and transport fragile cargo along country roads. Between the route points, there were roads for every taste. Starting from the sports and entertainment park Drakino near Serpukhov, a dozen new “Shnivas” set off to complete tasks.
The first road, once a concrete road, was a series of deep potholes and bumps. But then 60... 80... 100 km/h — and the SUV flies over these obstacles as if they don't exist, without disturbing passengers. It starts to shake only on really serious unevenness. The car itself seems to not notice that it's speeding along a broken road; you just need to hold the steering wheel tighter.
The engine remains the same — 1.7 liters and 80 hp. When asked when ABS and airbags will appear, brand representatives joke: the main safety system of the “Chevy-Niva” is its engine, which won't let you accelerate and drive recklessly. When overtaking on the highway, you need to carefully plan the maneuver.
The most comfortable speed for this SUV is 100-110 km/h. The shaking and noise in the updated version have indeed become less; the “Niva” is now smoother and more comfortable, confidently holding a straight line. At idle, the vibration of the gear lever, however, hasn't disappeared, although it has become less noticeable. The brakes initially seem soft, but you get used to them. The steering informativeness pleased, and body roll in corners is minimal.
The car feels great not only off asphalt but also in the city — thanks to its compact size. The only thing is that at parking speeds, the steering wheel is heavy, despite the power steering.
Seriously speaking, ignoring safety systems is definitely not worth it. And the car clearly lacks a more powerful engine. True, at the presentation of the updated model, GM Avtovaz representatives hinted that such work is underway, but it's too early to share details. The company's main priority is to keep the car affordable for buyers, so engineers are trying to improve the car without inflating the price.
By the way, the restyled Chevrolet Niva has not increased in price. The starting price remains 420,000 rubles for the base version without air conditioning, for which you need to pay an additional 29,000 rubles. The next trim level will cost 469,000 rubles, and with air conditioning — already 497,000 rubles. Plus, the car participates in government programs for preferential car loans and recycling.
In essence, the Chevrolet Niva is a compact crossover with very serious off-road potential. The 320-liter trunk can't be called spacious, but if you fold the rear row, you get 650 liters. It's nice that the seats fold without effort and form a flat surface. The cabin is quite spacious even in the second row, the interior is modest but neat — there are cup holders, niches for small items, and even a glasses case. The updated version has become noticeably quieter, smoother, and more comfortable, with improved stability and road behavior. And most importantly, the car absolutely doesn't care about the condition of the road surface. If GM Avtovaz adds a more powerful engine and improves safety without exceeding a reasonable price, the Chevrolet Niva will simply have no rivals.
The company plans to collect feedback and wishes from owners in the first months after sales start to understand in which direction to develop this Russian SUV further.
Svetlana Aleeva
Behind the scenes:
The main task for 2010 was to eliminate noise and vibrations in the range of 3500-4500 rpm, which greatly tired the driver, as well as to increase overall comfort. Whether GM-Avtovaz specialists managed to cope with this and how buyers will perceive the innovations, press representatives tested on the off-road near Moscow.Comments 
