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Lada Niva 3-door (facelift 1993) 1.7 (79 Hp) 4x4
Overall Rating
Lada Niva:
The Lada Niva Legend, formerly called the Lada Niva, VAZ-2121, VAZ-2131, and Lada 4×4 , is a series of four-wheel drive, small , and compact off-road cars designed and produced by AvtoVAZ since 1977. Initially aimed at the rural market, later models also targeted urban users. The three- and later five-door 4×4 hatchbacks were sold under the Lada marque in many markets, and have been in continuous production since 1977.
In the 1990s, three- and five-door wagons on a 50 cm longer wheelbase and an extra-long wheelbase pick-up were added to the range. After the original Land Rover and its successor, the Land Rover Defender, were discontinued in 2016, the Niva became the longest-production-run off-road light vehicle still manufactured in its original form. By the end of 2020, an estimated 650,000 Lada Nivas had been sold globally....(Read more on Wikipedia)
3-door (facelift 1993) Overview:
Lada Niva (3-door (facelift 1993)). Weighing only 1210 kg, it’s quite light. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 19 s). The top speed reaches 137 km/h. A sport utility vehicle offering higher ground clearance and versatile cargo space. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
1.7 (79 Hp) 4x4 Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Very basic performance, even more sluggish than the injected version. Primarily suited for low-speed off-road use and utility.
Fuel Economy
Likely high fuel consumption, possibly worse than the fuel-injected variant due to less precise fuel delivery, making it costly to run.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional off-road capability for its price point
- • Simple, robust, and easy-to-repair mechanics
- • Compact size offers excellent agility on tight trails
- • Affordable purchase and maintenance costs
- • Iconic, utilitarian design with a strong cult following
Cons:
- • Very poor on-road performance and handling
- • High fuel consumption across all engine variants
- • Basic, noisy, and uncomfortable interior
- • Lack of modern safety features and crash test ratings
- • Prone to rust and requires diligent maintenance
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(3-door: 1977 - 1993).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Lada |
| Model: | Niva |
| Generation: | 3-door (facelift 1993) |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.7 (79 Hp) 4x4 |
| Start of production: | 1993 |
| End of production: | 2003 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | SUV |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 79 Hp @ 5200 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 46.7 Hp/l [20mm more] |
| Engine Model/Code: | VAZ-21213 More details about the engine VAZ-21213 |
| Engine displacement: | 1690 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 3.75 l |
| Coolant: | 10.7 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 82 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 80 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.3:1 |
| Maximum engine speed: | 6000 rpm. |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 9-12.1 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 19 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 19 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 137 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 15.3 kg/Hp, 65.3 Hp/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 18.1 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1210 |
| Max. weight: | 1610 |
| Max. roof load: | 50 kg |
| Max load: | 400 |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 600 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 42 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 300 kg |
| Permitted towbar download: | 50 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Wading depth: | 500 mm |
| Length: | 3740 mm mm [20mm more] |
| Width: | 1680 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1640 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2200 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Width including mirrors: | 1814 mm |
| Front track: | 1430 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1400 mm |
| Front overhang: | 705 mm |
| Rear overhang: | 835 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 213 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives permanently the four wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | All wheel drive (4x4) |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Tires size | 175/80 R16; 185/75 R16 |
| Wheel rims size | 5J x 16 |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
| Rear suspension | dependent spring suspension |
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