Car VAZ-2121: characteristics, photos

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Today, the car market is simply overflowing with various brands and models of crossovers and SUVs. But despite such a huge amount of assortment, the VAZ-2121 car remains out of competition. This car has always been in demand. "Niva" is considered one of the cheapest SUVs. At the same time, the machine has excellent cross-country characteristics. Often it is bought specifically for these purposes - fishing, hunting, off-road or off-road competitions. The car is cheap, easy to set up and has great potential for tuning.

Description

VAZ-2121 is a Soviet, and later Russian small-class cross-country vehicle. Assembly is carried out at the AvtoVAZ plant in Togliatti. The machine has a load-bearing body and permanent all-wheel drive. Serial production of the model began in the 77th year.

For more than 30 years, this machine has been produced almost unchanged. Now the VAZ-2121 car has a modernized power plantand a slightly modified look. But first things first.

Appearance

The design of this car is familiar to many. Everyone has seen this car. Externally, during this time the car is significantly outdated. The body has a simple shape. "Niva" is devoid of any design frills. It's a typical SUV with round headlights, compact bumpers and unremarkable wheels.

In 2013, the situation changed a little. AvtoVAZ for the first time in many years (not counting the change in the trunk lid) made adjustments to the design of this car. At the moment, the car is produced in the following form.

The design of the car has been changed, but not significantly. So, among the main differences it is worth noting the grille and bumper. The latter have become plastic and are slightly larger. Also, "Urban" is equipped with cast 18-inch wheels. The shape of the side mirrors has changed. Otherwise, the body is identical to the "Niva" that was produced during the Soviet era.

What do owners say about the VAZ-2121 Niva car? The quality of the metal on this machine is not the best. Reviews say that the car rusts very quickly. After five years of operation, the paint flies off and "bugs" form everywhere. From the factory, the metal has a weak anti-corrosion treatment. And if we talk about models older than 15 years, it is completely impossible to find a living specimen here with whole thresholds and a more or less normal paintwork. Thus, poor corrosion protection is one of the main disadvantages of this car.

Dimensions, clearance

Total length of the three-door "Niva"is 3.72 meters. Height - 1.64, width - 1.68 meters. By the way, the rear track is 3 centimeters narrower than the front track. Ground clearance on standard wheels is 22 centimeters. This is a very solid indicator, which, along with a short base, gives excellent cross-country characteristics. But as for the latest versions with plastic bumpers, due to lower overhangs, the Niva's exit and arrival angles have decreased. On steep hills, the car catches first of all with plastic, which is not practical.

Salon

It's no secret that the classic Zhiguli became the basis for the creation of the Niva. This can be recognized not only by the configuration of the motor, but also by the interior design. Inside, the same four-spoke steering wheel without adjustments and an ascetic panel. On the center console is a pair of air ducts, as well as a stove control unit. Many are surprised by the fact that the design of the buttons has remained the same since the Soviet years. The keys here are very massive. And the steering wheel is not compact. Salon "Niva" can be called one continuous weak point - say the owners. Deliveries are everywhere. You can start from the door.

The locks on it are very noisy and the door does not close well over time. The seats are shapeless, with a limited range of adjustments. In most versions, there are no power windows, no central locking, no air conditioning (to say nothing about acoustics - it is absent in principle). The wipers are too high, which interferes with visibility. There is little space in the cabin. It is especially missing from behind. The sofa can barely accommodate two passengers. There is no soundproofing in the cabin. In winter, the car cools down quickly, and in summer it heats up. Plastic rattles everywhere, and on older models there is also a draft in the cabin - reviews say. The stove on all models is insanely noisy, and this ailment has not been eliminated in the new Niva Urban. Thus, in terms of comfort, this car is noticeably ahead of even the cheapest "Chinese" Great Wall brand from the mid-2000s.

Specifications

Initially, a carburetor engine from the Six was installed on the VAZ-2121 car with a volume increased to 1.69 liters. But since the mid-2000s, all Niva cars have been equipped with injection engines.

So, under the hood of today's "Niva" there is an in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine of 1.7 liters. The VAZ-2121 engine complies with Euro-4 standards and develops 83 horsepower at 4 thousand revolutions. This engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission. By the way, on the very first Soviet "Nivas" a four-step from the "Zhiguli-troika" was used. The box has a common ailment. It is noisy and some gears engage with a crunch.

There is no need to talk about the dynamics of overclocking. In fact, a slightly modified Soviet engine is installed on this machine, which originates almost from a “penny”. Acceleration to hundreds of the three-door Niva takes 19 seconds (although according to the passport 17 seconds). Fuel consumption is relatively large - 10 liters on the highway and 13 in the city. The maximum speed is 137 kilometers per hour.

Chassis

"Niva" became the first Russian SUV, which was not built on a frame. The body itself is used as a supporting element. Its power elements are made of high-strength steel grades. Front - independent suspension with shock absorbers and coil springs. Behind is a bridge on the springs. VAZ-2121 has permanent all-wheel drive. Torque is evenly distributed along the axles in a ratio of 50 to 50.

Also, the VAZ-2121 is equipped with a transfer case with a reduction gear and forced locking of the center differential. All this gives good cross-country characteristics.

Cost, equipment

In the basic "Standard" configuration, a car can be purchased for 435 thousand rubles. This price includes:

• Brake Assist System.
• Two 12-volt cigarette lighters (in the passenger compartment and in the trunk).
• Daytime running lights.
• Brake force distribution system.
• 16" steel rims.
• ABS system.
• Light tinted glass.
• Two power windows.
• Power steering.
• Full size spare.

The "Lux" package is available at a price of 470 thousand rubles. This price includes cast 18-inch wheels, air conditioning, heated front seats and side mirrors. Also, as an option, the manufacturer offers a metallized body color. The following colors are available:

• Dark green.
• Black Panther.
• Deep purple Benefit.
• Golden Brown Coriander
• Light silver "Snow Queen".
• Silver-dark gray "Borneo".
• Orange mother-of-pearl "Orange".

Supplement for metallic painting is 6 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

So, we found out what the Lada Niva car is. As you can see, this machine is not without flaws. It has an uncomfortable and uncomfortable interior, the quality of the metal is in doubt. On the other hand, this is the cheapest SUV with an "honest" all-wheel drive, transfer case and locks. It is thanks to the price that the Lada Niva car remains out of competition and is still relevant in the market.