UAZ Pickup

UAZ Pickup at a glance

The Patriot SUV debuted in 2005, and the Pickup and the commercial Cargo version followed in August 2008. Both use the Patriot's front end and cabin structure on a longer wheelbase. They are aimed at buyers who need a robust working vehicle with real off-road ability. In Germany, the Patriot range was sold as the Baijah Tulos from 2007 to 2012, and versions under other names were offered in Colombia, Chile and Mexico. UAZ's background is covered in the history of UAZ, and its range is in the UAZ catalogue.

Design and updates

The Pickup has the Patriot's upright, boxy front and a flat roof, with large doors for easy access to the rear seats. The 2014 update brought new bumpers, new headlights with LED running lights, new seats, optional navigation with a rear camera and a new turbocharger for the diesel. According to the old 1cars text, the front bumper is now fixed to the body rather than the frame, which closes the gaps visible on earlier cars, and the side steps were widened and strengthened. The load bed can be covered with a canvas tent or a hard top.

Five-seat double cab

The cabin offers space for five adults. The old 1cars text describes a more modern dashboard with a trip computer and outside temperature display, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation on later versions, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, more legroom in the rear thanks to repositioned seat mountings and a driver's seat whose height can be adjusted from inside. Equipment includes heated and electrically adjustable mirrors, electric windows, an immobiliser and, on better versions, aluminium pedal covers and trim.

ZMZ petrol and diesel engines

All versions use a five-speed manual gearbox from Dymos. According to the old 1cars text, the petrol Pickup reaches 140 km/h and uses about 12 litres per 100 km, while the diesel reaches 135 km/h and uses about 10 litres per 100 km; the diesel uses common-rail injection and a Bosch turbocharger.

Chassis and four-wheel drive

The Pickup uses a ladder frame with live axles front and rear. The front axle is located by trailing arms with coil springs, and the rear axle sits on semi-elliptic leaf springs with an anti-roll bar. The brakes are ventilated discs with floating callipers at the front and drums at the rear, and the steering has hydraulic power assistance.

Four-wheel drive is part-time: the rear wheels are driven permanently, and the front axle is engaged rigidly through a two-stage transfer case, electronically controlled since August 2013. With 210 mm of ground clearance and low-range gearing, the Pickup is capable on rough tracks and in deep mud.

Dimensions and load bed

Pickup versus Patriot

The Pickup is about half a metre longer than the Patriot and rides on a 3,000 mm wheelbase, while the front end, cab structure, engines and four-wheel-drive system are shared.

Safety kit and standard equipment

The Pickup has front and rear seat belts, ISOFIX mounts, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, central locking and an immobiliser, according to the old 1cars text. It has not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP. Basic versions include halogen headlights, LED running lights, heat-insulating glass, cloth upholstery, a trip computer, heated electric mirrors and electric windows.

Rivals: how the Pickup compares

The UAZ Pickup is a double-cab 4x4 with a separate frame and low-range gearing. Its strengths are its simple, robust construction, easy repairs and real off-road ability; its weaknesses are basic refinement and high fuel consumption with the petrol engine. Within the UAZ range it sits alongside the UAZ Patriot, the smaller UAZ Hunter and the classic UAZ-452 van.