Chevrolet Niva vs UAZ Patriot: two 4x4s compared
Updated Report an error By Oleksandr Hnatiuk
Chevrolet · 2002–2020
Niva
- Power
- 90 kW122 PS
- Top speed
- -
- Kerb mass
- 1,410 kg
UAZ · 2016–present
Patriot
- Power
- 84–110 kW114–150 PS
- Top speed
- 150 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 2,125 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Niva 1 Patriot 2
- Family Patriot Boot: 700 l vs 320 l
- City Niva Length: 4,048 mm vs 4,750 mm; Width: 1,770 mm vs 2,110 mm
- Off-road Patriot Drive and body: Four-wheel drive (4×4) · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The Niva is the lighter, more compact and more economical vehicle, with permanent four-wheel drive that suits narrow tracks and winter roads. The Patriot is a much bigger, heavier frame-based SUV with more space, a low-range transfer case and more power, at the cost of on-road refinement and fuel consumption.
The right choice depends on how many people and how much luggage you carry, and on how rough the terrain is.
- Oleksandr Hnatiuk
The Chevrolet Niva and the UAZ Patriot are both four-wheel-drive vehicles built in Russia over the same period, but they are very different machines. The Chevrolet Niva (VAZ-2123), built by the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture from 2002, is a compact five-door with a monocoque body and permanent four-wheel drive based on VAZ-2121 Niva mechanicals.
The UAZ Patriot, in series production from August 2005, is a mid-size SUV with a ladder frame, two rigid axles and part-time four-wheel drive. In 2020 the Chevrolet Niva was renamed Lada Niva Travel; the Patriot has been updated several times, notably in 2014 and 2016.
Engineering, design and everyday use
Engineering
The Niva uses a 1,690 cc petrol four with 59 kW (80 PS) and 127 Nm, a five-speed manual and permanent four-wheel drive. Its front suspension is independent, with a coil-sprung five-link rigid axle at the rear. No diesel was offered.
The Patriot uses a 2.7-litre ZMZ-409 petrol, rated at about 94 kW (128 PS) on the 2014 facelift, 99 kW (135 PS) from 2016 and 110 kW (150 PS) from 2019, when a six-speed automatic became available. Diesels were offered until 2016. It has a five-speed manual, a two-speed transfer case with selectable four-wheel drive, coil springs at the front and leaf springs at the rear.
Size and practicality
The Patriot is in a different size class: 4,750 mm (187.0 in) long and 1,900 mm (74.8 in) wide on a 2,760 mm (108.7 in) wheelbase, weighing about two tonnes. The Niva is 4,048 mm (159.4 in) long and 1,770 mm (69.7 in) wide on a 2,450 mm (96.5 in) wheelbase, with a kerb weight of about 1,350 to 1,410 kg and a 320 L (11.3 cu ft) boot. Ground clearance is 200 mm (7.9 in) for the Niva and 210 mm (8.3 in) for the Patriot. The Niva tows 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) braked; the Patriot is rated at 1,500 kg (3,307 lb), and 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) is quoted for EU-specification cars from 2019.
On the road
Both are quoted at a top speed of around 140 to 150 km/h, and both are slow: about 19 seconds to 100 km/h for the Niva and about 20 seconds for the 2016 Patriot. Czech road tests of the Patriot praised its off-road ability but criticised truck-like handling on asphalt. Neither has a Euro NCAP rating; the Patriot gained airbags and ESP for the 2017 model year.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Niva | Patriot | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,048 mm159.4 in | 4,750 mm187.0 in +702 mm +27.6 in +17.3% |
| Width | 1,770 mm69.7 in | 2,110 mm83.1 in +340 mm +13.4 in +19.2% |
| Height | 1,652 mm65.0 in | 1,910 mm75.2 in +258 mm +10.2 in +15.6% |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm96.5 in | 2,760 mm108.7 in +310 mm +12.2 in +12.7% |
| Kerb weight | 1,410 kg3,109 lb | 2,125 kg4,685 lb +715 kg +1,576 lb +50.7% |
| Boot | 320 l11.3 cu ft | 700 l24.7 cu ft +380 l +13.4 cu ft +118.8% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Too wide |
Difference vs Niva (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Chevrolet Niva | UAZ Patriot | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 1.8 Z18XE · petrol · 90 kW (122 PS) | 2016–present · 2.7 · petrol |
| Production years | 2002–2020 | 2016–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 90 kW (122 PS) 121 hp | 84–110 kW (114–150 PS) 113–148 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 59–90 kW (80–122 PS) 79–121 hp | 84–110 kW (114–150 PS) 113–148 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | No data | 217 Nm 160 lb-ft |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | No data | 150 km/h 93 mph |
| Power per tonne | 64 kW/t 78 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,800 cc 1.8 l | 2,700 cc 2.7 l |
| Engine code | Z18XE | No data |
| Gearbox | No data | 5-speed manual |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Four-wheel drive (4×4) |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,048 mm 159.4 in | 4,750 mm 187.0 in |
| Width | 1,770 mm 69.7 in | 2,110 mm 83.1 in |
| Height | 1,652 mm 65.0 in | 1,910 mm 75.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm 96.5 in | 2,760 mm 108.7 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,410 kg 3,109 lb Better | 2,125 kg 4,685 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 320 l 11.3 cu ft | 700 l 24.7 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | No data | 68 l 18.0 gal US |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Body, Class, Fuel.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
In plain words
UAZ Patriot is 702 mm longer than Chevrolet Niva (4,750 mm vs 4,048 mm). Chevrolet Niva is lighter by 715 kg (1,410 kg vs 2,125 kg). UAZ Patriot has the bigger boot: 700 l against 320 l. Chevrolet Niva is the older design (from 2002); UAZ Patriot arrived in 2014. UAZ Patriot is still in production; Chevrolet Niva is not. On the catalog figures, the UAZ Patriot is the pick for family and off-road; the Chevrolet Niva is the pick for city.
Which one to choose
Choose the Chevrolet Niva if you want a small, simple 4x4 with permanent four-wheel drive and a compact footprint for forest tracks and snowy roads.
Choose the UAZ Patriot if you need a full-size frame SUV with a low range, more interior space and higher towing capacity. Prefer post-2016 cars: they have the stronger 2.7 petrol, and from 2017 airbags and ESP.
Frequently asked questions
Which has permanent four-wheel drive?
The Chevrolet Niva. The UAZ Patriot has a part-time system with selectable four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case.
Was there a diesel Niva or Patriot?
No diesel was offered on the Chevrolet Niva. The Patriot had diesels (an Iveco 2.3 and later a ZMZ 2.2) until 2016.
Which is bigger?
The Patriot by a wide margin: 4,750 mm long on a 2,760 mm wheelbase, against 4,048 mm and 2,450 mm for the Niva.