What is better: Chevrolet Niva or Patriot. Which is better - Chevrolet Niva or UAZ Patriot? Choosing a reliable SUV for Russian realities

If there is a need to purchase a car that can easily cope with off-road conditions on country roads, then it’s time to pay attention to SUVs. This is exactly the equipment that will allow you to comfortably travel on hunting or fishing trips; you can safely travel with it to nature or to the country, without looking at the time of year. But it immediately becomes clear that the list of available options will be regulated by cost, because the price of SUVs is quite high.

Practical and Popular

One of the best offers in the budget series of cars of this class can be or. These models are always available on the domestic market and are noticeably cheaper than their imported counterparts. They may be inferior in design and technical characteristics to branded models, but this does not mean that these cars are not capable of coping with the task and ensuring a comfortable country holiday.

Differences in configuration

The UAZ Patriot car is available in three versions: Classic - basic version, Comfort - intermediate version, Limited - top version. The estimated minimum cost of a new UAZ Patriot is 731 thousand rubles. For this amount, you can purchase a car exclusively in the basic (starter) configuration, which will include the minimum number of possible options. In this case, manufacturers are ready to provide the following set:

• unpainted bumpers;
• stamped wheels size R16;
• seat headrests;
• mats, both for the interior and trunk;
• power steering;
• central locking.

The next configuration with the Comfort designation is equipped with alloy wheels, an audio system played by 2 speakers, an alarm system, electric drive for front lifts, heated rear window, as well as rear-view mirrors and fog lights located in the front bumper. The Limited package features air conditioning, heated front seats and a spoiler.

The Chevrolet Niva is also available in three versions - L, LC and the top-end GLS. Today's approximate minimum cost of a new Chevrolet Niva is 628 thousand rubles. For this money, the buyer will be offered a car with basic equipment:

• security system with immobilizer;
• steering wheel height adjustment;
• electric front window lift;
• power steering;
• fabric interior;
• automatic change of rear view mirror positions and heating;
• full-size spare wheel;
• heated legs in the rear seat;
• headlights corrector.

The package with the LC designation additionally includes air conditioning. The top-end GLS trim level additionally uses a combined type of interior trim. It also includes additional lighting for passenger seats, aluminum linings inside the cabin, and an audio system that includes two speakers plus a remote antenna. In addition, this equipment includes heated front seats, roof rails, alloy wheels, isothermal windows, and an aluminum bracket for the spare wheel.

Differences in Specifications

Both presented cars cannot be called racing cars, besides, according to the passport data, the UAZ Patriot is superior in power to the Chevrolet Niva, however, ultimately, they are designed to perform similar tasks, although they have a number of differences.

The UAZ Patriot has two engine options: in the first case it runs on gasoline, in the second - on diesel fuel. The gasoline engine has a volume of 2.7 liters with a power of 128 horsepower, and the diesel unit has a volume of 2.2 liters with a power of 112 horsepower. The Chevrolet Niva has in its arsenal only a gasoline version of the engine capable of producing 80 horsepower. Also, its engine does not have high dynamic performance. But it is worth noting that the device of the Ulyanovsk plant is much heavier than its opponent and cannot use a lower power engine.

The maximum speed that both presented cars are capable of is within equal limits. The maximum speed for the Niva is 137 km per hour. A UAZ Patriot with a diesel engine has a top speed of 120 km per hour, and if it is equipped with a gasoline engine, its speed will increase to 130 km per hour. However, the Patriot significantly improves in power and has more flexible dynamic characteristics.

In terms of transmission characteristics, both cars do not have significant differences. In this indicator they occupy equal positions. Also included in both models is a five-speed manual transmission. But differences are observed in the drive design. If the Chevrolet is distinguished by its front-wheel drive, while having the ability to connect the rear axle, then the Patriot has rear-wheel drive and the ability to use the front axle. If manufacturers plan to release a version with all-wheel drive, then UAZ will benefit, having improved its road qualities.

Differences in Exterior

In appearance, both presented cars are not small in size and are spacious. But if you put them side by side, it will immediately become clear that the UAZ is larger than its opponent and has superior dimensions. The design of the Niva is distinguished by smoothed shapes and better streamlining, while the Patriot, on the contrary, looks angular, but no less stylish and more brutal. Although which form of car to prefer is an individual matter for everyone, relating only to their taste.

The body of the Niva and UAZ has a classic design, which means that a five-door design is used. There are also no differences in the number of passengers carried in the basic version; both SUVs have 5 seats. However, the overall interior of the Patriot can be modified due to an equally large trunk; after installing additional seats, it can already accommodate 9 passengers. In turn, the Chevrolet Niva wins in compactness, which can be very useful on the road.

Differences in the interior

The high ground clearance of the UAZ Patriot causes difficulties when landing. To get to the threshold, you need to overcome a half-meter height. Therefore, you first have to climb onto the step, and only then can you enter the cabin. But once inside the cabin, you can get a pleasant feeling by contemplating the surrounding space from a decent height.

The Patriot's interior is distinguished by its spaciousness; it can comfortably accommodate the driver and all passengers, regardless of their size. The production of complete seats is carried out by the Japanese company Daewon. They may well provide a comfortable fit for a comfortable trip. The trunk of the car deserves special attention. Its dimensions allow you to keep a large amount of useful equipment and devices at hand.

The lower location of the Chevrolet Niva sills ensures comfortable entry into the car interior. However, there is significantly less space in the cabin. Here, rear seat passengers have to rest their knees on the front seats. But, if we evaluate it as a whole, then all the interior elements are made quite carefully, the seats have a comfortable fit.

Differences in cross-country ability

The Patriot's suspension is a little harsh. For this reason, small holes and potholes can be felt in the cabin. However, he can navigate the snow track without much stress, even if all the passengers are on board. The car can also easily overcome snow-covered hills or ravines. This vehicle is distinguished by high cross-country ability, in which it is clearly ahead of the Niva. Excellent cross-country ability is ensured by high ground clearance, which is 210 mm, and for models produced by the Volzhsky plant, this figure is 220 mm.

The Chevrolet Niva copes well with uneven roads, including tram rails. The car overcomes minor damage to the surface quite smoothly, so that it is almost not felt in the cabin. However, one cannot expect super cross-country ability from this model. However, it is not intended for conditions on mountain roads or off-roads washed out by floods. However, on country roads the car feels quite confident. With its help, you can confidently go on a picnic or fishing, especially if you take care of high-quality tires.

Advantages and disadvantages

Both presented cars have quite a few differences, both in appearance and in driving characteristics. The only thing they have in common is their confident behavior on country roads with poor road surfaces. However, each car has its own strengths and weaknesses.

UAZ Patriot

Advantages:

• high maintainability and perfect ease of maintenance, which does not require specific equipment;
• very high cross-country ability;
• large interior space and large trunk;
• has many additional options;
• relatively low cost.

Flaws:

• rear-wheel drive, which complicates driving on highways in winter;
• excessive suspension stiffness.

Chevrolet Niva

Advantages:

• the main advantage of the Niva is its affordable price, compared to other cars in this class;
• ease of maintenance and available spare parts;
• has a reliable suspension;
• bright headlights;
• compact dimensions;
• relatively roomy trunk.

Flaws:

• lack of an ABS system as standard;
• poor engine dynamics;
• Poor quality factory painting of the body and underbody.

conclusions

To decide which of the proposed cars to give preference to, you must first of all have an idea of ​​its intended purpose. The UAZ Patriot will suit the owner who is looking for a car for regular trips out of town, with a company or a large family. This car has enviable cross-country ability and feels great on country roads.

If the car is to be used in the city, taking into account regular trips to the country or fishing, then you should give preference to the more compact Niva, which has an advantage on the highway, especially in winter. In addition, the difference in cost is noticeable, because a Chevrolet Niva can be purchased for 100 thousand rubles cheaper. Therefore, after carefully considering all the strengths and weaknesses of the cars presented, it is worth coordinating the decision with the family budget.

Video test drive

If you need a universal car, that is, so that you can go off-road without problems when traveling to the country, fishing, hunting, etc., then in this case the best option at an affordable price would be the UAZ Patriot, UAZ Hunter or Niva Chevrolet. With a small budget you can get a real workhorse, unpretentious and inexpensive to maintain. Having 600–700 thousand rubles on hand, many are wondering which of these three cars is better to choose, which of them is more practical, more comfortable and more reliable. Let's compare.

Car Features

UAZ Hunter, due to its specifics, should be considered separately. But UAZ Patriot vs Chevrolet Niva really compete with each other. Both cars are the embodiment of two well-known domestic car factories, only the General Motors car concern had a hand in the Niva. Thanks to their endurance and unpretentiousness, both SUVs have become popular among car enthusiasts.

UAZ Patriot and Niva Chevrolet

Both have a standard five-door body style. However, the UAZ Patriot weighs more than two tons. And the fundamental difference between them is that the UAZ traditionally uses a frame. The Niva is much more modest in size, and the body is used as the basis. Meanwhile, these are the same cars in width, both are 1.7 m, otherwise the overall dimensions differ:

• the length of the UAZ Patriot is 4100 mm, and that of the Niva is 3700 mm;
• height is 2 meters for UAZ and 1670 mm for Chevrolet Niva.

Cars can simultaneously carry up to 5 passengers, including the driver. But structurally, the UAZ Patriot can seat up to 9 people: due to the huge size of the trunk, where additional seats can be placed.

Interior and exterior of the Chevrolet Niva

The design, especially if you compare it with the UAZ Hunter, looks more modern, but still not for everyone. Angular shapes are not used, which makes the whole look neater. The appearance cannot be called ideal, but still this is not a UAZ Hunter with an appearance from the distant 70s.

Unlike the previous Niva 2121, the interior has received a lot of changes. At least everything looks much more modern. In general, the designers used elements from different VAZ models, for example, the dashboard from the VAZ 2114, etc. The interior has standard seats, plastic is not very expensive, but not of the lowest quality. Due to the compact size, tall people will not be too comfortable.

The SUV has most of its body parts made of galvanized steel, which means it is not afraid of corrosion. Another feature of the Chevrolet Niva is its stove. The cabin is really warm, including for the rear passengers. Visibility is not compromised, with large side mirrors providing good visibility behind.

Ride quality

The sound insulation of the Chevrolet Niva is not the most comfortable, so the engine can be heard both outside and inside. Modern Euro-4 standards do not allow the engine to show already mediocre dynamics, which is not surprising, given only 80 hp. With. The car behaves well off-road, easily absorbing all bumps and holes, thereby ensuring a smooth ride.

You shouldn’t expect high cross-country ability from the Chevrolet Niva, but for dirt roads outside the city this is quite enough.

Interior and exterior of UAZ Patriot

The largest of all SUVs presented, and this is immediately obvious. Solid dimensions and appearance create the image of a real jeep. But, unfortunately, the pleasant appearance of the UAZ Patriot is spoiled by the low quality of assembly and production in general, for example, sloppy welding, the shortcomings of which are visible to the naked eye.

The main advantage of the UAZ Patriot interior is its spaciousness, which allows you to easily accommodate up to 9 passengers. The design is standard, the plastic is gray and not of the best quality, the seats are comfortable. In general, nothing remarkable can be seen here. The high seating height provides excellent visibility. The heater heats up perfectly, but the air ducts leave much to be desired, and as a result, the windows often fog up.

Ride quality

A comparison of the UAZ Patriot and the Chevrolet Niva immediately shows the difference, which is due to the more powerful engine. The ride is not very comfortable: the rather stiff suspension takes its toll. The sound insulation is of poor quality, which makes the cabin noisy and uncomfortable while driving. As for off-road, here the UAZ Patriot completely outperforms the Niva, easily overcoming any (within reason) obstacles.

Specific features of UAZ Hunter

It has become a classic mid-size SUV.

The car can carry up to 700 kg of cargo. The cabin easily seats 5 people, but the same trunk can accommodate two more passengers behind the rear seat. To increase the luggage compartment, the rear seats can be completely removed.

Hunter's interior

The UAZ 469 and UAZ 3151 Hunter differ from their predecessors in that they have carpet flooring. There is no talk of comfort as such - neither for the driver nor for passengers. Instead of bare metal, cheap black plastic appeared. The instrument panel is extremely inconvenient (it is difficult to read the readings, especially the speedometer).

The car is designed for Russian winter conditions. There is no other way to explain the absence of an air temperature regulator; you can only adjust the strength and direction of the flow from the heater fan. There are no air ducts for rear passengers, which means that when transporting people, the windows are guaranteed to fog up.

Hunter's exterior

As for appearance, the changes are more noticeable here. Depending on the configuration, metal or plastic bumpers with fog lights, steel protection for the front suspension components, and a spare wheel in a cover placed on the rear door are installed. Despite the high ground clearance, there are no running boards, which is strange, since the car is also positioned as a city option.

In general, the car is designed for off-road use. It has minimal amenities, but the price is low. For so many years, the car has remained virtually unchanged, except that a slight facelift was carried out and the interior was made a little more comfortable. The engine and all other components are left unchanged.

But Hunter also has undeniable advantages:

• solid classic appearance;
• high seating and frame design;
• diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines (no need to wait for power);
• opportunities for tuning and other improvements.

A plus is the greater thickness of the metal body and the reliability of the car as a whole. For hunters and fishermen, as well as in rural areas, the UAZ Hunter has become one of the most popular off-road vehicles.

Technical characteristics of SUVs

Each of the presented cars has its own “chips”, thanks to which they differ from each other.

Engine Features

For an SUV, the engine is an important component, because thanks to this unit, in many ways the car can get out of any mud and overcome obstacles. The UAZ Patriot has the largest engine with a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 127 hp. With. There is also a diesel version with a displacement of 2.2 liters and a power of 113 hp. With.

But the Niva Chevrolet is equipped exclusively with a gasoline power unit with a capacity of 80 hp. With. and a volume of 1.7 liters. It follows that the Patriot is much more powerful in this regard. This engine is installed for a reason; for such a large and heavy SUV it is a necessity. Moreover, for off-road use this volume is not always enough. The Chevrolet Niva cannot boast such a powerful internal combustion engine, but it is enough for minor off-road use, but when driving on the highway the dynamics leave much to be desired. The maximum speed of the two SUVs does not exceed 150 km/h with approximately equal acceleration time from zero to hundreds.

The UAZ Hunter line of power plants uses 4 engines:

• ZMZ-409.10, 16-valve power unit with a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 140 hp. With.
• UMZ-409.10, 2.9 liter engine and 100 horsepower, carburetor.
• ZMZ-5143, diesel engine with a volume of 2.24 liters and a power of 98 hp. With.
• 4CT90-Andoria, turbodiesel from Poland with a capacity of 84 hp. With. with a working volume of 2.4 liters.

All engines are obsolete and meet Euro-2 requirements. In general, the spread is small and each of the engines has both advantages and disadvantages.

Transmission UAZ Patriot and Niva Chevrolet

Both cars are equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, complemented by a transfer case. There are separate levers to control the gearbox and transfer case. In new Patriot models, a special adjusting washer is installed to control the transfer case.

The difference in SUV transmissions lies primarily in the manufacturer. If the Niva has a Russian-made gearbox, then the Patriot has a gearbox from the Daimos company from Korea. Another significant difference is the all-wheel drive design. The Niva has all-wheel drive all the time; the UAZ Patriot has rear-wheel drive with the ability to connect the front axle. All other systems are virtually identical. The brakes are discs at the front and drums at the rear.

The UAZ Hunter is equipped exclusively with a five-speed manual transmission with a transfer case. Permanent rear-wheel drive with the ability to connect the front axle. A spring suspension is installed at the front, and a spring type at the rear.

How much gasoline do they use?

When choosing an SUV, this indicator is very important. Using a car with high fuel consumption, given the constantly rising prices, is, to put it mildly, irrational. In mixed mode, the Chevrolet Niva consumes about 12 liters of gasoline, the UAZ consumes about 15 liters per 100 km. The Patriot has two fuel tanks, which indirectly confirms the SUV’s considerable appetites. On the UAZ Hanter - at the level of 14–16 liters in mixed mode per 100 km; neither consumption nor interior comfort is designed for long distances.

If fuel consumption is of fundamental importance, you should choose a Chevrolet Niva.

The most “dense” and attractive price list is for Chevrolet Niva. The price range for different versions is from 628,000 to 765,000 rubles (we do not take into account promotions and discounts hereinafter). The price range for the 2018 Renault Duster is much greater - from 699,000 to 1,111,900 rubles. Not far and - from 746,500 to 1,049 rubles. Obviously, Shniva is much cheaper. But price isn't everything.

Dimensions

Unfortunately, it's a bit cramped. This can be said about the interior, and even more so about the luggage compartment. Its volume is only 320 liters. With the rear sofa folded - 650 liters. The interior of the Duster is more spacious, this is especially noticeable in the back row. The trunk volume depends on the type of drive. For front-wheel drive cars, its capacity is 475 liters with the seats folded down and 1636 with them folded. For all-wheel drive - 408 and 1507 liters, respectively.

And Patriot is a giant. It is quite possible for three of you to ride in the back seat, in winter clothes, and over a long distance. And the trunk is 650 liters just under the curtain, 1130 liters to the ceiling (and this is with the seats folded down) and 2415 liters with the seats folded down! I immediately remember that the Patriot was once a nine-seater, with folding benches on the sides. And I also believe that you can comfortably spend the night in it together. In Duster and Shnivy - hardly.

And of course, the Patriot has more carrying capacity: 600 kg versus 510 and 450 kg for its competitors.

Comfort

By the way! Chevrolet Niva is not the most spartan car, especially in the GLC and LE + versions. However, the plastic in the cabin leaves much to be desired, as does the sound insulation. You have to adjust to the seats (although it should be the other way around), there is no multimedia system and never has been. There is a radio and two speakers (in the same GLC and LE +). You can connect two more. Plus (no, minus) - low smoothness.

Renault Duster is more comfortable. Slightly better plastics and sound insulation, a smoother ride due to suspension settings and a significantly longer wheelbase (2673 mm versus 2450 mm for the Shniva). The Duster base is not only larger, but also wider. Front track - 1560 mm, rear - 1567 mm. Chevrolet has 1466 and 1456 mm, respectively. That is, the European is also more stable.

And the most comfortable is again the UAZ Patriot. Wheelbase - 2760 mm. The latest restyling for today was aimed at significantly increasing the convenience of the SUV. And if it had a quieter chassis, on the asphalt the Ulyanovsk car would be little different from foreign cars.

With small leaf springs, the ride became smoother; with a stabilizer and steering damper, there was no need to constantly adjust the course. Engineers also worked to eliminate vibrations. The seats are quite comfortable for a person of any build, the steering wheel is adjustable for both reach and height. A variety of heating and climate control are available (competitors only have air conditioning). And the multimedia system is at least no worse than on the Duster. In addition, you can look at the screen directly, rather than bowing your head.

Recently it became more convenient in the city with a front axle from Pro with new steering knuckles. Until now, he was greatly inferior in maneuverability.

The transmission control puck also added convenience to the car - just like in decent foreign cars. Previously, you had to operate the transfer case levers, like on Shnivy, and develop the skill so that the levers would not be knocked out.

Semi-officially they say that the Patriot will soon have an automatic transmission, which will be noticeably more convenient to drive with. It's a shame he's not there yet.

Power unit

Unfortunately, Chevrolet Niva buyers are offered one, outdated power unit - a petrol 1.7 with an output of 80 hp. with 5-speed manual transmission. To put it mildly, with the modern rhythm of movement it is not enough. And the consumption is quite high - 13.2 liters in the city. And this is according to the manufacturer! At one time, GM made an attempt to introduce an Opel engine into the Shniva, but they made very few such cars, and you won’t find them even on the secondary market.

It would seem that they are completely different cars: a large frame SUV UAZ Patriot and two compact crossovers with monocoque bodies - Chevrolet Niva and Renault Duster. But they are compared, first of all, because of all-wheel drive and comparable cost, although two of the three cars have already surpassed the million ruble mark. Let's start with this.

Duster has a much richer choice. Petrol 1.6 and 2.0 with 114 and 143 hp, diesel 1.5 with 109 hp, five and six-speed manual transmissions, 4-speed automatic. In addition, you can purchase a front-wheel drive version. Competitors do not provide this opportunity.

The Patriot is now equipped only with the ZMZ Pro with a displacement of 2.7, a power of 149 hp, and a torque of 235 N.m. There is also only one gearbox, a five-speed manual. But this power unit is doing well. True, fuel consumption is consistent: 14 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, according to official data. In fact - no less than 15 liters. Fortunately, the Patriot’s tank is the largest of the three - 68 liters. Shniva has 58 liters, Duster has 50.

Patency

Despite the fact that the Chevrolet Niva and Renault Duster may have some advantage over the UAZ on sand and in liquid mud due to their lower weight and with properly selected tires, the favorite off-road in most cases is still the UAZ. Primarily due to excellent geometric parameters. The clearance in the middle of the base is about 300 mm, the smallest is 210 mm, the approach angle is 35°, the departure angle is 30°, 360 mm to the front bumper at full load... The Patriot's suspension travel is large even after the introduction of a stabilizer and leaf springs. A fairly powerful, high-torque power unit and transmission capabilities have a positive effect on cross-country ability. A factory-installed Eaton electronically controlled locking rear differential is now available. BF Goodrich AT tires, a winch, a whole Offroad package, and even a special expedition version are offered as options.

The off-road shniva sorely lacks a powerful engine. And for Duster - suspension moves. In addition, it contains a viscous coupling, which is prone to overheating during intense slipping. In this case, the all-wheel drive turns off, and you have to wait until it cools down.

Maintenance cost

According to our experts, the cost of maintaining a UAZ can be compared with that of a Duster, and the most affordable is a Shniva. Yes, UAZ is not a foreign car, unlike Renault (even if it is locally assembled). But it has the highest fuel consumption, fairly short maintenance intervals (15,000 km under normal operating conditions and 7,500 under severe conditions) and many imported parts (purchased for foreign currency). If the car is new, you have to purchase not only OSAGO, but also CASCO insurance.

The same Duster is more economical, but it has even more imported parts, and servicing costs the same as a foreign brand. And the omnivorous suspension, which allows you not to be afraid of bumps, makes it necessary to repair it quite often.

Bottom line

Perhaps our regular readers remember that he lost in 2016. The authors put it in last place, primarily because of its poor behavior on the roads. But more than two years have passed, and during this time the Ulyanovsk SUV has become significantly better on the asphalt. And he was already the best off-road. So the situation has completely changed.

In addition to the fact that these cars belong to different “weight categories,” they also have a lot of design differences with all the ensuing advantages and disadvantages. One has a monocoque body, the other has a frame, one has permanent all-wheel drive, the other has a plug-in drive, one has an independent front suspension, the other has solid axles...

Discussions on Internet forums, where users find out which is better, “Patrick or Shniva,” take up dozens of pages, and disputes in garages are completely endless. Recently, automakers themselves have thrown fuel on the fire. On the one hand, the UAZ Patriot Sport came out - essentially a shortened and simplified Patriot, and on the other, a restyled Chevy Niva, updated with the participation of the Italian design bureau Bertone. And if the “big” Patriot was noticeably more expensive than the Niva, then the Sport falls into the same price niche. So Sollers Auto decided to take away some of the buyers from GM-AVTOVAZ. They don’t hide this: when announcing the UAZ Patriot Sport, company representatives said that it was addressed to those who don’t have enough of the Chevy Niva and a lot of the “ordinary” Patriot. Sollers is not afraid of internal competition: the buyer, marketers believe, will figure out for himself which SUV he needs, mid-size or full-size.

In the initial configuration, Sport is cheaper than the simplest Patriot, by 52 thousand rubles, which is more than one tenth of the cost of the car. The difference is significant in order to think: do you need a large wheelbase and a huge trunk, airbags and ABS? Maybe cross-country ability and maneuverability, which are better in the short version, are more important?

As for competition with the Chevrolet Niva, Sollers representatives are preparing another weighty argument - a diesel engine, the Italian Iveco F1A, will appear under the hood of the UAZ Patriot Sport. True, such a modification will be at least 44,000 rubles more expensive (this is how much they now pay extra for a diesel Patriot Classic compared to a gasoline one). This will be a car!

However, even now it cannot be said that the gasoline Patriot Sport is experiencing any power deficit. Even in the 112-horsepower version, it drives pretty well. And the 128-horsepower version was even awarded the title of “the most dynamic Russian SUV.” Although the difference with the Chevrolet Niva in acceleration to hundreds is only a second. And the gain in maximum speed of 15 km/h is rather theoretical, since driving faster than 140 in a UAZ cannot be called comfortable. Yes, it’s time to slow down, otherwise we’ve already gone a long way forward... Let’s take a look around first.

Looked

The Sport version is 307 mm shorter than the regular Patriot and has a 360 mm shorter wheelbase. The weight was reduced by 50 kg, while the width and height remained unchanged, so that in all weight and dimensional characteristics the UAZ is significantly superior to the Chevrolet. But compared to its big brother, the Sport is less hospitable: the narrowed door opening makes access to the rear seat somewhat cramped. The luggage compartment has also been trimmed down here, although it is three times larger than the rival’s trunk. The Sport retained its carrying capacity - the same 600 kg, which is a plus. True, the Sport looks downright ugly, reminiscent of its progenitor, the UAZ-3160. Maybe he will be an asshole, like his ancestor?

Inside, there are no differences from the regular Patriot in the similar “top-end” Limited trim level.

Chevy Niva - The black plastic dashboard here looks better and feels nicer to the touch. And, in our opinion, the Niva is more attractive in appearance. She has a holistic image that does not fall apart into fragments, especially after Italian finishing. The internal transformations cannot be called radical. The pseudo-metallic inserts on the transmission control levers look controversial - they do not look like the work of Italian masters. The combination of leatherette and fabric in the seat upholstery is also not impressive. The seats are also not so great, I wouldn’t call them comfortable, while I liked the Patriot Sport seats (he got them from SsangYong) much more.

Visibility is also better in the UAZ: thanks to the high seating position, the road can be seen very far away. In the Chevy Niva you also sit a little higher than in a regular car, but this does not give any special advantages. In addition, there is a higher window sill and less mirrors. It turns out that in the Chevy Niva you feel approximately like in a golf-class car, and in the UAZ Patriot Sport - like in a small truck.

The quality of materials and fit of parts in the Chevy deserve higher marks. As a result, Chevy Niva wins on points in this round. Let’s add that the Niva’s interior warms up faster, and this is not surprising given such an impressive difference in internal volumes. But capacity is far from the last consumer property.

Let's go for a ride

In rear-wheel drive mode, the UAZ Patriot Sport wags its rear end whenever you are not gentle enough with the accelerator pedal - the shortened wheelbase increases the tendency to skid. Connecting the front axle, as expected, eliminates nervousness... Where the asphalt appears under the wheels, you have to return to single-wheel drive again so as not to overload the transmission, which does not have a center differential. Chevy Niva is much friendlier to drive: it does not require any special skills.

On uneven roads, the Patriot Sport, as expected, tends to act like a jerk. In crowded urban environments, the short wheelbase becomes an advantage, as the Sport's turning radius is almost 70 cm less than that of the regular Patriot. Niva wins in maneuverability with only 18 mm. Parking a short UAZ is also easier.

Patriot Sport picks up speed easier and makes less noise, consuming no more fuel than Niva.

UAZ also wins in such a specific, purely Russian nomination as “authority” in the flow.

Off-road is a special topic. Patriot Sport is valued not only for its high ground clearance, but also for its better geometric cross-country ability, thanks to its short wheelbase. Although... the Chevy's ground clearance is only a centimeter less, and the Niva's approach and departure angles are no worse. Being lighter, Niva is less likely to get stuck, and if it does get stuck, it’s easier to pull it out. UAZ drivers counter: Niva reaches exactly the place where the real “UAZ trail” begins, and Patriot irons out obstacles like a tank. And in a pinch, you can pull it with a tractor without fear of tearing something off!

It cannot be said that the Niva is worse in cross-country ability. It’s just different, and when you change into it after UAZ, you instantly switch, realizing that you have a different instrument in your hands, and it should be used differently. But just like the Patriot Sport, the Niva inspires confidence in its capabilities. These cars were made by people who know what off-roading is.

Results of the round: Niva is more convenient in the city, but loses on country roads, UAZ is stronger on off-road. Thus, the score in this round is 6:5 in favor of Patriot.

Asked the price

UAZ Patriot Sport in the initial Classic configuration, with a 112-horsepower engine, without electric drives, heating, air conditioning and on steel wheels costs 460,000 rubles. If you add casting, a plastic spare tire box, energy-absorbing, as the manufacturer calls them, glass, audio and security systems, electric drives and fog lights, then the car will cost 495,000 rubles. Another 50 thousand will have to be paid to add heated front seats, air conditioning and... a roof spoiler to the list. By the way, this is a distinctive feature of the UAZ Patriot Sport in the Limited configuration.

Most recently, the warranty period for UAZ Patriot, UAZ Patriot Sport, UAZ Pickup was increased - up to 3 years or 100 thousand km.

At the very beginning of the year, GM-AVTOVAZ also made a New Year's gift to its customers by increasing the warranty period for Niva SUVs to 2 years or 35 thousand km, whichever comes first. Before this, warranty conditions implied a year or 30 thousand km.

At the same time, the cost of all versions of Chevy Niva was increased by 5,000 rubles. After the increase in price, the Chevrolet Niva in the initial L configuration is estimated at 429,000 rubles. True, it is not easy to find one in dealer showrooms - sellers prefer more expensive options. In the more common LC version, equipped with air conditioning, Niva already costs 458,000 rubles. The richer GLS package without air conditioning costs 478,000. GLC (all the same plus air conditioning) costs 505,000. In addition, dealers have a catalog of approved accessories, and rest assured that they will try to sell you the maximum possible.

So, these SUVs cost about half a million. Of the new cars, the only ones that can compete with them are Chinese all-wheel drive vehicles and those assembled by TAGAZ. Both have their own nuances. Of course, we are talking only about initial costs, without taking into account operating costs. In practice, it may well turn out that the cost per kilometer on a Chevy Niva will be lower than on a UAZ Patriot Sport. But Sollers offers its products on more favorable terms, which undoubtedly appeals to the consumer. Here the score is 7:6, again in favor of UAZ Patriot Sport.

The topic of comparing the UAZ Patriot and Chevrolet Niva is increasingly popping up in forum discussions where owners of domestic SUVs scrupulously examine the advantages and disadvantages of their cars. The conclusions of the comparative analysis will be useful both to those who already have a Patriot or Niva, and to those who are just planning to purchase a car, but have not yet made their final decision.

In principle, opinions about these cars were divided into two camps. The division code consists of a comparison base for dimensions, maneuverability and endurance. Patra supporters do not consider the Niva to be a full-fledged SUV, because the squat contour of the body and smaller dimensions make the Niva very similar to a crossover. The width of the cars is the same and is 2m, only Niva is 32 cm lower and 70 cm shorter than UAZ. With its appearance, the Patriot fully justifies its name; it cannot be confused with any other representative of the jeep family. But for the brutal scope in size and due to the angular shape and high ground clearance, the Patriot clearly loses to the more maneuverable Niva on the highway, where it will not lag too far behind its passenger “brothers”. As a result, at this stage, the Patriot is for those who easily adapt to the impressive dimensions of the car and love aggressive hard off-road driving, and the Niva is for those who prefer versatility and do not have the habit of driving one car with a group of more than 5 people. you person.

And now about the hidden details and technical features of the “filling” of the UAZ Patriot and Chevrolet Niva. Certainly, the huge difference in power parameters comes to the fore. First of all, it is worth realizing that Patra is a heavyweight in the domestic automobile industry, because its weight, depending on the modification, ranges from 2070 to 2170 kg (with the exception of Sport), and the weight of the lighter Niva is 1860 kg. The UAZ gasoline engine with 127 horses is increasingly being replaced by a diesel engine, which is less powerful, but stubbornly holds speed well under increased loads. The Niva's engine allows it to keep up in heavy traffic on the highway, but when overtaking it accelerates with effort.

In general, both cars are clearly not designed for high-speed drifting and, of course, Patriot's fuel consumption is higher than Niva's. In the urban cycle these differences will be most noticeable. Shniva on the highway fits into the classic consumption of 10/100, but the Patriot reaches the 13/100 mark. In the city, any of the cars increases by another 3 liters, so the Patriot is an SUV for those who will not bother with fuel economy calculations.

There are no complaints about the handling of both cars, but there are also significant differences. Both the UAZ Patriot and the Shniva are equipped with 5-speed gearboxes with a separate transfer lever control from the passenger compartment. The restyled Patriots already have automatic switching on of the transfer case. Only long-term engagement of the front axle and constant operation of the machine in extreme conditions lead to wear and tear of the gearbox itself, respectively you can completely rely on the Patriot when driving over rough terrain, but technical inspections of the condition of the box must be regular. In this regard, the Niva is a “permanent all-wheel drive” vehicle and, although it successfully copes with off-road conditions, it still Shniva is not designed for demonstration performances outside of tourist routes.

And finally, the comfort aspect in the Patriot and Niva is conceptually different. Of course, in terms of dimensions, Patra wins in terms of spaciousness, and in Niva, a neat and pleasantly designed interior can accommodate up to 5 people who are not particularly keen on fast food). Patriot is in use, of course, tougher, so Niva for “peaceful” purposes on well-trodden paths will behave more compliantly, because On the move it is softer and smoother. As a result, both Patrick and Shniva are both cars worthy of attention (especially in comparison with the prices of foreign cars of the same class), but in comparison they differ most not in quality, but the main selection criterion is the operating conditions of the machine.