CHEVROLET NIVA test drive since 2009 SUV

Chevrolet Niva: Plastic Surgery

As a result of the cosmetic work, Chevrolet Niva acquired new front and rear bumpers, as well as modified door and threshold lining.

Sheviniva - how much in this word for the heart of the Russian lover of offroad merged. According to the results of the 2009 crisis, the Chevy Niva dispersed 24,520 cars, losing in the segment of compact crossovers and SUVs only by ordinary good old field. In 2009, another significant event happened for Chevrolet Niva: the Russian SUV was restored. And in the already familiar name, the bertone edition bourgeois-malicious prefix appeared, which indicates the communion for updating the Niva of the famous Italian design studio, which worked on a masterpiece such as Citroen Xantia, Alfa Romeo GT, Lamborghini Countach, etc.


Under the knife of specialists in the Italian design studio Bertone, Chevi Niva was prettier. Assembly quality at a height.

As a result of the cosmetic work, Chevrolet Niva acquired new front and rear bumpers, as well as modified door and threshold lining. In front, a new grille of the radiator with an enlarged Chevrolet icon, a modified head optics, round fog lights, as well as repeators of the turning point on the front wings, flaunts.


Plastic linings are glued evenly. There are no extra gaps. The silver Niva looks harmoniously in the forest near Moscow.

In addition to the new linings on the sidewalls of the body, painted side mirrors, modest Bertone Edition nameplate, as well as new 16-inch alloy wheels (in top equipment) appeared. Shniva also received new front and rear mudguards and modified rear lights. As a result, the image of the Chevrolet Niva has become more integral. Small gaps between the panels of the body, as well as a well -fitted plastic body kit give the impression of a solid and high -quality product.


A stylish three -spoke steering wheel appeared inside the updated shniva. The plastic is hard everywhere, but the assembly quality is at the level. In the rich configuration of GLS, the decor appeared: inserts on the levers of the transmission, and the silver bar above the mess.

A new three -spoke steering wheel appeared in the cabin, a glass in the console on the ceiling, as well as new lighting ceiling. On the tunnel between the front seats, a convenient cup holder and a compartment for small things were placed. The intra -axial rear -view mirror is now glued to the windshield and does not rattles on the ribbed asphalt. In addition, in the rear bumper, the Niva crashed two ventilation holes, which, according to the automaker, contribute to the better air circulation in the cabin and reduce the fogging of the glasses.


Offasses - this is the real element of Chevrolet Niva. Here, the Russian SUV feels at ease and is ready to argue with any foreign rogue.

Amorphous front seats do not have an adjustment in height and proper lateral support. Despite this, it was not difficult to choose a convenient position at the wheel. It is good that the steering column has a vertical adjustment. The traditional VAZ instrument panel has good information. On the central console, three climate installation handles are located. An optional air conditioner was installed in the test of the Niva test, the cost of which is 27 thousand rubles.

In general, despite the widespread use of cheap and hard plastic, the updated corner interior is collected soundly. Between the panels there are no large gaps typical for the products of AvtoVAZ, and there are no extraneous creaks on the bumps in the bowels of the skin.


Although there are only two head restraints, there are enough space behind the place. The seat is laid out in a proportion of 60/40, forming an almost even floor.

I was pleased with the chubby three -spoke steering wheel, it is a pity that there is still no airbag in it. The ignition key is now stroke, as on all self -respecting foreign cars.

Two levers were located on the central tunnel. The one that is larger, for switching the gears, and the one that is smaller controls the modes of the handout. They can turn on a lowering gear or block the interdose differential.



At the back, the driver up to 180 cm tall is sitting behind himself without any problems. And three passengers of space will be enough. In addition, the sofa is laid out in a proportion of 60/40, forming an almost even floor. The trunk is finished with a pleasant pile coating. But the balonnik and the jack of the place were never found, as before, they are attracted by a rubber tourniquet to a protruding wheel arch.


A 320 liter trunk does not shine with spaciousness. Ballonik and jack are still pressed with an ordinary rubber harness. In the fifth door is located a lid of a tank of an autonomous rear window washer. But the door itself in a strange way opens from right to left, although the movement in Russia is still left-handed. As a result, the driver also has to go around the back of the car to get into the luggage compartment.

But Shniva became really better! Good smoothness, adequate effort on the steering wheel, good energy intensity of the suspension, what else is needed for a rogue? However, not everything is so smooth. On the cold, until the gearbox warms up to turn on the desired speed, the lever has to be literally push. Yes, and when the oil in the transmission is heated to the operating temperature, the manual transmission still does not shine with selectivity.


The new optics is not only prettier than externally, but also has the best characteristics of illumination.

The straight Chevrolet Niva holds surprisingly well. Even at decent speed, the SUV can be carried out without unnecessary nervousness. But after 120 km/h, sound discomfort begins. The howl of the transmission and the motor is actively attacking the hearing of passengers. In addition, even on a perfectly flat surface, a pretty decent vibration appears at high speed. But the high -speed highway is by no means the element of Chevrolet Niva. In addition, the dynamics of a 1.7-liter 80-horsepower engine does not contribute to dynamic overtaking.


Bertone nameplates were placed on wide moldings of doors, which give out the design of the Chevrolet Niva to the legendary Italian studio.

Despite this, in the city of Niva she left a good impression. The SUV willingly enters the turn, demonstrating adequate reactions to the driver’s actions. The rolls are small. If you overdo it at the speed at the entrance, then the Chevy Niva first smoothly slides the front axle outward, after which the predictable demolition of both axles will begin, which does not threaten a sharp drift of the stern. Safely!


Two levers were located on the central tunnel. The one that is larger, for switching the gears, and the one that is smaller controls the modes of the handout. They can turn on a lowering gear or block the interdose differential. The stove is controlled using three handles. For 27 thousand rubles, you can order an optional air conditioner.

The energy -intensive suspension with pleasure swallows small and medium irregularities, without violating calm in the cabin. The bumps are also on the teeth more, but now the passengers of strong shaking cannot be avoided.

The brakes are not bad. Slowing to control is easier. And the absence of ABS is partly compensated by good informativeness, when the driver subconsciously feels the line after which the wheel blocking begins.

The real element of Chevrolet Niva begins as soon as the asphalt ends. Here, few will be able to argue with the Russian SUV. Small overhangs and road clearance of 200 mm is a key to excellent geometric cross -country ability, the indicators of which nevertheless slightly spoiled the body kit from Bertone.

In the design of the shniva, a constant all -wheel drive with a symmetrical distribution of torque between the axes is used. All off -road obstacles in the snow -covered forest Niva passed without the help of blocking the center differential. Deep ditches, track, hanged wheels are not an obstacle to her. The all -wheel drive transmission easily ate all the surprises prepared for her. But the motor needs more powerful. It is worth increasing the load a little, as the clutch begins.


In a rich configuration, the interior decoration is made of fabric in combination with leatherette. It looks noble.

If in the future, Chevrolet Niva acquires an aggregate more powerful, and the cost will remain within the framework of decency, then the VAZ SUV will significantly strengthen its position and become the best offer in terms of price-quality among offroach lovers.

Now in the Rossi Chevrolet Niva market is presented in two trim levels indicated by L and GLS. The basic version worth 412 thousand rubles includes an alarm with an immobilizer, the front electric windows, hydraulic power, electric mirrors and steel wheels with a diameter of 15 inches. For 459 thousand in the GLS configuration, a combined decoration of the salon using artificial leather, heating seats, roof rails, 16-inch light-linked wheels, fog lights, an additional lightning plate, a glass, an audio extension with two front speakers and decorative inserts on the transmission levers are added. Air conditioning can be ordered as an additional option for any equipment.


Ruslan Galimov
Photo by Kirill Kalapov
 

Source: Carclub.ru