CHEVROLET NIVA test drive since 2009 SUV

Chevrole-Niva: two steps forward, one back

Listen, and in-oh, on that hill weakly? - Forced smiling, I joked. No problem! - the driver answered seriously and pressed the gas. I did not have time to finish the mental calculation of the replacement of bumpers and thresholds, as we stood on the above-described hill. Like an invisible hand raised the Niva in the air and put in the right place ...
 
No one and never could reproach me in love for Russian cars. Great appearance and interior, disgusting quality of manufacture - here is a collective image of any Russian car. And I do not like it.
 
Stupid motors, too specific handling and increased maintenance costs - here is a collective image of any SUV. And I don't like it either.
 
But now I catch myself on Kramol thought: I like the Russian car. SUV! What is this car such that could change my opinion?
 
Chevy Niva. Hey, who is skepty there? I was also like that. Until ride on this symbol of Russian-American friendship. Friendship, by the way, forced: If neither the financial problems of the vase, the Chevy emblem would never appear on this SUV.
 
In Togliatti was already the birth of Niva in 1999. Then they released a trial batch, protruded on success for the whole country ... and quiet. The production and adjustment of the VAZ-2123 elementary did not have enough money.
 
But the money was among the American colleagues. And they were ready to invest them in the development of the model, demanding instead of the soul - the name.
 
There were no other options, so the heiress of Niva took the baptism of the Chevrolet Emblem and is now called Chevy Niva.
 
The consumer these backstage intrigues are not important: the main thing is that the car is good.
 
And he really is good. And to her God, relationship with Chevrolet went to him only benefit. I had experience in communicating with another VAZ all-wheel drive: VAZ-2120 Hope. And faith in the future of the Russian car industry did not add this car. Well, you can not call this semi-finished product! It is forbidden! But Chevy Niva is not even a step forward to a normal car. These are two steps.
 
It all starts with the cabin. Feels like - a normal Korean mid 90s. The main complaint about the poor quality plastic, but otherwise very even. Nice design, easy to use unit climate control, steering wheel cool. Comfortable seats, comfortable armrest. None of ergonomic blunders! Never mind that in some places visible screw heads, swirl plastic burr and does not close the lid of the glove compartment. It's the little things. The main thing - you sit in a normal car.
 
Contrary to expectations, the back seat turned out to be spacious. Two people sit down without any problems, and you can not ask for more from a compact SUV.
 
The trunk is not amazing volume. you can fold the rear seat backrest for transportation of goods. This can be done in parts.
 
Words, words, words ... I remember standing on the ground, Hope also made a good impression. And I went badly.
 
Chevy Niva able to plunge into shock fans old Niwa. Where specific howling handout? Where grunting zhigulevskogo motor? There is not. Inside, silence. Of course, at high speed and noise of the engine is heard, and the sound of the wind and the slap of tires on the pavement. But compared to vazovskaya classics, and especially the old Niva - a clear breakthrough.
 
The Chevy Niva movement - an unusually pleasant and balanced car. All controls operate smoothly. Of course, precise shifting is not perfect, but what could you want from an instance of body number 64? All other parameters really Chevy Chevy. Stored power steering and brakes. Remembered that ... they are not recalls. Russian owners of other vehicles, these components removed in nightmares.
 
Power 1.7-liter engine is not enough to traffic lights racing. It must be understood immediately and go to a quiet style of riding.
 
On the road - the same thing. 100-110 km / h - the normal mode. Quietly, quietly. The behavior of the car on the pavement predictable, and do not need to look for the path in the corners. For jeep, even parquet, rulitsya Niva well.
 
A suspension of the new machine - another example. Any irregularities practiced perfectly.
 
Only two points give national roots in the car. From the Russian went to shake exterior mirrors, and the Americans gave a nuance in the suspension. On the alternating waves of recalls Niva Chevrolet nameplates and begins a completely un-American swing.
 
After the asphalt of the test Chevy Niva I just like. Deep feelings appear in Zaslavsky career.
 
Acknowledge, I first there ... how would it be softer ... in general, did not shine. I tried softly, carefully drive up a slurry, and snapped. Well, I got used to Zabigorny jipam, what can you do! On them one incorrect movement - and you can say goodbye to the bumpers.
 
Therefore, I lost the place behind the wheel by the driver of Minsklad, and he showed the class. The manner of driving on off-road compared to the old Niva did not change at all: only gas in the floor and only a good move. Then Niva has no competitors.
 
Turn on reduced gear, gas pedal to the floor - went! Armor strong and Chevy Our fast! Stop Niva can only vertical wall. With other obstacles, it copes easily, playing.
 
I admit honestly: three times I'm seriously strained. And once almost said goodbye to life. Honestly, it makes a Chevy on the off-road, not a single bourgeois SUV will repeat. Is that Hummer, Defender or Gelandewagen. But they cost completely different money.
 
Another important plus of the Russian SUV is a mass. Che-Vrolet Tahoe, Toyota Land Cruiser are good all, but you can pull them out of the dirt only by the tractor. And then not everyone pulls. Crop Chevy is much easier.
 
On your career, we rode in very hard mode, crawled on all stones and bouanes, but never (never!) The car did not catch a bumper or bottom.
 
Of course, and for Niva there will be irresistible obstacles. We will definitely find during a detailed test. And now, alas, a mini test, so we will sum up.
 
Chevy Niva made some high-quality jerks ahead compared to the predecessor. Chevy can be called cheap, but car. No other Vazov model leaves such a pleasant impression.
 
Step back occurred at prices. Now Chevy Niva stands almost like two old Niva. The difference is serious. But believe me, every dollar attached to Chevy justifies himself.
 
In the end, what new car you buy to the question: what is your car? - solidity with answer: The latest model Chevrolet ...
 
BACKGROUND AG:
 
The body of the new model is partially galvanized, bottom covered with plastisol mastic.
 
VAZ-2123 engine capacity of 1.7 liters is designed based on the engine VAZ-21213. Were modified power unit in chain drive Valve appeared gidronatyazhitel, gas distribution mechanism has received a new camshaft and hydraulic lifters. Improved insulation.
 
To get rid of the characteristic howling in the transfer case, used a fine-grained gear and changed the attachment to the body. Transfer gearbox is controlled by one arm instead of two.
 
Suspension concepts remained the same.
 
Opinion AG:
 
This is no longer a Niva, but not yet Chevrolet. The best model of the vase in recent years. Another Mephistophele agreement with GM cancel ...
 
Dmitry Novitsky and Sergey Mitskevich

A source: "Autogase"