A review of the LADA 4x4 Urban

[Юрий Ефимов]

The price range for the new LADA 4x4 Urban is expected to be between 415000 and 435000 roubles


For so many years Lada 4x4 was a symbol of men`s preferences for brutal power and simplicity in off-roading car, the apotheosis of ascetic four wheel drive. It is all changed on the day when AVTOVAZ suddenly announced its decision to once again modify the existing model which has come off the production lines in Togliatti for the last 38 years.
So what was the reason behind the decision to modernise the car and which became controversial amongst the most devoted Niva fans?

The mass production of Lada 4x4 Urban will commence on the 1st October 2014. The paint work will be done by AVTOVAZ using Lada Priora lines and assembly- by the “PSA VIS AVTO” which is a subsidiary of AVTOVAZ. Each year’s target is set to be 5000 cars. In the remaining months of 2014 AVTOVAZ is planning to produce 1000 cars. It is worth mentioning that the base model of the LADA 4x4 will still be produced in the same volume as it is now. It looks like Urban is targeting consumers who prefer to drive four wheel drive vehicles in the city regardless of the season. What are the main changes in this modification of LADA 4x4? The most noticeable ones are in the exterior of the car.

Comparing to existing base model there are following changes in the modification Urban: front and rear bumpers were completely changed. They became plastic and partially colour coded to match the body of the vehicle. Front bumper combined with the new decorative radiator grille. The grille is expected to be used on the existing base model VAZ 21214 M3. This trim is designed by AVTOVAZ but will be outsourced to other manufacturers.
The paint work is done using Lada Priora lines. The body shell will be brought here after welding by special transport. There are following colour schemes for Lada 4x4 Urban: metallic-space, panther, coriander, and Odysseus, Perseus and port wine. Non-metallic are: Jasper, Baltic and white. The price for the model is expected to be between 415 and 435 thousand roubles. Now let`s have a look what is included in the price tag:

Straight away you can see well fitted, colour matched with the rest of the body, bumpers. Beneath them there are metal beams in accordance with all safety rules and certification standards, for example rule number 12 of EEC UN. On the specimen we have laid our hands on there were 16 inch wheels with domestic tyres and decorative chrome plastic wheel caps. As far as I understood it is just temporary. When mass produced, the off roaders will be fitted with cast wheel rims of the size R16. The tyres are same as on the base model-185, but there is an intention to fit 195 tyres on the original rims. The company which is responsible for manufacturing is already named-it is K&K.

The bumpers are sturdier than they look and totally suitable for city driving. Remember that plastic bumpers were used for years-the majority of cross-overs and four wheel drive vehicles have got them. The materials used are ABS plus polycarbonate and steel beam. The original towing eyes and brackets will be still used. After installing new bumpers the length of the car is reduced by 100 mm so the parking on the curb in the city won`t be a problem anymore. But you`ll have to be more careful in the snow. The 3 bars radiator grille is much needed replacement to keep the style of the new plastic trim. ”Lada ship” on the grille looks bigger and more pronounced.

Next noticeable difference is new black side mirrors with aerodynamic shape. They are spherical, heated and electrically adjusted. The switch is located on the center console. It is a bit of a stretch but you don`t adjust mirrors very often. Finally the problem with adjusting the door mirror on the right side is solved. Inside on the door trim there are plugs.
The electric window mechanisms are the “scissors” type made by firm DZS. By default, they are more reliable and got longer life because consist of only two parts. There is a separate fuse 20 AMP for them.

One of the exterior differences is the black door handles to match the radiator grille and front and rear window trim which is no more chrome like on the original Lada 4x4. The shape of rear wiper arm is changed as well but it is more aesthetic than operational change while the front wiper blades are bigger.
The interior of the off-roader hasn`t changed much at the first glance. What is immediately noticeable is the new three-composition seat upholstery from “AvtoVAZagregat” with bright stitching and the new center console. On it there are the windows operating switches, mirrors adjustment switches, two cup holders, ashtray, cigarette lighter, the coin holder and….three familiar levers: transmission, transfer box lever and difflock lever. Well, it is going to change very soon.


Smirnov Sergey Viktorovitch-the leader of the control group of the project Lada 4x4:
-There are a lot of complaints from the Niva owners on the noise and vibration of the transfer box. That`s only in the Urban modification which is city variant we plan to remove low gear in transfer box and switch to electrically operated difflock. We are currently in the middle of the trial. What it gives us? We can remove 2 levers out of 3 and just put plugs to reduce the level of noise coming from transfer box into cabin of the car. We do not plan to modify the 21214 model; instead we are going to improve quality of the box. Right now we work hard in the direction of improving quality of gear box and transfer box.

As I said before, modification Lada 4x4 Urban differs from base model. From the 1st October 2014 there will be air conditioner “Frost” with air compressor of spiral type which is more reliable and less noisy, much smaller and more economic than piston type air compressor which is currently used on all VAZ models. The air conditioner has got 2-speed fan.

The air conditioning installation much improved the quality of the car for consumers. Why?
First of all, manufacturer insists that the air circulation system is now functioning properly due to improved construction and eliminating of the hot air suction. The future will show if that`s true.
Secondly, the distribution of air currents is optimized. Now it is regulated in 3 directions, you can adjust it in all directions, including foot position which corresponds with “middle” position of the handle. We can probably expect soon the new pictogram and the “How to” in the owner’s manual. It also excludes the lever of lower air vents down, near the driver`s feet.
Thirdly, the temperature adjustment of the air conditioning will be done only with thermostat which will be located on the instrument cluster on the right from the steering wheel. Middle position of the regulator will coincide with air temperature from vents 9 degrees Celsius, all the way to the right is 18 degrees and all way to the left is 0 degrees Celsius. There is no more need to mix air currents by regulators.
Fourthly, in the upgrade of the heater there was used the electric fan from 2108 model with roller bearing which improved general power. On the first speed the fan sounds much quieter.
Following the recommendations of specialists to increase reliability of steering and reduce workload on the bearing of the power steering pump the separate belt for air compressor will be implemented.

Among the changes in the cabin there is roof trim panel under sun visors with interior light. The heated front seats will be offered as an option, the switches for them located on the instrument panel. This option will be available in the Lux edition of the Lada 4x4 Urban. Lux edition will also include ABS, central locking and parking sensor.
Steering wheel is smaller in diameter-380 mm with two horn buttons on it.
There are some changes which are not visual but nonetheless important-vibration and noise reducing insulation of the cabin for example. The material used is Vibroplast and it is going to improve the whole experience of the driving in the city.
In the future, after implementing of electric remote operating there are plans to switch to gearbox lever of the VAZ- 2123 model.
The main technical characteristics of the Niva 4x4 Urban such as suspension, transmission and engine are the same as in the base model 21214.
At the beginning of the production there are 3 approved colour schemes including original for the 4x4 enamel but for the consumers will be offered only one variant of the seats upholstery.
The warranty for the city modification Lada 4x4 Urban will cover the same aspects as for the base model.