In terms of 4×4 SUVs, you’ve likely heard of things like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. But outside of the United States, there’s a whole world of SUVs that we just don’t have access to. One of them is the Lada Niva, a Russian vehicle that has its roots in the Soviet Union. And it truly is a 4×4 beast.
The Lada Niva is weird but cool
In terms of being a 4×4 SUV, the Lada Niva really shines. It may be very old school, but it was designed to handle some of the world’s toughest conditions. And, for the most part, it can be kept up and running with a simple set of tools.
The Niva has the honor of being the first mass-produced off-road vehicle to use unibody construction. And it is estimated that more than 650,000 units have been sold worldwide. Unfortunately for those of us in the United States, the Lada Niva never washed up on our shores.
Where is the Lada Niva from?
The Niva originates from Russia. It first went into production in 1977 and for a long time remained largely unchanged. In fact, Lada still sells an old-school Niva. That variant lacks many amenities and focuses instead on being a simple 4×4 SUV.
According to motor trend, the Lada Niva was sold in Canada for a period of time. So if you’re interested in getting a Niva in the United States, you may be able to find one closer to home. At the same time, the Niva was not necessarily a vehicle worth preserving. Therefore, obtaining a clean version that is not imported from Europe can be a difficult task.
How expensive is the Niva?
In terms of cost, the Lada Niva is still a budget 4×4 SUV with a starting cost of around $25,000. This price helps the Niva compete with other off-road SUVs, like the Suzuki Jimny. And it makes it even more painful that they are not sold in the United States.
Certainly a vehicle like the Niva would not be able to meet US regulations. But, there really isn’t a cheap 4×4 SUV you can buy new here. Models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner have become increasingly expensive and complex. It would be nice to see a simple SUV make it to the US market.
Until then, if you want a cheap 4×4 SUV, your best bet is to look on the used market. There are plenty of vehicles out there that haven’t been affected by the price increases. These include things like the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, which is legitimately capable and hasn’t caught the eye of enthusiasts.
But, a Jeep will certainly lack the extravagance of a Soviet-era SUV. And you won’t get the same attention in cars and coffee. Perhaps it is worth the undertaking to import this Russian 4×4 to the United States.