New 2021 Lada Niva Legend 4x4 full review

Jonny has always had admiration and respect for this jolly ex-communist cockroach. It has just enough comfort and utilitarian style to feel like one of the late Defenders. Albeit one with healthy turning circle and unquestionable reliability. He knew about the latter from all the stories of when one of these was posted to the Antarctica research station and Everest base camps to live. Nivas are the anti-SUV, and all the more cool for it. Left hand drive only, but they can be bought new from £12k (+vat).

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Jonny got the exclusive UK test drive of the 2021 model, and enjoyed filming it on and off road during what was Britain's hottest day of the year thus far. All was going just fine until he encountered what we now know is a fairly unfriendly puddle in the Tixover quarry offroad course. No cones or signs mentioned that what he presumed was a shallow slip way, was in fact a huge step that had claimed the lives of numerous mud pluggers. In fact, it had sunk a Unimog a few weeks previous. A UNIMOG.

Lada Niva dimensions:
Length 3740mm
Width 1680mm
Height 1640mm
Wheelbase 2200mm
Ground clearance 200mm
Approach angle 32 degrees
Departure angle 37 degrees

Suzuki Jimny dimensions:
Length 3645mm
Width 1645mm
Height 1720mm
Wheelbase 2250mm
Ground Clearance 210mm
Approach angle 37 degrees
Departure angle 49 degrees

The Lada is a strong little thing, but this was an unexpected issue. The poor Lada had just 300km on the clock. Handily no carpets - as all Nivas have hose down rubber floors.
Luckily Niva's are basically brand new classic cars, so within minutes we had the spark plugs out, spun the engine over to purge any water, then removed and tried the air filter intake system. The Niva started and ran, without a hint of smoke or steam.

Aside from the obvious human error we absolutely loved the Lada experience, like Jonny had 10 years ago when green-laning one across the UK for Fifth Gear. The new Legend Niva was a more refined ride and quieter, but still with pleasingly practical exposed screw heads, easily accessible components and excellent boot space. You can buy it in van, pick up, 4 door LWB or even Putin specs. The most expensive version is called the Bronto, and that features lifted suspension, metallic paint (camo is optional) and more tasteful alloys. Or you can keep it Eastern European, with steel wheels, flat paint and windy windows. All have keenly braked ABS and power steering.

Rasputin G-Wagons are going out of production in 2023, and we think there is nothing quite like them - especially now that the Jimny can no longer be bought (in the UK at least). Viva la Niva!

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Thank you for watching The Late Brake Show. If you haven't already, SUBSCRIBE for a broad-church of automotive appreciation spanning EV, classic, modified and future tech.
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:28 Jimny
1:25 Niva intro
1:48 Supported by Continental tyres
1:58 DIMENSIONS Vs Jimny
2:25 4 door Niva and Jimny coming
2:49 ENGINE SPECS
3:48 ROAD TEST
7:55 Odd optional extras
8:42 Cheap spares and servicing
9:28 FULL SPECS AND PRICES
11:02 Vladimir Putin spec Niva
11:55 ULEZ COMPLIANT!
12:00 3rd in Paris Dakar in 1981
12:50 Production ends 2023.
13:23 ABS and seat airbag
14:04 GOING OFFROAD
16:00 Front end design
17:00 MORE OFFROAD
17:48 Interior cabin design
18:14 Back seats
18:48 MORE OFFROAD
19:17 Rear end design and boot
20:32 Dashboard and gear sticks
21:47 MORE OFFROADING
22:08 WATER WADING
22:23 FLOOD DISASTER.....RUINED?
25:18 Verdict
26:13 Rescue + indestructible.

#ladaniva #newladaniva #2021niva #nivalegend #newjimny #nivaextremeoffroad

[jaybou]

Just have a look at the comments. Everybody wants one of these. This review alone is one of the best ad for this little beast.

Have a look, Renault: Johnny just sold millions worth of Nivas for you. Just export them.

[cuteanimegirl]

in Russia, we have a proverb:
The cooler offroader you have, the longer you'll have to walk back on foot to get a tractor

[robertjames]

I owned a Lada Niva in Africa and it would go where a Landrover failed. Cheap, basic and very Russian, it was easy to maintain and reliable. Great vehicle.

[ayrathaba]

If desired, this machine could easily cope with this ditch. The driver just got cold feet))) You in Europe with excellent roads need Niva more for fun, we in Russia, where there are not always roads in difficult-to-pass places, Niva is a vital necessity. In good and skillful hands, the machine is a workhorse. Greetings from Russia, Bashkortostan

[andystork]

Used to work on these at the Lada import centre in Bridlington in the 80’s. Turned the standard model into the Cossack version, updated the transfer box mountings, added sunroof and alloys. A very capable off-road vehicle. Took one to a 4x4 competition and ended up pulling a land rover out of a ditch that had got stuck. Very underrated. I had a yellow one with black stripes, looked like a wasp.

[cristiandemirel]

Don't know why, but a car that doesn't speak back to you, with no lane assist, front assist, and other kinds of "assists", seems very appealing in this modern times. It's just you 100% controlling a machine

[geoffsaunders]

I live in the French Alps and the Niva is incredibly popular with the ski instructors. I asked one why. His response. "Because i must get to work. If I do not work I do not get paid." He also said the heater was great.

[ryan_aex]

I really did not expect to read the words “Lada Niva” in any sentence today, let alone 2021 review….I’m looking forward to this Jonny. Thank you as always for your hard work and quality content!

[malcolmlane-ley]

No other motoring show has such diversity, well done Jonny

[GglieS]

You forgot to mention that it’s a first crossover in the world. And it’s definitely the best soviet car.

[thomasatherley]

The Niva is truly one of the last "old fashioned" cars you can buy. What a thoroughly great little beast

[AlmightyRem]

23:50 Johnny finds out exactly why the boot release is on the inside 😜

[ruprechtkroenen]

I owned one in GER for 4 years now, and every day i start that engine, cant stop smiling 😊

[ajpdaniels]

"Just treat it like a brand new classic car" says than man who's just driven it into a massive water filled ditch! Great stuff👍

[murdocampbell]

In the entire history of car reviews THIS is the best car review EVER! Period.

[rin-chan]

I bought one at the beginnig of the year and I totally love it! It's soooo basic but that's actually the main charm of the car! I haven't owned such a reliable working car in a really long time... We use it for a really hard terrain and work on the farm but also for long road trips and it's super great! Yeah, not very comfortable, but I don't really mind it haha... If you are considering one, definitely go for it!

[radioactivepotato]

"This is a brand new car."

I don't know why that made me smile so hard that my face hurt. I'm driving the new 5008 atm and I'd cry for something as simple as the Niva. I'm bloody sick of driving a smartphone.

[richardharker]

I'm starting to be attracted to vehicles with less software control that tells you how to drive.

[JohnLee-tftw]

In the early 1980's I worked in Nigeria, West Africa. An associate owned a Niva and at Christmas holidays would drive the Niva across the Sahara to North Africa take a ferry across the Med to home in Italy, holiday with family, sell the Niva for a profit, fly back to Nigeria, buy another Niva, and repeat the exercise next Christmas. The Niva was great for him!

[m.r.]

You my man are the legend with thinking outside the box and presenting this car. This is very much car for me, no stupid electronics following my every move and sending data somewhere, can fix it by my self, and left hand drive so can easily drive it across Europe to see my Mum (after the restrictions that is). Great channel. Best wishes from York, UK.