Lada 4x4 Urban 5-Door: Unpretentious utility and affordable ability

By Ghaith Madadha - Nov 26,2018 - Last updated at Nov 26,2018

Photos courtesy of Lada

Capping its fourth decade of production this year, the Lada 4x4 has over the years undergone subtle development and improvement, and been offered under a variety of names depending on market and era.

A rugged, practical, manoeuvrable and comfortably riding cross between compact daily driver and genuine off-roader, the 4x4 may not have the luxury, refinement or high speed performance of modern upmarket and mainstream SUVs. It instead trades on a now iconic appeal and highly affordable utility with huge off-road capability that puts to shame most SUVs at a fraction of the price demanded by upscale luxury SUVs with similar off-road talents.

Unpretentious charm

Formerly and best known as the Niva, the Lada 4x4 is now produced in three trim levels including the slightly more city-oriented Urban model driven, with body colour integrated bumpers and slightly bigger alloy wheels. Driven in longer 5-Door guise, its 500mm longer wheelbase measures 2,700mm and lends it a slightly elongated look. If ultimately not as aesthetically well-proportioned or feisty in demeanour as the iconic 3-Door model, the longer wheelbase and extra rear doors do, however, provide improved daily family use practicality, stability at speed and truly generous legroom that belies its still compact 4,140mm length, 1,680mm width and 1,640mm height.

Unpretentious, uncomplicated and utilitarian, the Lada 4x4 is unmistakable in appearance, with low-slung round headlights and rectangular turn signals above. Now bearing vertical rear lights, its small dimensions, boxy design, low waistline and big glasshouse ensure good interior space efficiency and excellent visibility and manoeuvrability for pinpoint accuracy when placing it in a tight parking spot or traversing the narrowest off-road trails. Honest and minimalist in aesthetic appeal, the 4x4 is well-packaged, with its spare tyre placed under its unintentionally stylish reverse-swing clamshell bonnet to maximise cargo room and also not increasing length or decreasing clearance by mounting it externally or underneath.

Minimalism over excess

A triumph of function over form and minimalism over excess in every aspect of its design and engineering, the Lada 4x4’s weight remains restrained even in 5-Door guise at 1425kg, as does its small, effective and rugged 1.7-litre naturally-aspirated 8-valve SOHC four-cylinder engine. Uncomplicated and able to run on cheaper lower octane 90RON fuel, the 4x4’s engine provides comparatively healthy low-end torque for effective off-road driving. Not the most economical engine for its size, it, however, returns frugal consumption at lower speeds and rpm, with the benefit of the 4x4’s light weight, and not the disadvantage of its boxy wind resistance at speed.

Positioned in-line and driving the rear wheels in normal on-road conditions, the 4x4’s engine develops adequate, if not spirited performance, but delivery is progressive for accurate throttle control. Developing 82BHP at 5000rpm and 95lb/ft at 4000rpm, the Lada 4x4 5-Door accelerates through 0-100km/h in 19-seconds and tops out at a comfortably achievable 137km/h. Certainly livelier and more eager keeping up with traffic at the higher end of its rev range, if not quick in absolute terms, the 4x4 is nonetheless a fun and engaging driving, with its narrow tyres, light weight, minimal sound deadening and engagingly mechanical controls, feels brisk even at lower speeds.

Engaging and intuitive

Driving the rear wheels on road through a brilliantly mechanical and analogue feel 5-speed manual gearbox shifter and an accurate and intuitive clutch pick-up point, the Lada 4x4 is balanced and well-weighted through corners. Working the gearbox through switchbacks to maintain momentum and power, the 4x4 is an engaging and not surprisingly agile and rewarding drive. Turning tidy, crisp and alertly into a corner like the shorter more nimble 3-Door, the 5-Door Lada would seem to have slighty more inclination for under-steer — and better rear grip — when pushed to the limit.

Its recirculating ball steering and slim tyres provide intuitive road feel, but require more steering turn input than quicker more modern systems, while steering angle was surprisingly modest, owing to its four-wheel-drive system. Sprung softly and riding on double wishbone front and a more sophisticated trailing arm live axle rear suspension setup, the Lada 4x4 is quick and eager turning in yet leans somewhat through a corner, but nevertheless remains committed and reassuring through corners, and without electronic stability assistance or interference.

Stable at speed and in town, the 4x4 maybe noisier inside than a more luxurious car but rides with a forgiving suppleness over jaded bumps, lumps and severe imperfections that very few modern cars can match, which is partially due to its narrow, and tall sidewall 185/75R16 tyres. Driven during recent heavy rains, the Lada’s slim tyres also proved highly resilient to aquaplaning on partially flooded roads. Conceived as a modern civilised car-like off-roader with unibody construction, yet it is now more capable than most current SUVs, and offers high water and snow fording ability.

Comfort and capability

With its lightweight, compact size and high 200mm clearance and short overhangs, the 4x4 benefits delivers excellent approach and departure angles, in addition to a generous ramp angle, evenif it is slightly less in the 5-Door version, Engaging its four-wheel-drive hardware through two additional stubby levers, the Lada only really needs to engage four-wheel drive and low gear ratios for truly demanding terrain, while the rear differential can be locked for the most extreme and low traction conditions.

Supple and settled on pavement, dirt roads and more rugged off-road terrain, the Lada 4x4 Urban is a comfortable drive and is spacious inside for so small a vehicle, including a minimum 420-litre boot that expends to much more with rear seats folded. Designed as a rugged machine with few, if any, frills, the modern 4x4 may feature hard shiny plastics aplenty inside and no central locking, but comes with a stereo system, electric windows, steering rake adjustment and air conditioning. Seating is comfortable and well adjustable in front and spacious in the rear, but more front lumbar support and rear headrests would be welcome additions.

Launched back in 1978 as a rugged, capable and affordable car of a Soviet milieu and harsh Russian conditions, the Lada 4x4 small dimension, spacious interior, forgiving ride comfort, high clearance, economical running costs and high value JD15,000 pricing remains relevant in Jordan today, with its high car import duties, rugged roads and crowded city streets.

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