In Europe, they compared Niva, Vitara and Patrol. The conclusion was interesting

Portuguese magazine Turbo compared the most popular SUVs in the country – Lada Niva 1600, Suzuki Vitara JLX and locally produced Nissan Patrol Turbo. True, the test is dated back in 1991, but the conclusions made by journalists from Europe are all the more interesting for us.

In January 1991, the Soviet Niva and foreign competitors were not yet separated by almost half a century of abyss – the 3rd generation Patrol appeared in 1980, and Vitara was released in 1988:

Even by the standards of 30 years ago, the Niva was not particularly suitable for asphalt trips, especially with a 75-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and 4.3 main pairs – and the Portuguese especially noted the noise accompaniment from the transmission and “diagonal” VLI-5, as well as oversteer in high-speed corners. At the same time, Lada gave Europeans pleasure on uneven primers – in such conditions, both handling and brakes were excellent, and the dense (but not oak!) Suspension revealed itself 100%:

Under the hood of the test Suzuki Vitara, an 8-valve carburetor G16A 1.6 l 75 hp is installed. (It's funny that even the moment coincided with Niva – Lada has 122 Nm at 3200 rpm, Suzuki has 123 Nm at 3100 rpm), but the dynamics and efficiency of the Japanese turned out to be at a level inaccessible to Niva due to the low mass, high-quality tuned motor, well-chosen gear ratios and a switchable front axle:

The frame short-base Nissan Patrol is actually not much larger and heavier – the length is only 4105 mm versus 3720 mm for the Niva and 3560 mm for the Vitara; curb weight 1810 kg. In terms of behavior, this is a classic frame SUV on solid axles and spring suspension – tough, with noticeable unsprung masses, but an unlimited margin of safety on off-road and huge moves. In Europe, the Patrol had an appropriate engine – an in-line 6-cylinder turbodiesel 2.8 l 115 hp. 235 Nm:

The interior of the “early” Niva could not stand any comparison with Japanese SUVs. Portuguese journalists noted the poor quality of plastic, shapeless seats with short pillows, a hard retro steering wheel and the absence of any modern options. The locally assembled patrol could not boast of electric drives, but the interior is cozy, comfortable and soundly assembled. Suzuki, not surprisingly, turned out to be the most modern and advanced – the materials and assembly are solid, there are electric windows and mirrors:

Unlike modern auto media, Turbo magazine in 1991 took detailed measurements – from acceleration time to the level of noise in the cabin. The results obtained are as follows (the most interesting ones are acceleration from 0-100 km/h; elasticity 40-80 km/h and 40-120 km/h; noise in dB; stopping distance from 100 km/h, respectively):

• Niva: 21 s; 24.7 s; 47.7 s; 78.1 dB at 90 km / h; 41 m
• Vitara: 16.9 s; 13.5 s; 23 s; 72.5 dB at 90 km / h; 41 m
• Nissan: 13.5s; 13.0 s; 19.1 s; 70.3 dB at 90 km / h; 40 m

The results of the test turned out to be interesting:

• Niva is an excellent SUV for rural residents, for whom the lowest price, off-road performance and maintainability are most important
• Suzuki – for wealthier citizens (in 91 it was 87% more expensive than Niva), who care about comfort, build quality, economy and handling on asphalt
• Nissan Patrol – the most expensive (but only 8% more expensive than Vitara), successfully combines excellent off-road performance and, oddly enough, better dynamics; most likely to be the best investment