page_title: Lada Niva
section_title: Cossack
hierarchical_section_title: Lada Niva / History / Cossack
caption_attribution_description: Red Lada Niva Cossack 1.7i in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada.
context_page_description: The Lada 4×4, formerly called the Lada Niva or VAZ-2121, is an off-road vehicle designed and produced by the Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ specifically for the rural market, although models made for urban use are sold. It is marked under the Lada brand.
  It was the first mass-production off-road vehicle to combine a unibody architecture with a coil-sprung independent front suspension, and is a predecessor to current crossover SUVs, nearly all of which follow this format; it inspired the Suzuki Vitara. The Lada 4×4 uses a worm-and-roller steering box carried over from the VAZ-2101 sedan and the original Fiat 124 sedan on which it was based. Pickup and emergency-van versions are produced by VIS-AVTO.
  Following the demise of the Land Rover Defender in 2016, the Niva is the longest running four wheel drive vehicle still in production in its original form.
  In August 2020 Lada took over production of the Chevy Niva rebranding it as the Lada Niva.
context_section_description: During the 1980s, local Lada importers in various markets made their own upgrades to help compete with more modern SUVs. In the UK, the Cossack model featured large body decals, roof rails, running boards, 15-in alloy wheels, and on some versions, a sunroof, steel bullbars, spotlights, a rear-mounted spare tyre, and semibucket seats. Other markets' importers made similar upgrades and many were also called Cossack.
  In 1995, Lada UK introduced a face-lifted version of the Niva Cossack and renamed the basic model as the Hussar. Whereas the Hussar had the original 1977 trim, the new UK Cossack featured a new Rover-designed grille and other body kit items, and gained soft nudge-bars at the front in deference to public opinion against bullbars. Both models received the same new 1.7-litre engine and a new deeper tailgate which extended the rear opening to the level of the bumper – a vast improvement over the original model's high lip. Official Niva imports to the UK ceased in 1997 due to the importers having difficulty in sourcing the GM fuel injection unit required to satisfy ever-tightening UK emissions regulations.
  Several attempts were made to reintroduce Ladas into the UK. In May 2010, the basic Niva became available again, through an independent importer. Aimed largely at the agricultural market, three models were made available (all left-hand drive), the three-door, four-seat hatchback at £10,000, a two-seat commercial van at £8000, and a two-door, four-seat pickup for £12,000. All meet the current UK Vehicle Certification Agency standards. The only engine available is the 1.7-l petrol, but this can be provided with or without a liquefied petroleum gas conversion.
caption: Red Lada Niva Cossack 1.7i in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada
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