Find a few differences - what is the difference between Bronto and Niva?

The all-terrain SUV Lada Bronto was created by VIS-Avto in 2017, and three years later the model underwent its first restyling. This time, the refinement of the Bronto concerned only the interior. But we must pay tribute to the practicality of the manufacturer - Niva also received it. But the availability of Luxe and Prestige trim levels has brought a bit of variety to the typical exterior - variations have made it less boring. But let's talk about everything in order. Let's start with the things that have changed the least.

Exterior

What immediately catches your eye is that the Bronto is 10 cm higher. The longitudinal rails have become a distinctive feature. They look a little short on a three-door, but more than appropriate. The skids are on crossbars that reinforce the body under the interior trim. The wheelbase remains the same, but the front and rear overhangs are shorter thanks to new bumpers. This means that the car will be easier off-road.


External changes on the body affected only the wheel arches. They are cut and expanded with rubber or plastic pads (depending on the configuration), give more travel to the lifted suspension. The radiator grill gives a novelty to the appearance, and the basic optics remained unchanged.

Suspension

The ground clearance of a car with increased cross-country ability is expected to be greater. The ground clearance of the Bronto is good - 240 mm versus 205 mm for the classic Niva. There are reinforced springs at the front, and the rear ones rest against the protective box of the bridge, welded on top of the beam. Because of this, the back of the Bronto remains well raised even when fully loaded.

Shock absorbers with increased piston stroke from Chevrolet Niva are predictably installed in a circle. The track width has been changed (by only 3,8 cm) thanks to high-profile M/T tires in size 235/75 R15 (225/75 R16). With the increase in wheels, the basic suspension elements, with a few exceptions, remained the same.

Трансмиссия

And here, perhaps, the most expected and spectacular differences from the classic Niva are found. The main couples in the bridges are enlarged. The gear ratio instead of 3,9 in the classic Niva became 4,1, and the dynamics were noticeably added.

"Bronto" starts perfectly from a place, and self-locking differentials "Val-Racing" (with a coefficient of 0,65) turn the car into a real all-terrain vehicle. They also provide an enviable directional stability when accelerating in difficult conditions, including on a winter road. These differences noticeably change the character of the car, but there is a small but - the power of the motor.

Engine

Everything is simple with him - this is the good old VAZ-21214 with distributed injection. Off-road its 85 liters. With. frankly not enough. But the model is supplied to the market only with such a unit - one cannot dream of any 2-liter engines (or at least 1,8 with 100-120 hp).
In this matter, factory engineers are guided by economic feasibility and ensuring the safe operation of the car. A more powerful internal combustion engine will lead to an imbalance with the transmission and suspension, which means that they are also under replacement. And this is completely different money, and, most likely, the history of a completely different car.

Salon

In comparison with the Niva, the sound insulation of the Bronto is an order of magnitude better, although it is not capable of drowning out the familiar rumble of the handout. The rear sofa has become neater and has acquired good head restraints - they are not on the Niva.



A ceiling light with climate control and a satellite system on a hard ceiling look quite organic. At the same time, Niva-Luxe 2021 demonstrates the same interior layout, including the materials used.

Choice of trim levels

A pleasant feeling of choice and novelty of the model is given by the Luxe and Prestige trim levels. The differences are clearly shown in the table:


Looking at the last line, many future buyers begin to manipulate calculators and call familiar masters at service stations. The fact is that the same Niva in the Luxe configuration + air conditioning and on R16 wheels will cost its owner, depending on the car dealership, about 638 thousand rubles. Option with painting "Camouflage" - from 663000 rubles.

Additional options

Buyers are offered a variation of "Bronto" with body color "Camouflage". The additional payment for such a choice will be 29 thousand Russian rubles. LKP will not only be an excellent camouflage on the hunt, but also reliably protect the body from minor scratches thanks to heavy-duty varnish. Yes, and this car looks much cooler.

The plant also carries out individual completion of models with the following equipment:

✅ Protection of the gearbox and transmission crankcase
✅ Mounted winch included
✅ Towbar
✅ Cross member for roof rails with fog lights
✅ Expedition trunk, etc.

Thus, each owner can get the "Bronto" of his dreams, but you will have to pay extra for exclusivity.

User experience

Our article is far from the format of custom-made advertising that stimulates interest in the car. In the course of working on the material, the opinions and reviews of the owners who made their choice in favor of the classic Niva or its off-road modification Bronto were studied. The build quality of both models requires increased attention from the user and minor improvements in the first months of operation. At the same time (overwhelmingly), the owners are sincerely glad that major breakdowns bypass them. And the possibilities of cars fully justify their expectations.

As for the cost, it is enough to compare the price tag of Bronto or Niva with new all-wheel drive off-road foreign cars. Even with a cursory analysis of the proposals, it becomes clear why cars that have not experienced major changes in design for decades continue to be in demand in the market.

Overall Impression

"Bronto" in terms of its driving characteristics, cost, availability of service and maintainability today remains a favorite in the segment of budget SUVs. The car is ideal for rough terrain and behaves confidently on city roads. You can disagree with the retail price of the model, but there are many reasons why every car finds its buyer.