UAZ SGR "Expedition" - when you want to return to the USSR

On long winter evenings, Soviet drivers sat in garages, talking about how they conquer off-road. No one was specifically looking for it - it just came across on the way during trips to summer cottages or villages.


And if a fishing or hunting trip was coming, then everyone envied the owners of the Niva. Experienced people recognized that UAZ or LuAZ are better, but they rarely fell into private hands.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, domestic cars suddenly became available to everyone. Only they sharply diminished - used foreign cars appeared. As for UAZ, these SUVs began to be bought, however, more and more second-hand and second-hand.


Adventure lovers were waiting for the Ulyanovsk plant to soon orient itself in the market and create a galaxy of modern models. The manufacturer initially lived up to expectations by releasing the "Patriot". It was a triumph and a possibility that a new van would soon appear in place of the Loaf.

But the latter is still being produced, not much changed. And in the yard, we recall, it is already 2023. Only one thing pleases - UAS SGR can be bought in the Expedition version. This is a car already at the factory subjected to light tuning. Let's talk about him today.

Legalized tuning

Off-road enthusiasts know that car modifications and the installation of additional equipment have long been under an unspoken ban. No, you can legalize everything, you just have to register each revision, write it down in the documents.


The procedure is dreary and expensive, so few people do it. Moreover, “pokatushki” are often arranged far from civilization and representatives of the traffic police. The latter, by the way, sometimes visit such events in order to immediately close the monthly plan for fines.

And if you want to travel in a prepared car - if you please, be content with serial models or register everything as it should be. But the UAZ SGR "Expedition" already has a factory certificate, which contains all the additional options. This:

✅ Power bumpers
✅ "Kenguryatnik"
✅ Off-road tires
✅ Roof rack with ladder
✅ Winch

And all this can be removed, changed to something more suitable for a particular owner. All the same, options are entered in the factory certificate without specifying the model.


The first "expeditionary" UAZ, created as part of the series, was not an SGR or even a "Hunter", but the most modern "Patriot". "Loaf" was the last in the series. Most cars of this type are bright orange. It turned out fun and festive. For modest buyers, "Expedition" is offered in other shades.

Body and features

Outwardly, the UAZ SGR has not changed much since 1965. The body is made according to the same old Soviet technologies. "Evil tongues" claim that even the equipment remains from those times. Maybe so, but hardly - body stamps will not last so many years. Although, looking at the flanging, coming in a wave, you can believe it.

The fit of the parts is specific - the doors slam on the metal when closing, and the side door generally goes skewed from time to time. The body is considered to be load-bearing, but if not for the frame, it would fall apart on the road.


Power bumpers are good, but only when they are installed by enthusiastic specialists. The assemblers of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant did the job a little stupidly. It seems that everything looks beautiful, but the geometric cross-country ability has deteriorated due to the increase in the length of the bumpers.

Engine protection looks simply monumental. It is unlikely that it will be possible to break it even on purpose - this causes respect for the creators. Only in fact, this again interferes with cross-country ability - the car perfectly “sits down” on the “plow” while overcoming severe impassability.

The back door just won't open. To gain access to the cargo compartment, you will have to:

✅ Get a hairpin
✅ Move aside the spare tire, which provokes criminals to steal
✅ Remove ladder
✅ Unlock the door with the key

Somehow, for a modern car, there are too many manipulations. On the other hand, even though there is no electronics, it means it is reliable.
The build quality of the body is depressing. The metal here, traditionally for Loafs, rots very quickly. It happens that rust appears on the welds already on new cars.


The center of gravity of the “expeditionary” UAZ SGR is high, the driver should not climb into severe impassability without preparation. The roof rack is good, but if you thoroughly load it, it will be much easier to turn the car over at the crossroads.

Salon

Inside, "Loaf" joyfully greets the driver and passengers with the entourage of the Soviet era, moreover, the 60s. Salon here is more like a Spartan cockpit of a military vehicle. Foreigners love it, by the way. They are sure that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant specifically made such a “trick”. But Russian drivers know that this is outdated equipment.


But the chairs are already modern. Not the most comfortable, but much better than the trolleybus seats that were installed before. By the way, there are seven places here, including the driver's seat. Of the modern in the cabin, perhaps an analog speedometer, combined with a liquid crystal display and fuel and coolant temperature indicators.

Two stoves. The front one is already buzzing at the second speed so that it shuts off the engine, which cannot be called quiet either.

On the go

Before buying a new UAZ SGR "Expedition", you need to ride a "Loaf" of any year of manufacture at least once. Otherwise, a person accustomed to modern cars will be unpleasantly struck by this car.

There have already been cases when people dreamed of buying a UAZ minibus, collecting money for this for years. And then they sold the car a month or a year later, disappointed.


But a modern car rides unlike the old Loaf. Injection engine ZMZ-4091 with a volume of 2,7 liters and a power of 112 liters. With. allows you to stay in the city traffic with confidence.

Although, it is difficult to call a dynamic UAZ SGR. Acceleration to 100 km / h is long here - about 35 seconds. And the gear lever will also surprise you - not only is it in the form of a poker, but also the moves are huge. Although, those who drove Soviet GAZ and ZIL trucks will like it.

Four-wheel drive and downshift are included with effort. And manipulations will be accompanied by a characteristic rattle.

To a driver unfamiliar with the features of Soviet trucks, it may seem that something is breaking. Everything is fine — it's just UAZ!


The fuel consumption of the Expedition is about the same as that of an SUV with a volume of 4,0 liters or more. In the city, gasoline runs out frighteningly quickly - the car requires about 20 liters per 100 km. The most economical mode is the track. If you drive at a speed of 80 km / h, you can fit into 11 liters.

There are no complaints about the brakes - here the engineers of the Ulyanovsk plant definitely had a hand. Stops "Expedition" for UAZ perfectly. But there are questions to the steering - the backlash is huge.

Is it worth buying?

UAZ SGR is an amateur car. As for the Expedition version, it attracts more potential customers interested in off-road performance and bright color.

According to the manufacturer's advertisement, this car is suitable for all occasions. This is true - it is easy to repair and maintain, and the cross-country ability is high, despite the geometry spoiled by the body kit.


Ideal UAZ for "survivors". If you imagine that a classic literary zombie apocalypse suddenly begins, then the car will really help you get into the most remote area.

But for a modern person, the Expedition has too many nuances. For an overnight stay, the salon will have to be redone. The driver and passengers get tired during long races, and the car does not spare gasoline.

But if you want to get a male constructor, then the UAZ SGR "Expedition" is suitable for this role. It definitely won't be boring!