2006 Chevrolet Niva
December 22nd, 2006
The 2006 Chevy Niva is built in a joint-venture with Russia’s number-two automaker, AvtoVAZ, and is based on the Soviet-era LADA Niva that’s been the Eastern bloc’s personal 4×4 of choice since its launch in 1977. Both are unibody trucks with control-arm front and live-axle rear suspensions, and each comes with a standard five-speed stick and two-range transfer case. Relative to the U.S. market’s smallest true 4×4, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Niva is 16.4 inches shorter, on an 8.3-inch-longer wheelbase-good for smoothing out rough roads.