Lada NIVA 2121
Built: 1978-1983 · Series: NIVA
More machines from model year 1978
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Lada NIVA – the collective page of the Soviet compact off-roader: permanent four-wheel drive since 1977, 1.6- to 1.7-litre petrol engine of 59 to 60 kW, the Bestel version registered as an N1 delivery van
The Lada Niva (VAZ-2121) is AvtoVAZ's compact four-wheel-drive off-roader from Togliatti, built since 1977 with permanent four-wheel drive and a low-range gearbox, making it one of the longest-produced cars of all. This collective page includes, among others, versions registered as commercial vehicles – the designation Bestel marks Dutch registration as an enclosed N1-class delivery van rather than a passenger car, with load space in place of the rear seats.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 7 versions with 59 to 60 kW from the four-cylinder petrol engine of 1,568 to 1,690 cm³, unladen weights from 1,130 to 1,285 kg, gross weights from 1,550 to 1,640 kg, lengths from 3,720 to 4,440 mm and widths from 1,650 to 1,700 mm.
The Niva is regarded as one of the world's first true compact off-roaders and was exported far beyond Russia, from Western Europe to Latin America; as an inexpensive and rugged four-wheel-drive vehicle it remained popular for decades with hunters, foresters and farmers, while the Bestel versions converted into commercial vehicles could be registered more favourably for tax purposes in the Netherlands.
On a used Niva, rust on wheel arches, sills and the floor pan, the condition of the propshafts and transfer case, the carburettor or early injection, and the seals and electrics regarded as weak points of the simple design all count; parts are widely available through the Lada trade and independent suppliers.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Lada NIVA
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 4correct |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 1,700 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,200 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,260 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,550 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Lada NIVA 2121 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,260 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Lada NIVA 2121?
1,550 kg.
What engine does the Lada NIVA 2121 have?
4 cylinders.
When was the Lada NIVA 2121 built?
Production years: 1978-1983.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 8 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Van in 3D section
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