Cars that feel equally comfortable both on city asphalt and in its complete absence have always been popular in our country. The reason for this, to put it mildly, is the unsatisfactory condition of roads even in large cities - let alone the provinces.
Even though our market is simply flooded with foreign-made SUVs, Russian Nivas (together with UAZs) create worthy competition for them. They themselves are cheaper, and spare parts are easier to buy and replace.
As for cross-country ability, in this they are not inferior to polished “foreigners” at all - they only need the right tires.
Let's look at how to choose wheels for an off-road Niva, but first let's look at their sizes.
Tire sizes for Niva (VAZ) of different models
Despite the fact that the Niva does not have a reinforced frame or a solid front axle, it still belongs to the category of SUVs, not SUVs, and copes well even with complete off-road conditions.
Although this concept can be completely different: a dirt village road without covering; mountainous terrain; deep ruts that become impassable after rain; a swamp where the soil is peaty and quite loose.
Car enthusiasts are faced with all these options:
- fans of recreation in the forest and mountains,
- participants of berry and mushroom marathons,
- lovers of summer and winter fishing.
When purchasing a car, which is designed to help overcome all the hardships of active recreation, the owner first of all strives to test it in the harsh realities of the local terrain.
To avoid disappointment at the very first difficulties, it is advisable to immediately take care of choosing good tires after purchasing a car. The one that is produced in Russia, unlike the Niva itself, does not belong to this category, and cannot compete with imported ones at all.
First, let's find out which wheels can be installed on a Niva without cutting the arches in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and then we'll go through the tire models.
VAZ-21214 (LADA 4×4)
This model is one of the few that was produced for export. It was also supplied to Japan, which is why it is right-hand drive. And this is the only Russian car allowed into the country, which is the queen of the global automobile industry.
For reference: On a Niva 4x4, regardless of the model and restyling, all four wheels are driven and must have the same profile.
That is, the car has all-wheel drive. Which wheels are suitable:
Factory parameters are 175/80 R16.
To replace:
- 185/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
VAZ-21213
The name Taiga, which this model initially received, never caught on. Although the car itself is quite popular, it has been produced since 1994, and became the prototype for many export models. The wheels on Niva 21213 are the same as those on the previous model.
VAZ-21215
This car with a diesel engine from Peugeot was produced only until 2007. It was also exported, so small batches were produced and better assembled than for the domestic market. Nevertheless, such Nivas also run along our roads.
Factory dimensions: 175/80 R16.
Replacement options:
- 185/75 R16,
- 205/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
Niva 2121
This Niva model went into mass production back in the late 70s, and over such a long period of time it has proven its right to life. No matter how much motorists scold AvtoVAZ assemblers, many people drive exactly this version. Tires for Niva 2121 will have the same dimensions.
From the factory: 175/80 R16.
To replace:
- 185/75 R16,
- 205/75 R16,
- 195/80 R15,
- 195/70 R15,
- 205/75 R15,
- 205/70 R15.
VAZ-212180 “Fora”
This Niva model was called Fora for its body lengthened by 30 cm, increased width of door openings and a wider rear seat than other models. Among other things, the “handicap” also affected the size of the wheels - 15-inch ones are no longer installed here.
Factory tires: 175/80/R16, 205/75 R16.
Tires with dimensions 215/70 R16 are suitable for replacement.
Niva 2131
Another extended model, but with 5 doors. Its popularity, judging by the copies sold, has not yet surpassed the VAZ-2121, but is already close to it.
Factory tire size is 175/80R16.
Replacement tires:
- 185/75R16,
- 195/70R16,
- 205/70R16,
- 215/65R16.
Niva 2123
The production of a pilot batch of this car was carried out in 2002. However, it ended up in the series when, due to financial difficulties, the production license was sold to General Motors.
As a result, a Chevrolet badge began to appear on the car’s bumper. This also affected the size of the wheels.
Base tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R15.
What to replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva
Later, the Americans made some changes to the design of the VAZ-2123, due to which it began to be considered a different model and received the proud prefix Chevrolet to the name Niva.
Factory tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
To replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 (VAZ-21236)
In 2006, a new Chevrolet Niva model was released, now with an Opel engine. However, after a couple of years it was discontinued. What wheels should I put on the Niva Chevrolet FAM-1? The same as the predecessor.
The factory installs tires with the following dimensions:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
Replacement tire sizes:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva Trophy
Previous Chevy Niva models were not adapted to off-road conditions in the same way as the Trophy model.
There are many features used here that help you drive on bad roads: a snorkel that protects the car from water hammer when driving through water, a chain tensioner that has become mechanical (it was hydraulic), transmission breathers under the hood and much more.
Factory tires:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
To replace:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Chevrolet Niva after restyling
In 2009, the Chevrolet Niva was updated, which was worked on by Italian designers. This mainly affected the appearance - the car began to look the way it is customary in the orderly ranks of General Motors. The wheels for the Chevrolet Niva remain the same.
Basic sizes:
- 205/70R15,
- 205/75R15,
- 215/65R16.
Replacement:
- 215/75R15,
- 215/70R15,
- 225/65R16,
- 225/60R17.
Some readers are interested in what large wheels can be installed on a Niva? If you cut the bridge and remove the arches, you can get such a miracle of technology as in the photo. But first, think carefully: is this necessary, and how much will it cost?
Some people believe that the best wheels on a Niva can be removed from a tractor
Which tires are best for the winter for the Chevrolet Niva
When choosing the best model of winter tires, you should pay attention to the following most popular offers from domestic and foreign manufacturers:
- Cordiant Polar SL;
- Kumho Izen KW22;
- Bridgstone Ice Cruiser 7000;
- Nordman Nordman 4;
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7.
The first model belongs to the budget studless category. It is popular due to its low cost, not exceeding 4.5 thousand rubles, and decent driving performance. According to the owners' reviews, it is able to cope with both the snow porridge that forms on domestic roads in winter and the icy surface of the highway.
Rubber exhibits its best performance at temperatures below -5. Therefore, it is not suitable for transitional seasons and regions where such low temperatures are too rare.
Tires from the well-known budget brand Kumho are already studded, which makes them a particularly good solution for icy roads in winter. At a price two times lower than well-known foreign brands, they are not much inferior to them in terms of driving performance.
The cost of tires differs depending on the size and ranges from 3500-4500 rubles. There are both 15 and 16 inch products. Despite good stability on ice, owners note such disadvantages of rubber as noise and a high frequency of studs falling out of the tread.
The second disadvantage is reduced by minimizing movement on an asphalt-covered surface. But still, the total loss of studs per season will be up to 20 percent versus 5 for more expensive brands.
The cost of Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 wheels already ranges from 4 to 7 thousand rubles, so they are classified in the middle price segment. The brand produces studded winter tires, which for the most part receive only praise.
A distinctive feature of this option is its lower noise level compared to the competitor described above. It performs best on an icy road, while on a snowy track it is inferior to some other models. In terms of the overall combination of ride quality on different surfaces and price, it is one of the most popular options among Niva Chevy owners. A higher price also means increased reliability of the studs. During the season, no more than 10% of their total number flies out.
Nordman Nordman 4 is a real legend among the mid-priced ones. This tire has earned special appreciation from car owners, because at a reasonable price it was able to compete with the best winter tire options on the market.
For the Chevrolet Niva, the standard size 215/65R16 is suitable, the cost of which is about five thousand. One of the main advantages is that the material is quite soft and not prone to hardening. Another plus is the low noise level. Although the wheels are inferior in this indicator to representatives of the premium segment, they undoubtedly occupy a place among the best in their price category.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is one of the most popular tires in the expensive segment for the cold season in our country. It is specially designed for the cold northern climate with its snowfall and ice. The Finnish brand can boast of winning many tests from reputable automotive publications. As for the price, for the required standard sizes it is about seven thousand rubles.
For the city
The main choice that Niva owners face in urban conditions in winter is whether to install studs or Velcro. The first option is suitable for populated areas where snow removal is not carried out often enough and ice forms instead of the typical mess. Among inexpensive models, many car owners choose the Kama Euro 519. Another good option is the Amtel Nordmaster ST
As for large cities with frequent use of reagents or regular snow removal, Velcro would be the best choice. They behave better on slushy snow and have increased grip. Mud or all-purpose tires can also be a replacement, but they “don’t like” asphalt.
For winter off-road
Chevy owners often leave their mud tires on for the winter. This approach makes sense if the car is used mostly outside the city and does not drive on highways. Mud tires can easily overcome snow drifts. The best models for this are the well-known Viati Bosco A/T or BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain models. Extreme tires will be needed if very heavy precipitation in the form of snow is typical in the region.
Hiking tires for Niva
Since the old models are no longer produced, you don’t have to remember about the tires on which they came off the assembly line. VLI-5 has been out of production for a long time, and it is unlikely that anyone has survived to this day. Therefore, we will not consider them even as wheels for a used Niva.
The Yaroslavl Ya-192, which also appeared as a first-equipment tire, may still be available on old Nivas. But it is only good on hard ground, and if the car gets on sand or peat, it will certainly get stuck.
There are other purely domestic tires - not the fruits of joint production with eminent companies, but invented by Russian minds. Even those tire models that are declared by their creators to be OFF ROAD (off-road tires) are not actually such.
For example, Cordiant. Next to a good off-road tire, it pales in comparison – not only in appearance, but also in performance.
Pictured are Cordiant Off Road mud tires on the right.
The tread of the same Cordiant Off Road seems to be deep, but due to the mediocre composition of the rubber, when artificial rubber is used instead of natural rubber, the tires do not get the properties they need.
In addition, they are very unsuited to working at low pressure, which worsens the car’s well-being on real off-road conditions. This tire is not used for the first configuration, and if you are driving outside the city, we do not recommend installing it on such a car.
Then what wheels can be installed on the Niva so that it copes with the task as well as possible?
What types of disks to choose and from which manufacturers
For the Niva off-road vehicle, forged or alloy wheels are most suitable. The most popular option for models 2121 and 21214 are alloy wheels from Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Jimmy, Kia Sportage, and even Volga cars, measuring at least 15 inches.
If we talk about manufacturers who make wheels specifically for VAZ cars, then it is best to use products from KRAMZ. They have an anti-shock, stable design, and relatively light weight, thanks to the material from which they are made.
What kind of off-road tire is there?
All off-road tires for Niva and other cars of this class are divided into three large categories:
- N/T – road;
- M/T – mud;
- A/T – all-terrain.
These icons can be seen on the sidewall - where the tire's production date and country of origin are indicated.
Mud-Terrain is M/T
If you are faced with the question of which wheels are best to install on the Niva for driving on muddy ruts, you definitely need to take the M/T.
They have the most aggressive tread and the highest level of noise and vibration, so for highway driving - at least for a long time - they will be uncomfortable. But on harsh off-road conditions they simply have no value.
For the track you need road tires that provide both higher grip on the asphalt and high speed. But off-road, such tires have poor traction and are quickly damaged, since their sidewalls are very soft.
All-terrain tires are the golden mean when a car can spend an equal amount of time both on asphalt and on country roads. Most often, A/T tires for Niva are the best choice.
There are also models that combine A/T and M/T qualities, and you see one of them in the photo above.
Choosing between MT and AT
A couple of words should also be said about the correct marking of tires for the VAZ 21214. Initially, it comes in several types:
- universal, AT (from the English word All Terrain - Any Terrain), well suited for cases when the driver travels more on an asphalt road and to a lesser extent off-road;
- mud, MT (from the English word Mud Terrain - Mud Terrain), this is already heavy Russian off-road, swamps, sandy surfaces, etc.
The problem of choice is that normal off-road tires on the VAZ 2121 are only good off-road. You can’t really accelerate with it on an asphalt road; it consumes extremely quickly and uneconomically on hard asphalt, has an extended braking distance, and performs poorly in cornering and handling. But all this only applies to city roads and highways; on muddy and swampy terrain, MT tires simply flourish, allowing you to confidently storm even the most unrealistic obstacles for conventional AT wheels.
The main differences between mud tires on the VAZ 2121:
- increased off-road capability of the vehicle;
- special tread pattern, more reminiscent of a tractor, special rubber edging;
- a special rubber compound that provides increased softness (VAZ 21214 mud tires can also be operated with reduced pressure and can easily withstand collisions with rocks, towing on clay, sand, mud, etc.);
- self-cleaning anti-pollution system;
- increased fuel consumption.
In the Mud Terrain tire class for VAZ 21214 (Lada 4×4) there are a number of special offers. For example, mud tires for the Niva labeled Lite are the simplest, they can withstand forced driving on asphalt most easily, but do not have a deep enough and complex tread pattern. Classic - for lovers of rational choice and a whole bunch of specialized rubber: Extreme - the deepest tread with large and sparse patterns; A special shape of the pattern, as well as Modern - well-proven in handling on asphalt roads.
The best off-road tires for Niva: test results
In search of the best tires for an SUV, let's turn to the test conducted in 2022 in South Africa by 4x4 magazine, and maybe its results will help you choose off-road tires for the Niva.
There were 17 participants from 16 manufacturers in the tests, each of which presented the best models in their lines.
Tests were conducted in 5 categories:
- Braking on asphalt;
- Braking on gravel;
- Traction force on sand;
- Traction on gravel;
- Overcoming the climb.
Basically, A/T took part in the competition, and these, by the way, are the best summer tires for the Chevrolet Niva.
So, let’s get acquainted with the models that hit the top ten:
10 – Velocity Raptor A/T
The Korean company TiAuto entered three of its models into the competition. In addition to Velocity, this is also the GT Radial, which rose a notch higher, as well as Hankook, which became only 14th. Velocity is unlikely to be found in Russian stores, so it’s not worth talking about them.
9 – GT Radial Adventuro A/T3
But domestic car enthusiasts are quite familiar with the GT Radial. And although there was no particular enthusiasm for this brand among them - at least in passenger sizes, here it showed itself quite well, taking the golden mean in the final table.
True, the indicators were unstable - if in other disciplines it was in the middle or closer to the tail, then in the traction test in sand it became third, behind only two brands, which in the end became winners.
8 – Firestone Destination AT
The brand of this tire belongs to the Japanese corporation Bridgestone, but for European countries it is produced in Spain and Hungary. In braking on asphalt and gravel, it showed perhaps the worst results, but in traction on gravel it was third.
7 – Dunlop Grandtrek AT3G
Dunlop is the only company to present two Grandtrek models for testing, which have different designs. AT3 G is a three-ply tire.
In the final table, it took seventh place, right after its “relative” – the two-layer AT3 M (with an increased load index). It showed the best results in braking efficiency - both on the highway and on gravel roads.
6 – Dunlop AT3 M
The two-ply Grandtrek, made using new technology, showed, although not the highest, but quite decent results, bypassing the three-ply tires of its own brand in all tests.
When braking on asphalt, this tire generally became the first, leaving far behind even the models that won in terms of all indicators.
5 – Michelin LTX A/T2
The Michelin tire ultimately showed good results, but was only 14th in braking on asphalt. She was best able to overcome the climb, which is why she ended up in 5th place.
4 – Bridgestone Dueler A/T D694
In all competitions, the Japanese Bridgestone was in 7th and 8th place, helped only by its amazing ability to go uphill.
3 – Continental CrossContact AT
The respected Continental, a regular at all kinds of test drives and often its winner, took the honorable third place. Here the tire managed to take third place, although it showed extremely unstable results.
When braking on asphalt it was generally 10th, on gravel it was 4th, and on sand it was 8th. But in the draft effort, the Continental became the first, which saved its position.
2 – Goodyear AT Adventure
The second prize-winner also did not shine in all categories. I was 12th in braking on asphalt and 9th on gravel, including in traction.
But the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure had no equal in traction on sand, and the tire showed the best results. On the uphill climb, he became second, behind only General, who became the winner.
1 – General Grabber AT3
They say the winners are not judged. And yet, the gold medalist showed rather mediocre results in many disciplines. He was first only in climbing and second in both types of traction.
The situation with braking was much worse, since the results were only 9 on gravel and 12 on asphalt.
Using this test as an example, we were once again convinced that it is impossible to judge anything unambiguously. When choosing which mud tires to put on your Niva, take into account the conditions in which they will most often have to work.
Only in this case, even a high price will not reduce your joy from the purchase, because a properly shod car will become a reliable assistant not only on the road surface, but also where there is no trace of it.
Choosing tires: where to start?
Why change tires at all? An experienced VAZ 2121 driver does not have such questions. Nivovod begins to think about replacing tires not because of a good life, nor in search of extreme sports or unusual sensations. The thing is that all-season factory tires 185/70 R16, being the result of compromises, unification and budgetary frameworks, turn out to be a very mediocre assistant both on the city highway, and when driving off-road, and in winter.
Here you already have to choose tires for yourself, based on a number of basic parameters:
- in what operating conditions will the future wheels be used, whether the car will have to cut through asphalt road surfaces or more, after all, off-road;
- how far the driver is ready to go in the matter of tuning his iron horse, will the owner’s heart tremble to send his brand new VAZ 21214 under the knife (some tire sizes require widening the wheel arches or bending their sides outward, lifting the suspension, as well as lifting the body of the VAZ 21214 directly above the frame );
- based on the budget (a lift kit costs about 3-4 thousand rubles, it can be easily installed even in your garage, a completely acceptable set of tires can cost 3.5-4.5 thousand rubles, and the most “juicy” offers reach up to amounts of 8-12 thousand rubles);
- take a thorough look at the offers of various brands (it’s worth paying attention to already proven brands, since good tires are not just a beautiful tread pattern, but also the correct chemical composition. And you can be sure that you won’t get a “pig in a poke” only by trusting a manufacturer with a good reputation).
You can’t do without basic knowledge of tire labeling. Typically, the name of the tire indicates three main parameters (for example, 185/70 R16). Where 185 is the tire width in mm, 70 is the profile height expressed as a percentage of the width and R16 is the radial diameter of the rim in inches. There is also almost a dozen additional information, incl. regarding the type of tire (M+S - all-season, AT or MT, these abbreviations are discussed in more detail below), manufacturer, operational and technical characteristics, braking coefficient (A - good, B - acceptable, C - so-so) and much more.
Reviews
This is not the first Niva in my practice, I tested a variety of models. There were all sorts of tires: K-156, Kama 232, Bear, Cordiant off-road, BFG KM2. The last option performed best, but not everyone can afford its price.
Taking into account the change in course, I began to look for an alternative. I chose Federal Couragia m/t. I figured out the price for it and didn’t look for anything else, took it in size 235/75 15. And I’ll tell you, friends, it was not for nothing that I chose it.
Arkady, 43 years old.
I have never used extreme mud tires - it’s not my thing. But active recreation is the norm, so there is a need for such tires. Since the spring of 2015, I also have Cordiant off Road in size 215/75R15.
If you look at the main qualities, then everything is fine. The price tag is quite reasonable for these tires; they don’t get washed out in the mud, so it’s easy to get to the right place. Yes, and it can be installed without an elevator or modifications.
I’m not an extreme sports enthusiast, deliberately looking for deep viscous mud is not my thing, but I don’t disdain fishing and hunting, as well as other outdoor activities. Here she shows herself perfectly.
Reading time: 8 minutes
The VAZ-2121, also known as the famous Niva, is rightfully considered one of the most popular and sought-after domestically produced SUVs. It is valued for its unpretentiousness, convenience, ease of operation and maneuverability. Many Niva owners install so-called mud tires on their wheels, which will be discussed in this article.
A couple of worthy candidates
In the end, how can we do without a few specific examples? Moreover, the experience of domestic nivovods, and not only them (there is a club of VAZ 2121 fans even in Japan) is very rich and people are not at all lazy to share with a friend a couple of useful tips on purchasing. We will start from different price ranges.
3,500-4,500 rubles. The minimum red price tag, for which it is quite possible to find a number of worthy offers for the VAZ 21214 The same “Bear” of the Y-569 series (good off-road, but extremely susceptible to wear on summer asphalt and absolutely uncontrollable on ice), Cordiant “off road” - here the problems with the asphalt road are less pronounced. All these are domestic manufacturers with good reputations).
8,000-12,000 rubles. For American quality on the domestic Niva you will have to pay about 8 thousand “wooden” ones; the BF GOODRICH brand, the Mud Terrain series of types KM1 and KM2, have proven themselves to be excellent. The price, of course, bites, but the cross-country ability really justifies the stated price tag. Well, from “Olympus” the most expensive offers are waving at us extreme tires from Silverstone such as MT-117 (but they are only suitable for off-road driving; on asphalt this “treasure” simply wears out ungodly quickly).
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