The size of the tires and wheels greatly influences the behavior of the car on the road. AVTOVAZ recommends installing tires and wheels of a strictly defined size on Lada 4×4; only in this case the manufacturer guarantees the service life of chassis and suspension components and assemblies. In the review, we will tell you what the size of the wheels affects during the operation of the machine and what recommendations the manufacturer gives.
Dimensions
The manufacturer installs tires of a strictly regulated size on the Niva model.
By default, the wheels here are sized 185/75/R16. These are the wheels that are relevant for Niva 2121/2131 or 4x4 models. Depending on operating conditions and driver preferences, the manufacturer allows the installation of tires of a different radius or size. Many people abandon R16 wheels in favor of 15 rollers to improve ride smoothness and reduce noise. The most popular non-standard sizes are 185/75/R16, 205/70/R15 or 205/70/R16.
You need to understand that not only the appearance, but also the handling of the car, as well as other characteristics, depend on the size of the tires. The 205/70/R16 tire has a nicer design, but will perform worse when driving off-road than 205/75/R15 rollers. Below is a table that gives an idea of changes in the behavior of the car depending on the type of shoe (15th or 16th wheels).
| With increasing wheel diameter | As the wheel width increases | As tire width increases |
| Stylish car | ||
| Stability on the road | ||
| Obedience to the steering wheel | ||
| Road grip of tires | on a dry road | |
| Resistance to hydroplaning | — | |
| Off-road comfort | — | — |
| Noisiness | — | |
| Fuel consumption | will rise | will rise |
| Wear resistance |
Let's be specific
Niva is good because it is available almost everywhere; there are clubs for its fans even in Japan, where its own auto industry is well developed. You can buy decent tires for the VAZ 21214 at a price of 4.5 thousand rubles per tire. For example, “Bear” belonging to the I-569 series. It performs just fine off-road, but is not suitable for driving on ice, and wears out quickly on dry asphalt surfaces. If you want confidence on the pavement, then consider the Cordiant “off road”. A plus for many Niv fans is that these are domestic manufacturers with an impeccable reputation.
If you want to experience American quality on domestic roads, then get ready to fork out between 8 and 15 thousand rubles. The BF GOODRICH brand, Mud Terrain series KM1 and KM2, received the most flattering reviews. The cost of 8 thousand is intimidating, but you can’t put it on the list of disadvantages of this model, because every ruble in the price tag is justified. If you plan to drive only off-road, then you should consider an option such as extreme tires from Silverstone such as MT-117.
Choosing mud tires for Niva
Niva SUVs are equipped by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant. When installing tires on a car, you should pay attention to the tires of the Kama I 511 model. They are available in studded and studless versions.
Today there are a lot of different models on the market, so you need to pay attention to additional criteria. The main thing is the tire size, which will be discussed later. The right choice will help the Niva to be used in mud without additional modifications.
You also need to pay attention to the load factor and speed index. If frequent driving while loaded is expected, then the first criterion is dominant, if fast driving on a well-rolled dirt road is the second one.
The heat resistance index (preservation of tire characteristics when air temperature changes) is important. There are three parameters: A, B and C, the best is marking A. Careful owners need to pay attention to the wear resistance index (the conditional maximum mileage value under standard conditions) – the best is also index A.
Also interesting: Color scheme
Tire sizes
The Niva SUV leaves the factory with standard rollers with a diameter of R16. Their size is 185/75 P16 with an outer tire diameter of 28 inches. However, many owners prefer to install tires with sizes 215/70/R16, 215/75/R16 or 215/65/R16. Increasing the tire width provides a larger contact patch and better off-road traction.
Some people refuse rollers with this radius, preferring smaller R15 wheels with typical sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. This choice has a positive effect on the smoothness of the ride and reduces the noise from the tires making its way through the wheel arches.
Obviously, stock wheels are a universal solution that does not always provide reliable traction when driving in mud. If the driver has increased requirements, then it is necessary to install other wheels - fortunately, many options are equipped with standard wheels.
One of the most popular is the Yokohama Geolandar MT, whose unique technologies have made a splash in the world of tires. They provide optimal contact with the heavy canvas in almost any conditions and do not wear out quickly. For lovers of budget options, we can recommend the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71, but it is designed for off-road use and wears out quickly on asphalt.
Some options are quite good from the point of view of operation, but require some modifications such as trimming the arches or lifting the body. So, an affordable and reliable option is the Ya-569 Bear.
The quality is not inferior to foreign analogues, and the price exceeds them. But this tire is designed for lifting, just like the Cordiant off-Road, which at the same price (4 thousand) has excellent grip on mud and tolerates asphalt surfaces well.
If you often have to drive off-road in winter, where there is a lot of snow, then it makes sense to install the BFgoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 mud kit. It is a universal option for traveling in deep snow or severe off-road conditions. Does not flatten even with low pressure and provides maximum grip.
SUV tire manufacturers
Let's look at manufacturers of tires for SUVs.
Cordiant is a modern domestic tire manufacturer. Tires are characterized by independence from temperature indicators and individual tread configuration. The Off Road model is designed for complete off-road use and has high cross-country ability in swampy and sandy areas.
Amtel is a company that specializes in all-season tires for SUVs. The tires are distinguished by a powerful tread that ensures vehicle stability, excellent road traction, and are effective in both snowy and rainy weather due to wide and deep grooves.
BF Goodrich is an American company. The range includes All Terrain T/A KO and Mud Terrain T/A KM models, which are suitable for Niva. Both models are designed for muddy, rocky, impassable roads. Thanks to the latest technologies, the tires of this company are additionally protected from punctures and impacts.
The Cooper manufacturer has off-road tires in its range. The Discoverer S/T and Discoverer STT models provide excellent handling in difficult conditions. The Discoverer A/T and Discoverer LT are versatile tires that are suitable for both road and dirt roads.
Michelin is a US tire company. The benchmark for off-road tires today is the BF Goodrich Macadam. It has a serrated tread that provides excellent maneuverability on slippery, difficult-to-pass dirt roads. Winter Michelin Latitude Alpins have proven themselves well in conditions of constant weather changes.
Maxxis International is a Taiwanese company and is one of the largest tire manufacturers. Models M-8060 Trepador and MAXXIS MT-762 are perfectly adapted for mud roads, have an aggressive tread pattern, and self-clean well. The MT-753 and MA-751 models are designed with a special design that ensures a comfortable and safe ride both on paved roads and in light off-road conditions.
As you can see, the tire supply market today is diverse, and it is difficult to single out one leader. Tires from domestic manufacturers have an acceptable price range. If we talk about imported tires, then their pricing policy is much higher.
Which all-season vehicle is better for Niva?
Since Niva cars come from the factory by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant, the question of alternatives arises. Many Niva drivers prefer to choose the best rollers for the conditions in which their SUV will be used. Therefore, if you want to replace the standard with more suitable tires, advice will not be superfluous due to the abundance of choice and prices of such products.
When looking for all-season tires, you should pay attention to the following criteria:
- weather conditions of product operation;
- temperature regime;
- presence of precipitation;
- road conditions;
- using the machine for heavy loads.
Also interesting: Generator Niva 2121, 21213, 21214: which one is installed, replacement
We will not take into account driving speeds; an SUV is not a sports car.
For the eldest of the Niv 2121 family, lighter tires are preferable due to lower power. Niva 21213 is equipped with a more powerful engine and a 5-speed gearbox. Larger sneakers are suitable for it - 205/70/R15, or Kama 232. The differences between 2121 and 2131 are that the latter has an injector and 21213 from 21214 too. This will not significantly affect the choice of shoes.
Footwear for a car should be selected depending on the operating conditions. Obviously, stock tires are an average choice and if there are increased requirements, they must be replaced. It is best to pay attention to the markings to understand which tires are the best.
If you often have to drive on asphalt, rarely turning off the road, then it is better to take wheels marked A/T (all-terrain). But such all-terrain tires are universal and lose to mud tires.
The latter are always marked M/T, but they come in different types. The inscription M/T Lite denotes a lightweight version with medium-depth checkers and a small pattern. The Classic version is an average option, and the Extreme type is suitable for lovers of serious off-roading.
VAZ 2121
If we are talking about a standard three-door Niva model, then the inexpensive Ya-569 Bear would be a good choice. A classic tire costs about 4 thousand rubles, does not tan in the cold and copes well with snowy surfaces.
Niva 2131
If we are talking about a five-door version, then it is better to install the Hankuk Dinapro MT RT03. This model has many fans around the world. Excellent for moving on asphalt or moving through mud due to its softness and good self-cleaning system.
Niva 21213
There are good budget tires for this model - Cordiant Off-Road. Despite the low price, it provides good performance on almost any surface. When driving on asphalt, it does not wear out, does not harden in the cold, and in deep mud it provides good grip.
Chevy Niva
The joint model of Russian-Korean production does not have such off-road skills, but an option such as the Bridgestone Dueler D673 is perfect for it. They combine good grip and properties with a stylish design with beautiful white lettering on the sides.
Niva Comforcer
A good option is BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain. It is a universal choice for road traffic, as well as for fishing or hunting trips. An excellent safety margin, a developed tread and a good cleaning system allow you to feel confident in any situation.
Also interesting: Niva rating among SUVs
Niva Safari
For this model, Federal Souragia MT would be a good choice, since they are as close as possible to extreme models. There is a developed tread, large blocks and lugs. So excellent cross-country ability in any conditions is simply guaranteed.
Types of SUV tires
Niva is a car that has a relatively low price, excellent cross-country ability, and is suitable for driving in any conditions. Niva tires have a wide range. Before purchasing and choosing tires, you need to decide for what purpose you are using your car.
Let's highlight two categories: the first - you use the Niva in exclusively urban conditions, then you need to choose tires for highway use, the second - mud tires for impassable roads.
Tires that are labeled Highway Terrain (H/T) and High Performance (H/P) are classified as tires suitable for driving on asphalt. Such tires are installed by car owners of premium cars that are practically never used in off-road conditions.
All Terrain (A/T) tires are considered universal tires. The tread pattern of these tires has bulky blocks that separate wide channels, which accompanies the self-cleaning of the wheels and increases the level of cross-country ability. When driving on asphalt with such tires, the noise level may increase slightly.
Tires marked Mud Terrain (M/T) are mud tires intended for poor quality dirt roads or off-road use. The tread of such tires is distinguished by powerful patterns and large grooves, which contributes to a high level of self-cleaning. Such tires are practically unsuitable for driving on asphalt. High noise level, low speed, lack of comfort in driving the car, rapid tire wear - these are only some of the shortcomings of this rubber when driving in urban conditions.
Tires with a rough tread pattern are excellent for driving in off-road conditions, increase the cross-country ability of a car, but are actually not suitable for driving around the city, reducing the comfort and controllability of the car.
Niva behavior in winter on all-season tires
For the cold season, you should choose softer tires. This will give better grip on snow and ice, and they will cling to the asphalt well, which will keep the car’s handling at the proper level. And it is better to give preference to wider wheels due to the larger contact patch between the tire and the road surface. At the same time, a slight increase in fuel consumption is a small price to pay for the stability of the car.
It is not forbidden to use a car with “original” tires off-road; on compacted snow, the car obediently follows the turn of the steering wheel. Shallow mud and muddy dirt roads will not cause any inconvenience in driving. But ice and swampy terrain will help replace the standard with Kama Flame 515.
This model is available in studded and studless versions, 15 and 16 inches. Deep, loose snow is her element, ice and mud rides are more confident than on the Kirovskaya 185/75/R16. The price of Flame is very reasonable. And the resource is considerable - 70-80 thousand km.
The best friction tires for Niva 4x4
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV
The next Hakapelita from Nokian traditionally took the top line of the winter tire rating from Autocenter for 2022. And not for nothing. After all, she is the best in handling on ice, in other categories she consistently takes leading positions, even if she does not show undeniable results, but she doesn’t need it. The status of the best tire both in tests and in our rating was ensured by a solid 9/10 points from experts in almost all positions, but with a minimum of weak points. Its only obvious failure is its resistance to hydroplaning on a wet highway at an average level. Based on the results of 6 reviews, users rated it 5 out of 5 stars.
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Reviews of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV
Continental ContiVikingContact 6 SUV
The creation of the German company is only slightly behind the leader of our rating in terms of its performance - the tire is not as well balanced as Hakapelita. However, she has a couple of aces up her sleeve. She easily puts her opponent, who was weak in aquaplaning, on her shoulder blades, because Conti turned out to be the best in this discipline according to the results of the Autocenter test in 2022. The tire also has no equal in braking on wet asphalt, and it demonstrates the best efficiency of all participants. In terms of its grip properties, it is extremely good on ice, on a snowy track, and on asphalt. It also has its drawbacks, and these are the ones that did not allow us to make it first in the rating - it is rather weak handling on all types of surfaces, except ice: on snow, dry and wet asphalt it has absolutely nothing to boast of. It is also hampered by weak lateral adhesion properties on ice. Users of our website liked it - 14 clients wrote about it, and they awarded it 4.4 points out of 5.
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Reviews of the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 SUV
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
This is another balanced option that has the icing on the cake in the form of excellent handling on wet pavement. The tire has excellent grip on white roads and asphalt surfaces; it handles well on all types of roads and demonstrates excellent acceleration. Of the obvious disadvantages, it has very weak resistance to aquaplaning if the wheel gets into a deep puddle. It could rise above third place, but it is greatly let down by its extremely high cost, which is its main drawback. However, it is extremely popular and loved by users of our site - based on the results of 121 reviews, the tire received 4.6 points out of 5.
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Reviews of Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV
This tire belongs to the budget segment, but this does not mean that it will be able to compete with its more expensive brothers in the matter of Niva shoes. In the test of the Belarusian publication ABW.by, the tire took first place due to its outstanding handling qualities on ice and the best grip properties (braking, acceleration, hill climbing) on snow surfaces. In terms of other characteristics, it also does very well, except for braking on a wet surface and handling on a dry surface. Site users gave the tire a good 4.3 points out of 5 based on 30 reviews.
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Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV reviews
Cordiant Winter Drive
The domestic tire has also found its place among the good budget options for wheels for the Niva. On ice it turned out to be the best in braking, and on a snowy highway it demonstrates better handling. In terms of its characteristics on snowy and icy roads, the Russian tire also shows extremely good performance, constantly striving for higher values. It was greatly let down by braking on wet asphalt; it also handles poorly in puddles - in the rain you will have to drive it very carefully and not drive it recklessly. It also has problems on dry surfaces. This tire is designed exclusively for driving on “white” surfaces, and there it is ready to show its best qualities, but in the thaw you will have to hold on to the steering wheel properly. Cordiant was in good standing with site users - 4.4 points out of 5 based on 77 customer reviews.
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Reviews of Cordiant Winter Drive
Top 10: Off-road tires for Niva
Below is a rating of the most popular mud tire options, which includes both cheap Chinese options and products from world-famous brands.
Domestic manufacturers are represented by the following models:
- I-569 Bear;
- Kama 232b VLI-5.
There are many more foreign options - here:
- Cordiant Of Road;
- Kumho Road-Venture MT KL71;
- Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2;
- Hankuk Dinopro MT RT03.
Fans of extreme tires, which are aimed at serious off-road use, can turn their attention to the following models:
- Simex Extreme;
- Forward Safari 500;
- Silverstone MT-117 Extreme.
Choosing mud tires
The Mud Terrain tire class for Lada 4×4 offers a fairly wide selection. For example, Lite mud wheels are extremely simple and reliable, perform well on asphalt, and the pattern is not too deep and quite simple.
If we talk about the Classic section, it seems to be created for lovers of rational solutions; there are quite a lot of varieties of specialized rubber here.
The “Extreme” category is distinguished by its extreme tread depth.
Reviews
Vladimir, 52 years old.
Arkady, 43 years old.
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Selecting tire width and profile height
The wider the tire, the:
- the car is more stable on a flat road;
- higher maneuverability;
- Her appearance attracts more attention.
The profile height in Russian stores is indicated as a percentage of the tire width.
If increasing the width by several sizes compared to the manufacturer’s recommendations is problematic due to the body structure, with the height of the profile the limitations are easier to overcome (disc diameter). However, you should adhere to the dimensions suggested by the factory. The value is calculated taking into account the load on the wheels. A significant deviation leads to premature wear of parts, in some cases to an accident.
Within the framework of the profile height values proposed by the plant, regularities should be taken into account. Comfort and braking distance increase with height.
Most consider 205/75 to be the most universal combination of width and height.
Chevrolet Niva elevator
When a person buys a Chevrolet Niva, there is no talk of extreme off-road driving. This car is mainly used for trips outside the city or in rural areas where good roads are rare. Although the Chevrolet Niva is classified as an SUV in terms of its characteristics, it is significantly inferior to its counterparts from Europe, America and Asia in almost all relevant parameters.
For this reason, car owners who do not have the funds to purchase and maintain full-fledged foreign-made SUVs, but who prefer active recreation, are thinking about lifting their car. This is a type of tuning when the vehicle's ground clearance is increased. Often such work is carried out in private garages with your own hands.
If you approach this issue wisely, the Niva can turn into a solid SUV that shows excellent results in extreme off-road trips. Lifting is not limited to any one operation. This is a series of measures to make major changes to the design of the car. Lifting allows you to install wheels of a much larger diameter on a vehicle than those recommended by the manufacturer. Basically, such projects can be found as experiments on “passenger cars”. Although an all-wheel drive SUV is much more suitable for these purposes.
