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
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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 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.
Practical advice
The behavior of the car on the road depends on the parameters of tires and wheels. The manufacturer suggests using tires and wheels of a certain size on the Niva, only in this case it provides a guarantee for the chassis and suspension.
Before changing the size of tires and wheels, consider all the pros and cons.
In what cases can you change tires that are not recommended by the manufacturer?
- There is no way to buy typical size tires.
- The desire to purposefully change the smoothness of movement and the car's response to handling to suit your driving style.
- Choosing a cheaper option in order to save money.
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.
