Russian automaker AvtoVAZ has updated the Lada Niva SUV, which has been soldering on in some markets for almost half a century. The Lada Niva is still the same 3.7-metre-long SUV with a three-door body style and has continued without major sheet metal changes since its debut in 1977. It is currently built by Lada West Togliatti, an AvtoVAZ subsidiary that was built in collaboration with General Motors.

What’s new on the Lada Niva?

The Lada Niva has received periodic cosmetic and mechanical updates during its lifetime as the SUV was also sold in some European markets. However, the sanctions imposed as an aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war meant sales of the Lada Niva were curtailed to the Russian market alone. Additionally, when vehicle assembly resumed in 2022, AvtoVAZ removed quite a few important safety-related and other mechanical components like airbags from the SUV due to short or no supply.

But the automaker has now announced that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) os now back on the Lada Niva, in addition to an updated engine that meets Euro 5 emissions regulations. These emissions norms have been around globally since 2009, so it's already outdated. The current BS6 emissions standards came into effect overseas in 2014 and since April 2020 in India. Meanwhile, Euro 7 emissions standards are expected to be enforced around 2025.

Apart from sharing the Euro 5 engine upgrade, there are no details provided on its displacement or type. Due to the shortage of components, AvtoVAZ has also incorporated engines from Chinese brands in the Lada Niva for a short period, however, more details remain elusive.

The Lada Niva was never sold in India, but there have been some sightings of a few units that have been private imports. Apart from the Niva, another Russian SUV that's popular in India is the UAZ-469, which has also served the Indian armed forces. We recently got a chance to drive it in India. Read more on that here and watch our video here.