For many, Lada has been a brand that we seem to joke about quite flippantly. The brand has become synonymous with producing basic, cheap cars during the era of the Soviet Union, and they are a million miles away from what we would call an average family car. Quite remarkably though, the Lada name, that same name that was first introduced back in 1973, is still going strong to this day. Well, strong might be a bit of a push, but it is still going. And amazingly, it now falls under the ownership of Groupe Renault.And Lada are still making cars in 2021. This past year, the brand brought out the Niva. This is a small, off-road 4×4 that has gained a fair bit of attention recently, partly thanks to a brilliant review by Jonny Smith of Late Brake Show fame. The Niva could almost be seen as an alternative to the Suzuki Jimny, which itself is a wonderful little SUV. Calling the Niva the best car of 2021 might sound crazy, but there is something charming, quirky and just downright cool about this new Lada. And that is something we should all embrace.

The Lada’s Engine Specs

First off, let's have a quick look at the specs behind what lies under the hood. The Niva has a 1,700cc Fiat derived engine, that equates to around 85 hp. This 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine is also, remarkably, now fitted with Bosh fuel injection and for those who want the car in places like the UK, the car even meets with Euro 5 emissions standards. And yes, you can import the Niva into the UK if you so desire. No2 85 hp is hardly a lot, but that’s all this plucky little off-roader really needs.

It's quite funny when you realize that when it comes to options, they are things that you would normally find on a car as standard in 2021. Air conditioning is an option, as are electric window and mirror operators. The standard version has no air conditioning and windows open and close via manual handles, with the mirrors having those little pullies inside the car. Yet there is somehow something quite charming about these features being options, as they perhaps were a few decades ago as car technology was ever improving. Even heating seats can be bought as an option, as well as alloy wheels!

RELATED: Here's What Makes The Lada Niva's Simplicity Its Best Feature

The Specifications For The 2021 Niva

2021 Lada Niva Luxe
via Lada 4x4

If you head over to lada4x4.co.uk, you will find a list of the models of this car that currently are available. There are six in total. There is the base model, the Luxe, the Urban, the Black Special Edition, the Camo and the amusingly named Bronto. No prizes for guessing what that particular example has been named after! Each one of the editions of the Lada gets more and more special. Every Niva has the features of the base model, so that 1.7-liter engine, a five-speed gearbox, low ratio gear setting and a differential locking system.

As you go up the specs sheet, you get a more and more ‘luxurious’ Niva. So the Luxe gives you alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors, tinted glass, air conditioning and heated seats. The Urban adds molded body color bumpers. The Black Special Edition adds black alloy wheels, the color bumpers, front fog lights and a special interior. Finally, the camo is based upon the base and Luxe versions, so can come in either of those forms. The website currently doesn’t list what the options are for the Bronto. But as Jonny Smith explained, there is even an option for a tracked version, or a police-picukup truck style Niva, complete with machine gun that requires a firearms license.

The Interior And The Niva’s Charm

2021 Lada Niva Legend In A UK Field
via Hagerty UK

Step inside the Niva, and while you will find a basic interior, there is something quite refreshing about it. The seats are as comfy as you might expect, but they are hardly terrible, and the interior itself is quite spacious and visibility out of the front windshield is brilliant. Even the headroom is damn good. There is something so unbelievably charming about this little off-roader. One of these cars actually entered the 1981 Paris Dakar rally, ran by a small French team. And it finished third. This is a serious off-roader.

RELATED: Looking Back At The History Of Lada

A Farewell To The Legendary Niva

2021 Lada Niva Side Profile
via Carscoops

There is something quite sad about this 2021 Lada. In 2023, the Niva becomes a rebadged Dacia. A derivative of the Dacia Duster. And whilst the car will still be around…it's actually a massive shame that the Lada name will disappear from the front and back of the Niva. Because yes, it's basic, it's pretty cheap, and Lada have been the butt of many jokes for many years. But this Niva is a seriously useful, solid, and somewhat practical car. It's not brash like a modern Defender, and it's not crass like a G-Wagen. It’s a proper quirky, characterful and enjoyable little car that, just for its character alone, could be 2021’s best car.

Sources: Auto Data, Lada 4x4, Hagerty UK, Carscoops