AVTOVAZ launches serial production of the updated Lada Niva Legend

The classic off-roader has received a different engine, a revised engine bay, a new interior, reworked suspension, and a galvanised body.

AVTOVAZ today, 20 July 2026, celebrates its 60th anniversary: the countdown began from the day the government decree was signed for the construction of a car plant in Tolyatti (Samara Region) with a capacity of 600,000 passenger cars per year. Construction of the Volga Automobile Plant began in 1967, and the first VAZ-2101 models rolled off the assembly line on 19 April 1970. Meanwhile, production of the off-roader with the index VAZ-2121 started on 5 April 1977, and this model is still in production today.

Moreover, over all these years, the appearance of the classic off-roader, now sold in Russia under the name Lada Niva Legend, has remained recognisable. At the beginning of last month, AVTOVAZ unveiled a modernised Niva, details of the changes emerged a few days ago, and today serial production of the updated off-roader has begun: the domestic company timed this event to coincide with the anniversary celebrations.

As Kolesa.ru previously reported, during the modernisation the Niva Legend swapped its engine: now under the bonnet sits the eight-valve VAZ-11184 with a 1.8-litre displacement, the same engine that powers the Niva Travel off-roader. This engine delivers 90 hp, with a maximum torque of 153 Nm, and it reaches 80% of its peak value at just 1,000 rpm. Its predecessor – a 1.7-litre engine producing 83 hp (129 Nm) – has been retired. The average fuel consumption in combined cycle for the updated Niva is 9 litres per 100 km (compared to 9.9 litres per 100 km for the pre-facelift version).

Furthermore, during the modernisation, the classic off-roader's engine bay was revised, acoustic comfort was improved, and changes were made to the manual gearbox as well as the front and rear axles. The front suspension now uses control arms unified with the Niva Travel, and the front brakes have been fitted with ventilated discs. Our correspondent Andrey Sudbin provided more details on these and other changes in his review.

The interior of the Lada Niva Legend has also received a batch of updates. The off-roader now features a different position for the gear lever, a designated spot for a smartphone nearby, and the steering wheel comes from the Granta, so the equipment list now includes a driver's front airbag. The impact sensor that triggers the airbag mechanism has been calibrated so that the airbag does not deploy off-road during significant contact with the ground.

Another important change is the galvanisation of the body: the bonnet, front and rear panels, tailgate, and roof of the Niva Legend have received this treatment. There are few changes to the exterior of the modernised off-roader: these include a plastic air intake scoop on the bonnet, as well as a set of distinctive two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels.

Prices for the updated Lada Niva Legend will be announced later, with sales set to begin at the end of August or beginning of September. The recommended retail price for the base version of the pre-facelift off-roader is 1,099,000 rubles, while purchasing the top-spec variant will cost at least 1,258,000 rubles. The modernised model is likely to be more expensive.