AvtoVAZ has paused work on the next generation Lada Niva SUV. This update comes from Fontanka, citing Maxim Sokolov, who leads the automaker, and it signals a shift in the company’s development plans at least for the near term.
The decision to halt the idea of a completely new Niva stems from a combination of engineering challenges and external pressures. Reports indicate that supply components crucial to the project faced sanctions, complicating procurement and production timelines. This has led to a strategic pause as the company reassesses its priorities amid ongoing sanctions and market conditions.
Progress on other projects is unfolding at a slower pace than initially expected. Specifically, a new crossover built on the Lada Vesta platform is advancing, albeit with a slower cadence. By the end of 2024, AvtoVAZ reportedly aimed to roll out a successor to the Lada Granta, with design work completed and prototype assemblies in place. What remains confirmed at this stage are the overall dimensions and the concept, leaving many technical specifics to be finalized in the coming months.
It is worth recalling that last year the company announced intentions to debut the next generation Niva by 2024, with a plan to base the model on the Renault CMF-B platform. That plan underscores AvtoVAZ’s willingness to collaborate with familiar partners while pursuing modernization across its lineup.
Looking ahead, the company also hinted at a Lada Niva Sport variant in the Tolyatti region. This variant was described as having a more robust engine and enhanced performance characteristics. Speculation at the time pointed to a powertrain lineup including an eight-valve 1.6-liter engine delivering around 90 horsepower, currently used in the Lada Granta, with potential options for a strengthened chassis and a more potent 1.8-liter engine rated at about 122 horsepower. Such enhancements would mark a shift toward sportier, more capable off-road performance while maintaining the brand’s practical, compact SUV identity.
In the broader context, the slow progress on these projects reflects a period of careful planning and recalibration for AvtoVAZ. The company appears to be balancing investor expectations, regulatory considerations, and the realities of sourcing modern platforms in a changing global supply chain. For enthusiasts and potential buyers in Canada and the United States, the developments signal that future Lada models may bring updated styling, modernized interiors, and new powertrain options, all while preserving the essential, rugged character that has defined the Niva line for decades.
As AvtoVAZ navigates these challenges, observers will be watching to see how the brand positions its next-generation SUVs in markets outside Russia, including North America. The evolution of the Niva family could influence regional preferences for compact, versatile off-road vehicles and could open discussions about ownership experiences, maintenance networks, and parts availability across borders. In the meantime, the company’s roadmap suggests a measured approach, with careful attention to safety, efficiency, and reliability as core pillars of any forthcoming models.