This week, the launch of the all-new Lada Azimut garnered much attention. It marked AvtoVAZ’s first entirely new SUV in almost three decades. But that’s not all; simultaneously, the Russian automaker also introduced a mid-life facelift for the Niva Travel in the Russian market.
First introduced in 2021, the Lada Niva is the successor to the AvtoVAZ 2123, a model that has been around since 1998 and was previously sold by General Motors (GM) as the Chevrolet Niva until the corporation exited the Russian market in 2022. Now, the Niva Travel offers a more modern option compared to the classic Niva Legend, which has endured since 1977.
To enhance its appeal to Russian consumers, the Niva Travel has been upgraded with a larger octagonal grille positioned higher than before. The front bumper has been redesigned with more contemporary fog light bezels, new air intakes, and a sharp skid plate with an aluminum finish. The headlamp cluster has also been updated with new LED graphics while retaining the original shape.
A closer look at the front end of the Lada Niva Travel 2025.
Additionally, the facelifted version is fitted with new alloy wheels, appearing larger than the previous 16-inch ones. The rest of the body remains largely unchanged from the previous version.
Lada has not yet released images of the Niva Travel’s interior. It is likely that there are no significant changes inside the cabin.
The upgrades to the front end are not just about aesthetics; they also improve engine cooling. This is crucial in this mid-life upgrade as the vehicle now features a more powerful drivetrain.
The 2025 Lada Niva Travel is equipped with a new 1.8L 8-valve engine, an extensively modified version of the old 1.7L engine with over 50 new components, including intake, exhaust, cooling, and fuel supply systems. As a result, the engine produces a maximum power of 89 horsepower, an increase of 7 horsepower. Torque is also up by 24 Nm to 151 Nm, with 80% of it available from just 1,000 rpm.
The Lada Niva Travel 2025 now has a more powerful engine under the hood.
Lada claims that the new engine is more fuel-efficient, offering savings of between 3% and 30%, depending on the driving mode, while also delivering a smoother performance. The power is transmitted to all four wheels through a specially adapted 5-speed manual transmission, combined with a standard four-wheel-drive system.
While the engine output is comparable to that of small city cars in Europe, it’s important to remember that the Niva Travel targets cost-conscious buyers. Moreover, this aged platform may not be compatible with more potent powertrains in Lada’s portfolio.
The monocoque chassis of this SUV has also been upgraded. Lada engineers have added a new anti-roll bar to the suspension system, improving handling and ride comfort. The vehicle is also fitted with ventilated front disc brakes and new wheel bearings.
The facelifted Lada Niva Travel has undergone extensive testing in various climatic conditions. Production is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, with pricing to be announced closer to its market launch in Russia. Currently, this model is available in Russia, ranging from 1,314,000 to 1,639,000 RUB (approximately 437 to 545 million VND), depending on the trim level.
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