The classic Lada Niva Legend had just been updated for the 2024 model year with one of the most basic and standard safety features that has been around, for well, decades now; an anti-lock braking system. However, this is not the first time it has been offered with ABS.
Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ has been producing the current Niva since 1977 and had previously offered it with ABS. However, it was forced to drop the feature due to sanctions against Russia following the escalation of its war with Ukraine. It has been built without ABS and airbags since mid-2022.
Watch: Lada Niva Driver Survives Miraculous 50-Foot Fall After Failed Rooftop Jump
This isn’t the only update that the Niva Legend has received for the 2024 model year. The off-roader’s engine has been updated so it is compliant with Euro 5 regulations. That’s quite an upgrade given the outgoing model was built to the Euro 2 standard introduced in 1996, but it’s still far behind most modern engines. In fact, Motor1 notes Euro 5 regulations have been around since 2009, Euro 6 was introduced in 2014, and Euro 7 laws could be enacted as soon as 2025.
The upgrades made to the Niva Legend have seen its starting price jump from 829,900 rubles (~$9,100) to 927,500 rubles (~$10,200).
A handful of updates have also been made to the more modern Lada Niva Travel. It too will be updated with ABS and also comes with cruise control, a trip computer, a backlit instrument cluster, and two-tone alloy wheels. The starting price for this model has also jumped from 1,198,900 rubles (~$13,200) to 1,215,000 rubles (~$13,400), although that small price increase seems more than worth it for the inclusion of ABS and some other basic updates.
