Russian automaker AvtoVaz is introducing the 2026 Lada Niva Travel to its domestic market. This updated SUV arrives alongside the Lada Azimut, the company's first new SUV in almost 30 years.
The Niva Travel first appeared in 2021 as a revamped version of the AvtoVaz 2123, a model available since 1998 and also sold by General Motors as the Chevrolet Niva until their 2022 exit from Russia. The Travel serves as a more modern alternative to the classic Niva Legend, a model in production since 1977.
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The 2026 Lada Niva Travel is slated for a late 2025 release in Russia. Photo: Lada
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The Niva Travel features design tweaks and a new 1.8 engine.
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A redesigned grille and front bumper are among the updates.
To appeal to Russian consumers, the 2026 Niva Travel sports a larger, higher-mounted octagonal grille. The redesigned bumper incorporates new bezels, integrated fog lights, a lower air intake, and a more prominent skid plate with a chrome finish. Lada has upgraded the headlights with new LED graphics while retaining their original shape. The SUV also features new 16-inch alloy wheels. The rest of the vehicle remains largely unchanged.
The 2026 Niva Travel is powered by a new 1.8-liter gasoline engine, a reworked version of the previous 1.7-liter engine. This new engine boasts 50 new components, including updated intake, exhaust, cooling, and fuel delivery systems. It generates 89 horsepower, a 7 horsepower increase over its predecessor, and torque is also up by 24 Nm to 151 Nm.
The new engine reduces fuel consumption by 3% to 30%, depending on driving conditions, and operates more quietly. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission and a standard full-time 4-wheel drive system.
The Niva Travel's unibody chassis has also been refined. Lada has added a new anti-roll bar to the suspension, improving handling and enhancing the driving experience. The vehicle also features ventilated disc brakes on the front wheels along with a new axle.
According to AvtoVaz, the 2026 Niva Travel has undergone extensive testing in diverse climates. Production is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. Pricing for the new Niva Travel will be announced closer to its release. The previous version was priced between 16,700 and 20,900 USD.
Minh Vu
