What tires to put on the Niva: rating of the best models 2021

Factory tire parameters

Not all Russian roads have smooth and high-quality surfaces. We are not talking about large cities with a population of over a million, although here too there are often unpleasant “surprises” on the roads in the form of potholes and other irregularities. Today we are talking about the outback and country roads. Off-road requires an appropriate level of car. VAZ-2121 is the optimal vehicle for off-road driving.

VAZ-2121 is the best car for Russian off-road

Relatively comfortable off-road driving and driver safety depend on the technical characteristics of the car. Tires play an important role in driving a vehicle. The vast majority of VAZ-2121 are produced with factory tires VLI-5 R16 175/80. Basic tires have many disadvantages:

• poor handling on flat road surfaces;
• increased noise at speeds of 60 km/h or more;
• loss of elasticity and softness at sub-zero air temperatures.

Tire sizes and specifications

So, let's figure out what tires can be installed on the Niva. The standard tire size for the VAZ-2121 is 175/80 R16. Finding replacement narrow and tall tires with a diameter (not to be confused with a radius!) of 16 inches will not be easy. But it's worth a try.

According to reviews from motorists, the basic 16-inch tires for the Niva can be replaced with the following options:

• Hankook Winter Ipike;
• Nokian WRC3;
• Michelin Agilis X-ice North;
• Kama Euro LCV;
• Nokian Hakkapeliita C Cargo;
• Amtel K182A;
• Cordiant Business;
• Continental VanContact.

Many owners of domestic SUVs install R15-sized wheels on their cars. Such a replacement does not require additional modifications or changes. The main advantage is a large selection of tires with a diameter of 15 inches. So, for the Niva you can use the following tire models:

• Yokohama F700Z;
• Amtel NordMaster;
• Toyo Observe Gsi-5;
• Tunga Nordway;
• Gislaved NordFrost 100;
• Cordiant SnowCross;
• Cordiant Off Road;
• Kumho KW 7400;
• Nokian Nordman RS, etc.

Which wheels are better to install on a Niva?

The choice of tires for R16 wheels is not large; most often they choose sizes 185/75 R16, 175/80 R16, or 215/65 R16. Due to the paucity of choice, many SUV owners install R15 wheels on the Niva.

R15 wheels can be borrowed from Chevrolet Niva wheels, which fit without modifications. Thus, the choice of tires will increase significantly and you will be able to choose the appropriate tires for certain operating conditions. In addition, a car with such wheels will look more stylish. In addition to standard tires for R15 wheels, you can install 205/75 R15 tires.

Do you dream of a Niva with big wheels , but are not going to cut the arches? The maximum tire size for a Niva without modifications is 215/75 R15, and the wheels must have an offset of 40, otherwise the tires will touch the fender liners. Finally, install alloy wheels on the Niva and you will get a stylish SUV!

When choosing wheels, you should take into account the full diameter of the wheel; it should not differ much from the standard one. Compatibility table for Niva 4x4 tires and wheels:

Green indicates the minimum deviation of the wheel diameter (up to 3 mm); Orange indicates a diameter deviation from 3 to 6 mm.

Don't forget about the rim width:

How to choose tires for Niva

Tanks (in our case, Nivas) are not afraid of dirt. Accordingly, the choice of tires for a Russian SUV should be carefully thought out and justified.

Selection options

We bring to your attention several important characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing tires to replace the factory set:

1. Operating conditions (smooth and high-quality asphalt pavement within the city or typical off-road conditions).
2. The need for additional modifications, in particular widening the wheel arches or bending the sides outward.
3. Technical characteristics (pattern, height, tread width) and offers from leading manufacturers.
4. Seasonality – all-season option or double set for summer and winter.
5. Estimated budget.

When choosing tires for the Niva, you need to take into account the operating conditions

Summer-winter or all-season

An all-season or summer-winter option is the first stumbling block. Winter tires are soft and resistant to sub-zero air temperatures. It is important that tires do not tan in the cold. Otherwise, the likelihood of an accident increases. The main quality of winter tires is excellent grip on snowy or icy road surfaces.

The summer version, on the contrary, should be hard and resistant to wear. The rubber used to make summer tires is characterized by high resistance to elevated temperatures. Do not forget that the temperature of the asphalt pavement in the open sun can reach 50–55 °C.

The chemical compositions used for the manufacture of all-season tires are characterized by average statistical parameters. These tires perform well both in summer and winter. But with a strong increase in air temperature and heating of the road surface, tire wear increases. At the same time, an all-season vehicle is not the best option for driving on snow-covered or icy roads.

MT or AT

The next selection criterion is universal or mud tires.

AT (All Terrain) is a universal type of tire that is distinguished by an increased level of cross-country ability and a special tread structure. Bulky blocks with wide grooves promote rapid self-cleaning of the wheels. When operating in urban environments, the noise level may increase.

MT (Mud Terrain) – marking mark for mud tires. Such tires are used for cars that are driven off-road and on poor quality dirt roads. Distinctive features of MT tires are large grooves and a powerful pattern. “Evil” tires, as mud tires are often called, are unsuitable for use within the city. On a smooth, high-quality asphalt surface, there is an increase in noise and rapid wear of the rubber. Driving speed and driving comfort are low.

Distinctive features of MT tires are large ditches and powerful tread.

Tires for lifting and without

What is a lift and why is it needed? A lift is a modification of the suspension: trimming wheel arches, installing spring blocks with a large number of turns, installing spacers for ball joints, etc. Such manipulations allow you to replace the base rubber with a higher and wider profile.

Tires without a “lift” can be safely called the best option for motorists who are satisfied with the basic equipment or replacement options that do not require additional modifications.

Which tires are best for the winter for the Chevrolet Niva

Since Niva cars come from the factory by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant, the question of alternatives arises. Many Niva drivers prefer to choose the best rollers for the conditions in which their SUV will be used. Therefore, if you want to replace the standard with more suitable tires, advice will not be superfluous due to the abundance of choice and prices of such products.

When looking for all-season tires, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• weather conditions of product operation;
• temperature regime;
• presence of precipitation;
• road conditions;
• using the machine for heavy loads.

We will not take into account driving speeds; an SUV is not a sports car.

For the eldest of the Niv 2121 family, lighter tires are preferable due to lower power. Niva 21213 is equipped with a more powerful engine and a 5-speed gearbox. Larger sneakers are suitable for it - 205/70/R15, or Kama 232. The differences between 2121 and 2131 are that the latter has an injector and 21213 from 21214 too. This will not significantly affect the choice of shoes.

The best choice would be studded tires. The Niva is an SUV with a short wheelbase and therefore skids easily. In this case, the spikes will provide the necessary grip on the road. In addition, spikes will be the best choice for moving on snowy surfaces.

The disc bolt pattern is as follows: 5×139.7, offset - ET 40, width - 6.5 J, centering hole - CO 98.6

If necessary, on a classic Lada 4x4 you can use wheels from a Chevrolet Niva. They have the same wheel bolt pattern, so there will be no problems installing such rims. But such a modernization will allow the use of wheels with different offset and width parameters.

Voltyre VLI5 or VLI10. The most affordable types of tires. They are only suitable if you need to skate for one season, but you don’t want to spend too much money.

Kama 511. According to test results, it shows good grip on snow. The rubber is Russian-made, but despite this it is not entirely suitable for mud, as it tends to dig in.

Kama Flame. Designed specifically for SUVs with a short wheelbase. The low cost makes it attractive to motorists, but numerous reviews mostly describe the stud fastening negatively. At the same time, this model has a good resource that allows you to skate several seasons on them.

Kumho Road Venture. These tires show good results in all types of tests, but at the same time their cost is quite high, and the purchase can hit your pocket quite hard.

Nokian Hakkapelitte SUV. The SUV tire line is designed specifically for SUVs. The main differences are a low speed index, but at the same time a high load capacity. The experience of the Finnish company has made it possible to create tires with good grip, which contributes to excellent handling.

Cooper Discoverer M S. Tires in the mid-price segment. They are good for their versatility - they show good qualities both on ice and on snow cover and mud.

Hankook Winter i-Pike W409. This tire is not entirely suitable for the Niva, since the standard tire width is 205 millimeters. However, installation of this type of tire is possible.

Bridgestone WD-10 Winter Dueler. Quite a popular option due to its price/quality characteristics. Drivers using Bridgestone note good grip on the road: both on asphalt and on ice.

It is important to remember that no good winter tires for Niva can guarantee one hundred percent safety on the road. It is necessary to adjust the specifics of driving and be prepared for emergency situations.

When choosing tires, you need to pay attention to technical parameters: speed and maximum load index, as well as diameter and width.

When choosing the best model of winter tires, you should pay attention to the following most popular offers from domestic and foreign manufacturers:

• Cordiant Polar SL;
• Kumho Izen KW22;
• Bridgstone Ice Cruiser 7000;
• Nordman Nordman 4;
• Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7.

The first model belongs to the budget studless category. It is popular due to its low cost, not exceeding 4.5 thousand rubles, and decent driving performance. According to the owners' reviews, it is able to cope with both the snow porridge that forms on domestic roads in winter and the icy surface of the highway.

Rubber exhibits its best performance at temperatures below -5. Therefore, it is not suitable for transitional seasons and regions where such low temperatures are too rare.

Tires from the well-known budget brand Kumho are already studded, which makes them a particularly good solution for icy roads in winter. At a price two times lower than well-known foreign brands, they are not much inferior to them in terms of driving performance.

The cost of tires differs depending on the size and ranges from 3500-4500 rubles. There are both 15 and 16 inch products. Despite good stability on ice, owners note such disadvantages of rubber as noise and a high frequency of studs falling out of the tread.

The second disadvantage is reduced by minimizing movement on an asphalt-covered surface. But still, the total loss of studs per season will be up to 20 percent versus 5 for more expensive brands.

The cost of Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 wheels already ranges from 4 to 7 thousand rubles, so they are classified in the middle price segment. The brand produces studded winter tires, which for the most part receive only praise.

A distinctive feature of this option is its lower noise level compared to the competitor described above. It performs best on an icy road, while on a snowy track it is inferior to some other models. In terms of the overall combination of ride quality on different surfaces and price, it is one of the most popular options among Niva Chevy owners. A higher price also means increased reliability of the studs. During the season, no more than 10% of their total number flies out.

Also interesting: Which battery is better for the Niva?

Nordman Nordman 4 is a real legend among the mid-priced ones. This tire has earned special appreciation from car owners, because at a reasonable price it was able to compete with the best winter tire options on the market.

For the Chevrolet Niva, the standard size 215/65R16 is suitable, the cost of which is about five thousand. One of the main advantages is that the material is quite soft and not prone to hardening. Another plus is the low noise level. Although the wheels are inferior in this indicator to representatives of the premium segment, they undoubtedly occupy a place among the best in their price category.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is one of the most popular tires in the expensive segment for the cold season in our country. It is specially designed for the cold northern climate with its snowfall and ice. The Finnish brand can boast of winning many tests from reputable automotive publications. As for the price, for the required standard sizes it is about seven thousand rubles.

For the city

The main choice that Niva owners face in urban conditions in winter is whether to install studs or Velcro. The first option is suitable for populated areas where snow removal is not carried out often enough and ice forms instead of the typical mess. Among inexpensive models, many car owners choose the Kama Euro 519. Another good option is the Amtel Nordmaster ST

As for large cities with frequent use of reagents or regular snow removal, Velcro would be the best choice. They behave better on slushy snow and have increased grip. Mud or all-purpose tires can also be a replacement, but they “don’t like” asphalt.

Chevy owners often leave their mud tires on for the winter. This approach makes sense if the car is used mostly outside the city and does not drive on highways. Mud tires can easily overcome snow drifts. The best models for this are the well-known Viati Bosco A/T or BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain models. Extreme tires will be needed if very heavy precipitation in the form of snow is typical in the region.

The best summer tires for Niva

Summer tires must withstand high temperatures and be resistant to wear. However, for regions with frequent precipitation, when the asphalt surface is constantly wet, too hard rubber is not suitable. Hard tires have poor grip on wet asphalt.

So, when choosing a summer tire set, the climatic features of the region and the technical characteristics of the car are taken into account. The size must comply with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer, but the tread pattern and tire width can be selected at your discretion.

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 has good lateral and linear grip.
What tires should I put on the VAZ-2121 in the summer? According to reviews from avid supporters of the domestic automobile industry, the Niva performs well with Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 all-season tires. The design of the model is radial, the sealing method is tubeless, there are no studs. R15 wheels are fitted with 205/70R15 tires, and R16 wheels are fitted with 185/75R16 tires.

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-232 – standard tires. With this modification, “re-shoeing” the car for the summer is not required. High directional stability is ensured by the wide central part of the all-season vehicle.

The linear pattern with Z-shaped blocks provides excellent lateral and linear grip, while the type of road surface does not play a special role.

Pros:

• strength and reliability;
• relative noiselessness;
• good vehicle handling on dry or wet road surfaces;
• low fuel consumption.

Minuses:

• relatively low degree of wear resistance;
• Despite the manufacturer's statements about all-season use, it is not suitable for driving on icy roads.

Practical advice

The behavior of the car on the road depends on the parameters of tires and wheels. The manufacturer suggests using tires and wheels of a certain size on the Niva, only in this case it provides a guarantee for the chassis and suspension.

Before changing the size of tires and wheels, consider all the pros and cons.

In what cases can you change tires that are not recommended by the manufacturer?

1. There is no way to buy typical size tires.
2. The desire to purposefully change the smoothness of movement and the car's response to handling to suit your driving style.
3. Choosing a cheaper option in order to save money.

Read news about the new Niva

• Tire size for the field, all-season tires for the field 4×4, mud tires, the best winter tires for r16 wheels
• Tires for Niva Chevrolet. Which one to choose?
• Tire rating for Chevy Niva
• What tires to put on Niva 2121 21214 2131 in winter: the best options
• Wheel size for Chevrolet Niva - tires and wheels R15 and 16, choice of winter and summer tires
• VAZ 2121 Niva 4x4 technical specifications
• Front axle. VAZ 21213, 21214 (Niva)
• Diagram and location of the fuse box Niva VAZ-21213 and 21214

The best winter tires

Native tires for the winter are not the best solution for the Niva. Still, in winter, when the road is covered with ice or strewn with snow, driving a car requires a lot of experience, skills and professionalism of the driver. Of course, it is easier to drive a car when it is “shod” in the appropriate “sneakers”. We are talking about car tires for winter use.

Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T

Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T has a unique design.
Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T studded tires are suitable for crossovers, SUVs and SUV cars. The model has been awarded the Nordic Swan environmental label. Has a V-format tread pattern. There is no hydroplaning due to the rapid removal of water and mud. Low noise production and increased traction and grip qualities are the result of using an optimized stud arrangement. This model is characterized by a 6-row arrangement of studs.

Hankook Tire i*pike RW11 175/80 R16 91T has a unique design. Ribbed grooves increase maximum traction on snow and ice. Side slots ensure rapid removal of moisture and snow mass.

Pros:

• excellent grip on road surfaces, including snowy or icy ones;
• quiet running;
• strength and reliability;
• softness;
• good wear resistance.

Minuses:

• At high speed, skidding is possible when entering a turn;
• not suitable for extreme driving.

The best off-road tires

Among the off-road vehicles of the domestic and foreign auto industry, the all-terrain Lada (Niva) 4x4 is highly popular among motorists. The car performs well not only on smooth or compacted road surfaces, but also in off-road conditions. The main thing is to choose the right all-terrain tires.

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame holds the road well.
Russian off-road conditions require “toothed” tires. This is how you can characterize Kama-Flame car tires. The tires performed well in a mess of melted snow, water and clods of mud. They are distinguished by their reliability and versatility, and are easily “adapted” to any weather conditions of Russia’s changeable climate. Ideal for driving a car in some outback, where you can only dream of roads with high-quality surfaces.

Nizhnekamskshina Kama-Flame is installed on R16 wheels. Thanks to the continuous contact patch with the road, the likelihood of hydroplaning and sliding is reduced.

Increased grip is provided by 3D siping of the tires.

Pros:

• softness;
• strength and reliability;
• holds the road well;
• reasonable price.

Minuses:

• noisiness;
• rapid wear;
• increase in braking distance.