Will the Lada Niva return in 2024, but will it really have any rival?

We are fascinated by the news that the Lada Niva will be renewed to return stronger than ever in 2024. The Group Renault is behind this evolution, which is mainly linked to one of its most powerful subsidiaries, Dacia. It is true that we are still three years away from the next Niva, but considering the direction of the automotive landscape, will it really come up against any rival?

And we must not forget that the SUV trend has caused the classic concept of a pure, hardcore off-roader, which the previous Lada Niva represents, to be disappearing. With this premise, and considering that Renault has confirmed that the Niva will remain faithful to its principles, we find it hard to imagine any vehicle capable of standing up to the Russian 4×4.

In addition to its fascinating ability to come through any adverse terrain, the Lada Niva 2024 will be backed by a value for money that is hard to beat, and encouraged by its stepfather, Dacia. With this factor in play, there are very few options left that are ready to pose a problem for the Niva, a model that has already proven on several occasions that it is not afraid of the titanic European 4x4s, nor of those from the other side of the pond.

Focusing on the current market and not on the changes that will take place over the next three years, we find only two options that could give a hard time to the Russian off-roader. The first is the Suzuki Jimny, a small 4×4 that uses a ladder frame chassis, a reduction gearbox and a full-time four-wheel-drive system capable of overcoming any kind of problem off the asphalt. To this we must add a light weight and a very attractive price, considering the performance it offers off-road.

It is true that its new status as a commercial vehicle leaves it, so to speak, out of the game, but this context may change between now and 2024. However, there is another option, perhaps not as performance-oriented but very effective off the road and capable of hitting the Niva where it hurts most. We are referring to the small but tough Fiat Panda Cross, the reincarnation of the legendary Fiat Panda 4×4.

And so far, ladies and gentlemen, we can count those vehicles that could pose a drawback for the next Lada Niva. We insist, many things can happen between now and 2024, but everything points to the market for pure, hardcore 4x4s -modest and affordable ones too- being on the decline, much to our regret.