The five-door version of the Lada Niva Legend has officially been discontinued, ending an era for the long-wheelbase off-roader. Although production was discontinued in 2021, any remaining hopes for a revival have already been dashed, with the decisive blow dealt by economic factors. The specialized parts needed to assemble the five-door proved too expensive to continue production.
The VAZ-2131, as it was originally known, debuted in the mid-1990s, with the extended version entering production in 1995. For two decades, assembly took place at the pilot industrial production plant before finally moving to the main assembly line in 2016. Ultimately, sales of the five-door model paled in comparison to the original three-door version, contributing to its discontinuation.
However, the future of the classic three-door Niva Legend looks secure. AvtoVAZ has promised to invest in its further development, with plans to reintroduce a driver airbag in the second half of the year. In addition, the Niva Legend will undergo a significant powertrain update.