Niva is a Russian word for agricultural field and is an off-road vehicle that was developed after several years of testing in the most difficult-to-travel places, such as the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan and the flatlands of Kazakhstan. 

The Lada Niva, an SUV with all-wheel drive, features independent front suspension with coil springs and was a formidable competitor for another Russian SUV, the UAZ 469.

The Niva was also exported abroad in large numbers to distant places such as Cuba and Uruguay (it was sold under the brand Bognor Diva). It was marketed as the Lada Niva in Germany, the Lada Niva - St. Tropez in France, the Lada Taiga in Austria, the Lada Sport in Iceland, and the Lada Cossack in the United Kingdom. There was also a camper version that was produced.