A spacious all-wheel drive, but at the same time inexpensive car is indispensable in many cases and a very suitable format for our country. After all, there are still a lot of poor-quality roads and even outright off-road conditions, but you need to drive there - after all, people live in populated areas that can only be reached in this way. Foresters, police officers, doctors, students - this is not a complete list of those who use such transport every day not for entertainment, but solely out of necessity.
But the number of models of such equipment is extremely small. There is a UAZ “loaf”, but its design is completely outdated - production began back in 1965. This family does not meet any modern standards, cannot provide any decent level of comfort and safety, and the build quality is poor. But the price is relatively low - from 650 thousand rubles.
A suitable car is present in the GAZ brand model line. And this is the new Sable 4x4 2022. Photo: ib.drivenn.ru
However, there are imported analogues on the market. But they are prohibitively expensive. For example, even a modest Volkswagen Transporter 4Motion van is estimated at at least 2.9 million rubles (a minibus is 200 thousand more expensive) - but in principle it is not intended for off-road driving. And spare parts for it are also very expensive.
History of the GAZ company
GAZ (Gorky Automobile Plant) has a rich history. It opened back in 1932 in Nizhny Novgorod and adopted the emblem of its hometown in the form of a deer. The production of the first cars was helped by the Ford company, which transferred a lot of experience and accumulated knowledge to GAZ employees. By 1935, several thousand cars had already been produced, which were in great demand. After all, there was no such enterprise on the territory of Russia. During World War II, the plant focused on the production of military vehicles and tanks, and then produced its most recognizable car: the Pobeda. Ten years later, the Volga appeared, followed by the Chaika. All these cars were an integral picture of the life of Soviet people, and to this day many of these retro cars can be found on the streets of Russia.
In 1994, the company thought about producing a commercial truck that would be designed for Russian conditions and would help ordinary people work. This is how the Gazelle truck was born. It was followed by a route twin - GAZ-32213. In 2010, they were replaced by a new generation: “Gazelle-Business” and “Sobol-Business”.
Now the company cooperates with the largest foreign automakers and is developing joint projects with them. You can find GAZ cars in all cities and towns of the country, because they are very convenient and versatile. They can transport everything from chickens to valuable cargo, without fear of getting stuck on an impassable section of the road. Most recently, the company released another new product: Gazelle-Sobol. How is it different from previous models?
The designers very carefully incorporated a minimalist style into the 2022 Sobol 4x4 car.
GAZ engineers and designers left the exterior virtually unchanged. There are several decorative elements that distinguish the new generation from the old:
- the front of the car has become smoother, there are no sharp corners;
- The front bumper was very carefully integrated into the minimalist style; there is a plastic protection that is painted in the color of the body.
- The windshield and hood form a broken surface. Due to the steeper rise of the windshield, they were able to slightly increase the interior space, but at the same time the aerodynamics decreased.
On the sides everything is quite simple:
- several smooth lines, side windows. The second row also has the ability to open a window, which is made in the form of a sash;
- the rear part remained almost unchanged: hinged doors, vertical lights on pillars, a small bumper.
A practical car should look the part. Despite attempts to make the brand more attractive, we can immediately say that the car is produced in the CIS countries.
New product from a domestic manufacturer
Reviews of the Sobol 4 x 4 indicate that the manufacturers of this vehicle managed the impossible: to combine large load capacity, excellent cross-country ability and spaciousness in one vehicle. According to many buyers, this model is one of the most successful and has a fairly comfortable interior that can easily accommodate from 6 to 13 people. The two rear rows of seats and the spacious trunk offer surprising spaciousness for such a fundamentally compact car.
In terms of dimensions, the Sobol is more like a passenger car. You can drive it under bridges and in the city center. But on the roads, sitting in a comfortable cabin, the difference with a regular SUV is immediately noticeable. The high lift lifts the car above the traffic and provides better visibility. In addition, according to its characteristics, the Sobol has the best cross-country ability in its class, and this is a very serious statement. What other characteristics does the new GAZ car have?
Specifications
All customers like the parameters of the new GAZ model. The Sobol 4 x 4 vehicle has a shortened body, which makes it convenient to use within the city. From the outside it looks a little unusual, but it is very convenient for parking. The declared carrying capacity of the car is 1.5 tons. This is enough to transport substantial cargo, while the Sobol does not fall under the weight restrictions in force in cities. Its drivers get freedom of movement on those roads that ordinary Gazelles are prohibited from driving on. The cargo compartment is 1330 mm long and 1530 mm high and can be filled with anything. Not only a variety of goods can fit there, but also several rows of seats. The Sobol can accommodate 8 people: 3 in the front seat and another 5 in the back.
Reviews of the new Sobol 4 x 4 also talk about the high ground clearance with a height of 205 mm. Thanks to him, the car can easily drive even off-road. Together with all-wheel drive, the driver of this car does not have to worry about potholes and dirt - the Sobol is the most passable model among GAZ vehicles. The car is also equipped with new technologies. For better cross-country ability, the Sobol has an Eaton rear axle locking differential. If one of the car's wheels spins, the other one usually stops, causing the car to get stuck. The differential lock allows you to lock the drive axle axle shafts and ensure that the wheels rotate at the same speed.
Future premiere
Despite the fact that the Gazelle Next family has been in production for several years, the presentation of similar Sables is still delayed. Although rumors about the appearance have been circulating for a long time, supposedly spy shots are circulating on the Internet, but there is no official confirmation of the information yet.
So far, Sobol 4x4s are produced in the old body from the Business family.
On August 21, GAZ showed two new cars. These are all-wheel drive minibus and Sobol pickup truck. But in reality it turned out that these were just prototypes. There are no technical specifications, much less retail prices, yet, and it is unclear when they will appear. It is only known that the wheelbase has grown from 2760 to 3185 mm, the gearbox lever is made in the form of a joystick, and the differential locks and downshifts are activated thanks to electric drives (and not levers, as before).
Improvements
Various changes are constantly being made to the design in order to modernize it. This, in particular, is the active use of foreign-made components.
The reason is that so far many Russian suppliers are not able to ensure compliance with increased quality requirements - their products are very unreliable.
Among foreign components and assemblies the following are used in particular:
- anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Bosch brake booster;
- Eaton rear locking differential;
- ZF steering elements;
- Webasto pre-heater (installed on versions with an engine from 2.5 liters);
- Sachs springs and shock absorbers;
- T.RAD cooling system;
- 1st and 2nd gear synchronizers, as well as a Hoerbiger transfer case.
Appearance
Everyone has long been familiar with the appearance of Sable. It doesn't evoke emotion, but that's normal for a commercial vehicle. The all-wheel drive differs in that it has noticeably more ground clearance (namely 205 mm, which is quite decent and 35 mm more than the 4x2 version). This is immediately noticeable. It is comfortable to sit down; no additional footrests are required.
Here you will find information on how to check the variator before purchasing.
You will learn about the upcoming UAZ 3170 crossover from this material.
Interior
The front panel and interior are also well known.
After the next update, they look quite modern and at the same time well assembled. Photo: ftimes.ru
There are cup holders and plenty of places for small items - both open and closed with lids (glove compartments). There are three levers on the floor at once - one is needed to change gears, and two more are needed to control the transfer case. The middle passenger has to constantly move his legs to the left, crowding the one sitting at the door.
Two-row versions can accommodate four passengers in the rear.
They are not very comfortable in the sense that the pillow is placed too low, that is, they have to sit with their knees raised.
Seat belts are provided for everyone.
Minibus
This modification has a coupe-type interior layout - two people sit with their backs to the driver, and three sit in the direction of travel, in the back row, almost above the rear axle. Between them is a small table. The chairs are comfortable, with high backs and headrests.
On off-road (as opposed to asphalt), the all-wheel drive Sobol feels at ease (especially with a diesel engine). It drives well through mud and swamps, as long as geometric cross-country ability allows. Still, the front end here is rigidly connected. And if something happens, locking the rear differential may come in handy.
Watch how Sobol drives off-road in this video:
Pros of the car
The new model of the Gorky Automobile Plant combines all the best from older models. Reviews of the new Sobol 4x4 2016 only confirm this. What advantages does the car have?
Of course, there is another side to the coin. What do buyers say about the negative characteristics of the new Sobol?
Disadvantages of the new model
Among the disadvantages in reviews of the Sobol 4 x 4, one can note the low quality of parts and the limited maximum speed. The components are not of very poor quality, but are clearly inferior to imported analogues. And the maximum declared speed of the Sobol is 120 km/h. You can accelerate the car above this figure, but with caution. All other negative reviews are related to little things like noise in the cabin and uncomfortable (high) entry into the car. Here GAZ did not finalize the details a bit, but in comparison with the positive characteristics of this car, you can safely turn a blind eye to them.
Sable 4 x 4: reviews
Most of the drivers of the new Sobol call it a car for work. Rugged, all-wheel drive and reliable, it drives confidently off-road and gets you out of muddy roads that no other car could get out of. In reviews of the GAZ “Sobol 4 x 4” it is constantly compared with the UAZ “Loaf”, which until recently was considered the best and only car capable of delivering travelers to almost any point in Russia. But the model we are considering confidently outperforms the best-selling model of its competitors. Reviews of the 2016 Sobol 4 x 4 confirm that this car has many advantages. Cheap, unpretentious, it can perform equally well as a family car, a work car or a vehicle for transporting people.
The rear axle differential lock allows you to reach previously inaccessible places. Although the car is much shorter than a regular Gazelle, the space in it is used wisely. A lot of things or cargo can fit in the body. In some Sobol models, the passenger compartment is separated from the cargo compartment by a solid partition, which has a positive effect on the comfort and safety of people. Among the many options for configurations, any motorist will choose the one that best suits his goals and objectives. “Sobol” was made for Russian roads and is quite comfortable inside. Of course, it is far from expensive foreign cars, but it is not worth comparing it with “Loaf”. To summarize, we can say that this is an excellent car for Russia, a good option for business - quite reliable and cheap.
The 2022 Sable 4x4 received a noticeably improved interior design
In the cabin you can find a lot of all kinds of modern electronics, good panel finishing and a bunch of safety devices.
The console is still made of plastic, but has expanded in functionality. Its central part is distinguished by a multimedia installation, several round blowers, climate control settings, and also a quite decent audio system.
Some of the functionality went to the steering wheel. From it you can now switch songs on the audio system and adjust the volume. The instrument panel has been greatly updated.
The seats have high-quality upholstery in either fabric or artificial leather. The seat filling has noticeably improved - it has become softer and much more comfortable.
The design of the body has noticeably improved, where there can be from three to seven seats, represented by comfortable individual chairs. In addition to them, there is still room for luggage weighing from 750 kg to 1 ton, depending on the number of seats.
average cost
Another difference between this car and its competitors is its low price. Almost anyone can afford such a car, because its cost is equal to the average price of a foreign passenger car. And there are undoubtedly more practical benefits from Sobol. The price depends on the configuration. An onboard car with an open body in the basic configuration will cost 805 thousand rubles.
The price for an all-metal “Sable” starts from 790 thousand. And a minibus costs even less – 770 thousand rubles. The maximum cost of “Sable 4 x 4” is 1 million 341 thousand rubles. For this amount you will get a diesel engine, 14 seats and maximum equipment.
Options
The “base” includes the ERA-GLONASS system (it is mandatory under the current legislation of Russia) and a locking differential on the rear axle. The color of all-wheel drive vehicles is only white.
There are only three options - ABS (12 thousand rubles), tachograph (33,600 rubles) and air conditioning (45 thousand rubles).
However, of course, in reality this is not all. There are dozens of companies all over the country that are ready to do literally anything with Sobol - for example, change the seats, install a different engine and gearbox, install glued glass instead of the inserted ones, repaint the body, etc. Some such changes, however, will have to be coordinated with government agencies.
You can learn about the disadvantages of Sobol from the video:
Results
What goals do people pursue when buying a new Sobol 4 x 4 car? Most often it is taken for use for commercial purposes or as a personal car for those who live in hard-to-reach places. The model is good for both. Reviews of the new “Sable 4 x 4” 2016 only prove this. The business model is spacious and does not require large maintenance costs. The manufacturer gives an approximate cost per 100 km for repairs and necessary work: 10 rubles. Agree, this is a low price for such a functional car. As for the passenger version of the Sobol, it is pleased with its spaciousness and sufficient comfort. For a family, such a car will be an ideal means of transportation.
New GAZ “Sobol 4x4”: reviews from owners on News4Auto.ru.
Our life consists of everyday little things that in one way or another affect our well-being, mood and productivity. I didn’t get enough sleep - my head hurts; I drank coffee to improve the situation and cheer myself up - I became irritable. I really want to foresee everything, but I just can’t. Moreover, everyone around, as usual, gives advice: gluten in bread - don’t go near it, it will kill you; A chocolate bar in your pocket is a direct path to tooth loss. We collect the most popular questions about health, nutrition, diseases and give answers to them that will allow you to better understand what is good for your health.
Buy a new Sobol-Business
- load capacity up to 990 kg
- total weight up to 3 t
- 2 drive types: 2WD and 4WD
- maximum power - 120 l/s at 3,600 rpm
- maximum torque - 270 Nm at 1,400 - 3,000 rpm
- 5 speed manual transmission
- fuel consumption from 6.6 l per 100 km
- warranty 3 years or 80 thousand km
- Maintenance interval - 15,000 km
Cars are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive 4x4 modifications are equipped with a new transmission, with front-wheel drive, unlike the old version, where the drive was carried out simultaneously on all four wheels.
Thanks to the ability to choose between different body types, the new Sobol wins the competition over the similar GAZelle. In addition, it is cheaper, more compact and much more comfortable.
We offer to buy Sobol-Business at the manufacturer's price. Thanks to many years of experience, SpetsTechKomplekt has established itself as a reliable partner in the market of Russia and the CIS countries.
Sobol Business fully meets all current standards of safety, ergonomics and reliability.
The new GAZ-Sobol uses components from famous world manufacturers:
- BOSCH - vacuum booster and ABS
- EATON - rear axle lockable differential
- WEBASTO - pre-heater
- HOERBIGER - gearbox and transfer case
- ZF - steering
- SACHS - shock absorbers and suspension springs
- EDAG - new instrument panel
Low prices attract many customers. And special offers and promotions “SpetsTechKomplekt” will help you save your money. For ease of purchase, there are credit and leasing programs.
You can buy GAZ-Sobol in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Contact us by phone or send a message, and our managers will always help you choose the most optimal purchase conditions.
All special equipment is fully certified and prepared for registration with the State Traffic Inspectorate and Rostechnadzor (for some types).
