2006 Chevrolet Niva

Guess who builds the most popular SUV in Russia, where on-road is pretty off-roady by Yankee standards? Chevrolet. Well, mostly.

The Chevy Niva is built in a joint-venture with Russia's number-two automaker, AvtoVAZ, and it's loosely based on the Soviet-era LADA Niva that's been the Eastern bloc's personal 4x4 of choice since its launch in 1977. Both are unibody trucks with control-arm front and live-axle rear suspensions, and each comes standard with a five-speed stick and two-range transfer case. Relative to the U.S. market's smallest true 4x4, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Niva is 16.4 inches shorter, on an 8.3-inch-longer wheelbase-good for smoothing out rough roads.

Short gearing helps the sturdy fuel-injected 1.7-liter four's 95 horses simulate brisk acceleration off the line, but overall performance is best described as deliberate. Average fuel economy on the Euro cycles is almost 23 mpg, which gives drivers about 350 miles to find the next gas stop. A high steering ratio with plenty of turns lock-to-lock minimizes kickback on rocky roads, and the brake pedal travels rather far before any retardation is felt.

Yet, for the money (a loaded one with power front windows, air-conditioning, and heated seats front and rear tops out just under $14,000), its popularity is understandable. Not only are 35,000 of them bought and paid for each year, but almost six percent of those wind up stolen.