All-wheel drive "GAZelle": buy or not?

At the moment, low-tonnage commercial vehicles "GAZelle" are very popular on the Russian market. There are many modifications of these cars: minibuses in freight and passenger performance, manufactured goods and isothermal vans, onboard platforms and even refrigerators. But a few years ago the Gorky Automobile Plant decided to go even further and developed a full drive for them . And if earlier "GAZelle" had a wheel formula exclusively 4х2, now it is all-wheel drive, with the formula 4х4. But how much benefit do we get from this, how much do we have to pay for such an upgrade?

Arguments for"

The main advantage of using such cars is the possibility of delivering cargo to any destination. Where there will not pass a monotransmotor small tonnage, there will pass all-wheel drive "GAZelle". Thanks to the 4x4 wheel formula, you do not have to worry about whether the car will reach the destination with a load or get stuck somewhere along the way. The use of such trucks is particularly relevant in rural areas, where there are no asphalted roads. The all-wheel drive "GAZelle" can move from any place, despite the absence of roads, without slipping. However, do not always rely on the car - in many ways passability depends on your driving skills and level of difficulty of the route. But in any case, all-wheel drive "GAZelle" will be more passable than its mono-drive "sisters".

Arguments against"

Together with the advantages, the 4x4 drive also has drawbacks. First, in order to cope with the passage of fords, you need to have a special experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles. That is to such a "GAZelle" you have a very long time to get used to. In addition, as experts note, such cars have increased wear on aggregates and components. This is due to the high load that occurs during the passage of an off-road route. At the same time, fuel consumption is significantly increased. As indicated in the passport data, all-wheel drive "GAZelle" (model 330273) consumes about 9.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Of course, this is very hard to believe, but if you estimate that mono-drives in practice consume about 13-14 liters per hundred, creeps in doubt. Well, in general, fuel consumption is increased by 10-15 percent, so consider this factor in advance when buying low-tonnage vehicles.

How much is the all-wheel drive "GAZelle"?

The price directly depends on the type and modification of the car (and there are more than a dozen of them). Therefore, the cost of "GAZel" model 330273 "Farmer" will be given below.

1. 630 thousand rubles. For this price, you will buy a gasoline version of GAZ-330273, equipped with a motor from the Ulyanovsk Motor Plant (UMZ-4216) with a capacity of 106 horsepower. Transmission - a five-step "mechanics".
2. 653 thousand rubles. The same modification, only in addition is attached gas-cylinder equipment such as "methane".
3. 775 thousand rubles. So much is the diesel "GAZelle" with 120-strong American engine "Cummins" (Cummins) volume of 2.8 liters. The gearbox is the same.

As you can see, the price is slightly higher than usual, so if you do not have an extreme need to use a 4x4 "GAZelle", it's better not to buy it. Well, and if the terrain simply does not allow to operate a mono-power truck, that's just the full drive is irreplaceable.