The UAZ Patriot (model 3163) is a Russian off-road vehicle produced by UAZ (Ulyanovsky Automobile Plant) from 2005 to 2012. Designed as a successor to the UAZ Simbir, the Patriot aimed to offer a more modern and comfortable vehicle while retaining the brand’s reputation for ruggedness and all-terrain capability. Though not officially sold in the United States, the Patriot represents a significant vehicle in the Russian and Eastern European markets, serving as a popular choice for rural transportation, hunting, and general-purpose utility. It filled a niche similar to that of the Suzuki Jimny or older Land Rover models, prioritizing functionality and durability over outright luxury.
UAZ Patriot (3163): A Detailed Overview
The UAZ Patriot was conceived as a vehicle capable of handling the challenging road conditions and diverse terrain prevalent in Russia. It was intended to be a versatile vehicle suitable for both on-road and off-road use, appealing to a broad range of customers. The Patriot’s design incorporated elements of both traditional UAZ styling and more contemporary automotive trends. While it lacked the refinement of Western European or Japanese SUVs, it offered a robust and affordable alternative, particularly for those requiring a dependable vehicle in harsh environments.
Engine & Performance
The UAZ Patriot 3163 was primarily equipped with the ZMZ-409.10, a 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. This naturally aspirated engine produced 128 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 218 Nm (160.79 lb.-ft.) of torque at 2,500 rpm. While not a powerhouse, the engine provided adequate performance for the vehicle’s intended purpose. The engine’s power-to-weight ratio was 16.2 kg/Hp, and the torque-to-weight ratio was 9.5 kg/Nm. The engine featured a multi-port fuel injection system and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain. It had a compression ratio of 9:1 and a displacement of 2,693 cm3 (164.34 cu. in.). The engine required 7 liters (7.4 US qt | 6.16 UK qt) of engine oil. The Patriot featured a five-speed manual transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system, allowing drivers to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive as needed. The vehicle had a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93.21 mph).
Design & Features
The UAZ Patriot is a five-door, five-seat off-road vehicle with a traditional body-on-frame construction. This construction method contributed to its durability and off-road capability. The vehicle’s exterior design was characterized by its boxy shape and utilitarian appearance. It measured 4,647 mm (182.95 in.) in length, 2,080 mm (81.89 in.) in width, and 2,000 mm (78.74 in.) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,760 mm (108.66 in.). The front and rear tracks were both 1,600 mm (62.99 in.). The Patriot’s suspension consisted of a trailing arm setup at the front and a leaf spring arrangement at the rear, prioritizing robustness and load-carrying capacity over ride comfort. Braking was provided by ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear, with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as a standard safety feature. The fuel tank capacity was 87 liters (22.98 US gal | 19.14 UK gal). The kerb weight of the vehicle was 2,070 kg (4,563.57 lbs.), with a maximum permissible weight of 2,670 kg (5,886.34 lbs.) and a maximum load capacity of 600 kg (1,322.77 lbs.).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | UAZ |
| Model | Patriot |
| Generation | Patriot (3163) |
| Type (Engine) | 2.7 i 16V (128 Hp) |
| Start of production | 2005 |
| End of production | 2012 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Off-road vehicle |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 14 l/100 km (16.8 US mpg, 20.2 UK mpg, 7.1 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 10.4 l/100 km (22.6 US mpg, 27.2 UK mpg, 9.6 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 13.2 l/100 km (17.8 US mpg, 21.4 UK mpg, 7.6 km/l) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Maximum speed | 150 km/h (93.21 mph) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 16.2 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 9.5 kg/Nm |
| Power | 128 Hp @ 4400 rpm |
| Torque | 218 Nm @ 2500 rpm (160.79 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Longitudinal |
| Engine Model/Code | ZMZ-409.10 |
| Engine displacement | 2693 cm3 (164.34 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 95.5 mm (3.76 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 94 mm (3.7 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 7 l (7.4 US qt | 6.16 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 2070 kg (4563.57 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 2670 kg (5886.34 lbs.) |
| Max load | 600 kg (1322.77 lbs.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 87 l (22.98 US gal | 19.14 UK gal) |
| Length | 4647 mm (182.95 in.) |
| Width | 2080 mm (81.89 in.) |
| Height | 2000 mm (78.74 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2760 mm (108.66 in.) |
| Front track | 1600 mm (62.99 in.) |
| Rear track | 1600 mm (62.99 in.) |
| Drive wheel | All wheel drive (4×4) |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Trailing arm |
| Rear suspension | Leaf spring |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
The UAZ Patriot, despite its relatively basic features and modest performance, proved to be a popular and reliable vehicle in its target market. Its robust construction, four-wheel-drive capability, and affordability made it a practical choice for those needing a durable and versatile vehicle for challenging conditions. While it didn’t compete directly with Western SUVs in terms of refinement, it carved out a significant niche for itself in the Russian automotive landscape.
