UAZ has finally done what has been expected of it for decades: the “Bukhanka” name has been officially assigned to the entire family of vehicles, previously sold under the designation SGR. For buyers, this doesn’t mean a new model or technical update. Instead, the familiar name has now become part of the vehicle’s official positioning.
Moreover, the changes are currently more noticeable in the name than in the design. On the official UAZ website, the family is already presented as “SGR,” but the plant itself actively uses the name “Bukhanka” in marketing materials; in early August 2026, the company confirmed the transition to this name for the entire family. The old model numbers, however, remain in the technical documentation.
Why was the “Bukhanka” officially renamed only now?
The paradox of this story is that cars with this body style were known to Russians for decades exclusively as “Bukhankas.” The factory, however, continued to use technical designations like SGR, UAZ-452, and UAZ-3741.
Now marketing reality has caught up with technical reality. UAZ filed applications to register the “UAZ Bukhanka” and UAZ Bukhanka trademarks back in the spring of 2026. And in the summer the company switched to using this name for the entire family.
For the automotive market, this is a rather unusual situation: the popular nickname turned out to be such a strong brand that it was more profitable for the manufacturer not to fight it, but to officially use it.
However, one should not expect a technical revolution from such a step. Renaming does not mean the appearance of a new body, a new engine or an automatic transmission.
What is a modern “Bukhanka”
Despite the age of the design, the car continues to be a popular niche model. The modern UAZ “Bukhanka” is a frame all-wheel drive vehicle with dependent suspension, a reduction gear and a 2.7-liter gasoline engine.
The ZMZ-409055 power unit develops 112.2 hp and 198 N m. It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission, and the all-wheel drive is implemented according to the Part-Time design with a two-speed transfer case.
That is, we have before us a car from a completely different automotive era. There is no automatic transmission, complex electronic assistants, or an attempt to turn a utilitarian van into a comfortable family minivan.
And this largely explains why the “Bukhanka” still exists.
How much does the UAZ “Bukhanka” cost in 2026
According to the current UAZ price list for 2026 vehicles, prices for the family start at approximately 1.59 million rubles , depending on the version. For example, a single-row cabin costs 1,591,100 rubles, a double-row cabin costs 1,641,900 rubles, and a five-seat “Combi” costs 1,611,400 rubles. A nine-seat “Bus” is priced at 1,682,600 rubles.
Moreover, on the current model page, UAZ lists the price for the “SGR Combi 5 seats” from 1.66 million rubles . Thus, the final cost depends on the specific price list, production date, dealer terms and current benefit programs.
The rear differential lock is paid separately. In the current price list, its cost is approximately 50 thousand rubles .
This is an important option specifically for those who really intend to use the vehicle off-road. In normal city driving, the need for it is significantly lower.
Why is the “Bukhanka” still being bought
At first glance, buying such a car in 2026 seems strange. For a comparable price, you can find a passenger car with air conditioning, an automatic transmission, a multimedia system and a much higher level of comfort on the market.
But comparing the “Bukhanka” with regular crossovers is not entirely correct.
The main advantage of the UAZ is the combination of all-wheel drive, frame construction, a large interior and ease of repair . This is a car that was created not for traveling to shopping centers, but for work where the roads may end.
For whom the “Bukhanka” makes sense
Farmers and business owners. The car can simultaneously transport people, equipment and cargo, and its capabilities are especially noticeable on dirt roads.
Hunters and fishermen. All-wheel drive, low gear and a relatively simple design are important here. For the owner of such a car, a scratch on the body after a forest road is usually not a tragedy.
Expedition travelers. The “Bukhanka” has long been a popular platform for campers and expedition vehicles. The large rectangular body makes it easy to organize a berth, a kitchen module and storage space inside.
Municipal and specialized services. The vehicles of this family are used where cross-country ability and maintainability are more important than crew comfort.
Tourism business. For recreation centers, hunting grounds and remote tourist sites, such a vehicle can be a kind of compromise between a truck and an SUV.
What does the buyer get for 1.6-1.7 million rubles
The list of equipment in the “Bukhanka” is noticeably different from what is considered normal today for a passenger car.
The basic equipment includes power steering, cabin and interior heaters, an adjustable driver’s seat, pile upholstery, steel wheels with 225/75 R16 tires and the ERA-GLONASS system. Depending on the version, ABS is also provided.
At the same time, the main equipment for off-roading remains quite simple: engageable all-wheel drive, a reduction gear and rigid axles.
That is why the technical concept of the car today looks both archaic and rational.
The main disadvantage of the “Loaf” is not its age, but compromises
It is almost impossible to perceive the UAZ as an ordinary car.
A high center of gravity, a specific seating position, noise, vibration and outdated ergonomics are part of the design that the buyer cannot escape. The manufacturer itself in the materials about the car notes the features of its layout and behavior, and the 2.7-liter engine with a capacity of 112 hp. Today it looks quite modest against the background of modern cars.
Therefore, it is not worth buying a “Bukhanka” solely because of the attractive price.
If 90% of your trips are in the city and on the highway, a modern crossover or minivan will be much more comfortable. But if the car regularly has to drive on mud, broken dirt roads, forest roads, or work in remote areas, the situation changes.
Why does the “Bukhanka” often become more expensive after purchase
There is another peculiarity of this model: its owners rarely limit themselves to the factory configuration.
Expedition luggage rack, ladder, power bumper, winch, underbody protection, off-road wheels, additional lights and locks can significantly increase the final cost of the car.
And this is where interesting economics arises.
The conditional 1.6-1.7 million rubles turn into 2 million rubles or more after serious preparation. But the buyer gets more than just a vehicle, but a specialized tool for specific tasks.
That’s why comparing the price of a “Bukhanka” with the price of an urban crossover without taking into account the vehicle’s intended purpose is incorrect.
Why the “Bukhanka” became an export brand
The car has long had a life outside of Russia. UAZ has repeatedly used the “Bukhanka” in international expeditions: vehicles of this family have traveled tens of thousands of kilometers and been used in a wide variety of countries. The manufacturer itself emphasizes the simplicity of the design and versatility of the vehicle.
The reason for interest abroad is roughly the same as in Russia: where roads are few and service stations are far away, simple mechanics sometimes proves to be an advantage.
For a European buyer, such a car may seem exotic. For the owner of a farm, expedition company, or tourist base in a remote region, it’s a perfectly reasonable working tool.
What does the new name mean for the buyer?
In fact, it means almost nothing in technical terms.
The “Bukhanka” didn’t get a new engine only because it stopped being called the SGR. An automatic transmission wasn’t added, the body wasn’t changed, and no new level of comfort was achieved.
But UAZ made an important marketing move. Now, a person doesn’t have to explain to the seller whether they’re looking for an “SGR,” a UAZ-452, or a UAZ-3741. It’s enough to say: “I need a Bukhanka” .
And the manufacturer finally speaks to the buyer in the same language.
The main thing
In 2026, the UAZ “Bukhanka” remains one of the most unusual cars on the Russian market. It cannot be called modern, comfortable, or technologically advanced. But it is the absence of complex solutions that allows the car to maintain its niche decades after the original design appeared.
The official adoption of the “Bukhanka” name is more of a recognition of this phenomenon than an update to the car.
The design remains old, the price is no longer Soviet-era, and competition for the buyer’s money has become much fiercer. But the “Bukhanka” still has something that practically modern passenger cars do not have: the ability to buy a new production car with all-wheel drive and a utilitarian body, which was originally created for use where the regular road ends.
And, it seems, this is precisely why this car has already outlived several generations of the automobile market.
