Written by UAZ vehicles
UAZ vehicles come from the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, the Russian maker of tough four-wheel-drive SUVs, pickups and vans. In this guide you’ll find the current Patriot, Hunter, Pickup, Profi and Bukhanka, as well as the 469 and the other models that made the name famous.
UAZ vehicles at a Glance
Founded 1941 Plant evacuated from Moscow
Headquarters Ulyanovsk On the Volga River, Russia
Owner Sollers PJSC Moscow Exchange: SVAV
Leadership Ilnur Sakhabiev General director since 2026
Sales, 2025 30,400 Company figure, per Sollers
Millionth vehicle 1974 Built on February 18
UAZ vehicles Model Lineup
UAZ vehicles are all body-on-frame and built for bad roads, so the lineup is short and simple. The Patriot is the family SUV, while the Hunter keeps the old 469 shape alive. In addition, the Pickup, Profi and Bukhanka cover work duty.
SUVs (2)
Full-size SUV
Patriot
2.7-liter gas Since 2005
The Patriot uses a 2.7-liter ZMZ Pro gas engine with about 150 hp and 235 Nm. For the 2026 Patriot X update, UAZ adds a 2.0-liter Sollers turbodiesel with 136 hp, as well as a new six-speed manual. However, don’t expect an automatic before mid-2028.
Classic off-roader
Hunter
Euro 5 Since 2003
The Hunter is the direct heir of the UAZ-469, and it’s still built in small numbers. Assembly paused in May 2025 while it moved to a new line. Then Euro 5 cars with 150 hp reached dealers in November 2025.
Pickups and trucks (2)
Crew-cab pickup
Pickup
Patriot basis Since 2008
The Pickup is a four-door Patriot with a cargo bed, and it went on sale in 2008. Since autumn 2025, it also gets the 150 hp ZMZ Pro engine, so it shares its drivetrain with the SUV.
Light truck
Profi
RWD or 4WD Since 2017
The Profi is UAZ’s light commercial truck, and series production started in August 2017. It rides on a 3,500 mm wheelbase, while you can pick rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. In addition, it got the 150 hp ZMZ Pro engine from autumn 2025.
Vans and minibuses (1)
Van and minibus family
Bukhanka
112 hp Since 1965
The Bukhanka family includes the 2206 minibus, 3909 crew van, 3741 panel van, 3303 truck and 3962 ambulance. Since July 2026, UAZ markets it as Bukhanka instead of SGR. Its Euro 5 ZMZ engine makes 112 hp, and it still has a five-speed manual.
What Is UAZ?
UAZ stands for Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant. It started in 1941, when part of the ZIS plant was evacuated from Moscow to Ulyanovsk. Then the first ZIS-5V trucks came off the line in May 1942.
Later, UAZ took over the GAZ-69 from GAZ, and in 1958 it launched its own UAZ-450 van. As a result, the UAZ-452 of 1965 and the UAZ-469 of 1972 became the vehicles you still see across the former Soviet Union.
Since 2000, the plant has belonged to the group now called Sollers. Meanwhile, UAZ vehicles have stayed old-school: separate frames, solid axles and low-range gearboxes. That makes them cheap to fix, although they’re short on comfort and refinement.
UAZ vehicles History
UAZ vehicles have gone from wartime trucks to the Patriot X, so these are the key steps.
- 1941 Part of the ZIS plant is evacuated from Moscow to Ulyanovsk.
- 1942 Then ZIS-5V truck production begins in May.
- 1943 The Ulyanovsk plant becomes a permanent, separate car plant.
- 1954 After that, GAZ-69 assembly begins in December.
- 1958 The UAZ-450 van arrives.
- 1965 Later, the UAZ-452 replaces it.
- 1972 The first UAZ-469 is built on December 15.
- 1974 In addition, the plant builds its millionth vehicle.
- 1997 The UAZ-3160 Simbir enters production.
- 2000 Meanwhile, Severstal buys UAZ.
- 2003 The Hunter replaces the 31512 in November.
- 2005 Then the first Patriot is built on August 17.
- 2008 The parent company is renamed Sollers, and the Pickup launches.
- 2017 After that, the Profi truck enters production.
- 2026 Finally, the SGR vans become Bukhanka and the Patriot X arrives.
Iconic UAZ Models
UAZ vehicles have a long back catalog, but these four models defined the brand.
1956
GAZ-69
4×4 600,000+ built
The GAZ-69 moved from Gorky to Ulyanovsk, and UAZ built it from 1956 to 1972. In fact, more than 600,000 were made in total.
1958
UAZ-450
Forward control GAZ-69 mechanicals
The UAZ-450 was the first Soviet forward-control van, and it used GAZ-69 parts. As a result, it set the shape of the Bukhanka you can still buy.
1972
UAZ-469
Army 4×4 Renamed 3151 in 1985
The UAZ-469 was the classic Soviet field car, and it was exported to about 80 countries. For example, three stock 469Bs drove up Mount Elbrus to 4,200 meters in 1974.
1997
UAZ-3160 Simbir
Wagon Post-Soviet SUV
The Simbir was UAZ’s first new SUV after the Soviet era, and production began on August 5, 1997. Later, the Patriot replaced it.
Who Owns UAZ vehicles?
UAZ vehicles are built by OOO UAZ, which Sollers PJSC owns in full. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Owner Sollers PJSC Moscow Exchange: SVAV
This page UAZ Ulyanovsk, Russia
Sister brand Sollers Light trucks and vans
Engines ZMZ Zavolzhye, Russia
Kit assembly Kazakhstan Ust-Kamenogorsk, from 2018
Kit assembly Vietnam From 2003
Other Russian makers
These Russian brands have AutoGathering pages too.
For example, the GAZ-69 started at GAZ and moved to Ulyanovsk, while the Patriot has been sold abroad as the UAZ Kazak and UAZ Patrol.
Earlier history
- Severstal (2000) Steelmaker Severstal bought UAZ in October 2000 and formed Severstal-Auto in 2002.
- Sollers (2008) Severstal-Auto was renamed Sollers in 2008, and UAZ shares left the Moscow Exchange in 2015.
- Management buyout (2022) In June 2022, Sollers managers bought 77.6% of Sollers through Alter Invest.
- Cuba (2023) Kit assembly in Cuba was announced in 2023, but it was later suspended.
UAZ vehicles Accomplishments
The record of UAZ vehicles is about toughness and long careers, because few designs last as long.
60+ years
UAZ-452 in production
The UAZ-452 has been built since 1965, so it’s one of the oldest vehicle designs still made.
1 million
Vehicles by 1974
The plant built its millionth vehicle on February 18, 1974.
80
Export countries
In fact, the UAZ-469 family was exported to about 80 countries.
4,200 m
Mount Elbrus, 1974
Three stock UAZ-469Bs reached 4,200 meters on Mount Elbrus in 1974.
32
People in a Hunter
In 2010, a Hunter set a Guinness record by carrying 32 people.
73°N
Arctic drive, 2014
Similarly, a Patriot drove to Tiksi in 2014, past the 73rd parallel north.
10
Autocross titles
Factory driver Binyamin Dzhepaev won 10 Russian autocross titles in UAZ vehicles.
35%
LCV share, 2025
Together, the UAZ and Sollers brands held 35% of the Russian light commercial market in 2025.
Talk UAZ With Other Owners
When you own a UAZ, you’ll have plenty to share, whether it’s a camping Bukhanka, a Patriot on a long trip or a restored 469. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a UAZ community space where you can swap tips, compare models and plan meetups.
- Patriot and Patriot X
- Hunter
- Pickup
- Profi
- Bukhanka 2206 and 3909
- UAZ-469 and 3151
- Simbir
- GAZ-69 and UAZ-450
UAZ vehicles FAQ
What does UAZ stand for?
UAZ stands for Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.
Who owns UAZ?
Sollers PJSC owns 100% of UAZ, and its shares trade on the Moscow Exchange as SVAV.
Where are UAZ vehicles built?
UAZ vehicles are built in Ulyanovsk, Russia, although kits have also been assembled in Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
Is the Bukhanka still made?
Yes. Since July 2026 it’s sold as the Bukhanka family, while UAZ studies a next generation.
Does UAZ still make the Hunter?
Yes. It returned in late 2025 with a 150 hp Euro 5 engine, but it sells in small numbers.
Does the UAZ Patriot have a diesel?
The Patriot X adds a 2.0-liter diesel with 136 hp, and series production was due to start in late October 2026.
When was UAZ founded?
UAZ was founded in 1941, when part of the ZIS plant was evacuated from Moscow to Ulyanovsk.
Explore More Manufacturers
Finally, compare UAZ vehicles with other Russian makers and classic off-road brands.
Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Front view of a white 2021 UAZ…: Throwawayacc222, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Front view of a dark grey 2021…: Throwawayacc222, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Front view of a grey UAZ Profi…: Crave, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Olive green UAZ Hunter with a soft…: Vitaly V. Kuzmin, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Pale green UAZ-2206 Bukhanka minibus with a…: Kai Kemmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Olive green GAZ-69 off-roader with a canvas…: Alf van Beem, CC0, cropped and resized.
- UAZ-450 ambulance van on display at a…: Retired electrician, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Green UAZ-469 off-roader with an open top…: Piergiuliano Chesi, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Front view of a silver 2004 UAZ-31622…: Throwawayacc222, CC0, cropped and resized.