The VAZ-21213 and its variants are off-road passenger cars. All wheels are permanently driven (non-disengageable all-wheel drive), and there is a center differential lock. The body is a monocoque, all-metal, welded unit. The engine is a four-cylinder, in-line, gasoline, four-stroke engine; the engine is mounted in the front, longitudinally. The VAZ-21213 is equipped with a 1.7-liter carbureted engine, the 21213 model, while the VAZ-21214 is equipped with a 21214 engine of the same displacement with multipoint fuel injection. (Previously, the VAZ-21214 was equipped with a 21214 engine with central fuel injection and a microprocessor-controlled ignition system.) The VAZ-21215 (sold for export) is equipped with a 1.9-liter XUD-9SD diesel engine from the Peugeot-Citroën concern.

VAZ-21214 vehicles are equipped with a three-component neutralizer emission control system.