2016 UTV BUYER’S GUIDE: Utility/Recreation

CONTACTS Arctic Cat: (218) 681-9851, www.arcticcat.com Can-Am: (715) 848-4957, www.can-am.brp.com CFMoto: (888) 823-6686, www.cfmoto.com Hisun: (972) 446-0760, www.hisunmotors.com Honda: (310) 783-2000, www.powersports.honda.com John Deere: www.deere.com Kawasaki: (949) 770-0400, www.kawasaki.com Kymco: (864) 327-4744, www.kymcousa.com Pitster Pro: (801) 796-7416, www.pitsterpro.com Polaris: (888) 704-5290, www.polarisindustries.com SSR: (562) 926-2888, www.ssrmotorsports.com Yamaha: (714) 761-7300, www.yamahamotor.com

OTHER UTV BUYER’S GUIDES 2016 UTV Buyer’s Guides 2015 UTV Buyer’s Guide

ARCTIC CAT PROWLER 1000 XT EPS ($15,299) The Prowler 1000 XT bridges the gap between sport and work with a capable two-seat platform. It sports a 951cc, V-twin, four-stroke engine that is liquid-cooled. Electronic power steering comes standard, along with hydraulic disc brakes in the front and rear. Power is transferred through an automatic CV- style transmission with an engine braking system. A front-locking differential comes standard with the 4×4 system.

ARCTIC CAT PROWLER 700 XT EPS ($13,999) The Arctic Cat Prowler 700 XT shares the same frame as the 1000 XT. Both machines ride on double-A-arm suspension with 10 inches of wheel travel on all four corners. The rear cargo box can hold up to 600 pounds, and the Prowler can tow 1500 pounds through a 2-inch rear receiver. Maxxis Bighorn 27-inch-tall tires wrapped around aluminum wheels help the 700 XT traverse all types of terrain.

ARCTIC CAT HDX 700 XT ($14,499) When it comes to work, the Arctic Cat HDX 700 XT was designed to get the job done. It is a three-seated machine that has a large cargo bed that can hold 1000 pounds with assistance from a set of rear Fox Float coil-over shocks. The suspension is a dual-A-arm setup on all four corners. Electric power steering comes standard on the Arctic Cat HDX 700 XT. The 700 SE Hunter Edition is available for an extra $1800.

ARCTIC CAT HDX 500 XT ($11,999) For 2016 the HDX line was restyled with a whole new chassis and plastics. The 550 model was removed from the line for the 500 XT. It doesn’t come with electronic power steering, and the bed holds 600 pounds instead of the 1000 the HDX 700 can carry, but this machine can tow up to 1500 pounds. A 443cc four-stroke engine powers this workhorse and has an automatic CVT transmission with an engine braking system. CAN-AM DEFENDER XT ($15,599) The Can-Am Defender is the newest side-by-side in their 2016 lineup. It is more utility oriented than the rest of their UTV line up but can still be fun out in the trails. The Defender XT comes with electronic power steering standard, along with 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires on 14-inch aluminum wheels. You can get the Defender with their HD8 or HD10 engines,which are 799cc or 976cc respectively.

CAN-AM DEFENDER ($10,999) Can-Am’s Defender was designed to be a workhorse. There is plenty of cargo room on this machine, including under-seat storage, dash storage and a rear cargo bed that can hold up to 1000 pounds. It can tow up to 2000 pounds and seats three. The transmission is an automatic CVT type that has engine braking and a work-specific low-gear setting for smooth torque delivery. CFMOTO UFORCE 800 ($9,999) CFMoto’s UForce 800 is a recreational utility machine, designed to get the job done but still have fun. It sports an 800cc four-stroke engine that is electronically fuel-injected. An automatic CVT transmission with reverse helps transfer power to all four wheels through a front-locking differential. There is a large dump box on the rear of this machine for utility purposes. It is available with electronic power steering for $10,799.

HISUN SECTOR 750/500 ($9,999/$8,999) The Hisun Sector 750 and 500 share the same frame and suspension components. The front and the rear are suspended by dual A-arms with gas shocks. Your engine choices are a 735cc or 546cc single-cylinder four-stroke powerplant. Both are electronically fuel-injected and come with automatic CVT transmissions. There is also a $13,999 Sector 1000, $8449 Sector 450 and $4749 Sector 250 in the lineup.

HISUN HS 800 CREW ($11,999) Hisun’s full-utility-inspired UTV lineup consists of four models ranging from two Crew models: HS 800 and HS 700. The HS 800 comes off of the showroom floor with a full roof, winch, roof, windshield and heavy-duty front bumper. It can tow up to 2000 pounds, and the rear dumping cargo bed can hold up to 350 pounds. Electronic power steering comes standard on this machine, along with a locking front differential in its 4×4 system.

HISUN HS 400 ($7,499) The Hisun HS 400 carries the smallest powerplant in the HS line, but it is not a machine to shy away from. The 393cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine has plenty of power and is paired with an automatic CVT-style transmission that has reverse. Independent suspension comes on the front and rear of this machine in the form of dual A-arms. The cargo bed can hold 350 pounds, and it can tow up to 1200 pounds.

HONDA PIONEER 1000-5 ($16,199) One of Honda’s newest UTV to their lineup is the 2016 Pioneer 1000-5. It sports a 999cc, twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine that is electronically fuel-injected and paired with an automatic transmission with six gears and can be shifted with paddle shifters or multiple drive modes. Air-leveling rear suspension makes it ride at its stock height when loaded down with cargo. You can flip up two seats in the bed to make it a five-passenger machine.

HONDA PIONEER 1000 ($13,999) The Pioneer 1000 three-seater is a great recreational utility machine. It has independent suspension on all four corners with 10 inches of wheel travel for a smooth and predictable ride. The Pioneer comes with an automatic, sport auto and manual drive mode. You can override the automatic transmission by shifting gears when you want to and it will instantly go back into automatic mode. There is also a Turf mode for utility purposes.

HONDA PIONEER 700-4 ($11,899) The Pioneer 700-4 is a very capable machine that can fit four people with two seats that can be folded up from the rear cargo bed. It carries a 675cc four-stroke engine that is electronically fuel-injected, paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 1500 pounds and haul up to 1000 pounds. Independent suspension in the front and rear with over 9 inches of wheel travel in the rear help the 700-4 maintain a smooth ride.

HONDA PIONEER 700 ($10,299) If you aren’t concerned with carrying more than one passenger with you, then the Pioneer 700 is a great choice of a recreational/utility machine. This machine can tow and haul the same amount of weight that the Pioneer 700-4 can, so getting work done is easy. Its three-speed automatic transmission is durable, and since there are mechanical gears instead of a belt, you won’t have to worry about snapping the belt under load.

HONDA PIONEER 500 ($8,499) Honda’s Pioneer 500 is their smallest UTV, and it can fit on 50-inch-wide trails. It has a 475cc four-stroke engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The gears in the transmission can only be shifted manually with paddle-type shifting. Wheel travel of 5.9 inches through double-wishbone suspension soften the front and rear of this machine. It can tow up to 1000 pounds and has a rear cargo rack for storage. JOHN DEERE XUV 855D S4 ($15,899) The top crew machine in John Deere’s lineup would have to be this well-equipped machine. It comes with a half windshield, roof with extra lights, heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, a winch and aluminum wheels. Power steering comes standard on the XUV 855D S4. It seats four and has a cargo box that can hold up to 1000 pounds. This machine runs off of a four-cylinder diesel engine.

JOHN DEERE XUV825i SPECIAL EDITION ($16,799) This Deere sports a 812cc four-stroke engine that is liquid-cooled and electronically fuel-injected. It runs an automatic CVT-style transmission with decent control when the going gets steep. The XUV825i SE comes with a heavy-duty bumper, roof, aluminum wheels and two cargo tool boxes. This machine is directed more towards utility purposes but can be fun in the trails as well. KAWASAKI MULE PRO-FXT ($12,999) If you are in need of a pure-utility machine that can still tackle trails as needed, the Mule line is a good place to start. This four-seater machine has a rear seat that can fold down to provide even more cargo bed room. A 812cc, three-cylinder, four-stroke engine powers the Mule PRO-FXT paired with an automatic CVT transmission. Dual hydraulic disc brakes in the front and rear of this machine help slow it and its cargo down with ease. The EPS version goes for $14,599.

KAWASAKI MULE PRO-FX ($11,999) If you don’t have a need to carry more than two passengers but still want a utility capable Kawasaki, the Mule PRO-FX is a solid choice. The rear cargo bed can hold up to 1000 pounds, and it can tow up to 2000 pounds. It has double-wishbone suspension in the front and rear with over 8 inches of wheel travel for a smooth ride. The electronic power-steering version starts at $12,999.

KYMCO UXV 700i ($10,099) Kymco makes parts for many different off-road manufacturers like Kawasaki. They also have their own lineup of capable recreational utility machines. The Kymco UXV 700i is powered by a 695cc, fuel-injected, four-stroke engine that is paired with an automatic CVT-style transmission. It has a front-locking differential in its 4×4 system for tricky situations. There is a $10,499 camo model, and a Turf model that goes for $10,399.

KYMCO UXV 500i G ($12,999) This machine is known as Kymco’s Generator model. It has the ability to turn into a generator that pumps out 5 kW. A dash panel carries all the controls for the generator feature and even comes with a separate key to operate it so you can take the drive key with you and leave the engine running as a generator. A 36-horsepower engine that is fuel-injected powers the UXV 500i G.

KYMCO UXV 500i ($9,499) The Kymco UXV 500i shares the same frame as the 700i version. This model carries a 501cc four-stroke engine that is electronically fuel-injected and paired with an automatic CVT transmission. The front and rear suspension are dual-A-arm designs, and hydraulic disc brakes help slow the machine down. You can get a Turf model and camo version of the UXV 500i for $9,799 and $9,999, respectively.

KYMCO UXV 700i/500i LE 50th ANNIVERSARY ($10,699/$10,199) Both they UXV 700i and 500i come in a LE 50th Anniversary edition for 2016. These machines come with useful standard features like automotive paint, 14-inch aluminum wheels with 26-inch tires wrapped around them, a heavy-duty front bumper and a 3000-pound winch for sticky situations. The UXV 450i model also comes in this trim for $8,699.

KYMCO UXV 500 ($7,999) The UXV 500 is the lowest-priced 500 in the Kymco lineup. Its body styling is an older look, but this machine is quite utility- and recreational-capable. It has a 501cc four-stroke engine that is electronically fuel-injected that puts power out through an automatic CVT-style transmission. This machine does not have a locking front differential like its other 500i siblings but still has four-wheel drive.

KYMCO UXV 450i ($7,999) Kymco’s smallest engine-bore UTV is the UXV 450i, but it is by no means slow. It has a torquey, 443cc, four-stroke engine that is liquid-cooled and electronically fuel-injected. It comes with a front-locking differential in its 4×4 system for rough riding. It can tow up to 1200 pounds through a rear hitch receiver. The tilting cargo bed can hold up to 420 pounds. There is storage under the hood, in the tailgate, under the seat and a locking glovebox.

POLARIS RANGER CREW 900-6 EPS ($16,499) As the name implies, the Ranger Crew 900-6 can fit six people across the two bench seats. It utilizes the same suspension and chassis as the five-passenger version, which means it has independent suspension in the front and rear for a reasonable ride. A 68-horsepower engine rests in this Ranger’s frame with an automatic CVT transmission attached to it. Electronic power steering comes standard on this model.

POLARIS RANGER DIESEL CREW ($14,999) The Ranger Diesel Crew holds a 1028cc, three-cylinder diesel engine in its chassis and has an alternator output of 110 amps. It can tow up to 2000 pounds out of a rear 2-inch receiver. The bed can hold up to 1000 pounds with dumping capabilities. If you want a crew-sized machine with an engine that will last a long time, this Ranger is a suitable choice.

POLARIS RANGER CREW 900 ($14,699) This Ranger Crew can only hold five passengers but shares the same dual-A-arm suspension in the front and rear with 10 inches of wheel travel for a decent ride in the trails. This machine carries a 875cc, twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine in its frame that is electronically fuel-injected and is paired with an automatic CVT transmission. It has Turf mode to keep surfaces nice around the farm. You can get power steering for an extra $1,800.

POLARIS RANGER 6X6 ($12,599) To start it off, this machine can hold up to 1,250 pounds in its rear dump box due to having two sets of wheels in the rear. All six wheels have fully independent suspension with 9 inches of rear wheel travel and 9.6 inches of wheel travel in the front. A 760cc, four-stroke, twin-cylinder engine powers this 6×6 machine, and an automatic CVT-style transmission is paired with it. The Ranger 6×6 will tow up to 2000 pounds.

POLARIS RANGER DIESEL HST DELUXE ($20,999) This machine comes with a factory-installed cab that has a heater, defroster and air conditioning. It carries a three-cylinder, 1028cc diesel engine that is durable and lasts a long time. It has Turf mode to help keep surfaces on the job site nice. It utilizes independent suspension in the front and the rear with 6 inches of wheel travel. Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes help slow this machine down.

POLARIS RANGER XP 900 HIGH LIFTER EDITION ($18,499) While the Ranger line is meant to be recreation- and utility-inclined, High Lifter put a spin on this Ranger so it can go deep in the mud. It has a heavy-duty front bumper with a winch. Aggressive 28-inch-tall tires help this machine claw through the muck, and a high-mounted intake and venting will let you go deep without getting bogged down. The transmission has mud-specific gearing.

POLARIS RANGER XP 900 ($13,499) The Ranger XP 900 sports an 875cc ProStar motor that is electronically fuel-injected and pumps out 68 horsepower through an automatic CVT-style transmission. You can get this machine with electronic power steering starting at $14,499. There are also four special-edition models, like the $20,999 Hunter Deluxe Edition that comes with a heavy-duty bumper and winch, along with a full windshield.

POLARIS RANGER CREW 570-6 ($11,799) If you want a machine that can hold up to six passengers like your fellow work crew but don’t need all the power of a 900 motor, then the Ranger 570-6 is a solid choice. It sports a 44-horsepower, 567cc, four-stroke engine that is liquid-cooled and electronically fuel-injected. It has On-Demand all-wheel drive or two-whee drive. Front MacPherson struts with 9 inches of wheel travel complement the rear dual-A-arm design that sports 10 inches of wheel travel.

POLARIS RANGER 570 FULL SIZE ($9,999) The Polaris Ranger lineup has so many options, it’s hard to wrap our heads around them all. The Ranger 570 Full Size is a good one. It can seat three comfortably and has enough power to carry a total payload capacity of up to 1500 pounds and can tow 1500 pounds. While the Ranger line is utility-inspired, this machine does well out in the trails with an all-wheel-drive system and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes to slow it down.

POLARIS RANGER ETX ($8,799) The Ranger ETX is Polaris’ take at a well-priced side-by-side that has reasonable features. It is powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke engine that has dual-overhead-cam shafts. It puts out around 31 horsepower and is liquid-cooled and electronically fuel-injected. It has all-wheel drive and can be changed to two-wheel drive. The cargo box in the rear can hold up to 500 pounds and can tow up to 1500 pounds. The suspension is all independent and has a smooth ride.

POLARIS RANGER EV LI-ION ($22,999) If you aren’t a fan of gas or diesel engines and prefer to pilot electric machines, the Ranger EV Li-Ion just raised the bar for electric performance. It has up to 50 miles of range per charge, and a single 48-volt AC-induction motor provides the power. The rear cargo box can hold up to 500 pounds, and the hitch towing rate is a decent 1500 pounds. This machine only comes in a camouflaged color scheme. YAMAHA VIKING ($11,999) Yamaha started a revolution with the Rhino UTV, but eventually it fell off the market to better machines. The next release was the Viking, a three-seater machine with a 686cc, four-stroke powerplant. It was designed for utility purposes with a bit of recreation in mind. Suspension numbers reach to 8.1 inches of wheel travel in the front and the rear, so it’s capable of trail exploration but not at high speeds. The EPS model goes for $12,999.

YAMAHA VIKING VI ($12,999) Next on Yamaha’s list was to add another row of seating to the Viking so it could carry a whole crew of people around on job sites or for hunting explorations. It shares the same engine and suspension numbers as the three-seat Viking, but an anti-sway bar was added in the rear. This machine comes with an electronically locking front differential with its 4×4 system for technically trail riding. The EPS model starts at $13,999.