Top 5 Cheapest ATVs + Video

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
We put together a list of the 5 cheapest ATVs available to help the new rider or just somebody on a budget find an ATV that fits their needs.


The off-road media has long been guilty of focussing on the latest, greatest, and most powerful ATVs and UTVs available. Quite frankly, those are the machines that a large portion of our audience wants to know about.

But what if your bank account or lack of off-road experience makes purchasing one of those machines inadvisable or downright impossible? That’s who this video is for. We looked at the lineups from all the major manufacturers and found the five cheapest ATVs listed on their official websites.

Keep in mind that these are not ATVs for kids – each ATV on this list is intended for an adult rider.

Coming in at Number 5 is the Alterra 500 from Textron Off Road, which carries a retail price of $4,999. This is far and away the most powerful machine on our list and the only one available with four-wheel drive, offering an incredible value. The Alterra 500 features a 443cc, single-cylinder engine that produces approximately 33 horsepower and features front and rear double A-arm suspension, 225 pounds of rack capacity and 1,050 pounds of towing capacity.

In the Number 4 position is the Honda TRX250X, which has a retail price of $4,749. This is the only Sport quad on our list and is the perfect machine if you want to get comfortable in the Sport before you start racing. Features include a five-speed transmission with Honda’s SportClutch, a 229cc single-cylinder engine that produces 16 horsepower and a ready-to-ride weight of under 400 pounds.

The third most affordable ATV on our list is the Suzuki Ozark, which is listed at $4,599. Suzuki lists this as a 2014 model on its website, but can still be found at Suzuki ATV dealers. Features include a 245cc single-cylinder engine that produces 17 horsepower, five-speed transmission with automatic clutch, and large 2.8-gallon fuel tank.

In the Number 2 position on our list is the Kawasaki Brute Force 300, which retails for $4,299. This is actually a newer ATV than the Ozark and benefits from a more powerful 271cc single-cylinder engine that produces 21 horsepower, continuously variable transmission, 110 pounds of rack capacity, 500 pounds of towing capacity and 6.1 inches of ground clearance.

Finally, the most affordable adult-sized ATV available from a major manufacturer is the Honda Recon, which carries a price tag of $4,099. It relies on a 229cc single-cylinder engine that produces 15 horsepower. Features include a five-speed transmission, electric start, steel cargo racks, and a ready-to-ride weight of 434 pounds.

We hope this list of the cheapest ATVs available helps you realize that there really is an ATV out there for everybody and every budget. And if you’re not afraid of turning a wrench and doing some work, the used market opens up even more options at even better prices.

Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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