2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Unveiled

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
Two-seat SxS joins four-seat Pioneer 700-4 in Honda lineup

Honda surprised us back in February when it unveiled the new multi-passenger Pioneer 700-4 and announced it would be replacing the Big Red. Just a few months later Honda has expanded the Pioneer line with a two-seat version – the Pioneer 700.

If you take a look at the specs, there really isn’t a whole lot of difference between the Pioneer 700 and 700-4. Basically, the two fold-down seats and the extra rear roll cage are gone and that’s about it. This sheds about 135 pounds in weight (from 1,396 pounds to 1,261 pounds) – 172 pounds less than the Big Red. It will also probably reduce the MSRP by a few hundred dollars, but we’ll have to wait and see as pricing has not been announced for either model.

COMPARE: Read about Honda’s new Pioneer 700-4

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Action Cornering

For the first time, Honda will have more than one option for UTV consumers.

The Pioneer 700 is 114.8 inches long, basically the same as the Big Red. It sits 61.1 inches wide (about four inches narrower than the Big Red), 77.6 inches tall (76.9 for Big Red), and offers 10.3 inches of ground clearance (same as the Big Red). It also has the same 1,500-pound towing capacity as the Big Red and holds 8.2 gallons of fuel. Where the Pioneer really stands out compared to the Big Red is with suspension travel – 7.9 inches front, 9.1 inches rear (5.9 and 7.1 for Big Red).

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Action Rear

The Pioneer gets a big upgrade in suspension travel over the Big Red.

COMPARE: Read our Honda Big Red review

Honda promises quick acceleration from is 700cc-class liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder engine, but we’ll have a better idea after getting behind the wheel. We can say we’re looking forward to seeing what the extra suspension travel will mean for the ride.

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Dump

With a tilt bed and plenty of payload capacity, the Pioneer should be an adept worker.

While you can certainly have some fun in the trails, this is a vehicle meant to help you work. The bed is easy to tilt and dump and the vehicle has a 1,000-pound payload capacity. As well, you can add a host of accessories to customize the Pioneer 700 any way you see fit.

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Towing

Add a hitch ball and you can tow as much as 1,500 pounds with the Pioneer.

Honda has more than 50 accessories available, including a fabric roof/rear panel, hard roof, Bimini roof, glass windshield, wiper kit, hard or fabric doors, cargo net, rubber floor mats, bed mat, heater/defrost, light bar, rear view mirror, side mirrors, A-arm guards, bumpers, horn kit, winch, snow plow, hitch ball, and much more. All Honda accessories come with a one-year warranty.

COMPARE: Read our Polaris Ranger XP 900 review

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Action Top

Three color options are available for the Honda Pioneer 700 – red, olive and Honda Phantom Camo.

You’ll find the Honda Pioneer 700 in dealers in September.

2014 Honda Pioneer 700 Specs
Engine:675cc liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore x Stroke:102.0 x 82.6 mm
Compression Ratio:9.2:1
Induction:Electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI), 40mm throttle body
Ignition:Full-transistorized with electronic advance
Clutch:Automatic
Transmission:Automotive-style with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and Reverse. Three drive modes include 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock
Driveline:Direct front and rear driveshafts
Front Suspension:Independent double-wishbone; 7.9 inches travel
Rear Suspension:Independent double-wishbone; 9.1 inches travel
Front Brakes:200mm hydraulic disc
Rear Brake:170mm hydraulic disc
Front Tires:25 x 8-12
Rear Tires:25 x 10-12
Length/Width/Height:114.8 x 61.1 x 77.6 in
Curb Weight:1,261 lbs
Wheelbase:76.8 in
Ground Clearance:10.3 in
Fuel Capacity:8.2 US gal.
Turning Radius:14.8 feet
Payload Capacity:1,000 lbs
Towing Capacity:1,500 lbs
Colors:Red, Olive, Honda Phantom Camo
Base MSRP:TBA
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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