2015 Utility ATVs Buyer's Guide

Modern Utility ATVs are more capable than ever before. While many consumers have turned their attention to Side-by-Sides, Utility ATVs remain a favorite for anybody that prefers to straddle the seat of a four-wheeler, rather than sit in one and buckle up.

Whether you are looking for an ATV to act as a helping hand as your work on your property or are looking to do trail cruising with a passenger (or both!), you can find a Utility ATV to suit your needs.

We wanted to shine some light on these versatile machines that can tow and haul cargo places big trucks and some Side-by-Sides could never reach, so we are highlighting each and every Utility UTV from all the major manufacturers.

In alphabetical order, we will look at every Utility UTV model offered from:

* Click on the manufacturer’s name to go directly to its models.

Arctic Cat XR

Arctic Cat’s new XR family of 4×4 ATVs is available in three engine sizes – 500 (443cc), 550 (545cc), and 700 (695cc). Both the 550 and 700 are available in three packages (Base, XT, and Limited) and all but the Base models come with electronic power steering. Each XR ATV has a towing capacity of 1,050 pounds and features Arctic Cat’s SpeedRack II system, ride-in suspension, and rear two-inch receiver hitch. Read our review of the Arctic Cat XR series here.

MSRP: $7,799 – $11,199

Arctic Cat Mid-Size

Arctic Cat’s mid-size lineup consists of the 300 2×4, 400 4×4, 450 4×4, and 500 4×4 Utility ATVs. Besides the 300 2×4, each model features Cat’s Duramatic automatic transmission, ride-in suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, independent front and rear suspension, four-wheel drive, and steel racks (SpeedRack on 500). The 300 2×4 has independent front suspension, swing arm rear suspension, and two-wheel drive.

MSRP: $4,299 – $6,499

Arctic Cat 1000 XT EPS

Arctic Cat was the first manufacturer to produce a 1000-class ATV and the 2015 1000 XT EPS is the most recent iteration. It features a 951cc, fuel-injected, V-Twin engine, ride-in suspension with 11 inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of travel, automotive-style paint, electronic front differential lock, electronic power steering, Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, aluminum wheels, and steel racks rated to carry a combined 300 pounds. Read our review of the Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 here.

MSRP: $11,199

Arctic Cat TRV

Arctic Cat has long been a big proponent of two-up ATVs and has one of the industry’s deepest two-up lineups. Arctic Cat TRVs are available with 500, 550, 700, and 1000-class engines and in Base, XT, and Limited trim packages. Base model features include 2WD/4WD electric front differential lock, Duramatic automatic transmission, and ride-in suspension. XT and Limited packages include a host of add-ons, including EPS, 3000-pound winch, heated handgrips, fairing, windshield, and much more.

MSRP: $7,999 – $13,199

Arctic Cat Mud Pro Limited

Arctic Cat’s Mud Pro ATVs were the first mud-specific competition models ever offered by a manufacturer. Mud Pros are available with either a 951cc V-Twin (Mud Pro 1000) or a 695cc Single (Mud Pro 700). Both benefit from a race-inspired suspension with 14 inches of ground clearance, elevated snorkel air intake, 3000-pound WARN winch, and 28-inch Maxxis Zilla tires.

MSRP: $11,599 – $14,399

Arctic Cat Utility

Arctic Cat offers two pure Utility, work-specific ATVs – the 700 Diesel Super Duty and 700 TBX EPS. The torque-happy 700 Diesel is a 686cc inline Twin that runs on six different types of fuel, while the 700 TBX boasts a large tilting rear box that can hold up to 300 pounds.

MSRP: $9,999 – $10,899

Can-Am’s Outlander L series provides perhaps the best value in the industry, thanks in part to an industry-leading five-year warranty. Outlander L models come with two engine choices (450 and 500), two build levels (Base, DPS) and in one- or two-seat (MAX) configurations. Read our Outlander L 500 DPS review here.

MSRP: $6,399 – $8,749

Can-Am Outlander 1000

The Can-Am Outlander 1000 is available in nine iterations: 1000 DPS, 1000 XT, 1000 XT-P, 1000 X mr, 1000 MAX DPS, 1000 MAX XT, 1000 MAX XT-P, 1000 MAX LTD, and 1000 6×6 XT. Each boasts an 82-horsepower Rotax V-Twin, TTI rear suspension, double A-arm front suspension, Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential, and Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering. Read our Can-Am Outlander 1000 XT review here.

MSRP: $11,599 – $15,549

Can-Am Outlander 800R

The Can-Am Outlander 800R comes in eight iterations: 800R, 800R DPS, 800R XT, 800R XT-P, 800R X mr, 800R MAX DPS, 800R MAX XT, and 800R MAX XT-P. Each model is powered by a 72-horsepower V-Twin engine and features TTI rear suspension, double A-arm front suspension, Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential, and power steering on some models.

MSRP: $9,649 – $14,199

Can-Am Outlander 650

The Can-Am Outlander 650 comes in eight iterations: 650, 650 DPS, 650 XT, 650 MAX, 650 MAX DPS, 650 MAX XT, 650 X mr, and 650 6×6 XT. Each is powered by a 62-horsepower V-Twin engine and features TTI rear suspension, double A-arm front suspension, Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential, and power steering on some models.

MSRP: $8,799 – $13,649

Can-Am Outlander 500

The Can-Am Outlander 500 is available in four iterations: 500 DPS, 500 XT, 500 MAX DPS, 500 MAX XT. Each is powered by a 46-horsepower Rotax V-Twin engine and features TTI rear suspension, double A-arm front suspension, Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential, and power steering. Read our Can-Am Outlander 500 review here.

MSRP: $7,899 – $10,599

Honda’s most affordable ATV, the FourTrax Recon features a 229cc engine, two-wheel drive, independent double-wishbone front suspension with 5.1 inches of travel, swingarm rear suspension with 4.9 inches of travel, and six inches of ground clearance.

MSRP: $3,949

Honda FourTrax Foreman 4×4

Honda’s FourTrax Foreman 4×4 is available in a base trim as well as with electric start, electronic power steering, and with both electric start and EPS. Power is provided by a 475cc single-cylinder engine. Features include direct front and rear driveshafts with TraxLok and front differential lock, independent double-wishbone front suspension, swingarm rear suspension, and dual hydraulic front disc brakes.

MSRP: $7,099 – $8,049

Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4×4

The Honda Foreman Rubicon is much the same machine as the Foreman, with the added benefit of independent rear suspension. It also benefits from two transmission choices, including Honda’s automatic dual-clutch option. Three different models are available for each transmission choice: 4×4, 4×4 EPS, and 4×4 EPS Deluxe. Read our Honda Rubicon 4×4 review here.

MSRP: $7,799 – $9,599

Honda FourTrax Rancher

ATV.com’s 2015 ATV of the Year, the Honda Rancher, is powered by a 420cc fuel-injected motor and comes in nine iterations – five in the standard transmission and four with Honda’s automatic dual-clutch transmission. Each model features independent double-wishbone front suspension, while consumers can choose between swingarm rear suspension and independent rear suspension (DCT models only). Read our 2015 Honda Rancher review here.

MSRP: $5,199 – $7,899

Honda FourTrax Rincon

Honda’s flagship ATV, the FourTrax Rincon, updated for 2015, is powered by a 675cc single-cylinder motor. Features include independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension, three-speed automatic transmission, 9.2 inches of ground clearance, and 50.8-inch wheelbase. Read our review of the Honda Rincon here.

MSRP: $9,299

Intended for entry level adult riders, the Kawasaki Brute Force is built around a 271cc single-cylinder engine. Features include double-wishbone front suspension with 5.2 inches of travel, swingarm rear suspension with 5.6 inches of travel, front and rear disc brakes, 110 pounds of rack capacity, and 500 pounds of towing capacity. Read our review of the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 here.

MSRP: $4,299

Kawasaki Brute Force 750

The flagship in Kawasaki’s ATV lineup, the Brute Force 750 is available with or without electronic power steering. Features include a powerful 749cc V-Twin engine, digital fuel injection, sealed wet brake, rigid tubular frame, double wishbone front suspension with 6.7 inches of travel, and fully independent dual A-arm rear suspension with 7.6 inches of travel. Read our review of the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 here.

MSRP: $8,999 – $10,599

The smallest member of KYMCO’s MXU family, the MXU 150 is a two-wheel drive, chain-driven ATV built around a 149cc air-cooled engine. Features include an automatic CVT, backlit digital dash, disc brakes, dual A-arm front suspension, swingarm rear suspension, and Rider-Training instructional DVD.

MSRP: $3,099

KYMCO MXU 300

Equipped with a 270cc liquid-cooled engine, the KYMCO MXU 300 features a shaft-drive, dual A-arm front suspension, rear swingarm suspension, front and rear cargo racks, disc brakes, backlit digital dash, and Ride-Training instructional DVD.

MSRP: $3,999

KYMCO MXU 450i

KYMCO’s lowest displacement four-wheel drive ATV, the MXU 450i features a fuel injected, liquid cooled 443cc engine. Features include independent front and rear suspension with seven inches of travel, shift on demand 2WD/4WD, two-inch receiver hitch, and front and rear cargo racks. Read our KYMCO MXU 450i review here.

MSRP: $6,199 – $6,699

KYMCO MXU 500/500i

KYMCO offers both carbureted and fuel injected versions of its MXU 500 and at the heart of both is a 499cc single-cylinder engine. Features include optional electronic power steering, front and rear independent double A-arm suspension, shift on demand 2WD/4WD, two-inch receiver hitch, and front and rear cargo racks that hold up to 100 pounds. Read our review of the KYMCO MXU 500i.

MSRP: $5,999 – $8,699

KYMCO MXU 700i

KYMCO’s flagship ATV is the MXU 700i, which is powered by a 695cc single-cylinder, fuel injected engine. Features include optional electronic power steering, front and rear independent double A-arm suspension, shift on demand 2WD/4WD, two-inch receiver hitch, and front and rear cargo racks that hold up to 100 pounds. Read our review of the KYMCO MXU 700i.

MSRP: $8,599 – $9,799

Polaris offers three versions of the ACE, its unique caged one-up ATV. The ACE Base is outfitted with a 325cc, 32-horsepower engine, while the ACE 570 and 570 SP feature the 567cc, 45-horsepower ProStar 570 engine. All models feature McPherson strut front suspension and independent double A-arm rear suspension. Only the ACE 570 SP features electronic power steering.

MSRP: $7,499 – $9,999

Polaris Sportsman EXT

New for 2015, the Sportsman EXT is Polaris’ smallest displacement ATV with a 325cc engine churning out a claimed 30 horsepower. Features include McPlerson strut front suspension with 6.7 inches of travel, independent double A-arm rear suspension with 9.5 inches of travel, 9.0 inches of ground clearance, front and rear composite racks, and a surprising 1,225 pounds of towing capacity.

MSRP: $5,899

Polaris Sportsman 570

Polaris offers more Sportsman ATVs with its 44-horsepower ProStar 570 engine than any other, including five single-passenger models and three two-passenger models. Base models feature McPherson strut front suspension, while SP models offer dual A-arms front and rear, cast aluminum wheels, Maxxis tires, and electronic power steering. Read our Polaris Sportsman 570 review here.

MSRP: $6,499 – $9,399

Polaris Sportsman X2 570 EPS

Another destination for Polaris’ ProStar 570 engine is the venerable X2 570. The versatile X2 has long been a big seller for Polaris. It’s most obvious feature is the 400-pound rear dump box, which can transform into a passenger seat. Other features include electronic power steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, dual A-arm rear suspension, and 11 inches of ground clearance. You can read our review of the Sportsman X2 here.

MSRP: $9,699

Polaris Sportsman 850

Polaris’ 77-horsepower, 850cc parallel twin is featured in three Sportsman models; Sportsman 850, Sportsman 850 SP, and Sportsman Touring 850 SP. All models benefit from front and rear dual A-arm suspension. SP models feature cast aluminum wheels and electronic power steering. You can read our Sportsman Touring 850 review here.

MSRP: $8,499 – $10,999

Polaris Sportsman XP 1000

Both the one-up Sportsman XP 1000 and two-up Sportsman Touring XP 1000 are outfitted with Polaris’ monster 88-horsepower, 952cc parallel twin engine. These flagship models feature front and rear dual A-arm suspension, 11.5 inches of ground clearance, 1,500 pounds of towing capacity, cast aluminum wheels, electronic power steering, and a 2,500-pound HD winch. Read our Sportsman XP 1000 review here.

MSRP: $11,199 – $13,299

Suzuki’s KingQuad 400 is available with either a continuously variable transmission (ASi) or a five-speed semi-automatic transmission (FSi). Both models feature a 376cc, fuel injected, single-cylinder engine, independent double A-arm front suspension, swingarm rear suspension, 25-inch Maxxis tires, and LCD digital instrumentation. Click here to read our Suzuki KingQuad 400 review.

MSRP: $6,499 – $6,899

Suzuki KingQuad 500AXi

Suzuki’s KingQuad 500AXI is available with or without electronic power steering and is powered by a 493cc, fuel injected, single-cylinder engine. Features include independent double A-arm front suspension, independent I-beam rear suspension, QuadMatic CVT-type transmission, sealed multi-plate brake system, and alloy wheels. Click here to read our Suzuki KingQuad 500AXi review.

MSRP: $7,399 – $8,699

Suzuki KingQuad 750

Suzuki’s KingQuad 500AXI is available with or without electronic power steering and is powered by a 722cc, fuel injected, single-cylinder engine. Features include independent double A-arm front suspension, independent I-beam rear suspension, QuadMatic CVT-type transmission, sealed multi-plate brake system, and pressed aluminum wheels. Read our review of the Suzuki KingQuad 750 AXi EPS here.

MSRP: $8,899 – $9,899

Yamaha’s only Utility ATV for model year 2015 is the Grizzly 700, which is available with or without electronic power steering. Features include a 686cc, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine, three-position on-command four-wheel drive, Yamaha’s vaunted Ultramatic transmission, front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension, 10.8 inches of ground clearance, and 1,322 pounds of towing capacity. Read our review of the Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS here.

MSRP: $8,899 – $10,099