Two-Seat ATV Buyer's Guide
Before Side-by-Side vehicles took the industry by storm, ATV riders who wanted to share the off-road experience with a friend relied on two-seat ATV models. And while the two-up ATV isn’t nearly as popular as it used to be, that doesn’t mean this segment is going away anytime soon.
First, there are still a lot of trails that aren’t open to Side-by-Side vehicles. Even where you can legally drive a Side-by-Side, some people prefer the feeling of riding an ATV. Also, two-up ATV models are more compact, so they can easily fit in the back of a pickup truck. As well, two-up ATVs are also generally less expensive to purchase, drink fuel more efficiently, don’t take up nearly as much room in the garage a Side-by-Side vehicle.
With all that in mind, we thought we should pay a little more attention to the two-seat ATV fans out there and explore every two-up ATV model currently available in the industry.
Arctic Cat Alterra TRV 700
While Arctic Cat used to have a deep lineup of two-up models, for the current model year it is down to one – the Arctic Cat Alterra TRV 700 ($10,999). This ATV is built around a 695cc single-cylinder engine that produces a claimed 44 horsepower. Double A-arm front and rear suspension controls 10 inches of travel at all four corners to help support the load of a rider and passenger while offering up 11 inches of ground clearance.
As for capacities, the Alterra TRV 700 can tow up to 1,050 pounds via a front tow hook or rear two-inch receiver. It can also carry 100 pounds on the front rack and 200 pounds on the rear rack.
Arctic Cat outfitted the Alterra TRV 700 with a 4,500-pound winch, electrical locking differential, halogen headlight, and aluminum wheels wrapped in 25-inch Carlisle Trail-Pro tires.
Can-Am Outlander MAX DPS
Nobody has a larger lineup of two-seat ATV models than Can-Am and it all starts with the Outlander MAX DPS ($10,299). Available with a 650cc V-Twin engine that produces a claimed 62 horsepower, this two-up ATV features front arched double A-arm suspension with 9.2 inches of travel and Torsional Trailing arm independent rear suspension with 9.9 inches of travel, along with 11 inches of ground clearance and a 59-inch wheelbase.
The Can-Am Outlander MAX DPS can tow 1,650 pounds and carry a total of 300 pounds on its front and rear racks. Other features include tri-mode dynamic power steering, 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels, and 26-inch ITP Terracross tires.
Can-Am Outlander MAX XT
The Can-Am Outlander MAX XT is much the same two-up ATV the MAX DPS, but with more features you want straight from the factory. It also comes with three different engine options. The same 650cc 62-hp mill mentioned earlier ($11,349), as well as a 78-hp 850 V-Twin ($11,999) and a 91-hp 1000R V-Twin ($13,749).
All versions of the Outlander MAX XT can tow up to 1,650 pounds and carry a combined 300 pounds on the racks. As well, they all feature the same arched double A-arm front suspension with 9.2 inches of travel and Torsional Trailing Arm rear suspension with 9.9 inches of travel, along with 11 inches of ground clearance.
Features that set the XT apart include three-mode intelligent throttle control, 3,000-pound Warn winch, painted plastic finish, hand guards, and beefy front bumper.
Can-Am Outlander MAX North Edition
Can-Am knows a thing or two about making vehicles that thrive in cold weather and it didn’t leave northern riders behind with its two-seat ATV segment. The Can-Am Outlander MAX North Edition ($12,149) is ready to keep you warm and comfortable even as the mercury drops.
This ATV is build around the 850 Rotax engine that produces 78 horsepower. Basic specs and measurements will largely be the same as on the other Outlander MAX models, but it’s the cold-weather features that make this two-up ATV stand out.
Among the included features in this cold-weather two-seat ATV are heated grips, heated visor outlet, factory-installed 3,000-pound Warn winch, mudguards, and Low gear that is ideal for plowing.
Can-Am Outlander MAX XT-P
For two-up ATV owners that like to ride fast and push their machine to the limits, the Can-Am Outlander MAX XT-P might be for you. It comes in two different engine options – the 78-hp Rotax 850 ($13,699) and 91-hp Rotax 1000R ($15,499).
This is the same basic package as the base Outlander MAX, but it comes loaded with factory-installed options to set it apart, including a huge 7.6-inch digital display, 14-inch beadlock wheels, FOX 1.5 Podium QS3 shocks on all four corners, 3,000-pound WARN winch, and the classic Can-Am black yellow painted plastic with matching yellow beadock rings on the wheels, shock springs, and front and rear bumpers.
Can-Am Outlander MAX Limited
When it comes to luxury in a two-seat ATV package, the Can-Am Outlander MAX Limited tries to tick all of the boxes. This model is only available with the 91-hp ROTAX 1000R engine ($15,349).
This ATV comes from the factory with added features like a 7.6-inch digital display, FOX 1.5 Podium QS3 shocks, 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires wrapped around 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels, integrated Garmin Montana 650T GPS with 5 MP camera, heavy duty front and rear bumpers, and 3,000-pound Warn winch.
Can-Am Outlander MAX 6×6 DPS
When it comes to two-seat ATV models, the Can-Am Outlander MAX 6×6 ($13,299) strikes a unique pose with its two extra rear wheels and a cargo bed. It is powered by the 62-hp Rotax 650 engine.
While it shares much in common with the other Outlander MAX models, the MAX 6×6 stands apart thanks to a dumping cargo box that can hold up to 700 pounds. You can also remove the side panels and turn it into a flatbed – perfect for over sized items.
Of course, that flatbed and two extra wheels invariably extends the wheelbase. The Outlander MAX 6×6 DPS has a massive 90-inch wheelbase – some 31 inches longer than the four-wheel MAX offerings.
Can-Am Outlander MAX 6×6 XT
Can-Am’s version of the ultimate working two-seat ATV is the Outlander MAX 6×6 XT, which benefits from the 82-hp Rotax 1000R engine ($16,349).
Dimensions and capacities are basically on par with its little brother, including the 90-inch wheelbase and 700-pound dumping cargo bed.
Beyond the more powerful engine, the Outlander MAX 6×6 XT also benefits from a factory-installed 3,000-pound Warn winch, heavy duty front bumper, handlebar wind deflectors, and central skid plate.
CFMOTO CFORCE 600
For an alternative to the North American two-seat ATV manufacturers, CFMOTO USA has a pair of two-up offerings worth considering. The most affordable of the pair is the CFORCE 600 ($6,299). At the heart of this machine is a 41-hp 580cc single-cylinder engine.
The CFORCE 600 comes standard with a CVTech transmission, engine braking, electronic power steering, front and rear double A-arm suspension, 12-inch cast-aluminum wheels, 2,500-pound winch, USB and DC power outlet, and LED running lights. That’s a lot of added value for an ATV in this price range.
The CFORCE 600 has a wheelbase of 58 inches and is 46 inches wide with 10.6 inches of ground clearance. It can tow up to 873 pounds and carry 175 pounds on its front and rear racks.
CFMOTO CFORCE 800XC
CFMOTO also offers a more powerful two-seat ATV in the CFORCE 800XC ($8,499), which relies on a 65-hp 800cc V-Twin engine.
The CFORCE 800XC shares all of the same features as its little brother, along with fully adjustable gas shocks, 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels, 27-inch radial tires, LED projector beam headlights, and 3,000-pound winch.
While it shares the same 58-inch wheelbase as the CFORCE 600, the 800XC is two inches wider, 1.6 inches taller at 56.7 inches, and tips the scales at 176 pounds heavier at 970 pounds. Rather than a dual A-arm rear suspension, the CFMOTO CFORCE 800XC uses a training-arm suspension in the rear.
Polaris Sportsman Touring 570
Like Can-Am and Arctic Cat, Polaris has a long history of two-seat ATV models and that history continues today. The most affordable two-up ATV currently in the Polaris family is the Sportsman Touring 570 ($7,799).
This ATV is equipped with Polaris’ 44-hp ProStar 567cc single-cylinder engine. Despite it’s smaller mill, it can still tow 1,225 pounds and carry another 270 pounds on its front and rear racks. It also boasts a more compact 56-inch wheelbase.
For suspension, the Sportsman Touring 570 relies in MacPherson struts up front that control 8.2 inches of travel, with a dual A-arm rear suspension that control 9.5 inches of travel and 11 inches of ground clearance.
Polaris Sportsman Touring 570 SP
Using the same ProStar 567cc engine and basic dimensions as mentioned above, the Polaris Sportsman Touring 570 SP ($9,699) offers more refinement and features.
Setting the 570 SP apart is a dual A-arm front suspension with 8.25 inches of travel, high-performance close ratio on-demand all-wheel drive, standard engine braking, high output electronic power steering, 26-inch CST tires wrapped around 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels, and automotive-style paint with custom graphics.
Polaris Sportsman Touring 850 SP
Polaris steps up another level in two-seat ATV features with the Sportsman Touring 850 SP ($11,499), which boasts a 78-hp ProStar 850 Twin-cylinder engine.
The Sportsman Touring 850 SP has a slightly larger footprint than the than its smaller brothers with a 57-inch wheelbase. It is also more capable, with 1,500 pounds of towing capacity and 360 pounds of front and rear rack capacity.
As for suspension, the Touring 850 SP boasts dual A-arm front suspension with 9.0 inches of travel and rolled rear suspension with 10.25 inches of travel. All of this controls 11.25 inches of ground clearance.
Polaris Sportsman Touring XP 1000
The flag ship of Polaris’ two-seat ATV family is the Sportsman Touring XP 1000 ($13,299). As you may have guessed, this one comes equipped with the ProStar 1000 engine that produces a claimed 88 horsepower.
As for size, the Touring XP 1000 has the same footprint as the 850 SP with a 57-inch wheelbase and 84.3-inch length.
Outside of the more powerful engine, the only real differences are in the 26-inch PXT tires, more eye-catching cast-aluminum wheels, and the Rusty Maroon painted plastic.
Polaris Sportsman X2 570
If you need to get some work done, but want a more compact two-seat ATV to help you do it, the Sportsman X2 570 ($10,199) has had many years of proven success. It utilizes the same 44-hp ProStar 570 engine we’ve already discussed.
The Sportsman X2 benefits from a dumping rear cargo bed that can hold up to 400 pounds. It can also hold an additional 90 pounds on the front storage rack and tow 1,225 pounds via a 1.25-inch receiver hitch.
MacPherson strut front suspension doles out 8.2 inches of travel, while the independent dual A-arm rear suspension controls another 9.5 inches of travel. Ground clearance is an impressive 11 inches.
As for the X2’s footprint, it has a wheelbase of 56 inches and an overall width of 48 inches.
Polaris Sportsman 6×6 570
Polaris has a long history of six-wheeled ATVs and the Sportsman 6×6 570 ($11,399) carries on the Big Boss tradition.
The 6×6 shares plenty in common with the X2, including the same ProStar 570 engine, MacPherson strut front suspension, and dual A-arm rear suspension. Those extra two wheels stretch out the wheelbase to 88 inches and ground clearance increases to 11.25 inches, though the overall width doesn’t change.
Capabilities increase as expected in the 6×6, including an 800-pound capacity dumping cargo bed and a whopping 1,500 pounds of towing capacity.
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.
More by Lucas Cooney
