Adventure UTV of the Year: ATV.com Awards

Finding the perfect UTV can be a little mind boggling from the sheer number of different machines in the market today. When you know that you need a variety of working, go fast, trail rig then you can narrow the field just a little bit more. In the past year we have seen many different offerings of just this type of adventure UTV, but there are a few that still seem to rise to the top when it comes to being extremely versatile.

When we began to think about the best example of a adventure UTV (or sport-utility UTV, our thoughts immediately positioned one of a few particular rigs in the mix. But as we dug into the features and overall usability of these machines, one stood out from the rest. That is why we chose the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 as our 2020 Adventure UTV of the Year award winner.

The Honda Pioneer 1000-5 comes with many great features including the DCT transmission, paddle shift capability as well as the incredible looks of this rig. Other items that really bring out its versatility are the fold down seats in the rear of this UTV. The fact that you can haul two additional passengers or fold up the seats and haul even more cargo just seems to stand out to us. If you need to work, you can work. But if you want to take the family out on the trail, then you have that option as well. Thinking in terms of utility, this machine is capable of hauling 1000 lbs in the cargo bed as well as towing up to 2000 lbs behind it.

Getting all of that payload moving is left up to the 999cc fuel injected mill that uses the fully automatic dual clutch transmission. This same transmission utilizes Honda’s Advanced Transmission logic to determine your driving style and automatically adjust the shifting points for a much sportier ride. Going downhill, the transmission also adjusts to give you true engine braking. Speaking of braking, the four-wheel disc brakes get everything slowed safely to a stop whether unloaded or completely full. If you need to get through the rough sections of your property or maybe encounter some tough terrain, Honda’s I-4WD brake traction control program gives you the traction you need as you need it. These are just a few of the reasons we choose the Pioneer 1000-5 for our Adventure UTV of the Year.

Polaris General 1000

Always known as the “Tweener” in the Polaris family, this General 1000 gives you the use of a utility side by side with the punch of a powerful 1000cc mill. The Polaris General 1000 has a working dump bed allowing some 600 lbs to be hauled there while the 100hp twin cylinder Prostar engine will tug along an impressive 1500 lbs without even breaking a sweat. Known for the comfortable interior and protective full doors, the General 1000 is also ready to tackle all of your bucket list trails with a spirited rumble. When the work is done you can play like a kid again in the trails as the suspension boasts 12 inches of ground clearance as well as up to 13 inches of suspension travel.

Yamaha Wolverine X2

If you are looking to work your UTV purchase, then the Yamaha Wolverine X2 is a great machine to make those jobs around the home or farm a little easier. Known for its incredibly quiet and stout 847cc twin cylinder engine, this newest Wolverine gives its owner some quiet time in the cab during a hard workday. The dumping bed is built to handle solid loads with a rating of up to 600 lbs and the dividers in the bed walls allow you to sub-divide the load. Other cool features include the width of the rig as its 59-inch slender build allows it to get into some tight spots like that barn you have been wanting to clear out. The Yamaha Wolverine X2 is not only very capable on the clock, but it makes one heck of a great trail rig when you punch out!