2015 Sport UTVs Buyer's Guide

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
The most fun you can have on four wheels


No single category of off-road vehicle has exploded in recent years like Sport UTVs. Not that long ago the only thing sporty about Side-by-Sides were some highly modified Yamaha Rhinos. Today we’ve got purpose-built race machines that pump out as much as 144 horsepower. It has been remarkable how quickly this segment has evolved.

We wanted to showcase these Sport UTVs, so we’ve put all the 2015 (and early 2016) offerings in one place so you can see exactly what is available from each manufacturer.

In alphabetical order, we look at every Sport UTV model offered from , , , , , and . Click on a manufacturer’s name to go directly to its models.



Arctic Cat Wildcat EPS
Arctic Cat Wildcat EPS

This is Arctic Cat’s closest offering to the original Wildcat we saw in the 2012 model year. Features include Cat’s familiar 951cc H2 V-Twin engine, Rapid Response Clutch, and Duro Kaden tires. The big story lies in the suspension, which offers a ridiculous 17 inches of travel up front and 18 inches in the rear, via a five-link trailing arm. All that suspension travel is controlled by JRi EXC-1 compression adjustable shocks. Read our original Wildcat review from 2012 here.

MSRP: $16,999

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Arctic Wildcat X
Arctic Cat Wildcat X

The Wildcat X EPS and X Limited EPS share basically the same platform as the base Wildcat EPS, but benefit from some added features. Both get a boost in power from the 951cc H2 Engine, which offers more than 90 horsepower in this configuration. Both also benefit from painted aluminum front and rear bumpers. The Wildcat X EPS features Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, while the Wildcat X Limited EPS takes things a step further with ITP Blackwater Evolution tires, full molded roof, full aluminum doors, and Elka Stage 5 shocks. Four-seat versions of the Wildcat X and Wildcat X Limited are also available.

MSRP: $18,799 – $23,699

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Arctic Cat Wildcat Sport
Arctic Cat Wildcat Sport

The middle child of the Wildcat lineup, the 60-inch wide Wildcat Sport sits right between the big bore Wildcat EPS and Wildcat X and the smaller Wildcat Trail. Arctic Cat offers the Wildcat Sport in three iterations: Base, XT and Limited EPS. Each features a 700-class engine that produces more than 60 horsepower, Team Rapid Response clutch, and Carlisle Trail Pro tires. Both the Base and XT versions benefit from JRI ECX-1 shocks, while the Sport Limited gets Elka Stage 5 shocks, electronic power steering, and full aluminum doors. Read our Wildcat Sport Limited EPS review here.

MSRP: $13,999 – $15,699

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Wildcat Trail
Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail

Designed for narrower trails, the 50-inch wide Wildcat Trail is Arctic Cat’s answer to the original Polaris RZR. Like the Wildcat Sport, three Wildcat Trail models are available: Base, XT and Limited EPS. All feature a 700-class engine that produces more than 60 horsepower, Team Rapid Response Clutch, Fox shocks, and Carlisle Trail Pro tires. XT and Limited EPS models feature aluminum wheels, automotive-style paint, and color-matched suspension. As the name implies, the Limited EPS model boasts electronic power steering. Read our Wildcat Trail review here.

MSRP: $11,899 – $13,799

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Can-Am Maverick and Maverick DPS
Can-Am Maverick

Both the base 2016 Can-Am Maverick and the Maverick DPS feature a 101-horsepower Rotax V-Twin engine. What sets the two apart is the DPS model receives Can-Am’s Dynamic Power Steering. Other shared features include 14 inches of rear suspension travel, FOX 2.0 Podium shocks, and 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. A four-seat version of the Maverick DPS is also available.

MSRP: $16,399 – $19,449

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Can-Am Maverick XC and X XC
Can-Am Maverick X xc

A more compact Maverick, the XC and X XC are 60 inches wide, but feature the same 101-horsepower engine as the full-sized Mavericks. Suspension travel is slightly shorter at 12 inches, though XC models still feature Torsional Trailing A-arms in the rear. What sets the X XC apart is electronic power steering and beadlock wheels. Read our review of the Maverick X XC here.

MSRP: $16,499 – $18,449

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Can-Am Maverick Turbo and MAX Turbo
Can-Am Maverick Turbo

New for 2016 is the Maverick Turbo, which forgoes the X DS package for turbo power at a significant savings. This model benefits from a turbo charger, which provides a whopping 131 horsepower. Other features include FOX 2.5 Podium HPG Piggyback Shocks and a redesigned rear end that offers 16 inches of travel. Dynamic power steering is also standard. A four-seat MAX Turbo model is also available.

MSRP: $20,399 – $22,399


Can-Am Maverick X DS and MAX X DS
Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo

Available with and without turbo power, the Can-Am Maverick X DS package includes 16 inches of rear suspension travel controlled by exclusive FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 HPG Piggyback Shocks, 14-inch beadlock wheels, 28-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, and Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front differential. Four-seat Maverick MAX X DS and MAX X DS Turbo models are also available. Read our Maverick X DS Turbo review here.

MSRP: $19,499 – $25,099

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Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo and MAX X RS Turbo
Can-Am Maverick X rs Turbo

The ultimate in Sport UTVs for 2016 may well be the Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo (also available in a four-seat MAX version). What sets this model apart from the X DS Turbo is the addition of a Yoshimura exhaust, which is 33% lighter.

MSRP: $23,999 – $26,599



John Deere Gator RSX 860i
John Deere Gator RSX860i

While John Deere is not well known for producing sporty machines, the 2016 Gator RSX 860i aims to change that. This is an evolution of the RSX 850i and features the same 839cc V-Twin and still produces 62 horsepower. Changes for 2016 include a higher 60 mph top speed and optional power steering. Read more about the RSX 860i here.

MSRP: $12,999 – $13,549



Kawasaki Teryx and Teryx4
Kawasaki Teryx4

The Kawasaki Teryx falls more in the Sport-Utility category than pure Sport. A 783cc V-Twin engine produces about 58 horsepower, while Fox Podium Piggyback shocks help control the Teryx on the trails. Both the Teryx and Teryx4 have a compact 16.7 ft. turning radius and each comes with automotive-style doors, electronic power steering, Double-X frame construction, and an industry-leading three-year limited warranty. Read our Kawasaki Teryx LE review here.

MSRP: $12,999 – $16,999

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Polaris RZR 570
Polaris RZR 570 EPS Trail

First introduced for the 2012 model year, the RZR 570 is the smallest member of Polaris’ RZR family. It features a 567cc ProStar single-cylinder engine that pumps out 46 horsepower. It boasts independent front and rear suspension with 9.0 inches of travel up front and 9.5 in the rear. Read our review of the RZR 570 here.

MSRP: $10,299 – $12,299

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Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS
Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS

From the smallest RZR to the biggest, the RZR XP Turbo EPS is new for 2016 and produces an industry-leading 144 horsepower. This RZR features an all-new 925cc ProStar turbocharged engine. Other features include FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks, 16 in. of travel up front and 18 in the back, and 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. Read more about the newest RZR here.

MSRP: $24,999


Polaris RZR 900 and RZR 4 900
Polaris RZR 900

The RZR 900 is available in a host of iterations. Each model, save for the RZR 900 EPS XC Edition, is 50 in. wide and all feature the 75hp ProStar 900 engine. Other features include 10 in. of front and rear suspension travel, 11 in. of ground clearance, 79 in. wheelbase, and tight 13.6 ft. turning radius. Read more about the RZR 900 here.

MSRP: $12,799 – $17,299

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Polaris RZR S 900 and RZR S 1000
Polaris RZR S 1000

Polaris introduced the RZR S 900 last year and added the RZR S 1000 for 2016. These machines are much the same, with the key differences being engine/horsepower (75hp for the 900 and 100hp for the 1000), and electronic power steering in the 1000 (EPS available in some 900 models). Both vehicles feature 12.25 in. of front suspension travel, 13.2 in. of rear travel, 12.5 in. of ground clearance, 79 in. wheelbase, and GBC Dirt Commander tires.

MSRP: $14,699 – $17,999

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Polaris RZR XP 1000 / 4
Polaris RZR XP 4 1000

Polaris’ former flagship, the RZR XP 1000 was introduced for the 2014 model year and comes in both two-seat and four-seat iterations, along with a host of special editions (including desert and mud-specific versions). Each model is equipped with a 110hp ProStar 1000 engine and high-flow clutch intake system. The base model features Walker Evans Needle Shocks, 16 in. of front suspension travel, 18 in. of rear travel, 13.5 in. of ground clearance, and 29 in. Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. Read our RZR XP 1000 review here.

MSRP: $20,299 – $27,999

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Yamaha Wolverine
Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec

Yamaha’s newest UTV is the Sport-Utility Wolverine, which is available in Base, R-Spec R-Spec EPS trims. Features include a 708cc single cylinder engine, independent double wishbone front and rear suspension, 9.7 in. of suspension travel up front, 10.6 in. of travel in the rear, 11.4 in. of ground clearance, and 26 in. Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. Move up to the R-Spec models and you get fully adjustable KYB piggyback shocks, high-back seats, sun top, tailgate, overfenders, and fender extenders. Read our Wolverine R-Spec review here.

MSRP: $10,999 – $13,199

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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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