The UTV market is growing faster than the Unites States’ national debt, and technological advances are simply astonishing. Arctic Cat increases power in its Wildcat 700s, introduces the Wildcat 1000X Special Edition, and announces partnerships with Robby Gordon, Todd Romano and Speedwerx to produce Speed accessories, including a 1000X supercharger and the new Robby Gordon Speed Edition Wildcat 1000X, 1000X 4 and Sport 700 in limited quantities. Can-Am announces its new 1000cc and 800cc Defender recreation/utility UTVs, turbocharges the base Maverick 1000R, Max 1000R, Maverick X rs and X rs Max, and increases boost for the returning Turbo X ds and Max X ds, plus the four new Turbos. BRP also expands the Commander line with Mossy Oak Hunting Edition 1000 with MOBU Country Camo wrap and expands Octane Blue into Commander territory. Honda introduces its next wave of paddle-shift UTVs with the all-new Pioneer 1000 and Pioneer 1000-5 models with five-speed transmissions, increasing the Pioneer line to five. Kawasaki continues to reinvent the Mule with the Pro-FX joining Pro-FXT, adds a new Ranch Edition FXT, and introduces diesel versions with the new Pro-DXT and Pro-DX in base, EPS and Limited choices. Not to be outdone, Polaris introduces its all-new RZR XP Turbo EPS and XP 4 Turbo EPS, High Lifter Edition RZR XP 4 1000 and Ranger XP 900, the all-new RZR S 1000, Ranger Crew 570-6 and a lithium-ion-powered Ranger EV. We’re sure Polaris isn’t done yet, because Yamaha stunned the world with the revolutionary YXZ1000R, a pure-sport UTV with three-cylinder engine, sequential-shift, five-speed manual transmission and manual hydraulic clutch; think of it as the Raptor 700R of the extreme-performance UTV world! Also, Yamaha introduces the price-point Wolverine 700, Wolverine 700 R-Spec and R-Spec EPS, upgrades the Viking 700 and Viking VI, and introduces the Ranch Edition VI. Check them all out!
Abbreviations: ACS = Air Controlled Suspension, ADC = Active Descent Control, AWD = All Wheel Drive, BOC = Bottom-Out Control, CARB = California, Air Resources Board, CG = Center of Gravity, CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission, DPS = Dynamic Power Steering, EBS = Engine Braking System, EBP = Electronic Belt Protection, EFI = Electronic Fuel Injection, EPA = Environmental Protection Agency, EPS = Electronic Power Steering, EV = Electric Vehicle, GC = Ground Clearance, H-D = Heavy Duty, Hp = Horsepower, HPG = High-Pressure Gas, IDD = Interactive Digital Display, IRS = Independent Rear Suspension, ITC = Intelligent Throttle Control, LSV = Low Speed Vehicle, MOBU = Mossy Oak Break-Up, MPH = Miles Per Hour, MUV = Multi-Use Vehicle, OHV = Overhead Valve, PMM = Pure Magnesium Metallic, PPC = Polaris Pursuit Camo, PSI = Pounds per Square Inch, RPM = Revs Per Minute, ROPS = Roll Over Protection System, TTI = Torsional Trailing-arm Independent, XC = Cross-Country
Models not produced for 2016: Arctic Cat Prowler XT550, Prowler XT 700 Camo, Wildcat Trail LTD, Wildcat 1000 & Wildcat 4X LTD; Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs and E-Commander; Polaris RZR XP 1000 Desert LE, Ranger XP 900 Vogue Silver Deluxe, Ranger Diesel Crew HIPPO.
2016 UTV BUYER’S GUIDES
EXTREME PERFORMANCE SPORT UTVs
FOUR-SEAT EXTREME PERFORMANCE UTVs
HIGH-PERFORMANCE/RECREATION-UTILITY UTVs
UTILITY/MULTI-PASSENGER UTVs
ELECTRIC UTVs
POLARIS RANGER EV 4X4 & EV LI-ION:
New for 2016, the Ranger EV is offered with li-ion batteries that shave 438 pounds off of the 58-inch UTV and can undergo 2000 charge cycles, three times the life of the standard lead-acid batteries. The two li-ion batteries are $11,700 (d’oh!) and don’t require maintenance like the standard EV’s eight batteries. Both versions us a 30-hp 48-volt AC-induction motor with three drive modes, and the EV has Versa-Trak rear diff and turf-friendly Carlisle tires. Both charge with a three-prong 110-volt plug.
Motor type 48V AC-induction electric
Transmission Direct drive, 3 mode
Drive system 4WD/2WD/1WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/9″
Rear Dual A-arm/9″
Brakes f/r: Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 8-hour charge
Towing capacity 1,500 lb.
Bed capacity 500 lb.
Length/width/height 110″/58″/73″
Tire sizes f/r: 25×9-12/25×9-12
Claimed dry weight 1,726 lb., Li-Ion 1,288 lb.
Colors Avalanche Gray, Polaris Pursuit Camo; Li-Ion PPC
Price $11,299–$11,899, Li-Ion $22.999
6X6 UTVs
POLARIS RANGER 6X6:
Powered by a 40-hp 760cc twin, the Ranger 6×6 has on-demand 6WD and 4WD with a locking mid differential. Wheelbase is 105 inches, and ground clearance is 13 inches. The 6×6 seats three on its bench seat, and the tilt wheel has 10-inch range of motion for easy entrance/egress. Between the 1250-pound capacity tilt bed and cab are lockable storage boxes, and the 6×6 tows a ton via a 2-inch receiver.
Motor type 760cc liquid-cooled, pushrod EFI I-twin
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 4WD/6WD/Mid diff-lock
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.6″
Rear Dual A-arm/9″
Brakes: f/r Dual discs/dual-disc
Fuel capacity 9.0 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 1,250 lb.
Length/width/height 137″/54″/76″
Tire sizes f/r: 25×10-12/25×11-12
Claimed dry weight 1,551 lb.
Colors Avalanche Gray, Sage Green
Price $12,599
DIESEL UTVs
POLARIS RANGER DIESEL & HST DELUXE:
A Kohler three-cylinder, 24-hp, 1028cc diesel engine is EPA/CARB Tier-4 compliant and has indirect injectors and overhead valves for less engine noise, plus 110-amp alternator output for powering tools and accessories. It uses the XP 900 chassis with 81-inch WB, 12-inch ground clearance, and 10 inches of front/rear travel. The HST Deluxe adds Hydrostatic EBS, adds 2 inches of WB, lowers travel to 6 inches, increases payload 250 pounds, and adds a fully enclosed cabin with air-conditioning, heater and defroster for $5800.
Motor type 1028cc liquid-cooled, indirect-injection triple
Transmission Automatic dual-range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 4WD/2WD/1WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/10″, HST Dual A-arm/6″
Rear Dual A-arm/10″, HST De-Dion swingarm/.6″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 10 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 1,000 lb.
Length/width/height 116.5″/60″/76″
Tire sizes f/r: 25×10-12/25×11-12
Claimed dry weight 1,430 lb., HST 1,915 lb.
Colors Sage Green
Price $15,199; HST Deluxe $20,999
POLARIS RANGER DIESEL CREW:
The Diesel Crew has the same seating capacity, suspension and 113-inch WB as the Ranger 900-6 Crew, but uses the same Kohler triple as the two-seat diesel and HST Deluxe. Payload is 1750 pounds, towing capacity is 1 ton via a 2-inch receiver, and it carries 1000 pounds of cargo in its dumping bed. The diesel engine has a cast-iron crankcase for durability with an aluminum head for lightness.
Motor type 1028cc liquid-cooled, indirect-injection triple
Transmission Dual-sensing auto PVT
Drive system 4WD/2WD/1WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/10″
Rear Dual A-arm/10″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 10 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 1,000 lb.
Length/width/height 148.5″/61″/76″
Tire sizes: f/r: 26×10-12/26×11-12
Claimed dry weight 1,690 lb.
Colors Sage Green
Price $14,999
KAWASAKI MULE PRO-DX, EPS & EPS-LE:
New for 2016, Pro Mules go diesel with a 993cc triple with 74mm pistons, 77mm stroke, 23.5:1 compression, and Bosch inline injection pump that makes 38.3 lb-ft of torque at 2400 rpm. Travel is more than the Teryx at 8.7 inches front and rear, and WB is 92.3 inches for a 16-foot turning radius. Speed-sensitive EPS is $800 more than base, and the EPS-LE gets red or green paint and a channeled roof for another $900.
Motor type 993cc, liquid-cooled OHV 3-cylinder
Transmission Dual range CVT w/rev. & belt converter
Drive system 2WD/4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.7″
Rear Dual A-arm/8.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 1,000 lb.
Length/width/height 133.3″/64″/77.4″
Tire sizes: f/r 26×9-12/26×11-12
Claimed curb weight 1,808.1 lb.; EPS 1,821.3 lb.;
LE 1,841 lb.
Colors Super Black; EPS Green, Black;
LE Dark Royal Red, Timberline Green
Price $13,199; EPS $13,999; EPS-LE $14,899
KAWASAKI MULE PRO-DXT, EPS & EPS-LE:
New for 2016, the PRO-DXT’s Trans-Cab system easily converts from three- to six-person capacity in under a minute, and the tilting bed with hydraulic assist holds a pallet with the rear seat down. It’s the same platform as the PRO-DXT with four-wheel hydraulic brakes, 55-amp alternator, digital instrument panel and Kawasaki Strong three-year warranty. All have 55-/60-watt headlights, LED 10.2/20.4 taillights and 1-ton towing. ο
Motor type 993cc, liquid-cooled OHV 3-cylinder
Transmission Dual range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 2WD/4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.7″
Rear Dual A-arm/8.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 348-999 lb.
Length/width/height 133.3″/64″/77.6″
Tire sizes f/r: 26×9-12/26×11-12
Claimed curb weight 1,889.7 lb., EPS 1,903 lb.;
EPS-LE 1,931.6 lb.
Colors Super Black; EPS Black, Green;
LE Dark Royal Red, Timberline Green
Price $14,199; EPS $14,999; EPS-LE $15,899