10 MOST INFLUENTIAL SIDE-BY-SIDES EVER SOLD

ATV/UTV Action and our sister publication Dirt Wheels have been testing UTVs and SXSs long before the terms became commonplace.  You could say the first utility terrain vehicle was built by Kawasaki in 1988 but it didn’t catch on in the recreation world we play in and doesn’t make our list of influential side by sides. Polaris introduced a Ranger in 1999 and it too was relegated to farm chores. The 1980’s and 1990’s also saw Honda’s single seat Odyssey and Pilot at play in the deserts and trails of the U.S. Those models were only two wheel drive so their attraction was limited. It wasn’t until Yamaha’s Rhino, designed strictly for hunting, was released before the masses across the country and especially out west took notice and changed the off highway vehicle world forever.

1 YAMAHA RHINO

Technically, this wasn’t the first UTV made, it was the first sporty one. It’s independent rear suspension, torquey power plant, locking front differential, and un matched reliability started the segment we know today. The Yamaha Rhino 660 was around from 2004-2007 and the Rhino 700 was sold between 2008 and 2012. From 2006 to 2009, Yamaha also sold a lower priced 450cc version. Check out our first article about the 2024 Yamaha Rhino to learn more.

2 POLARIS RZR

 The first RZR was actually called the Ranger RZR. This 760cc sporty SXS was not only quicker than the Rhino, it’s two-inch longer wheelbase and lighter weight allowed it to do better in the bumps. As they did with the Rhino, the aftermarket jumped on board the RZR train quickly. Most notably HCR with their long travel suspension and Pro Armor with their aluminum doors. The RZR has steadily grown in size and speed since 2009 and still exists today in dozens of variations. In 2012 Polaris installed a much better 570cc engine in the chassis. The 2024 Polaris RZR Trail still fits in the same 50-inch category as the Original.

3 CAN-AM MAVERICK TURBO

Can-Am has always been a trend setter and was the first to outfit their SXS with a turbo starting with the 2015 model. The OG 1000cc Maverick had A-arms on all four corners and sat pretty tall especially compared to the first Maverick X3. This Maverick was fast and came in both 2 and 4 seat versions during the years 2013-2018.

4 YAHAHA YXZ1000R

THE YXZ1000 was the first mass produced SXS with a manual transmission. It was paired with a high revving three cylinder engine that sounded like a street bike especially when drivers would bang through the gears. Over the years, Yamaha added better suspension, paddle shifting and in 2024, an automatic option. If those options would have been on the original YXZ, the UTV landscape would look much different today.

5 POLARIS RZR 4-SEATER

Soon after we printed a picture of Robby Gordon’s Nascar pit vehicle, a custom 4-seat version of a RZR S, Polaris commission Gordon to help them build a proper production machine. Then in 2010, the RZR Robby Gordon Edition was born. Today, four seat sport SXS’s of any brand are the vehicle of choice for families in the sports biggest market, the South West.

6 CAN-AM MAVERICK X3

Can-Am claims, that to date, they have sold over 180,000 Can-Am X3’s world wide. Although RZR has sold ten times that, the X3, by looks alone, brought many new people to the sport. Over the last 7 years, the X3 has won every major off-road race and championship from the Mint 400 to Dakar. Most people don’t realize, but the X3 was also released as a non turbo machine called the 900 H.O. but demand was so high for the turbo models the naturally aspirated X3 stopped production in 2018. Yes, the turbo models are only 900cc as well.

7 POLARIS GENERAL

In 2016 Polaris introduced the first proper crossover SXS, the General. While the concept was great, early Generals had chassis flex issues and the doors would pop open unexpectedly on both two and four door models. Regardless, there’s no doubt, the General was the reason Can-Am brought back the Commander although the original Commander was just as much of a crossover as anything. Yamaha’s RMAX development was no doubt turned on after the the release of the General and subsequent high sales numbers.

8 POLARIS RZR 170 

Polaris was the first major OEM to build a youth SXS. The RZR 170 and now 200 has taken over the Youth racing scene. They do have competition from Hisun’s Strike 250, but the Polaris name still stands strong with most of the parents especially if they own a RZR, Ranger or Polaris ATV. The Youth RZR is a two seat two wheel drive SXS and today retails at $6799. There is also a youth 150cc Ranger with a $6299 price tag. So not only will the RZR influence Youth into staying in Side By Sides it will get other OEMs to build one.

9 POLARIS RANGER HVAC XP1000

Our first opportunity to test a production sealed cab UTV with heat and air conditioning was at the 2017 model launch in Montana. Polaris ordered up some bad weather for the event and we were glad to be in that machine during the ride. Over the years the concept has been improved with insulation, glass, power windows and many more luxuries. Can-Am now has a complete line of HVAC Defenders and all of the other OEMS are following suit.

 

10 MAVERICK R

After only a handful of months in existence, the Maverick R are is making a statement. Only time will tell if it will be the tall knuckle suspension other brands copy or the 7-Speed dual clutch transmission. There’s no doubt getting rid of the CVT belt on a high horsepower machine is what the customers will be buying this machine for and what it’s influence on future models will be. See the first test of Can-Am 2024 Can-Am Maverick R HERE. It’s the latest to be named an influential side by side.