BUYER’S GUIDE: 2016 Utility/Multi-Passenger UTVs

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
ELECTRIC, 6X6 & DIESEL UTVs

UTILITY/MULTI-PASSENGER UTVs

POLARIS RANGER XP 900-6 CREW & EPS:
The XP 900-6 seats six and gets the 68-hp version of the ProStar 875cc EFI twin with 93mm pistons, 64.4mm stroke, and 10.6:1 compression. The non-EPS has steel wheels and plain seats, while EPS versions have two-tone aluminum wheels, two new colors, color-matched seat trim and graphics package for cruising in style. All have four-wheel two-piston hydraulic calipers and Versa-Trak but no EBS/ADC.

Motor type 875cc liquid-cooled, 8-valve DOHC EFI I-twin
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev.
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 1,571 lb., EPS 1,587 lb.
Colors Sage Green; EPS Sunset Red, Ti Matte Metallic,
Velocity Blue, PPC
Price $14,699, EPS $16,499

POLARIS RANGER XP 900-5 CREW, EPS & EPS CAMO:
Replace the center seat up front with a console with storage space and styling to match the beautiful dash with glovebox, and the XP 900-5 seats five adults comfortably and carries 119 liters of enclosed cargo. Like the 900-6, it has Versa-Trak unlocking the rear end, 26-inch Carlisle tires, up to a 211-mile range, and 10 inches of travel front and rear. The Pro-Fit cabin is ready for Lock & Ride accessories, and EPS Crews have next-level styling.

Motor type 875cc liquid-cooled, 8-valve DOHC EFI I-twin
Transmission CVT w/hi-lo & rev.
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: 26×9-12/26×11-12
Claimed dry weight 1,571 lb., EPS1,587 lb.
Colors Sage Green, EPS Sunset Red, Ti Matte Metallic,
Velocity Blue, PPC
Price $14,699; EPS $16,499

KAWASAKI PRO FXT MULE, EPS, EPS-LE & RANCH EDITION:
The Pro-FXT seats three or six with a versatile Trans-Cab and a tilt bed that carries 350–1000 pounds. With its powerful three-cylinder, 812cc EFI engine, it tows a ton and makes 48 foot-pounds of torque, more than the Teryx. Wheelbase is 92.3 inches, travel is 8.7 inches and 26-inch Duro tires. The LE and Ranch Edition sport two-tone aluminum wheels, while the Ranch also gets Metallic Titanium paint, matching bench seats, Warn Vantage winch, and special badges.

Motor type 812cc, 6-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC triple
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev. & EBS
Drive system 2WD, 4WD, diff-lock 4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.7″
Rear Dual A-arm/8.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual discs/dual disc
Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 350-1,000 lb.
Length/width/height 133.3″/64″/77.6″
(Ranch SE 135.6″/64″/79.5″)
Tire sizes f/r: AT 26x9R12/AT 26x11R12
Claimed curb weight 1,854.4 lb., EPS 1,878.7 lb.,
Camo 1,883.1 lb., Ranch SE 1,933.8
Colors Black; EPS Black, Green; EPS-LE Green,
Dark Royal Red; Camo-EPS Realtree Xtra Green
Price $12,999, EPS $14, 599,
EPS-LE/Camo-EPS $15,899, Ranch SE $16,899

KAWASAKI PRO-FX MULE, EPS, EPS-LE & CAMO EPS:
New for 2016, the Pro-FX loses the Trans-Cab and holds three people for $1000 less. It uses the Pro-FXT triple with 72mm pistons, 66.5mm stroke, 9.5:1 compression and 34mm EFI throttle body and has four-wheel independent suspension with 8.7 inches of travel and four-wheel hydraulic calipers squeezing 212mm rotors. The LE EPS gets trick two-tone aluminum wheels, a sport roof and two paint choices.

Motor type 812cc, 6-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC triple
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev. & EBS
Drive system 2WD, 4WD, diff-lock 4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.7″
Rear Dual A-arm/8.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual discs/dual-disc
Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.
Towing capacity 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 1,000 lb. (CA 600 lb.)
Length/width/height 133.3″/64″/77.4″
Tire sizes f/r: AT26x9R12/AT26x11R12
Claimed curb weight 1,786.1 lb.; EPS 1,799.3 lb.;
Camo EPS 1,803.7 lb.; EPS-LE 1,801.5 lb.
Colors Black; EPS Black, Green; EPS-LE Green,
Dark Royal Red; Camo-EPS Realtree Xtra Green
Price $11,999, EPS $12, 999, EPS-LE/Camo-EPS
$14,199

YAMAHA VIKING VI 700FI, CAMO, EPS, SE-EPS & RANCH EDITION:
Viking VIs gained 62 pounds, with a more rigid frame and box, added gussets, rear skid plate, added bars and engine mount. The 686cc EFI single carries six people, tows 1500 pounds and is 61.8 inches wide for driving through plowed fields. Its air filter is designed to go a year without cleaning, and the EPS-SE is Carbon Metallic with a soft sun top and black wheels. New for ’16, the Ranch Edition gets copper paint, matching bench seats, silver rims, rear-view mirror, mud flaps and fenders, undersea storage, brush guard and badges.

Motor type 686cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC single
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 2WD/4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.1″
Rear Dual A-arm/8.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual discs/dual discs
Fuel capacity 9.7 gal.
Towing capacity 1,500 lb.
Bed capacity 600 lb.
Length/width/height 153.5″ (Ranch 159.5″)/61.8″/76.6″
Tire sizes f/r: AT 25×8-12/AT 25×10-12
Claimed curb weight 1,682 lb., EPS 1,695 lb.,
SE 1,667 lb., Ranch 1,761 lb.
Colors Hunter Green; EPS Hunter Green, Red,
Realtree Xtra Camo; SE Carbon Metallic;
Ranch Copper metallic
Price $12,999; EPS $13,999–$14,599;
SE $14,999

KAWASAKI 4010 TRANS4X4, CAMO & SE:
Two 76mm pistons ride on a 68mm stroke with 10.3:1 compression and a 34mm Mikuni throttle body to produce 34.7 foot-pounds of torque at 2500 rpm. The Trans4x4 converts from two-seat cargo hauler (800 pounds) to four-seat people mover without tools, and it tows up to 1200 pounds. EPS makes turning easy, and wheelbase is 85.2 inches for a turning radius of 12.8 feet. The Realtree Xtra Green Camo wrap is $500 extra, while the SE’s paint and roof are $800 over base.

Motor type 617cc V-twin, liquid-cooled OHV
Transmission Dual range CVT w/rev
Drive system 2WD, 4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/3.9″
Rear Semi-independent/2.8″
Brakes: f/r Drums/sealed drums
Fuel capacity 6.3 gal.
Towing capacity 1,200 lb.
Bed capacity 400-800 lb.
Length/width/height 128.5″/58.5″/75.8″
Tire sizes f/r: 23×11-10/23×11-10
Claimed curb weight 1,587 lb.; SE 1,620lb.
Colors Dark Royal Red, Timberline Green,
Realtree Xtra Green, SE Super Black
Price $11,199; Camo $11,699; SE $11,999

KAWASAKI MULE 4010 4X4 & SE:
If you don’t need seating for four, get the exact same platform as the Trans4x4 for $1000 less. MacPherson-strut front suspension yields 3.9 inches of travel, and the swingarm rear suspension has 2.8 inches. It rides on Duro 23-inch tires and steel rims with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes that are sealed from mud and water. The Special Edition gets black paint and roof for $350, and all have a Kawasaki Strong three-year warranty.

Motor type 617cc V-twin, liquid-cooled OHV
Transmission Dual range CVT w/rev
Drive system 2WD, 4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/3.9″
Rear Semi-independent/2.8″
Brakes: f/r Sealed hydraulic drums
Fuel capacity 6.3 gal.
Towing capacity 1,200 lb.
Bed capacity 800 lb.
Length/width/height 116.7″/62″/75.8″(SE 78.1″)
Tire sizes f/r: 23×11-10/23×11-10
Claimed curb weight 1,430.4 lb., SE 1,445.8 lb.
Colors Dark Royal Red, Timberline Green,
SE Super Black
Price $10,199; SE $10,549

POLARIS RANGER 570-4 CREW, CAMO & EPS:
While 900 Crews have a 113-inch WB, the 570-4 Crew has a shorter 105-inch WB and shorter 25-inch tires. Camo costs an extra $600 on the steel-wheel non-EPS only, while the EPS 570-4 gets Super Graphite paint, two-tone aluminum wheels and a 17-pound weight increase from the variable-assist EPS unit. Both have the 44-hp ProStar 567cc single, Versa-Trak rear diff, Pro-Fit cage and four-wheel disc brakes.

Motor type 567cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve DOHC single
Transmission Dual-range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 4WD/2WD/1WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/9″
Rear Dual A-arm/10″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/dual disc
Fuel capacity 9 gal.
Towing capacity 1,500 lb.
Bed capacity 500 lb.
Length/width/height 142″/60″/73″
Tire sizes f/r: 25×10-12/25×10-12
Claimed dry weight 1,327 lb., EPS 1,344 lb.
Colors Sage Green, Solar Red, PPC;
EPS Super Graphite
Price $10,799; Camo $11,399; EPS $12,499

POLARIS RANGER 570-6 CREW, XP & XP-EPS:
Formerly the Full-Size 570, the 570-6 Crew has a 107-inch WB, 44-hp 567cc ProStar EFI single, MacPherson-strut front suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes with dual pistons all around. The 570-6 XP upgrades power to 46 hp, gets the Versa-Trak unlocking rear diff, trades the struts for dual-A-arm front suspension with an inch more travel, and adds 500 pounds more towing capacity. The XP-EPS only comes in PPC.

Motor type 567cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve DOHC single
Transmission Auto dual-range CVT w/rev.
Drive system 4WD/2WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/9″, XP Dual A-arm/10″
Rear Dual A-arm/10″
Brakes: f/r 4-wheel disc
Fuel capacity 9 gal.
Towing capacity 1,500 lb.; XP 2,000 lb.
Bed capacity 800 lb.
Length/width/height 146″/60″/74″, XP 148.5″/61″/76″
Tire sizes f/r: 25×10-12/25×10-12,
XP 26×9-12/26×11-12
Claimed dry weight 1,405 lb., XP 1,535 lb.,
XP-EPS 1, 547 lb.
Colors Sage Green; XP Green; XP-EPS PPC
Price $11,799; XP $12,799; XP-EPS $14,499

KAWASAKI MULE 610, SE, 610 XC, XC-CAMO & XC-SE:
Mule 610s have a 401cc air/oil-cooled engine with 82mm piston, 76mm stroke, low 8.6:1 compression and a Nikki 26mm carburetor for 21.7 foot-pounds of torque at 2400 rpm. All have 3.1 inches of front/rear travel and 70.1-inch WB, and the new SE adds 24-inch tires and Sunbeam Red paint. XC models sport 26-inch Bighorns, and the XC-SE adds two-tone, split-spoke aluminum wheels and plastic sun roof for $500 over the XC’s MSRP.

Motor type 401cc air/fan-cooled OHV
Transmission Dual range CVT
Drive system 2WD,4WD
Suspension/travel:
Front MacPherson strut/3.1″
Rear Unit swing axle/3.1″
Brakes: f/r Triple-sealed drums
Fuel capacity 4.1 gal.
Towing capacity 1,100 lb.
Bed capacity 399 lb.
Length/width/height 108.8″/52.0″/70.9″
(XC 73.8″, XC-SE 74.8″)
Tire sizes f/r: 24×9-10/24×11-10,
XC 26x9R12/26x11R12
Claimed curb weight 1,021 lb., XC 1,056 lb.,
XC-SE 1,078 lb.
Colors Timberline Green, Dark Royal Red;
SE Sunbeam Red; XC Super Black, XC-SE
Bright White, Camo Realtree Xtra Green
Price $7,799; SE $7,999; XC $8,099;
XC Camo $8,499; XC SE $8,599