TEST: HISUN SECTOR 1000 CREW

— 4-SEATER THAT COMES WITH MANY EXTRAS AT A GOOD PRICE —

For many UTVers, the machine you can afford isn’t always the one you’re dreaming of. To get big displacement power, you may have to go with a very basic base model. Getting the features and accessories you want may mean you’ll be driving a mid-sized machine. Hisun’s Sector 1000 Crew is a feature-loaded big-bore UTV that’s also affordable.

HOW DOES COST COMPARE?

The Sector 1000 Crew is $15,999 or $16,299 in camo. Keep in mind, the price includes a winch, roof, windshield, doors, side mirrors, adjustable piggyback reservoir shocks, turn signals and even a horn. Honda’s Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe is $17,699. The Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS is $16,999. Can-Am’s Defender Max XT is $19,099.

WHAT POWERS IT?

A 976cc, single-overhead-cam, eight-valve V-twin. The engine looks very much like the Rotax V-twins that power Can-Am’s Commanders, Defenders and Mavericks, but it’s not a Rotax engine.

WHAT KIND OF 4WD SYSTEM DOES IT HAVE?

Selectable 2WD/4WD with locking front and rear differentials. Locking the diffs gives maximum traction. Unlocking them lets the machine turn tighter and protects delicate turf.

WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION DOES IT USE?

A fully automatic, dual-range, belt-type continuously variable transmission. The transmission worked well throughout the test, but the range selector was just okay. Sometimes it would move easily, sometimes it wouldn’t, but we always got the range we wanted.

HOW FAST IS IT?

It moves. The Sector 1000 Crew is Hisun’s largest, heaviest UTV, but the big V-twin pulls it around effortlessly. It can easily top 60 mph.

HOW IS THE POWER DELIVERY?

The throttle response just off idle is too abrupt, and with the 1000’s muscular torque, it makes low-speed maneuvers less graceful than they should be. As you get more used to the throttle, you can work around it, but a recreation utility machine should be easier to control in delicate terrain or when positioning trailers. At higher speeds, it’s not a problem, but it’s still noticeable. When you feel like playing, like breaking the rear end loose to steer with the throttle, the Hisun’s quick response is a good thing. The Sector 1000 Crew makes some recreation utility UTVs feel lazy by comparison.

HOW IS THE SUSPENSION?

Excellent. The Hisun has adjustable piggyback reservoir gas shocks, the type many sport UTVs use, but rare on recreation utility machines. They’re made by Sair, and their adjustability and extra capacity give the Sector a smoother, more refined ride than many recreation utility machines. Adjustable compression, rebound and spring preload let you tune the ride for changes in terrain, driving styles, and different cargo and passenger loads. There are 10.75 inches of travel up front and 9.25 inches in the rear—plenty for this kind of machine. The high-end shocks and generous suspension travel let us drive this big, heavy rig more aggressively than we expected with very good comfort and control.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?

Great for a big rig. The 1000 Crew is surprisingly maneuverable and easy to handle for a fairly long, heavy vehicle. The power steering provides a good balance of assist and feel, and the vehicle stays calm and planted on straights and turns. The 1000 Crew is 65 inches wide, an inch wider than sport machines like the RZR XP 1000,  so stability in turns and in hilly, off-camber terrain is very good. The Crew’s 117-inch wheelbase is the same as the four-seat RZR XP 4 1000, so it’s very stable at speed, though you’ll need more room to turn it around than a more compact machine.

HOW IS IT IN CHALLENGING TERRAIN?

It has the power and 4WD system to conquer nearly any obstacle, but the abrupt throttle response and long wheelbase can create obstacles of their own. All long wheelbase machines run out of ground clearance occasionally in rugged terrain, though the Hisun’s locking front and rear differentials got us through everything we got into. We would have liked smoother throttle response in sketchy, technical terrain like rock steps.

HOW ARE THE DETAILS?

Hisun has most of them well covered. As we said, the range selector and the throttle response could be smoother. There’s also more intake noise in the cabin at low speeds than on some machines. The rest of the machine greatly exceeded our expectations. The list of standard features is outstanding. The cab is roomy, the bench seats are comfortable, and the ride is smooth and refined. Hisun’s two-year warranty is impressive too.

WHAT IS OUR FINAL ANSWER?

Hisun’s Sector Crew 1000 has a couple of rough edges, but it’s well worth considering if you want a machine with plenty of power, passenger capacity and standard features at a very reasonable price. 

SPECS:

HISUN SECTOR 1000 CREW

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

Engine type Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC 4-stroke

V-twin

Displacement 976cc

Bore x stroke 91mm x 75mm (2)

Compression ratio 11:1

Lubrication system Wet sump

Induction EFI 54mm throttle body

Starting/back-up Electric/none

Starting procedure In any range, brake engaged

Air filter:

  Type Paper mesh/screen

Transmission Dual-range CVT w/ CVTech clutch

Drive system 2WD/4WD w/ locking diffs

Final drive: f/r Shaft/shaft

DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS

Fuel capacity 7.3 gal.

Wheelbase 117”

Overall length/width/height 155”/65”/78”

Ground clearance 13”

Dry weight 1881 lb.

Bed capacity 350 lb.

Hitch 2-inch receiver

Towing capacity 1,200 lb.

ROLLING CHASSIS

Frame Round steel tube

Suspension/wheel travel:

  Front Dual A-arms & piggyback shocks w/ adj. comp./

reb./prel./10.75”

  Rear Dual A-arms & piggyback shocks w /adj. comp./

reb./prel./9.25”

Brakes:

  Front Single-piston hydraulic discs

  Rear Single-piston hydraulic discs

Tires:

  Front 27×9-14 Wanda radial

  Rear 27×11-14 Wanda radial

DETAILS

DC outlet Auto-style waterproof plug

Lighting:

  Front Four 60W  headlights

  Rear Twin tail/brake lights

Instrumentation Speedo/odo/tach/trip/hour/fuel/

gear position/diagnostics/clock

Colors Green, red, blue, camo

Minimum recommended operator age 16

Suggested retail price $15,999, $16,299 (camo)

Contact .www.hisunmotors.com, (972) 446-0760