If you are looking to purchase an ATV made in the USA, there are a few things to take into consideration. Today I will give you my full guide to US-made quads, such as which brands fit the mold and my top choices from each one.
There isn’t a single “true” American ATV brand because most of them have their assembly line in another country while others import their components from overseas. Interestingly enough, the two “mostly made in USA” brands are both founded by Edgar Hetteen: Polaris and Arctic Cat. Polaris is headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, and completes most of its manufacturing in the Osceola, Wisconsin factory. Arctic Cat has its headquarters in Minnesota too, with a plant located in Thief River Falls. While most of the manufacturing and assembly process takes place in the US, Polaris has another assembly location in Mexico, while Arctic Cat uses imported Suzuki engines.
Nowadays, almost no vehicle can be categorized as 100% made in the United States. That is no different for off-road vehicles such as ATVs and UTVs. Keep on reading if you want to learn more about Polaris and Arctic Cat, as well as a few other brands that are partially located in North America.
What four wheelers are made in the USA?
Quads that can be categorized under the “made in the USA” umbrella come from Polaris, and Arctic Cat. Some examples of other foreign brands that assemble their ATVs in the United States are Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. However, I would not call these quads made in the USA, since most of their components are shipped from Japan. Almost all big manufacturers choose to have multiple assembly lines in different areas of the world so that they can easily respond to varying demands. That does not mean they are American made machines.
Even though it might seem disheartening that there is no true all-American ATV brand, the truth is that these companies make business decisions to lower the costs and offer high-quality ATVs at an attractive price. On top of that, local engine manufacturers do not have the capacity to supply brands with thousands of quads sold every day. That being said, Polaris is the only brand that manufactures all of its components on US soil, within their own factories.
Is Polaris American Made?
Polaris is an American brand that manufacturers ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and more. It was founded in 1954 by the “father of the snowmobile,” Edgar Hetteen, and a few other associates. The company was first located in Roseau, Minnesota and is now headquartered in Medina, Minnesota.
It is clear that keeping their ATVs designed and manufactured in the US is a main focus for Polaris, with two plants located in Roseau, Minnesota and Osceola, Wisconsin. However, in 2010, the management has decided to create a new assembly line in Apodaca, Mexico for their US-based customers.
All this considered, Polaris still remains quite an authentic American brand since it uses only components manufactured in Osceola. Therefore, out of all ATV brands on the market, Polaris is probably the one that deserves the “made in the USA” badge the most. A large majority of their ATVs are still assembled in the United States, and their designs are developed by US engineers.
Is Yamaha ATV American made?
Yamaha Motor Company is not an American company, but they do have an ATV assembly line located in Newnan. Still, Yamaha is a Japanese brand that bases most of their manufacturing activity in Kakegawa, Toyooka, and Tenryu, Japan. Even though they have a factory located in the United States, they carry the same designs and standards of manufacturing they use in their home country. Therefore, I would not consider Yamaha ATVs American made.
The truth is that manufacturing a part of their ATVs in the United States is a strategic business decision made to save them money and provide timely deliveries to their customers. Since North America is the biggest ATV market in the world, other Asian companies have branched out into the US too, for the exact same reason.
Is there an American made UTV?
There is no true all-American UTV, although many brands try to achieve this status. Companies like John Deere, American LandMaster, Mahindra, and Intimidator, all manufacture their side by sides in the United States, with mostly American components. I will go over why each brand cannot be called an “all-American” brand, but each one of them are great choices if you are looking to support American workers.
John Deere is probably the most well-known brand in this list, with UTVs designed and manufactured in Horicon, Wisconsin. The reason why they are not entirely American-made vehicles is because they use Chinese engines.
Next on the list is American LandMaster, which is American-owned and manufacture their ATVs on US soil. That being said, they do mention on their website that they use around 70% American components, making their ATVs not completely made in the USA.
Mahindra is an ATV brand that is part of a much larger Indian corporation, but their quads are made right here in the United States. Their Retriever models are manufactured in Batesville, Arkansas, but they often collaborate with TGB (Taiwan Golden Bee) for overseas engine development and testing.
Since they are less known as an ATV brand, Mahindra started a collaboration with Intimidator, sharing their factory plant for production. Intimidator is an American company founded by Robert and Becky Foster in 2013 that prides itself on using American steel for their ATV designs. Their website reads that they develop their quads with “as many American components as possible,” which leads me to believe they still import some of their parts from overseas.
Top American ATVs and UTVs
Now that you got a sense of the top “mostly American made” brands on the market, I am sure you are wondering which are the best ATV and UTV models from this pool of choices. Do not worry, you can count on me as a knowledgeable off-roader with plenty of experience trying out different brands.
Below, I will share with you my top choices from Polaris, Arctic Cat, and John Deere, so that you can make a decision based on your preferences. These all fall in different budget ranges, therefore there is a choice for all types of buyers.
#1 Polaris Sportsman 850
When I think of a great Polaris ATV made in USA, I think about the Polaris Sportsman line, specifically the 850 engine variant. These machines are some of the best-selling collections globally since they are reliable, durable, and versatile. The Polaris Sportsman 850 has been around for a few years, with a few sister quads like the SP version or the Ultimate Trail version. While the starting price for the classic model is $9,299, the other models can reach up to $11,599.
This Polaris four-wheeler is equipped with a powerful ProStar twin-cylinder 850cc engine with 78 horsepower. The top speed for this ATV is quite impressive at 70mph, meaning that you can easily count on it for some adrenaline-pumping riding.
Considering that it comes both with CVT automatic transmission and electric power steering, even a new rider can maneuver the Polaris Sportsman 850 with ease. The fuel injected quad has selectable 4X2 and 4X4 drive, so that you can still maintain control when off-roading on a difficult trail.
Speaking of challenging terrain, the Sportsman is known to provide an extra-smooth ride. The ATV comes with impressive ground clearance of 11.5 inches, straight dual-A Arm suspension, and rolled IRS for less vibration. Therefore, all of these features alongside the durable chassis will make for a comfortable ride even on the rockiest of trails.
Another feature that caught my eye with the Polaris Sportsman 850 is that it can tow up to 1500lbs, making it the perfect mix between a sports and utility ATV. All in all, this Polaris quad is a well-rounded off-road vehicle with a reasonable price point and plenty of uses.
#2 Arctic Cat Alterra 450
If you are looking for a less expensive US-made ATV, you can take a look at the most popular model from Arctic Cat: Alterra 450. The whole Alterra line has a large community of loyal fans, but the 450 variant hits the mark for affordability, performance, and versatility, all in one package. Even the brand admits that “the 400-500cc segment is the heart of the ATV market,” which is why they worked extra hard to provide a great Alterra model in this range.
This quad is equipped with a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 443cc engine that is the perfect size for this small four-wheeler. Even though the engine capacity of this quad is almost half of the Polaris Sportsman 850, you are not giving up much when it comes to speed. The official top speed of the Alterra 450 is 52mph, but I hear reports of up to 61mph from fellow off-roaders.
In terms of comfort on the trail, the features on the Arctic Cat ATV are not bad at all. We are talking about 10 inches ground clearance, dual A-Arm front, and rear suspension, as well as 25-inch Kenda Pathfinder tires. Although I would not call this a utility quad, the Alterra 450 does not disappoint in terms of hauling cargo. You can make use of the 75-lbs front rack, respectively 150-lbs rear rack, as well as 1050lbs of towing capacity.
This Arctic Cat ATV made in USA is the perfect budget-friendly choice for people looking for a lightweight quad that is still dependable on rough terrain. The starting price for the Arctic Cat Alterra 450 is $6,499.
#3 John Deere Gator XUV 835R
Now let’s take a look at the best UTV made in USA. John Deere is the creator of the Gator collection, well known for its durable and comfortable Utility Terrain Vehicles. Even though the original Gator models were considered only work vehicles, the crossover utility vehicles coming out today are the perfect blend of work capability and off-road performance.
The John Deere Gator XUV 835R is part of the latter category and it is a 3-passenger side by side ready for hauling on difficult terrain. If you are interested in a new US-made UTV for work, then you will be happy to hear this beast can tow up to 2000lbs. Not only that, but the cargo box equipped on this four-wheeler can haul up to 1000lbs.
This quad is packing a unique 3-cylinder engine, that is liquid cooled and fuel injected. This motor has 54 horsepower and a top speed of 45mph. Since this is a utility vehicle, this high top speed is quite an impressive feat. Since the transmission is automatic with CVT and the Gator includes electronic power steering, you can focus more on hauling cargo and less on the steering.
The Gator XUV 835R also promises a smooth ride with its 11.2-inch ground clearance and independent dual A-Arm suspension with adjustable spring preload. The R version of Gators come with additional comfort features, such as a quiet cab, A/C system, and high-end seating.
All in all, John Deere is an all-American brand that is loved by many U.S. residents. The Gator XUV 835R is one of their newer models that offer a vast array of helpful features, from automotive style braking to On-demand True 4D System. You can get this UTV at the starting price of $25,599, making it a premium purchase.
Last Thoughts
Wanting to support local brands is an admirable intention, and you can still do so even if there is no ATV entirely made in the USA. Polaris, Arctic Cat, and John Deere are some of the most popular American brands out there that have most of their engineering, manufacturing, and assembly lines located in the United States. Today I shared with you my top choices from each brand, taking into account a variety of features, such as performance, durability, adaptability, and price point. Considering that preferences vary from one person to the other, I recommend you take a look at their complete collections and choose the best option for your needs.
