Looking for a reliable and powerful ATV for work purposes? Riding quads is not all about having fun in the wild outdoors. It’s also sometimes about making your work easy. Today I will showcase my top 6 picks for the best utility ATVs that can handle any job. Whether it’s farm work or towing logs, the ATVs on my list get the job done.
The best utility ATVs are:
- Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850
- Polaris Sportsman 450 HO
- Kawasaki Brute Force 300
- Arctic Cat Alterra 700 EPS
- Honda FourTraax Foreman Rubicon
- Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS
The Can-am Outlander Max XT 850 is the #1 utility ATV because it offers the ideal blend of power, performance, and reliability needed for work. The Rotax V-Twin engine ensures high performance in all terrain conditions and a towing capacity of 1,650 lbs.
Even though all ATVs are designed for off-road terrain, they are not all equal when it comes to utility tasks. So, if you are looking for a reliable four-wheeler to make your job easier, my top 7 picks have you covered!
What Makes a Great Utility ATV?
Utility ATVs are distinguished from all other ATVs by being equipped with features that make them ideal in challenging terrain. Below you can find the full list of specs that any ATV needs in order to be classified as a great utility quad. The list also shows the criteria I used when choosing the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 as the top choice.
Power
Since people use utility ATVs to move heavy objects, powerful engines are a must! A utility ATV needs to have enough horsepower and torque to make navigating through challenging terrains, such as muddy roads, easy.
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Towing Capacity
A main feature that makes a great utility ATV stand out from regular four-wheelers is its high towing capacity. This is necessary because it enables the rider to pull heavy loads while doing farm work or hauling camping gear.
Cargo Space
This one is pretty straightforward. Large cargo space means you can carry more equipment or more oversized loads. The ATVs I have featured on this list offer the option to store equipment on rear racks and storage boxes.
Durability
Tough jobs require tough four-wheelers. This is why a reliable utility ATV needs to feature a solid build.
Comfort
Chances are that you will spend more time on a utility ATV than you would on a regular one. This is why I considered comfort to be a necessary feature for the utility ATVs I picked for my list.
4×4 Capability
Having access to 4×4 is essential to get you through muddy, slippery or rough terrain. Luckily, this is a feature that most ATVs have as a stock option.
Now that I have gone over the criteria that helped me determine the best utility quads on the market, let’s go ahead and check out my top 6 picks.
Top 6 Best Utility ATVs
#1 Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850
As previously mentioned, the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 is my top choice as the best utility ATV. The four-wheeler does a fantastic job of blending power with performance and comfort so that you can use it for farm work or any other tasks around the yard without problems. The Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 is fueled by 850cc V-twin Rotax engine that puts up 78 horsepower. Therefore, you will have no issues driving on difficult terrain or towing heavy objects. Talking about towing, I have to highlight that the ATV has a towing capacity of 1,650 lb (750kg).
The powerful engine is not the only impressive thing about the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850. The four-wheeler is also equipped with tri-mode dynamic power steering (DPS), which means that it’s to control. Pair the DPS with CVT transmission (P/R/N/H/L) and riding this ATV will always be a pleasure, even if you are getting work done. Since you are looking for a utility ATV, the storage capacity is important. You should be pleased to know that the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 features a rack capacity of 100 lb (45kg) on the front and 200 lb (90kg) on the rear side.
Notable Features:
- 850cc engine (78 horsepower);
- Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS);
- Selectable 2WD/4WD modes;
- CVT transmission;
- High storage capacity;
- 1,650 lb towing power;
- Digital display;
- Anti-theft system.
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#2 Polaris Sportsman 450 HO
If the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 is too big or too expensive for what you are looking for, you will love the Polaris Sportsman 450 HO. This is an excellent mid-size utility ATV that offers all the features you could ask for in a reliable ATV. Even though this is a compact ATV that weighs in at only 689 lb (317 kg), it doesn’t make any compromises when it comes to premium features. The four-wheeler comes with a 450cc engine, which is a 4-stroke SOHC cylinder engine that provides constant power. Whether you are riding through mud or uphill, you can trust that the Polaris Sportsman 450 HO has enough power to get you through it all.
The 450cc engine delivers 33 horsepower, and it boasts a towing ability of 1,350 lb (612 kg). This is quite impressive! Another feature that I really like about this ATV is that it uses a lock and ride cargo system. It’s also paired with front dry storage. Therefore, you will be able to carry all your gear when riding the Polaris Sportsman 450 HO. Since this is a premium utility ATV, the manufacturers made sure to equip it with an automatic PVT (P/R/N/L/H) in-line shifting system. As a result, you will have no issues with shifting gears. I also want to give a shoutout to the electronic fuel injection system that helps with fuel economy.
Notable Features:
- 450cc engine (33 horsepower);
- Electronic Fuel Injection system (better mileage);
- Selectable 2WD/4WD modes;
- Automatic PVT transmission;
- 1,350 lb towing power
- Hydraulic disc brakes;
- Halogen pod & breaking lights.
#3 Kawasaki Brute Force 300
A common mistake that I see people making when it comes to utility ATVs is to think that they are expensive. While there are some premium models that sell for more than $10,000, there are more models that sell for an affordable price tag. Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is the perfect example of that being one of the best ATVs under $5,000 that you can find on the market. This is a fantastic ATV for people who want a four-wheeler that is easy to maneuver and will make work around the farm easier. The ATV has a 271cc engine that features 22 horsepower and 50 MPH. Even though this is not very fast, I assure you it’s fast enough for utility work. After all, you need towing power, not speed. The engine uses a liquid cooling system paired with an automatic gearbox that makes shifting seamless.
Another feature that makes the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 great for work is its small size. The ATV can get into hard-to-reach places, such as a barn, without any issues. Moreover, the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 features storage racks on the front and rear so that you can carry all your tools when working. However, there is one downside to the Kawasaki Brute Force 300. The ATV doesn’t feature 4WD. The engine is powerful enough to get you over steep hills with ease, but there are situations where a 4WD ATV is better.
Notable Features:
- 271cc engine (22 horsepower);
- CVT automatic transmission;
- Digital speedometer;
- Two 35W headlights;
- 55 MPH top speed;
- It features storage options.
#4 Arctic Altera 700 EPS
If you want to get a utility four-wheeler that can also be used for fun experiences on the trail, then you can’t go wrong with the Arctic Altera 700 EPS. This is an incredibly fast ATV that ships with a 695cc engine that goes from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.7 seconds. However, speed is not necessarily what utility ATVs need to feature. It’s power and storage space. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the four-wheeler features a front rack with a 100 lbs storage capacity and a bigger rear rack that can hold up to 200 lbs. The ability to carry cargo will never be something for you to worry about if you choose the Cat Alterra 700 EPS.
The Cat Alterra 700 EPS comes with a feature that other ATVs for work lack. It’s the innovative speedlock system that makes it easy and quick to attach any type of Arctic Cat accessory to the ATV. This includes a winch, mowers, trailers, and more. Furthermore, the four-wheeler is equipped with a standard 2-inch receiver that can tow up to 1,050 pounds. This is quite impressive, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone considering that the ATV’s big engine offers 41 horsepower and supports selectable 2WD/4WD modes. In addition, the Cat Alterra 700 EPS has a fuel capacity of 5.7 gallons, which makes it perfect for long rides.
Notable Features:
- 695 engine (41 horsepower);
- It’s fast (0 to 60 MPH in 8.7 seconds);
- A combined 300 lbs cargo capacity;
- Selectable 2WD/4WD modes;
- 1,050 pounds towing power;
- Hydraulic disc brakes;
- Selectable 2WD/4WD modes.
#5 Honda FourTraax Foreman Rubicon
Right from the get-go, I want to mention that Honda is the most reliable ATV brand. Every four-wheeler that this company makes sports a premium build and is equipped with all the high-end features you can expect from a powerful ATV. The FourTraax Foreman Rubicon represents the best ATV for work that the manufacturer has made, and it boasts a wide range of features such as a 518cc liquid cooled engine, 5-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission, and a unique Traxlok system that offers three modes: 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD with locking front differential to provide more traction.
One of the things you will grow to love when it comes to riding the Honda FourTraax Foreman Rubicon is that it’s comfortable and easy to ride. The handling is made smooth by the IRS (independent rear suspension) system and the Maxxis tires, which feature an aggressive tread pattern so that they can conquer mud, sand, and rocky terrain. The ATV is also equipped with front and rear cargo racks that feature a strong steel construction and a large flat area. Therefore, you can fit just about anything in the cargo racks. The last feature that I want to highlight is Honda FourTraax Foreman Rubicon’s digital meter display which includes functions such as a trip odometer, fuel gauge, clock, and 2WD/4WD.
Notable Features:
- 518cc engine (28 horsepower);
- Independent rear suspension system;
- Maxxis tires (aggressive tread pattern);
- Front and rear cargo racks (secured with steel constructions);
- Digital meter display;
- Selectable 2WD/4WD and 4WD with differential modes.
#6 Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS
I am going to finish the list with one of my favorite ATVs ever made, the Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS! The first time I came across this impressive ATV was when I was doing research for my biggest Yamaha ATV article. The Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS easily took the title featuring a length of 81.5 inch, 49.2 inch width, and 50 inch height. This is huge for an ATV! As you can imagine, the big size gives Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS an advantage if you want to use it to haul heavy cargo or carry multiple people.
Size isn’t the only thing you will get by choosing the Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS. The ATV combines power and comfort with premium features such as the ultramatic transmission and on-command 2WD/4WD modes. The ATV also impresses when it comes to cargo capacity. The front rack supports up to 110 pounds of cargo, and the rear rack goes up to 200 pounds. The last thing I want to mention about this premium Yamaha ATV is that it can tow up to 1,300 pounds.
Notable Features:
- 686cc engine (48 horsepower)
- A sturdy build;
- Ultramatic transmission;
- Selectable 2WD?4WD modes;
- Over 300 lbs cargo capacity;
- 1,300 towing power.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing a utility ATV over a sport quad will make your daily task easier and there is no doubt about that. In my opinion, the best utility ATV you can get is one that perfectly balances power, performance, comfort, and durability. Each of the ATV models featured in my list shines in their own way and are excellent choices for utility, but the Can-Am Outlander Max XT 850 is the best you can get.
