Whether you are looking to buy a quad or you are an off-road enthusiast like me, you probably want to know all about the latest and most powerful ATVs out there. There are a lot of brands and models on the market and each one is different from the other in one way or another. If you are interested in this topic, keep on reading to find out which are the top 5 fastest ATVs you can buy in 2022.
The 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700 holds the record for being the fastest ATV on the market. The four-wheeler reaches a maximum speed of 77 mph. So, based on speed alone, the 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700 is the most powerful and fastest ATV in 2022. The 2022 Yamaha YFZ450R comes in next with its powerful high-tech engine that tops at 75 MPH. In the third place, we have the fan-favorite 2022 Polaris XP 1000 Ride Command which also reaches a max speed of 75 MPH. On the fourth and fifth places, we have the 2022 Honda FOURTRAX RINCON (65-70 MPH) and the 2022 Can-am Outlander X MR 1000R (65 MPH).
While 77 mph might not seem that incredible when compared to a vehicle, trust me, reaching even 60 mph on an ATV is more than enough to give you an adrenaline rush. Make sure to stick around for the end because I will present a more in-depth review of the fastest ATVs in 2022. I will also showcase what makes their engines so powerful.
Which is the Highest Speed Ever Reached On an ATV?
The world record for the fastest speed ever reached on an ATV was set in 2008 by Terry Wilmeth in Oregon. He reached a top speed of 196.19 miles per hour on a Yamaha 700 Raptor. Even if Terry managed to ride at almost 200 mph, this doesn’t mean that modern ATVs go higher than that. In fact, most ATVs won’t go higher than 70 mph. Terry’s Yamaha Raptor was modified using a hybrid rocket booster, which allowed him to ride that fast.
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You should also know that modern ATVs have a speed limiter that, for safety reasons, limits the speed you can reach on your quad. Keep in mind that the speed you achieve while riding is directly affected by the weight of your cargo, whether you carry a passenger or not, the driving conditions, and the accessories you have installed on your quad. However, there are plenty of sport quads available, that are designed for off-road competitions and therefore, count with greater speed and incredible performance. If you like to speed on the trails and you decided that this is the year you want to buy the quad of your dreams; I am going to show you which model you should consider.
Even though RTVs are bigger than regular ATVs, they are not on the same level. In fact, I wrote a full guide that presents the top speed of RTVs. Click here to read more.
Top 5 Fastest ATVs You Can Buy in 2022
After doing a lot of research, talking with other ATV enthusiasts on forums, and testing different models myself, I have come up with the top 5 fastest ATVs you can buy this year:
- The 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700
- The 2022 Yamaha YFZ450R
- The 2022 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Ride Command
- 2022 Honda FOURTRAX RINCON
- The 2022 Can-am OUTLANDER X MR 1000R
Are you wondering what the top speeds that these ATVs reach are? If that is the case, you are in luck. I will review each four-wheeler and showcase the top performances that you can expect from them. Without any further ado, let’s jump right into it.
#1 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700
The classic Yamaha Raptor which set the record for the highest speed ever achieved on a quad is still one of the best sport ATVs of all time. Yamaha continues to amaze off-road amateurs by rocking the sport ATV market, coming up with new and exciting features on this model every year. The 2022 Raptor 700 is to this day the bestselling sport ATV. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the four-wheeler is powered by a powerful liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that has an impressive engine capacity of 688cc. Thanks to this incredible engine, the 2022 Raptor 700 is ideal to ride on rough trails.
The ATV is equipped with an innovative fuel injection system, dubbed as YFI (Yamaha Fuel Injection), which guarantees you will benefit from consistent and excellent engine performance, no matter the conditions in which you are riding. You can sit back and enjoy the ride without having to worry about getting stuck on the trail, as this incredible beast will most likely get you anywhere without any problem. It’s also important to mention that riding a 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700 is a different kind of experience than anything else. If you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie, you are going to have a blast riding on this quad. The quad can reach 9000 per minute (rpm) which makes it a joy to hear the engine roaring. Moreover, the YZ-spec ratchet shifter ensures smooth shifting without affecting the power of the machine. Thanks to the ingenious engineering from Yamaha, the 2022 Yamaha Raptor 700 has a factory top speed of 75-77 mph while modified models can go even higher than 90 mph.
As crazy as this might sound, the Yamaha Raptor 700 also has one of the best suspension systems ever made. Read more to find out how Yamaha managed to mix top speed with smooth riding on this amazing four-wheeler.
#2 2022 Yamaha YFZ450R
I think it’s safe to say that everyone knows Yamaha is an industry leader in the ATV market, and there is a good reason for that. The Japanese manufacturer is renowned for making some of the fastest four-wheelers, and the Yamaha YFZ450R is not an exception to that rule. The Yamaha YFZ450R is one of the most popular choices among off-road riders, whether they are taking part in riding competitions or they are off-road amateurs. This is because the ATV holds the title of being the most “technologically advanced Sport ATV” on the market. This is not an easy title to get when considering that companies such as Can-Am and Polaris are also competing for it.
The Yamaha YFZ450R earned the title of being the “technologically advanced Sport ATV” by shipping with impressive features such as its titanium 5-valve engine technology that is paired with a centralized mass design. This is all possible because the four-wheeler is equipped with a lightweight chassis made from aluminum and steel. Furthermore, the ATV is fueled by a 499cc engine that uses EFI (electronic fuel injection) to deliver a top speed of 75 mph. As you can imagine, riding at 70-75 mph on this great-looking ATV feels amazing!
By the way, I have an updated 2023 fastest ATV list that you can check out by clicking here.
#3 2022 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Ride Command
Polaris, one of the top manufacturers of ATVs in America, has an amazing portfolio that holds a model for every type of rider out there. So, it was clear to me right from the start that at least one of their ATVs will make the top 5 fastest quads list in 2022. The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 is known as one of the fastest ATVs in the world and it ships with a 90HP ProStar, liquid-cooled 4-stroke twin-cylinder engine that is a beast. As you probably know by now, engine size matters, especially when it comes to off-road vehicles where you have to ride through mud or steep hills. Usually, it goes like this: the bigger the engine, the faster the four-wheeler. However, in the newer models, the type of engine is as important as its size. The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 has a 952cc engine, reaching a top speed of 75 mph, making it a beast on the trails. The combination between power and reliability makes this quad a top choice for many avid off-road riders.
Since this is a 2022 ATV model that we are talking about, no one should be shocked to find out that Polaris equipped it with next-gen features such as a 7-inch touchscreen display. The display makes it easy to get all the readings you need such as mph, mileage, and gas. However, that’s not the only thing it does. The 7-inch touchscreen display can be used with RIde Commands and GPS navigation. Therefore, you will be connected even if you don’t have access to cell service which is usually the case when riding off-road. Thanks to the powerful 925 cc engine, the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 can tow up to 3,500 lbs!
#4 2022 Honda FOURTRAX RINCON
Life is better on a Honda! I cannot agree more with their motto. A pioneer in the ATV industry, Honda designed its first ATV back in 1968 and continues to make one of the best quads on the market to this day. 5. The 2022 FOURTRAX RINCON holds the title for the largest engine in any Honda ATV. Its 675cc, liquid-cooled, longitudinally-mounted single-cylinder four-stroke engine is considered to be one of the top of its class. The engine’s design makes it shorter than the classic engines, creating two big advantages. On one hand, this enhances handling by lowering the engine’s center of gravity, meanwhile on the other hand it allows for greater ground clearance. By orienting the crankshaft longitudinally in the chassis, they allow the flow of power goes straight to the wheels, significantly reducing the powertrain friction.
The 2022 Fourtrax Rincon has two different driving systems designed to suit each driver: on the one hand, the vehicle can be driven fully automatically or, on the contrary, it has a three-speed selector that can be operated from the handlebar, with which you can easily select the gear that best suits the circumstances. Talking about how smooth this ATV is to ride, I want to highlight that it uses an independent rear suspension system (IRS). This ensures constant tire contact with the ground and thus, enhances the traction. To make things even better, the suspension system takes most of the shock from bumps so that you don’t get hurt or beat up on the trail.
The great thing about going for a Honda four-wheeler is the fact that you can rest assured knowing it’s built to last. Honda holds the title for making the most reliable ATVs on the market. Read now to find out who is the runner-up and why Honda has the upper hand over the competition.
#5 2022 Can-Am OUTLANDER X MR 1000R
Can-Am is one of the top brands when it comes to sport or utility four-wheelers so I knew I had to include one of their new models in my top 5 fastest ATVs of 2022. With 91 horsepower, the Can-Am Outlander 1000R is one of the most powerful ATVs on the market, ready to take on any obstacle. What’s amazing about this four-wheeler is the fact that it’s a maximum capacity ATV. This means that the Can-Am Outlander 1000R is powered by a 1000 cc engine. Just imagine how loud the engine will road when you rev the acceleration. If you have lots of neighbors or want to go hunting, you might want to consider getting an ATV silencer when riding this four-wheeler to avoid any issues.
The Can-Am Outlander 1000R is limited to 65 mph. The 2022 model is upgraded to maximize the power of its 1000cc, liquid-cooled engine and it delivers incredible torque. You will certainly have no issues going over steep hills or any other type of obstacle. Furthermore, the ATV is equipped with an upgraded suspension system and brand-new tires that will take you through the toughest and muddiest terrains. Thanks to the Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) installed on the new Can-am Outlander and its 1000R Rotax engine, the ATV feels responsive and easy to control while riding at any speed.
If you are thinking about going with a Can-Am ATV, then you should know that they come with their fair share of problems. Don’t worry, there is nothing major that will cause a dent in your piggy bank. In fact, you can prevent all serious Can-Am ATV problems by preparing for them. Click here to read my Top 6 Can-Am ATV problems guide.
Final Words
In conclusion, there are a lot of great and fast ATVs on the market. With years passing by, the old but gold models get upgrades that make them even greater than they used to be. Keeping up with the ATV market and releases each year is hard, but if you are an off-road enthusiast like me, it is mandatory. The results of my research show that the Yamaha Raptor 700’s is the world’s fastest ATV because it almost reached 200 mph in 2008. However, the Yamaha Raptor isn’t for every rider. If you are looking for a less powerful but just as good engine, you should definitely consider the Yamaha YFZ450R. This is a modern ATV that ensures a smooth riding experience and can reach up to 77 mph.
If the Yamaha’s price range is out of reach or the engine is too fast, you can always go with the 2022 Can-am OUTLANDER X MR 1000R that comes in the second spot. This is an amazing four-wheeler that reaches a top speed of 65 mph. which is more than enough to get an adrenaline-fueled experience whenever you accelerate. While riding ATVs is always fun, I do need to mention that you need to be careful while doing it. If you like to ride fast, you should make sure to wear the proper protection ATV gear.
