Department > Adventure Toys
Adventure Toys: ATVs
Wanna have some fun with friends? The latest trend in all-terrain travel bridges the gap between full-size 4x4 and one-rider ATVs.
text by Rob Reaser
photography by the manufacturers
It’s a fact. Trail riding is definitely more fun when you have someone to share the excitement with. The ATV manufacturers certainly know this, and are responding to this growing recreational demand with a spate of multi-passenger utility models which are steadily blurring the lines between conventional ATVs and utility vehicles. Here’s a sample of the latest and greatest now available...
Polaris Ranger XP
The Polaris Ranger line has, for years, represented the more aggressive side of utility vehicles, but last year that aggression ratcheted up a notch with the release of a limited-edition off-roader called the Ranger XP. It was big, it was bad, and it was well received as a mondo trail buggy. This year the XP moves to the full 2006 product line. If you’re looking for a utility ATV version of a Hummer, this is it.
The XP is powered by a 683cc parallel-twin gas engine capable of whipping up 40 horsepower and a top speed of 44 mph. Incidentally, this is the only utility vehicle engine to come with electronic fuel injection. This powerful mill also contributes to the XP’s astounding 1,750-lb. towing capacity. As expected, an automatic transmission manages torque transfer with an in-line high-low-reverse shift pattern. Like other Polaris 4x4s, the XP uses an On-Demand all-wheel-drive system for seamless 4WD traction, plus the driver can select 2WD or 1WD for super tight turns that won’t chew up turf.
Underneath, the XP is supported by a MacPherson strut independent front and a fully independent rear suspension, providing 8- and 9-inch wheel travel, respectively. The Polaris Lock & Ride cargo system, 2-inch receiver hitch, three-passenger seating, multi-function cargo box and a whopping 1,500-lb. payload capacity round out the top features.
Yamaha Rhino 450
As we reported in this magazine over a year ago, the Yamaha Rhino is one fun go-getter that any off-road aficionado can truly appreciate. The only downside is that it takes a pretty shiny coin to put one in the barn. To fix that little problem, Yamaha is now offering an equally stellar side-by-side model for about $1,200 less. It’s called the Rhino 450, and so long as you don’t mind a little less muscle, the 450 gives up nothing to its big brother, the Rhino 660.
Like the 660, the 450 comes with a fully independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension system. Five-way adjustable shocks, front and rear, allow for trail and load tuning. All brakes — dual front discs and rear shaft-mounted disc — are hydraulically actuated, and set inboard of 12-inch wheels wrapped in knobby A/T tires. Also like the 660, the 450 gets its power funneled through a V-belt automatic transmission. From there, the driver can select from high, low, neutral and reverse ranges, and between the three driveline modes via the On-Command system: 2WD, 4WD or 4WD lock. The similarities between the 660 and 450 continue across the board to include all dimensional capacities, 1,212 towing capacity, interior features, et cetera, et cetera. Where the two differ is the powerplant. The 450 gets, you guessed it, a lower displacement SOHC mill spec’d at 423cc. And that, as they say, makes all the difference — at least in price.
Polaris Sportsman X2
Not all two-person vehicles need be of the load-and-go utility persuasion. For 2006 Polaris has developed a sport-utility ATV that will comfortably and safely accommodate a rider and passenger. Although not the first manufacturer to develop a “two-up” machine, Polaris does take the concept in a slightly different direction with its Sportsman X2. In its basic, one-rider configuration, the X2 uses its slightly extended 52-inch wheelbase to support a 400-lb. capacity rear cargo box. In its two-rider configuration, the X2’s rear seat/seatback is deployed to make room for a second rider. Further accommodating the rear passenger are raised rear foot boards and grab handles. Not only do these allow passengers to stay safely planted on the unit, they allow them to help the driver with balance and body English when needed.
Like all Sportsman models, the X2 is high on tractability. Its tenacious grip and terrain-crawling capabilities are credited, in part, to the MacPherson strut independent front and long-travel independent rear suspension. Aggressive, yes, but never unwieldy. And the 8.75 inches of wheel travel and 11.25 inches of ground clearance don’t hurt a thing. On the powertrain side, the X2 gets its muscle from a 499cc single-cylinder EFI engine backed by an auto tranny. Drive selection includes 2WD and on-demand all-wheel-drive.
Arctic Cat TRV
The whole two-rider ATV concept is fairly new, and Arctic Cat has been forefront in the pioneering effort of two-up design and engineering. This year the company takes this emerging product segment to a new and interesting level. If ATVs were ice cream, the 2006 Arctic Cat TRV would certainly be Neapolitan.
Here’s the deal. The TRV has an 8-inch longer wheelbase than the rest of its sport-utility littermates, creating the room and stability needed to add a rear passenger seat (seat bun, back cushion and grab rails). What Arctic Cat did was figure out a way to incorporate a couple of other notions into the TRV to effectively provide for a 3-in-1 vehicle. TRV customers can purchase a SpeedRack (a proprietary rack system featuring multiple accessory options) to replace the passenger seat when in single-rider mode. Additionally, a composite cargo box (styled after the TBX model box) can fit behind the rider seat to create a large cargo area. With these three configurations, the TRV significantly expands the machine’s functionality.
Two engines are offered — a 376cc or a 493cc single-cylinder. Both are backed by a high-low range Duramatic auto tranny and shift-on-the-fly electric shift 4WD system. Other features include front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, independent front and rear suspension, digital instrumentation and a 2-inch automotive-style receiver hitch.
Arctic Cat Prowler XT
For the 2006 model year, Arctic Cat has decided to take its first plunge into the UTV market with its Prowler XT. Like the Yamaha Rhino, the Prowler XT blends the best of conventional utility with the agility and fun of a sport utility. Built on a rock-solid 75-inch wheelbase, the Prowler XT reaches for the same level of excellence in its suspension as its big-bore ATV brethren. That includes a fully independent front and rear suspension system capable of 10 inches of wheel travel, and delicious 12.5 inches of ground clearance.
The driveline recipe consists of Arctic Cat’s 641cc SOHC four-stroke engine backed by a continuously-variably automatic transmission with engine braking capabilities. The sub-tranny offers low and high gearing, plus neutral and reverse, as well as an electronically-selectable front differential lock. Slowing things down are front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, and there’s a foot-operated mechanical brake for parking. The driving environment is familiar to anyone who has sat in a truck-dual bucket seats, digital gauges...heck, there’s even a glovebox and underseat tool kit. Additional storage is located in the forward underhood storage compartment, while the rear composite cargo box is good for 600 pounds of gear.
Kawasaki Mule 3010 Trans 4x4
So, a two-rider all-terrain vehicle isn’t enough for you? You’re going to love the new Kawasaki Mule 3010 Trans 4x4. Four — count ‘em — four burly trail busters can ride this Mule. That’s because the wheelbase has been extended to make room for second-row seating. Don’t have three pals? Well, the Trans 4x4 won’t let all that backseat space go to waste, as this is a multi-configurable trail buggy. The rear bench seat easily folds down, effectively extending the rear cargo box’s cargo area. Cargo capacity thereby jumps from 400 lbs. (with four passengers) to 800 lbs. (two passengers). If that’s not enough room to haul, there’s an additional storage space under the hood, and when fitted with a hitch, the Trans 4x4 can tow up to 1,200 lbs.
The unit is powered by a 617cc V-twin engine tweaked for low-speed torque, with a robust automatic transmission sending that muscle to the four wheels in either high, low or reverse ranges. Four wheel drive is selectable, so you can be “in” or “out” as the terrain demands. Furthermore, the differential is lockable if things get really hairy. As for the suspension, it’s built more for the rough-and-tumble work loads than technical trail grappling, and is comprised of a MacPherson strut independent front and semi-independent leaf spring rear. Braking comes via four-wheel sealed hydraulic drums.
Yamaha Rhino 660
It may not have been the first side-by-side sport utility to hit the market, but when Yamaha introduced its first-ever utility ATV a couple of years ago, the company redefined the segment. Rather than take the well-paved path to utility, Yamaha decided to inject a heavy dose of sport into the Rhino.
Beginning with the foundation, the Rhino 660 features a fully independent front and rear suspension system. This is the same double A-arm design borrowed from the company’s top-of-the-line sport-utility ATVs, and delivers a full 7.3 inches of wheel travel. Five-way adjustable shocks allow riders to tune the suspension to meet changing trail and load requirements. But the similarities to the Rhino’s sport-utility cousins do not stop there. Power comes from the same stout 660cc single-cylinder engine found in the Grizzly ATV. Ditto for the Ultramatic automatic transmission. Also borrowing from the ATV lineup is Yamaha’s On-Command drive system. It’s pushbutton-operated to deliver 2WD, 4WD and 4WD lock. Seating includes driver and passenger buckets with a three-point safety harness, and additional automotive-style controls, such as a right-side accelerator pedal, keyed ignition and center-mount console shifter.
Club Car XRT 1500
You may recognize the name from the company’s golf and country club-type carts, however, Club Car is making serious in-roads into the utility ATV marketplace. Leading that charge is the new XRT 1500. As you can see, the golf cart DNA is certainly present, but that’s about as far as those genetics go in that direction.
There are plenty of car-like features built in, including such luxuries as a tilt steering column, adjustable driver’s seat and retractable seatbelts. And it’s a good thing these niceties are present, because there’s scant little in the way of cockpit styling and system monitoring. That is to say, this critter is otherwise bare-bones from the driver/passenger point of view. Then again, the XRT 1500 is about getting from here to there no matter what. In this regard, the unit comes equipped. The XRT 1500 gets its juice from a 614cc gas or a 719cc diesel powerplant, and the independent front suspension with swingarm rear supports 12-inch wheels with beefy A/T or M/T tires. The hallmark driveline feature, however, is the IntelliTrack automatic 4WD system. This includes automatic high/low gearing and auto front and rear differential lock, in addition to the auto 4WD. You don’t have to pull any levers or push any buttons. Power automatically goes to the wheels with the grip. No driver input required. Finally, this system is completely mechanical, so electrical failures are never an issue.
Kawasaki Mule 610 4x4
Kawasaki’s Mules have been the leaders in the utility vehicle segment since their inception in 1988. And heretofore, “utility” has been the operative word. Recently, however, Kawasaki has picked up on the growing demand and popularity for utility vehicles which are a bit less work oriented and more endearing to recreational pursuits. To satisfy that market, the company has replaced its Mule 550 with the new 610 4x4. It definitely has the utility quotient, but is designed to be a bridge between the traditional equipment haulers and sport-utility ATVs.
For starters, the bodywork has a more contemporary and sporty profile. This also carries over to the cab, wherein we find automotive-style controls, a redesigned dashboard, plush seating, glove box and dual cupholders, to name a few amenities. The 610 is also more powerful than its predecessor, thanks to a 401cc engine. Power transfer is managed by a continuously-variable auto tranny, boasting high and low range gearing, plus reverse. A dual-mode rear differential can be locked for max traction, and the driver can choose between 2WD and 4WD mode. All four wheels feature triple-sealed hydraulic drum brakes. Although ground clearance, at 6.7 inches, is nothing stellar, the combined MacPherson strut front and swingarm rear suspension couple with 24-inch tires to provide top-notch terrain navigation.