4x4-UTV

This type of vehicle is most commonly known as UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle or just Utility Vehicle) or Side-by-Side Vehicles, they are also known as SxS, RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle) or MUV (Multi-Use Vehicle). The reference Side-by-Side Vehicles applies because a driver and a passenger sit next to each other in the vehicle.  The easiest way to define a UTV is to call it a small pick-up truck.  Most do not have fully enclosed cabs, but most can have them attached as an option.

We've come to question whether the percentage of utility versus sport models is actually 4-to-1.  The Polaris Razor is about the only model in the Sport class, but many Rhino owners have added enough aftermarket options to effectively re-classify their UTV from a utility class vehicle.  It's possible to get up to a 1000cc UTV (Arctic Cat) which provides enough power to climb a tree vertically even while pulling a 2,000 lb load (we're kidding but you get our point).  Multi-speed, Hi and Lo range transmissions coupled to liquid-cooled engines seem to be the norm any more.  All manufacturers are marketing products with automatic transmissions and electric starting.  Now there's even electric assisted power steering as an available option on some of the larger models.  EFI made it's way into the larger and more expensive brands so fuel efficiency and cold starting have been greatly enhanced.  It's amazing to look at and understand where the four wheeler industry is at this time - and even more amazing to consider where it will be in another ten years.
 

At the present time, there are several options of UTV available in both sport and utility models.  The available product can be broken down into a few main groups.  The primary brands include:

With the known main brands being common knowledge, we actually want to concentrate our subject matter on the second level of UTV products which would be the off-brands that generally all come out of China.  The largest percentage of these off-brand UTVs should be avoided.  Its probably much easier to layout the Chinese made off-brands that have proven to be of decent quality and reliability, plus have the technical support and spare parts to back them up if the event arises.  Since we are writing this list, it is fairly short:

• Linhai UTVs (well supported and very reliable)
• CF Moto UTVs (also well supported and excellent quality units - very reliable)
• HiSun UTVs (at this point, there is very strong evidence that HiSun Builds for Yamaha)

To start off, Linhai of China has been manufacturing engines for Yamaha for about 8 years now.  In the late 1990's, they worked with Yamaha to develop new products for Yamaha to build into their product models sold world wide.  Yamaha even owns thirty percent of Linhai and keeps their QC and engineering staff on site to assist Linhai in the development of it's new engines and products.  Linhai has learned a lot about product development and building quality products from their dealings with Yamaha.  They are now the second most common powersports brand in China behind only CF Moto.  It is because of their abilities to develop and build quality products that they now build models for the US market.

In early 2010, HiSun introduced a Razor clone.  It's not anything that they could really be building for Polaris other than maybe some components for the drive train and electronics.  It's definitely a clone in that it looks very similar at first glance but it isn't exact by any means.  Matter of fact, there seems to be strong differences so we're not sure if that's an attempt to avoid patent issues or what.  At any rate, the HiSun Razor clone utilizes a similar V-twin 800cc engine design as the the original Razor.  Even EFI has been added to try to bring up the performance level as close as possible to the original version.  Its also a liquid-cooled 2-speed CVT automatic with reverse.  It's supposedly capable of speeds up to 55 mph but we'll reserve our opinions on speed until we actually drive one.  Right now, they are actually pretty hard to get ahold of as they are about $3-4,000 less than the real Razor.

With it being a 4x4 but still electric, load capacities are great on this UTV.  It runs very much like an electric golf cart, only much more luxurious and with better capabilities.  The electric motor eliminates all emissions and runs very quiet - if your need is for something of this type.  We'd be very interested in one for ourselves if it was just a bunch faster.  When are they ever going to gear one of these electric powered vehicles to do 80 mph?  It probably would need an automatic transmission to go with it, maybe something like the CVT V-belt transmission found on many gas engines.  At any rate, add a winch to go with the stock windshield and roof and this is a very useful UTV tool.
 

The largest percentage of off-brand UTVs should be avoided.  We would go into a list but it would be long and unforgiving.  Plus we would probably receive several letters from various lawyers accusing us of being biased and maybe even charging us with libel.  Its far easier just to refer you to list above for the available off-brand UTVs that really work well.  There are other examples here and there of decent quality units.  But most of those samples are available from an importer of questionable notoriety.  Support and parts are not very likely.  As far as we're concerned, the ones identified above are the only ones worth reviewing and potentially buying.
 

• Utility Terrain Vehicle
• Side by Side
• Utility Vehicle
• SxS

This section will provide some links to other websites that provide similar information in a more detailed manner.