UTV buyers guide 2020-21

In our Ultimate Guide to UTVs 2020, we take a closer look at some of the highlights, including the first £30,000-plus farm buggy,  a UTV with extra carrying capacity, and for adventurous types, one with a camouflage finish.

See also: Ultimate guide to buying a telehandler 2020

John Deere’s Gator XUV 865R lists at almost £30,900, which is £4,300 more than the 865M version.

In return, buyers get an adjustable 40/60 bench seat, tilt-adjustable steering wheel and sun visors in a re-designed full cab interior, where the automotive-style controls are now located at the centre of the tan-coloured dash.

Outside there is a wiper and washer for the opening windscreen, a streamlined roof designed to move water to the outside edges, and high-level front and rear lights that are now set below the roof line where they are better protected.

There is wiring for attachments needing a power supply, high- and low-beam LED headlights, and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system carried over from other models.

Performance is unchanged from the 23hp 854cc three-cylinder diesel engine, which drives all four wheels through a familiar CVT transmission that will take the Gator XUV 865R to 50kph. Independent suspension all round should smooth the bumps, too.

Yamaha

The new Yamaha UMX is more suited to a horticultural enterprise or not-too-demanding off-roading.

There are two versions – the EFI, powered by a 402cc petrol engine that weighs in at 455kg, and the whisper-quiet AC, propelled by a 5kW AC electric motor fed by eight 6V batteries that lift the kerb weight to 640kg.

Yamaha UMX blurs the line between heavy-duty UTV and high-end golf buggy and is available in petrol and electric versions

Both versions are rated to carry 363kg and tow up to 544kg, so these are machines for relatively light duties. For carrying materials, feed and tools the aluminium cargo box measures 1,046mm long and 1,116mm wide, with 302mm-deep fixed sides and a single-handed drop-down tailgate.

Steel wheels are supported by strut suspension up front and a space-saving mono linkage at the rear, with drum brakes all round.

A two-seat open-sided cab, 29-litre front storage box, reflector LED headlights and front-end skid plate complete the spec headlines.

Can-Am

When extra or bulky carrying capacity is needed, the Can-Am Traxter Pro DPS HD10 answers the call with a longer cargo box.

At 1.8m long, this model has an 838mm advantage over the regular tipping box, without diminishing its 454kg capacity or 1,134kg tow ratings but with 50cm lower sides and tailboard.

Based on the 2.94m wheelbase chassis of the four-seat Traxters, the big box carrier packs an 82hp, 976cc version of the Rotax petrol engine, like other HD10 variants in the range.

An extra-long load box features on the Can-Am Traxter Pro DPS HD10 for carrying items up to 1.8m long

Polaris

In the Polaris camp, the 44hp Ranger 570 line-up has gained a couple of specials in addition to the regular model in Sage Green.

The Hunter edition gets a hide-and-seek Pursuit Camo hydrographic finish while the Nordic Pro model has a cab heater as standard, 12in aluminium wheels and Black Pearl paintwork with contrasting blue-painted suspension coil springs.

The Hunter edition of the Polaris Ranger 570 EPS comes with camo flourishes that help it blend into the countryside

Elsewhere, the guide listing reflects the axing of Quadzilla’s ZForce 550 EX buggy from CFMoto, the full cab version of the Kubota RTV-X900 (the ROPS model is retained), and also the departure of Camouflage and SE versions of Yamaha’s sprightly Viking, which continues in standard spec form.