There are a lot of people out in the off-road world that thinks of ATVs and Side-by-Sides as simply all-terrain vehicles. As an introduction to the wonderful world of ATVs, we figured we’d put together a list of five of the best cheap all-terrain vehicles that can put someone on the right track to a lifetime of off-road adventure while saving a few bucks.
As we all know, the prices of new all-terrain vehicles have been steadily rising. Don’t think of it as an obstacle to fun, though. You can score a sweet deal on one of these cheap all-terrain vehicles. So what makes one cheap enough to make this list? As long as it has the basics of four wheels and an engine, and isn’t sold off the back of a truck in a parking lot, we considered it. Cheap means lower-priced fun, not lower quality.
Kawasaki Brute Force 300
At $4,299, the smallest BruteForce from Kawasaki has everything it needs to make our list of affordable all-terrain vehicles. The Kawasaki Brute Force 300 has a 271cc engine, steel racks and Kawasaki’s legendary quality. When you just need a simple, two-wheel drive ATV to get the job done and have some fun, the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 fits the bill very nicely.
Polaris Sportsman 450 H.O. Utility Edition
The Polaris Sportsman 450 Utility Edition is a lot machine for the money. At $6,299, it is $300 more than the standard 450, but for that $300, you get steel racks with some added capacity in the rear rack for storage, and front and rear steel bumpers, with the front bumper extended for additional coverage. There are also receivers in the front and rear, great for moving trailers around. These cheap all-terrain vehicles pump out an impressive 33 horsepower and are as capable on the trail as they are around the farm.
Honda FourTrax Rancher 4×4
The Honda Rancher recently got some upgrades and for $6,299, this is among a handful of fun, dependable and cheap all-terrain vehicles Honda has to offer. Honda packs a 420cc engine into the Rancher and it can handle just about any job you can muster up. Plus the layout of the Honda makes it a comfortable and nimble trail machine. It has a manual transmission, so you shift gears with your foot, but that also means no belts to break, and no loss of power to the belt, making this little 420 engine feel like something a lot bigger.
Yamaha Kodiak 700
Now, you might think that cheap all-terrain vehicles mean tiny engines. Not the case with the Yamaha Kodiak 700. For $6,999, you get a 708cc beast that has torque for days. Plus, Yamaha uses the same basic frame and suspension components as the Grizzly, its flagship ATV. The Kodiak is fuel injected, but does lack power steering. While aimed at the utility crowd, the Kodiak is a capable trail machine. If you want some of the creature comforts like EPS or a locking differential, it’ll cost you more. If you want simple horsepower and capability, try the Kodiak.
Can-Am Outlander MAX 450 DPS
OK, at $7,899, you may think the Can-Am Outlander MAX 450 DPS doesn’t belong on a list of cheap all-terrain vehicles, but let’s take a look at why we included it. It comes with a 38-horsepower engine that is plenty for a fun torquey ride. And this is a two-up ATV, meaning you can safely and legally ride with a passenger. And another thing we included was the additional $900 for the power steering. Anyone who has ridden double on an ATV knows that having the weight of another person can make steering tough. Your arms and shoulders will thank you for buying an ATV with power steering.