For a number of different reasons, ATVs seem to be having a resurgence in popularity among consumers. Many are looking to purchase their own vehicle, but being in the market for one can be an overwhelming matter these days. Some people might not even know what are the best ATV brands to look for anymore.
With all the advancements and innovations that have been made in terms of performance, safety, and technology, there has never been a better time to purchase an ATV. Below is a list of the best ATV brands in 2024, with pros and cons of each brand.
Polaris
Polaris was founded in 1954 in Minnesota. They originally produced snowmobiles, and then expanded into a number of different vehicles. They first entered the ATV market in 1985, and have been a big name in the ATV world ever since then. They have popular models like the Sportsman and the Scrambler, with each having recreational, sport, and touring editions depending on your needs.
Pros: Polaris is known for being a highly innovative company. They constantly introduce cutting-edge technology and new features which keep their vehicles up-to-date. Their ATVs are also known to be comfortable rides with their top of the line suspension systems.
Cons: With their top of the line technology and performance, Polaris ATVs tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. Also, with all the complex technology on the vehicles, sometimes it may be difficult for a user to get used to the tech, and can lead to higher maintenance costs in the case of any technological failure.
Polaris can be a great option for you if you are looking for top of the line technology, a comfortable ride, and price is not an important factor for you. If price is an option for you, or you don’t care much for technology with a steep learning curve, you might be better off looking elsewhere.
Yamaha
Yamaha was founded in 1887 in Japan, and began as a musical instrument manufacturer. They entered the motorized vehicle market in 1955, and entered the ATV market in 1980. They are now a leader in both the utility and sport ATV markets. Their Raptor and Grizzly models are some of the most iconic in the whole industry.
Pros: Yamaha is known for building reliable vehicles, with engines which are notoriously long-lasting. Not only are their ATVs reliable though, whenever they do have an issue the solutions are generally easier fixes since they do not incorporate a lot of advanced technology in their vehicles.
Cons: That being said, one reason their vehicles are reliable is because of their lack of high-tech features which may be unappealing to some. Also noted, some riders have found Yamaha’s suspension and comfort levels to be weaker in comparison to companies such as polaris.
Yamaha almost seems to be the opposite of Polaris. They are less focused on technological advancements, and innovation, and are more focused on delivering a highly-performing, reliable vehicle. If you don’t care for the fancy technology, or aren’t as concerned about comfort levels, Yamaha can be a great choice for you.
Honda
Honda is one of the more well-known names on this list. They were founded in 1946, focusing on manufacturing motorcycles, and in 1984 they entered the four-wheel ATV market. They are known for popularizing ATVs for recreational and work use, not just for sport. Nowadays, they are known for their reliability more than anything else, offering some of the most reliable vehicles on the market.
Pros: Honda’s biggest strength is their unmatched durability. Like their motor vehicles, their ATVs are notorious for being long-lasting, and trouble-free machines. Due to their reliability and low maintenance costs, they tend to hold a high resale value since people know they typically don’t have many issues.
Cons: While they are highly reliable, they don’t really look to make many advancements in their products. Their technology is behind most of their competition, and they don’t focus on performance/sport-focused models compared to their competitors.
If you are looking for an ATV for work use, we are not sure if you are able to buy a better machine than a Honda. You should especially consider them if you are interested in retaining value in your investment.
Kawasaki
Founded in 1896, Kawasaki got its start by building steel ships. In 1981, they first entered the ATV market with a three-wheeled ATV after which they continued to grow into a wide range of four-wheeled vehicles. They are known for their Brute Force series, which offers a rugged utility/recreation vehicle.
Pros: They are known for their rugged and powerful vehicles which are capable of handling demanding conditions. The Brute Force series is known for offering high torque and power, which makes it perfect for towing and other heavy-duty responsibilities.
Cons: While they build highly robust and powerful vehicles, they lack some of the high-tech features offered by other competitors. Some customers have also noted that they do not offer the smoothest ride, and are not as comfortable as other companies like Polaris.
If you need an ATV with high towing capabilities, something with good torque and power, Kawasaki is the way you want to go. They have good priced options for your work vehicle needs, and offer reliable vehicles as well.
Ltz Raptor, edited by Base64, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Suzuki
Better known for their motorcycles, Suzuki is one of the best ATV brands in the world. They were founded in Japan in 1909, and transitioned to producing motorcycles and vehicles after WWII. They actually created the first four-wheeled ATV in 1983 with the QuadRunner LT125. This set them as a pioneer in the industry.
Pros: Suzuki is known for building simple, affordable, and highly performing vehicles. They build long-lasting ATVs, and are known for having exceptional handling. While they may not be as fancy as some of the other companies offerings, suzuki ATVs are perfect for riding looking for a pure ride at an affordable price.
Cons: While the simplicity of Suzuki is a benefit for some, it can also be a negative for others. If you are looking for a top of the line ride, filled with up-to-date technology, the vehicles here are not the match for you.
Suzuki can be a great option for you if you simply want an affordable vehicle which does its job well. You won’t get high end tech, top of the line comfort, or best in the industry reliability, but in terms of bang for the buck, Suzuki offers quite a lot for consideration.
Before you buy, why not try one out?
Purchasing an ATV can be quite an investment in today’s economy, and requires the utmost research and testing in order to be satisfied with your decision. Before you decide to buy an ATV, why not download our app and test one out for yourself? Or, if you know you will only need a vehicle for work matters on rare occasions, why purchase one instead of renting one on our app for pennies on the dollar? Click here to download our app, and get on an ATV today!