The Best ATV Brands on the Market Right Now 


You’re in the market for a new ATV and comparing brands. There are more than you thought, but you want only the best brands to have a reliable, dependable ATV for a long time. What are the top ATV brands?

Here are the best ATV brands on the market right now:

  • Yamaha
  • Honda
  • Polaris
  • Can-Am
  • Kawasaki
  • Suzuki
  • Arctic Cat
  • Apollo
  • Aeon Motor
  • Tao Motor
  • Argo

In today’s exploratory guide, we’ll take you through all 11 of these exemplary ATV brands and explains what’s won them so much acclaim. When you’re done reading, you should feel confident choosing the right ATV brand for you! 

The Top 11 ATV Brands to Buy

Yamaha ATVs

First on the list is Yamaha, and rightfully so. 

Known as Yamaha Motor Company in full, the brand was founded in 1955 in Japan. Yamaha has a brand reputation you can trust in, originating with motorcycles and today manufacturing snowmobiles, side-by-sides, and ATVs.

Yamaha specializes in sport and utility ATVs. Some of the latest sport ATVs (as of this writing) are the Raptor 700R SE, the YFZ50, the Raptor 700R, and the Raptor 700. 

Yamaha’s sport ATVs are available for under $10,000 yet include performance-enhancing features such as five-speed transmission, fuel-injected engine, lightweight frame, five-valve cylinder head, and an assist-and-slipper clutch.

The brand’s collection of utility ATVs includes the Kodiak 450, Grizzly EPS XT-R, Grizzly EPS SE, Grizzly EPS, and Grizzly 90. 

These are heavier-duty and thus higher-cost ATVs but are still only priced at slightly over $10k. 

Exceptional features such as quiet driving, Ultramatic transmission, On-Command 4WD, and power steering make one of these utility ATVs worth owning. 

Honda ATVs

Since 1948, Japanese company Honda Motor Company, Ltd., or Honda for short, has produced power equipment, motorcycles, and automobiles. 

You might know Honda for its cars and trucks, but its selection of ATVs is top-notch as well. You can select between sport and recreational/utility ATVs.

The sport ATVs include the TRX90X and the TRX250X, both of which are available for under $6,000 (base prices only). 

Features such as an air-cooled OHV engine, electric start, Honda SportClutch, five-speed transmission, and direct rear drive shaft driveline give the sport ATVs from Honda a smooth, streamlined operation.

The rec/utility ATVs are the Fourtrax Rincon, Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4×4 EPS, Fourtrax Foreman 4×4, the Fourtrax Rancher, and the Fourtrax Recon, which all stay affordable at under $10k base MSRP.

These excellent ATVs come packed with performance features such as a semi-dry-sump engine, electronic fuel injection induction, electric starter with auxiliary recoil, and full transistor ignition. You can’t go wrong! 

Polaris ATVs

Unlike the other two ATV brands we’ve showcased thus far, Polaris is based in the United States. Their company was established in 1954. Rather than begin with motorcycles, Polaris started with snowmobiles and later expanded.

Polaris produces an extensive lineup of ATVs, from youth models to special editions, sports vehicles, touring vehicles, and recreational and utility vehicles.

The youth models include the Outlaw 70 EFI, Outlaw 110 EFI, Sportsman 110, and Phoenix 200.

The special editions are the Sportsman High Lifter Edition and Sportsman 6×6 570. 

Polaris’ collection of sport ATVs are as follows: the Scrambler 850, Sportsman XP 1000 S, and the Scrambler XP 1000 S Limited Edition.

The touring ATVs include the Sportsman Touring 570, Sportsman Touring 850, and Sportsman Touring XP 1000 Trail.

Finally, these ATVs are in Polaris’ rec and utility category: the Sportsman 450 H.O., Sportsman 570, Sportsman 850, and the Sportsman XP 1000. 

No matter which ATV category floats your boat, you can expect a powerful engine, great handling, speed and efficiency, and a reasonable price as well. 

Can-Am ATVs

The original Can-Am brand was bought out by Bombardier Recreational Products in the late 1980s, but Can-Am exists to this day with its Can-Am Off-Road brand.

That brand manufactures side-by-sides and ATVs. The latter lineup features the DS, Renegade, Outlander, and Outlander 450/570. Each model is available for under $10,000 as a starting price.

What makes a Can-Am ATV worth owning? These off-road-ready vehicles have V-twin engines, strong torque, and Tortional Trailing Arm independent rear suspension. Some even have a towing capacity of up to 1,650 pounds! 

Kawasaki ATVs

No list of the best ATV brands is complete without talking about Kawasaki. Its vehicles, such as personal watercraft, jet skis, SxS, ATVs, and motorcycles, are produced by the Motorcycle & Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Kawasaki’s ATVs are quite appealing, as evidenced in the Teryx KRX 4 1000 SE, Teryx KRX 4 1000 eS, and Teryx KRX 4 1000 eS Special Edition. 

Boasting a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine, electronic advance ignition, automatic CVT transmission, dual hydraulic disc brakes, and a seating capacity for four, the Teryx models are sure to impress.

Kawasaki’s utility and recreational ATVs are known as the Brute Force collection with two models, the Brute Force 300 and the Brute Force 750 4x4i. 

The latter ATV, the Brute Force 750 4×41, includes a V-twin, four-stroke engine, a towing capacity of up to 1,250 pounds, selectable 2WD/4WD with a variable front differential lock control, and independent four-wheel suspension. 

Suzuki ATVs

Another prominent name in automotive, without a doubt, is Suzuki, a Japanese company founded in 1909. Suzuki is a celebrated ATV brand to add to your shortlist from motorcycles to ATVs and race vehicles.

Suzuki manufactures youth ATVs and utility sport vehicles.

The youth ATVs include the QuadSport Z50 and QuadSport Z90.

You can select from three utility sports classes, Utility Sport 400, Utility Sport 500, and Utility Sport 750.

In the Utility Sport 400 class is the KingQuad 400ASi, KingQuad 400ASi SE+, and the KingQuad 400FSi.

The Utility Sport 500 class includes the KingQuad 500AXi, KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering, KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering SE, and the KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering SE+.

Finally, the Utility Sport 750 class has the KindQuad 750AXi, KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering, KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering SE, and KingQuad 750AXi SE+. 

Arctic Cat ATVs

You also can’t go wrong with Arctic Cat, a snowmobile, side-by-side and ATV manufacturer created in 1960 in Minnesota. 

Compared to some of the other brands we’ve examined, Arctic Cat has a smaller collection of ATVs, but the quality of these vehicles makes them worth looking into. 

Your options are the Alterra 450, Alterra 600 EPS, Altera 600 LTD, Altera 600 SE, Alterra 600 XT, Alterra 300, Alterra 90, and Alterra TRV 700 EPS. The highest starting cost of these ATVs is up to $11,000.

Some of the models are designed for two passengers and feature a 700 class engine, a towing capacity of 1,050 pounds, an 11-inch ground clearance, double A-arm rear and front suspension, 10-inch rear and front travel, and accessories such as front tow hooks and over molded rear and front racks. 

Apollo ATVs

A much smaller brand is the Philadelphia-based Apollo ATVs, which also produces dirt bikes, go-karts, UTVs, golf karts, motorcycles, motor scooters, and scooters.

Apollo has a great selection of ATV models such as the Sportrax 125cc, Pentora 250cc, Blazer9 125cc, Sniper DLX 125cc, Commander 200cc, Pentora 125cc, Terminator 300, Blazer 9 DLX 125cc, and the Pentora 150.

The Terminator 300 has plenty of features you’re looking for as you shop for an ATV, like two-sided hydraulic disc brakes, independent suspension, electric startup, and a four-stroke, water-cooled engine. 

Aeon Motor ATVs

The Chinese company Aeon Motor is a newer brand in the ATV world, having been established in 1998. Starting with scooters, Aeon later expanded to motorcycles and ATVs.

You can choose between sport and utility ATVs.

The sport ATV models are the Cobra 50, Cobra 100, Cobra 220, Cobra 400, and the Cobra 400 Supermoto. 

Looking at the Cobra 400 Supermoto, it’s jam-packed with awesome features such as double-wishbone front suspension, swing-arm rear suspension, disc brakes, and a liquid-cooled engine with 346 ccs of displacement, a rear-wheel chain drive, and a carburetor.

The utility ATV models include the Overland 180 and the Crossland 600 EFI 4×4. 

In these vehicles, you’ll find features such as a four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, a steel tube frame, double A-arm front and rear suspension, and dual-disc brakes.

Tao Motor ATVs

Tao Motor, which is a division of TaoTao Vehicles Company, LTD, is also based in China. The company was founded in 1985 and produces scooters, dirt bikes, minibikes, go-karts, motorcycles, and ATVs.

You have no shortage of ATV options if you decide to shop through Tao Motors. The complete list of ATV models is as follows: Boulder, Boulder B1, D125, G125 (Cheetah), T125 (T-Force), Trailhawk, Mudhawk10, F125, ATA150G, Bull 150, Bull 200S, G 200, Rhino 250, Mudhawk6, and Rock 110.

The Mudhawk10 features a key fob with wireless engine shutoff, a throttle limiter (perfect for beginners), rear and front disc brakes, electric start, LED running lights, and a four-stroke, air-cooled engine.  

Argo ATVs

The last ATV brand we’ll look at is Argo, an all-terrain vehicle manufacturer based in Canada. The company was established in 1962.

The Argo brand was originally known as Ontario Drive and Gear and later changed its name. Its range of vehicles includes ATVs and 6×6 and 8×8 amphibious extreme terrain vehicles.

In its collection of recreational vehicles, Argo’s Xplorer Series includes ATVs. 

You can choose from the Xplorer XC 90, Xplorer XR 500, Xplorer XR 500 SE, Xplorer XR 570, Xplorer XR 570 LE, Xplorer XR 700 EPS, Xplorer XR 700 LE, Xplorer XRT 570, Xplorer XRT 570 LE, and the Xplorer XRT 1000 LE.

The price of these vehicles is valued between $3,000 and $13,000. 

You can expect features from the Xplorer Series such as a four-stroke engine, twin cylinders, an EFI fuel system, liquid cooling, electric start, ECU ignition, and an override button. 

Check out our ATV Page to Learn More!

How to Choose the Right ATV Brand for You 

To wrap up, we want to review some factors that will undoubtedly come up as you shop around for ATVs from the brands listed above. This section should help you make a purchasing decision you’re truly proud of. 

Name Recognition 

Most of the ATV brands on the list from the last section were instantly recognizable. Yet, for other brands, this might be your first introduction to them.

It’s a natural inclination to gravitate towards a brand you know and recognize. Even if you’ve never bought an ATV from this brand before (nor any other type of motor vehicle), you know that because they’re such a popular brand, you’ll probably get a quality product.

Don’t necessarily disqualify smaller brands, though. They could check more of your boxes in other areas, such as pricing and offering unique-looking ATV models. 

By doing your homework and reading news clippings and press releases on a smaller ATV company, you’ll feel confident that you’re choosing a suitable brand.  

Models Available

The brand is but one factor of many that will determine which ATV you ultimately buy. The type of models available is another factor.

Sport and utility ATVs were the most common among the 11 manufacturers we rounded up in the last section. 

You might see some youth models from time to time as well, which is great if you have kids and you’re interested in getting them into the ATV life.

You know what type of ATV you want, so you should look for a brand that offers that type of model. Even if there’s a brand you like, if they don’t have the type of ATV you need, you should be willing to expand your search parameters. 

Pricing

Pricing is without a doubt a major determining factor when selecting an ATV. 

Many of the brands we examined in the last section priced their ATVs about the same. You could buy a more basic model for nearly $3,000, while bigger utility ATVs cost upwards of $10,000.

We want to clarify that the costs listed in the last section are starting prices only. Think of those prices as the MSRP on a car.

It’s what the vehicle is rated to cost, but you will always end up spending more money. 

If you add cool features or amenities, that will cost you. 

Even without all the extra bells and whistles, you still have to pay taxes and shipping. You could end up tacking on hundreds if not thousands of dollars extra to the cost of your ATV.

If you’re on a very tight budget especially, you could find yourself overspending because you hadn’t thought about the other fees and charges. 

Amenities

ATVs don’t have tons of amenities, that’s true, but they’re not totally bereft, either. 

If you want features such as extra storage capacity, heated seats, an LED illuminated dashboard, odometers, speedometers, and the whole ball of wax, then you might be searching a little harder than the average ATV shopper for what you need. 

Once you find the holy grail of ATVs, though, you’ll certainly be a happy camper. 

Seating Capacity 

Although most ATVs are for solo rides, if you’d rather bring along a buddy, some ATV models offer that capability. 

Once you get into three-seater territory, then it’s more side-by-sides than ATVs.

Two-seater ATVs are a little harder to come by since the demand isn’t as high, so you’ll have to be willing to spend a little more time researching. 

Remember that two-seater ATVs will always cost more than single-seaters, so budget accordingly. 

ATV Looks

An ATV is an unconventional ride, so it might as well have an unconventional appearance, too, right?

The 11 brands we discussed today truly run the gamut regarding the styles of ATVs offered. If you want a more utilitarian vehicle with darker or camo paint jobs, that’s an option.

You can find those if you prefer a futuristic ATV with sharp lines and bright, Day-Glo colors. 

Fuel Economy 

You don’t only have to consider fuel economy when buying a car but an ATV as well.

New ATVs have an average miles per gallon rate of 11 to 15 MPG, which is none too shabby. Lightly used ATVs will have about the same MPG. 

A used ATV will have a lower fuel economy, although how much lower depends on just how used we’re talking about! 

Final Thoughts

There you have it, those are 11 of the most esteemed and beloved ATV brands you can select from. 

This list includes all the heaviest hitters, from Yamaha to your Arctic Cat, Honda, Suzuki, Polaris, Can-Am, and Kawasaki. 

There are also some underrated brands here, some of which have been around just as long as the bigger brand above but haven’t risen to the same level of success.

No matter what type of ATV you’re looking for or your budget, you should find it on this list above! 

Geoff Southworth

I am a California native and I enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. My latest adventures have been taking the family camping, hiking and surfing.

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