Kelley Blue Book Side By Side Utv (2024)

FAQs

What is the most dependable side by side UTV? ›

5,000 and up is considered high miles for ATVs and UTVs. But don't just go for the vehicle with the fewest miles. Consider the age of the vehicle. If someone has owned an ATV and clearly rarely ridden it, it's unlikely that it's in great shape after spending that much time in storage.

Side-by-side cost depends on a lot of factors. Depending on your budget and needs, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 for a new machine. For the majority of new side-by-sides, the average cost is around $15,000.

UTVs typically come equipped with cargo beds or storage areas for hauling equipment and materials. SXS: Side-by-Sides are similar to UTVs but are typically more focused on recreational use. They are built for performance and often feature sportier suspension, powerful engines, and enhanced off-road capabilities.

Kawasaki also makes the Mule series, which is more of a UTV but allows for a passenger next to the driver. You want these for working on the farm and the ranch because they will continue running for years with their long-lasting durability.

Can-Am Maverick R X RS is our pick for the best overall side-by-side you can buy today—as long as you're looking for off-road thrills and not a farm or ranch workhorse. But to help guide your search, we've rounded up our favorite side-by-side UTVs for 2024—including an EV model—for sport, ranch work, and leisure.

What's Considered High Mileage for an ATV? The average annual mileage for an ATV is 1,000 to 2,000. While there are varying opinions and factors on this matter, most off-roaders consider anything above 5,000 miles to be high mileage. An ATV with 1,000 miles or under is considered to have low mileage.

Even if you do everything right, your UTV will wear out over time. That being said, there's no magic number of miles or hours that makes a UTV wear out. There have been reports of some UTVs lasting more than 10 years, and others barely making it to 5.

If you're interested in simpler models, you might spend around $10,000. However, if you want a top-of-the-line UTV with all the latest gadgets, the price could go beyond $30,000. Don't forget to factor in regular maintenance and any desired upgrades.

While they're both vehicle assets, ATVs and UTVs don't depreciate as quickly as cars. Most four-wheelers and side-by-sides don't start to lose value until roughly three years after their first use, depreciating between 10% and 25% every year during this time. After that, their value tends to remain the same.

Why are UTVs so expensive? ›

The cost of a side by side is influenced by a mix of advanced engineering, high-quality materials, safety features, and market dynamics, among other factors. While they may seem expensive, the value they offer in terms of versatility, performance, and longevity can make them worth every penny.

If you're a farmer, outdoor enthusiast, or carpenter who needs to do a lot of towing and hauling, you can save considerable money by choosing to buy a side by side over a pickup truck. They cost about a third of what a pickup does, and you can get around 1000 lbs of towing capacity and 400 lbs in hauling capacity.

Safety Comparison: Navigating the Trade-Offs

UTVs, with their built-in roll cages, offer superior protection in this regard. In contrast, ATVs require active rider participation to prevent rollovers, which can be particularly dangerous for inexperienced riders.

There is no doubt that a UTV is far safer and much less likely to roll over than an ATV. However, UTV rollovers do happen and have the potential to cause serious injury or even death. Therefore, it is essential that every rider takes proper steps to ensure safe operation at all times.

Depending on the model and specifications, side-by-sides can hit top speeds of 50 to over 80 mph, offering a versatile option for both work and play.

With a better payload, larger cargo box, and dynamic power steering, there's a whole ton of High Lifter fans that say the Can-Am wins this one. At the same time, the Polaris Ranger has been a staple vehicle for thousands—for years.

Though Can-Am makes great ATVs', we prefer Yamaha for many reasons. Yamaha ATVs' are undeniably reliable and we hear this time and time again from our customers. Yamaha makes rugged and dependable ATVs that take you anywhere you need to go.