ATVs and UTVs are extremely similar vehicles, but it’s important to know that they are not exactly the same. Some things that one type of vehicle can do very well at can prove difficult or even impossible for the other. For this article we’re going to quickly go over some of the key differences between ATV vs UTV.
ATV vs UTV
ATVs
Let’s start with the most obvious difference: the name. ATV stands for All-Terrain Vehicle. ATVs are also known as quads, or quad bikes. ATVs are primarily used for recreational activities, and the main reason for this is due to its size and overall strength. An ATV is very good at transporting an individual from one place to another. However, they can tend to run into issues when you start asking it to pull far more weight than what the vehicle was built for.
Durability & Handling
ATVs are also pretty durable, and they’re built to withstand whatever you decide to throw at them. That’s not to say UTVs can’t handle demanding conditions, they absolutely can, but the people who manufacture ATVs usually expect the drivers to be abusing them more, if that makes sense. ATVs also are driven with a set of handlebars, and not a steering wheel.
It’s kind of like the difference between cars and trucks. Cars are very good at transporting people, but if you’re serious about transporting heavy objects it makes a lot more sense to go with a truck. Likewise, the same applies to the difference between an ATV and a UTV.
ATVs are also much easier to suddenly jump out of if you find yourself in a tricky situation that you can’t avoid. UTVs can be jumped out of as well, but they usually have a backing that will prevent you from escaping out the back. Not to mention seat belts which are built into many models. You’ll basically never find seatbelts on an ATV. UTVs are often built with roll cages installed, so the driver is never really expected to suddenly need to jump out of the vehicle if it tips over.
UTVs
UTV is short for Utility-Terrain Vehicle. UTVs are also known as Side By Sides, or SxS’s, mainly because these vehicles are often built with two seats for two passengers to sit next to each other, side by side. It’s probably obvious from the name, but these machines are built with the intended purpose of being great at accomplishing certain tasks outside. These tasks include hauling large loads being one of the main strengths of a UTV. Although you can use it recreationally if you like, generally exploring rough terrain is going to be easier with an ATV rather than a UTV.
Durability & Handling
They resemble traditional cars and trucks much more than an ATV does because they are driven with a steering wheel and come with an overhead and cargo area in the back built into them in most cases. They even come with windshields and seatbelts. UTVs are basically like super-powerful golf carts which are built to withstand the most demanding of conditions.
Price
UTVs also tend to be a bit more expensive than an ATV, as it’s a larger vehicle and they cost more to produce because of this. Fuel will be slightly cheaper on ATVs than UTVs, but generally most modern ones tend to get pretty good mileage, so this shouldn’t be too much of a concern.
Hopefully this article helps you to understand some of the key differences between ATVs and UTVs. These two classes of vehicles are both extremely useful and practical under the right circumstances, so consider what you want to use yours for and come to a conclusion based on your general expectations.
If you thought this article on the difference between an ATV vs UTV was helpful, check out our other posts on ATVs here, and side by sides here.
