If you’re planning on going off-roading at an adventure park sometime soon, you’ll likely have the chance to pick out a UTV for a tour. This choice can be difficult for some new riders, especially when they’re not familiar with the primary UTV brands that make UTVs for recreational use.
Fortunately, you can easily find a UTV that you can trust by reviewing our guide to the top five UTV brands for recreational and sport uses.
Difference Between Sport, Recreational, and Utility UTVs?
Also called side-by-sides (SxS), UTVs are typically broken into three categories: sport, recreational, and utility UTVs. Before you start evaluating brands, it’s essential to understand the differences between these UTV types, as some brands focus on creating UTVs for utility, while others design their lineup for fun.
When Are Utility UTVs Good for Tours?
Utility UTVs prioritize getting jobs done, offering higher payloads/towing, dump beds, bench seating, and attachments (even diesel options). Due to this focus on work, they’re slower and less capable on rough trails at speed.
For touring purposes, they’re usually only the right choice for larger groups who want a slow ride through nature.
When Are Sport UTVs Good for Tours?
On the other end of the UTV spectrum are sport UTVs, which are built for speed and rough terrain. They tend to feature agile handling and long-travel suspension for trails, dunes, mud, and rock crawling, but they sacrifice cargo space and work capability.
Since sport UTVs tend to have fewer seats, they’re best for individual riders or couples who want to really push the pedal to the metal over rough terrain.
When Are Recreational UTVs Good for Tours?
Recreational/Hybrid UTVs blend work and play, providing balanced suspension, usable cargo/tow capacity, and versatile seating.
They tend to be great for larger group tours where you want space for extra passengers and storage, but don’t want to sacrifice too much speed or agility.
5 SxS Brands to Know About
While UTVs were originally designed for work purposes, many side-by-side brands have expanded their offerings to include recreational and sport UTVs. This expansion into the recreational and sports field means new UTV drivers have lots of options to choose from.
Below, you can find an overview of five leading UTV brands for recreational or sport uses:
1. Can-Am
Can-Am builds high-performance recreational machines and hard-working utility rigs. The lineup spans a pure-sport flagship, a sport-utility “do-it-all,” and a utility series that can be outfitted from basic work trim to fully enclosed comfort packages.
Their UTVS’ versatility makes them an ideal option for off-roading tours, with options for both high-speed rides and relaxed group experiences. With advanced suspension systems, numerous safety features (including anti-lock brakes and stability control), and ergonomic seating, they’re among the most comfortable UTVs for touring.
What to Know About Can-Am UTVs
- Ride feel: Sport models deliver explosive acceleration with a direct-shifting dual-clutch gearbox and a planted, stable chassis that stays composed over big bumps. Suspension designs with long travel help the wheels track the ground at speed.
- Great when: Your routes include desert and dunes, mud, rocks, or canyons (terrain-specific packages are available), or you need two or four seats with room for storage.
- Things beginners appreciate: New riders tend to enjoy Can Am’s dynamic power steering, as it makes the steering wheel easier to turn at low speeds. Their UTVs also feature simple traction settings that can be adjusted for mud, rocks, or trails, allowing the wheels to maintain their grip without requiring extra skill.
- Good to know: Many models utilize an automatic belt drive, which is more prone to breaking down and requiring replacement if you ride aggressively. Also, top sport models like the Maverick R are fairly wide (~77 inches) and may be too wide for some trail systems with strict width limits.
- Popular models: Maverick R, Maverick X3, Commander, Defender.
2. Polaris
Polaris offers one of the broadest UTV lineups in the category, spanning work-focused utility rigs, overlanding-capable adventure machines, high-performance sport models, and youth-sized options.
Polaris builds vehicles for both job-site duty and recreational off-roading, with an emphasis on comfort, refinement, and purpose-built features across each segment.
What to Know About Polaris UTVs
- Ride feel: Power delivery is torquey and smooth with notably quiet operation on models like the Ranger XD 1500, while the XP Kinetic runs virtually silent. The Xpedition’s adjustable dampers and all-day comfortable seats help it handle everything from rock crawling to fast desert stretches.
- Great when: Your tour includes narrow, rocky, rooted trails (The RZR Pro XP excels at this) or wide-open desert and canyons (The Pro S is ideal for this environment). If you’re going on a tour in an area with lots of wildlife, you might want to consider the XP Kinetic, which is low-noise and allows for quieter approaches.
- Features beginners appreciate: Quiet/refined cabins (truck-like feel and extra space on Ranger XD 1500), available HVAC and Ride Command on select trims for comfort and navigation, and youth-focused safety tech on the RZR 200 EFI (helmet detection, adjustable speed, geofencing).
- Good to know: Some Polaris models may require more repairs and maintenance over time compared with some competitors. However, an adventure park should be on top of their UTVs’ maintenance.
- Popular models: Ranger (including XD 1500, XP Kinetic), Xpedition (XP/ADV), RZR Pro XP, RZR Pro S, and RZR 200 EFI.
3. Yamaha
9 side-by-sides are known for reliability, rider protection, and thoughtful engineering. The lineup covers work-first utility (Viking), versatile recreation/utility (Wolverine), and pure sport performance (YXZ1000R), serving ranch work, trail adventures, and family outings alike.
What to Know About Yamaha UTVs
- Ride feel: Yamaha UTVs deliver a smooth and steady riding experience. Suspensions keep the wheels planted over bumps, while the Wolverine’s shorter wheelbase aids tight-trail maneuvering. Sport models (e.g., YXZ1000R) stay stable in fast corners, and cabins are cushioned to reduce fatigue on longer rides.
- Great when: Your UTV needs to carry four to six passengers or your tour’s route includes challenging conditions like mud, snow, and rocks.
- Things beginners appreciate: Strong safety basics (roll-over protection systems, belts), easy cabin ergonomics, lighter steering assistance, and downhill control from engine-braking that helps keep speeds in check on steep descents.
- Good to know: Like any powersports vehicle, regular maintenance matters. The park should perform regular oil and filter changes, check air filters in dusty areas, and conduct periodic inspections of brakes, CVT belts, and tires to ensure your safety on a tour.
- Popular models: Viking, Wolverine (X2/X4), YXZ1000R.
4. Kawasaki
Kawasaki’s side-by-sides are best known for utility and durability. The Mule line leads the brand, offering heavy-duty capability for work sites and property use, with room for crews and gear.
While Kawasaki’s Mules are primarily work-focused, they can handle recreational trails as well, and the extra storage can be useful for larger group tours that don’t want an adrenaline-pumping experience.
What to Know About Kawasaki UTVs
- Ride feel: Emphasis on power and torque for climbs and rough ground, paired with a smooth ride and comfortable seating. Cabins can seat up to six, leaving space for tools and cargo.
- Great when: Your group wants a laid-back tour over tough terrain without high-speed descents or sharp turns.
- Things beginners appreciate: Easy, power-assisted steering and a tight turning radius make low-speed maneuvers simple. The Trans Cab system allows you to switch between more seats or more bed space quickly, and the wide bench seats, along with straightforward controls, keep rides comfortable.
- Good to know: Many Mule models use electronic speed limiters, so top speed is capped (varies by model). Converting to six-passenger mode reduces the cargo bed size, which limits the amount you can haul, but it can be great for tours.
- Popular models: Mule SX, Mule PRO-FXT, Mule PRO-FX 1000.
5. Hisun
Hisun is a relatively new name in the UTV space, known for value-packed machines that come well-equipped out of the box. The lineup spans work-leaning utility models (Sector), electrical models (E1), and sport options (Strike), with the Strike models most commonly used for tours and recreational purposes.
What to Know About Hisun UTVs
- Ride feel: From the driver’s seat, power comes on smoothly, the suspension soaks up chatter, and the cabin stays relatively quiet with minimal vibration. Interiors feel spacious on uneven two-track, and the electric E1 is notably quiet while independent suspension and four-wheel hydraulic brakes keep it settled over rough sections.
- Great when: You’re tackling low-speed, technical trails or mixed property routes and need room for storage.. Cabins and beds offer practical space, and the quiet E1 suits tours that may encounter wild animals.
- Things beginners appreciate: Hisun UTVs typically provide a smooth driving experience and have a good amount of space inside them for greater comfort.
- Good to know: There have been reports of overheating on certain setups in the past, so ask your adventure park if their Hisun UTVs have been updated with dual fans and exhaust wraps to solve the issue.
- Popular models: Sector, E1, Strike.
Turn to WildSide for Can-Am UTV Tours in Pigeon Forge
While you can find lots of high-quality UTV brands to trust, WildSide is partial to Can-Am. The company’s UTVS are perfect for our adventure park, offering exceptional durability, a stable driving experience, and a varied lineup of sport, recreational, and utility models.
When you sign up for a UTV tour at WildSide, you can choose between the sport-focused two or four-seat Maverick or the more recreation-focused 4-seat Commander or 6-seat Defender. During the 90-minute tour, you’ll tackle tough terrain, explore our 900-acre park, and have plenty of opportunities to stop for pictures.
Learn more about our UTV tours today. If you’re ready to explore the Smokies in a top-of-the-line UTV, please browse our available UTVs and book a rental.