Sometimes you don’t need all the newest tech, biggest engines, or most impressive upgrades—you just need a UTV to make your life a little easier. Today, we’re looking at the best budget side-by-side models you can get today to get work done.
We’re gonna break down the best cheap UTV offerings for the Polaris Ranger, Can-Am Defender, Honda Pioneer, Yamaha Viking, and CFMOTO UForce. Then you can decide whose bang is worth your buck.
“Cheap” is kind of a nasty word, but we know what you’re after. You want something you can afford, not something that’s crap. That’s why we’re looking at low-priced utility side-by-sides from Polaris, Can-Am, Yamaha, CFMOTO, and Honda that have 2025 models.
These are the most likely UTVs you’ll run into, so see how they compare.
The Polaris Ranger SP 570 is a 56-inch-wide 2-seater workhorse. This ranger might not be here to party, but your friends might bug you for help since it comes with a standard 2” receiver hitch.
Beyond that, there’s not much to write home about. It doesn’t come with any fancy tech or gadgets, and that turf mode will keep you from getting too wild on rough terrain. You do get Polaris’s tried-and-true front diff that almost always locks right when you need it in 4×4 mode.
| MSRP | $11,499 |
| Horsepower | 44 HP |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 108” x 56” x 74” |
| Ground Clearance | 11” |
| Wheel travel | 9 in. front; 10 in. rear |
| Person capacity | 2 |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lb. |
| Bed capacity | 500 lb. |
| Payload capacity | 1,100 lb. |
| Standard accessories | Side nets, front bumper, 2” receiver hitch |
The Polaris Ranger SP 570 is among the most popular utility side-by-sides on the market. It balances its capability and its price to give you a no-frills machine that gets work done. And like we said before, you’re gonna love that front diff.
The icing on the cake for any Polaris side-by-side is the widespread availability of Polaris dealers across the country. Got a problem? Odds are, you can find a mechanic to fix it up not far from you.
And when you pick one up, be sure to pick up some Polaris Ranger SP 570 parts and accessories from SuperATV.
While Defenders in general offer all kinds of features and convenience, the cheapest Can-Am Defender is a little bit basic. But it has an impressive 62” width and comes with a 2” receiver hitch, so it’s one of the more capable cheap machines out there.
But how does it look under the hood?
| MSRP | $12,899 |
| Horsepower | 52 HP |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 121” x 62” x 76” |
| Ground Clearance | 11“ |
| Wheel travel | 10” |
| Person capacity | 3 |
| Towing capacity | 2,500 lb. |
| Bed capacity | 1,000 lb. |
| Payload capacity | 1,500 lb. |
| Standard accessories | Front bumper, 2” receiver hitch |
The Defender is a killer workhorse. It wants you to load up the bed, fill up a trailer, pack in your 2 best friends (or suckers you convinced to do your chores) and ride through nasty terrain to the back forty.
That’s where the Defender’s happiest, and even this entry-level model impresses. But with a price approaching 13k, it’s not exactly dirt cheap. This is a serious machine for serious work that requires a serious investment.
There are a couple of downsides, though: the functional but uninspiring Visco-Lok front diff that really stretches the definition of “limited slip,” and the lack of standard power steering. But hey, at least you get a free arm workout to go with your hard day’s work, right?
The Defender is a very solid choice for anyone who can fit it into their budget. If that’s you, check out all our Can-Am Defender HD7 parts and accessories.
The Yamaha Viking EPS is a heavy-duty, full-featured utility vehicle. It doesn’t have exciting standard features—no winch or receiver hitch here—but that doesn’t give you the full story. It’s got a big engine, four-wheel drive, a three-seat cabin, power steering, and a host of other niceties.
It’s big. It’s powerful. And it’s the least affordable utility machine on this list.
But is the bang worth your buck? Let’s take it to the specs!
| MSRP | $15,799 |
| Horsepower | 50 HP |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 122.1” x 61.8” x 75.8” |
| Ground Clearance | 11.8 |
| Wheel travel | 8.1” |
| Person capacity | 3 |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lb. |
| Bed capacity | 600 lb |
| Payload capacity | – |
| Standard accessories | 2” receiver hitch, electric power steering, rubber cargo mat |
The Viking EPS is the most expensive on the list and not necessarily the most impressive. When you stack it up next to the most affordable Can-Am Defender, it comes up a little short.
But when you consider that the Viking has similar capabilities, plus power steering, a better front differential, and almost an extra inch of ground clearance, the Viking looks more tempting.
If the Viking is right for you, be sure to check out all the Yamaha Viking EPS parts and accessories we have at SuperATV.
CFMOTO has been a value-focused brand from the very beginning, and the UForce 600 is no exception. It’s no powerhouse, but it comes with power steering, a 3,500-pound winch, and a roof standard. It’s an awesome, ready-to-ride machine, but how do the rest of its specs stack up?
| MSRP | $10,999 |
| Horsepower | 36 HP |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 111” x 57” x 76” |
| Ground Clearance | 10.5” |
| Wheel travel | 7.9” front, 8.3” rear |
| Person capacity | 2 |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lb. |
| Bed capacity | 600 lb. |
| Payload capacity | – |
| Standard accessories | Front bumper, 3,500 lb. winch, plastic roof, side-view mirrors, 2” receiver hitch, electronic power steering, side nets |
CFMoto is the brand you want if you want to minimize accessorizing after rolling off the lot. Between the winch, mirrors, receiver hitch, and roof, you’re ready to get some chores done right away.
And while it won’t impress you with its power or size, it does have a leg up over the UTV on our list, and it’s way cheaper than the big kanhunas in the category.
The UForce 600 definitely packs in a ton of value. If you want to make it even better, check out all the CFMOTO UForce 600 parts and accessories we’ve got at SuperATV.
Everybody knows the Pioneer 1000, but how about its little brother? The Honda Pioneer 520 is like a mini 1000 that packs plenty of features in its more affordable frame.
It’s got Honda’s legendary reliability, but how does the rest of it stack up?
Let’s take a look at it.
| MSRP | $10,499 |
| Horsepower | 29 HP |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 105” x 50” x 71.2” |
| Ground Clearance | 8.5” |
| Wheel travel | 5.8” front, 5.9 rear |
| Person capacity | 2 |
| Towing capacity | 1,000 lb. |
| Bed capacity | 450 lb. |
| Payload capacity | – |
| Standard accessories | Front bumper, door nets, lower door panels, 2” receiver hitch |
It’s not gonna win any races and you’re not gonna have a good time trying to keep up with your buddies on any sort of difficult trail rides, but it is the most affordable machine on this list at $10,499. It’s geared low, so it’s got some torque but not a lot of speed—you might hit 40 MPH with a tail wind… down a hill.
If you need a compact machine to get some light work done, this might be the perfect choice for you. Just remember, with smaller towing and bed capacities, it’s more like a work labrador than a work horse.
If you decide to go with the most affordable utility side-by-side on our list, check out all the Honda Pioneer 520 parts and accessories we have over at SuperATV
These machines fit different budgets and different roles. It’s up to you to decide how much you want to spend and how much utility you need. It really is a matter of getting what you pay for. Every cheap UTV has tradeoffs, whether that’s power, utility, reputation, or accessories.
And when something breaks, you need to get it fixed up fast with Up & Running. Up & Running parts are designed to replace common failure points with OEM-quality products that save you a ton of money. Plus, we keep them in stock and ship fast—we’re talking same-day shipping and two-day or shorter transit times to almost all of the contiguous United States.
So when you get the best budget side-by-side, don’t forget to protect your investment with Up & Running.
