If you’re in the market for a UTV in 2023 and want to make sure you get the most value for your money, you’ve come to the right place.
There are so many options in the UTV market these days that it will make your head spin.
But this guide to the 9 best UTVs for the money in 2023 will help you narrow down the top values available when considering price, performance, and overall quality.
Overall Best UTVs For The Money
#1 – CFMoto UForce 1000
We’re proud Americans here at Off Road Official, so you might be surprised to see a model from a Chinese-headquartered company atop this list.
But knowing all that we know about the UTV industry, it’s impossible not to put the CFMoto UForce 1000 at #1 for now.
For those not familiar with CFMoto, you can read the 18 most helpful CFMoto owner reviews to get a feel for who CFMoto is and what owners think of their machines.
The UForce 1000 is CFMoto’s most powerful UTV model, offered in both a three-seater and six-seater option.
Pros:
- Excellent mix of utility and recreational appeal
- Loaded with accessories
- Most reasonably priced 1000cc model
The big 963cc V-Twin engine is durable and powerful, with a max output of 79 HP making it a real workhorse but also offering plenty of recreational appeal for trail riding or opening it up when you want.
And while this model comes with plenty of accessories standard, by adding any number of the most popular CFMoto UForce 1000 accessories it will stand toe-to-toe with the Polaris Rangers and Can Am Defenders of the UTV world.
In fact you can see how it differs from one of its main competitors in this comparison of the UForce 1000 vs Can Am Defender.
Cons:
- Chinese-made (but assembled/tested in US)
- Loud engine noise
- Ride can be a bit jerky at low speeds
And at only $12,999 for 2023, you’ll save anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 for a comparable model from one of the bigger names.
If you read an unbiased review of the UForce 1000 you’ll find that while the quality of this model has improved over the years, the price still doesn’t reflect that it can now compete with the Polaris and Can Ams of the industry.
From a price to performance perspective, the UForce 1000 is the best UTV for the money in 2023.
#2 – Polaris Ranger 570
A review of the Ranger 570 shows why it has been considered one of the best all-around UTVs for many years now.
There are eight models to choose from, with the Ranger 570 Full-Size models and the Ranger SP 570 models making for the best values.
These models come with Polaris’ 567cc ProStar engine with a maximum output of 44 horsepower, which is pretty impressive for its class.
The low-end torque and overall power this engine provides is plenty to propel the Ranger 570 through soft terrains like mud and sand when in 4WD.
Pros:
- Dependable engine with excellent power
- One of the best overall performance UTVs
- Good towing/hauling capability
They also have no issue with steep hills, even when carrying two riders and the full load capacity in the rear dump bed.
This makes them excellent working vehicles, but they also perform admirably on the trails with around 11 inches of ground clearance.
The Ranger 570 has some common problems, but it is one of the most durable and versatile UTV options around these days.
Cons:
- One of most expensive models in its class
- Prone to excessive heat in the cab
- Few accessories included standard
#3 – CFMoto UForce 600
The UForce 600 is CFMoto’s mid-size UTV offering, and was only recently introduced as of 2022 – though the brand has been around for years.
This model comes equipped with CFMoto’s 580cc single-cylinder engine which gets around 40 HP and competes with the best in the class when it comes to raw power.
And while designed with utility in mind, they also offer one of the best mixes of working ability and recreational appeal in the class as well as one of the faster utility 600cc UTVs.
Pros:
- Good engine power and speed
- Flush with accessories
- One of least expensive 600 models
While these models are technically Chinese-made, if you read a review of CFMoto UTVs as a whole you’ll see that they’re actually high quality.
A review of the UForce 600 shows this model comes flush with a number of standard accessories, making it about as trail-ready as you’ll find, especially for the price.
And speaking of price, the UForce 600 is one of the least expensive models in its class. All things considered, this model is one of the best UTVs for the money.
Cons:
- Engine is loud
- Parts and components Chinese-made
- Throttle response delayed at low speeds
#4 – Can Am Defender DPS
The Defender DPS is Can Am’s next step up from the Defender base model and includes dynamic power steering, which is essentially a must-have for a utility vehicle that will be driven on trails or in 4×4 regularly.
While it doesn’t come with many other add-ons, you can add a handful of the best Can-Am Defender accessories to really transform this model.
The Defender DPS is offered with all three of Can Am’s current engine options, including the HD7, HD9 and HD10 engine.
You can find the main differences in these engines and the performance levels they provide in this guide to the Can Am Defenders top speeds and performance.
Pros:
- Great power for towing/hauling
- Good mix of utility/recreational appeal
- Multiple models/trims to choose from
Regardless of the specific engine, Defenders are known for their incredible low-end power and torque, offering some of the best towing and hauling capacities in their respective classes.
Aside from making great working vehicles, they also offer plenty of recreational appeal on the side, and with solid ground clearance they make good trail riding options.
This is one of the best overall UTV models you’ll find, but when you factor in everything you get with these models for the price there are other models that simply make for better values.
Cons:
- One of priciest models
- Not many accessories included standard
#5 – Honda Pioneer 700
The Pioneer 700 is Honda’s utility-focused UTV, and offers both a two-seat (Pioneer 700) and four-seat model (Pioneer 700-4).
If you want the best mix of quality, dependability, and durability the Pioneer is up near the top of the list.
The Honda engine in this machine is one of the highest-quality engines you’ll find, but the 675cc single-cylinder unit only offers around 36 HP.
Even so, the low-end power and torque is solid, with these models able to tow up to 1,500 lbs and haul up to 1,000 lbs.
Pros:
- High quality build
- Durable, dependable engine
- Reasonably priced
But they’re one of the slowest overall models in the industry, and are severely lacking when it comes to recreational appeal.
That said, if you like to take it slow on the trails, this model may be a great fit for you as a full review of the Honda Pioneer 700 shows that these models are referred to as the “billy goats” of the UTV industry.
You might expect a Honda UTV to be quite pricey, but these models are actually pretty reasonably priced making them one of the better overall buys for those who don’t mind the low recreational appeal.
Cons:
- One of slowest UTV models
- Low recreational appeal
- Cab and leg-room slightly cramped
#6 – Kawasaki Mule Pro MX
If you’re looking for a straight workhorse of a UTV that won’t wow you with its looks but will with its ability to conquer tough tasks, the Mule Pro MX is up there with the best of them.
If you read a review of Kawasaki Mules as a whole, you’ll see that they’re about as dependable and durable as you’ll find in the UTV industry. And the two-seater Mule Pro MX is no different.
It’s powered by a 695cc single-cylinder Kawasaki engine that can power through any terrain, offers excellent working ability, and is one of the best all-around engines in the industry.
Pros:
- High overall build quality
- Excellent working ability
- Best warranty in industry
And while most Mules offer little-to-no recreational appeal, this review of the Mule Pro MX shows that it offers just enough speed and trail riding ability to give you a thrill.
But there are five trim levels for 2023, and the base model ($11,899) is so basic that it doesn’t offer near what you get in terms of accessories and functionality with some other models for the price.
You’re looking at $14,199 for the trim level that even comes close, and while that’s actually not a bad deal considering the quality of the Mule Pro MX, there are better models for the money in my opinion.
Cons:
- Less recreational ability than other models
- Somewhat expensive
- Not many included accessories
#7 – Tracker 800SX
You may have seen the Tracker 800 SX or any number of Tracker ATVs on display at your local Bass Pro Shops.
The Tracker 800SX is their main three-seater UTV, and is a powerful utility-focused model.
This model is powered by a 812cc three-cylinder engine that offers around 50 horsepower and is probably the quietest engine in the industry, making these excellent hunting vehicles.
Pros:
- Engines whisper quiet with good power
- Reasonably priced
- Suspension system provides smooth ride
The low-end power they offer makes them capable of tackling any work task you throw at them, and despite being lacking in the top-end speed department there’s not many terrains they can’t conquer.
They don’t offer quite the same level of performance as some of the bigger name models, but their quiet engines and reasonable prices make them one of the top values in the industry.
You can get more detail on the good and bad with this model in this review of Tracker UTVs.
Cons:
- Prices are starting to creep up out of value ranges
- Cabs tend to get hot from warm air venting in
- Warranty repairs through Bass Pros can be hit or miss
#8 – Hisun Sector 750
The Hisun Sector 750 is one of the less familiar options on this list, and those not familiar with the name can read this review of Hisun and the overall quality of their UTVs.
The Sector 750 is the most powerful of Hisun’s two seaters, featuring a 735cc single-cylinder Hisun engine and selectable 4WD.
Equipped with a single-cylinder that offers around 40 HP, these models aren’t on the same level with most in their class, but they do still offer good low-end grunt for working.
Pros:
- One of least expensive UTV models
- Good low-end power and throttle response
- Loaded with accessories that come standard
These models perform just fine on the trails, but their stock suspension is known to ride a little stiff and you’ll feel chop in the terrain at speed.
If you read a review of the Sector 750, you’ll notice these models really stand in that they’re loaded with accessories that come standard.
And they offer attractive build styles with a number of unique color options.
Though they’re far from the best from an overall performance and build quality perspective, when factoring that they’re some of the least expensive models in their class they belong on this list.
Cons:
- Less powerful than most similar models
- The engines are very loud
- Some parts and components not the highest quality
#9 – Massimo T-Boss 550
Another lesser-known model, the T-Boss 550 is Massimo’s mid-size UTV. If you aren’t familiar with the brand, this review of Massimo and the good and bad with their UTVs should bring you up to speed.
The T-Boss 550 is a utility/recreational blend featuring a 493cc single-cylinder engine with around 33 HP.
They offer good working ability with selectable 4WD, a towing capacity of 1,200 lbs and hauling capacity of 400 lbs in the rear dump bed.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Flush with accessories
- Attractive body styling
And while they offer decent top-end speed and trail riding ability, when you have more than one person or a load in the rear cargo bed they’ll struggle a bit up steeper inclines.
The build quality in general is good and they come loaded with accessories, but a review of the T-Boss 550 shows some of the parts on these models aren’t of the highest quality.
While good overall performance at a reasonable price makes them a good value, there are models that are of an overall higher quality in the same price range.
Cons:
- Slightly underpowered
- Lack of standard power steering
- Warranty/customer service is lacking
Final Word
Among the many UTV options on the market these days, you’ll find a number of different levels of quality at a number of different levels of price.
Obviously, the key to finding the best value is to narrow down those with the highest qualities at the most reasonable prices, which constitutes the list above.
