UTVs Vs. ATVs

Powersports vehicles have become all the rage in recent years, ever since their initial development as a more rugged and compact means of transport in the latter part of the 20th century. The two primary styles you’ll find when shopping for powersports vehicles are the all-terrain vehicle or ATV and the utility terrain/task vehicle or UTV.

Not sure which type of vehicle you need? As your Wisconsin powersports dealer in Big Bend, Road Track & Trail is here to help you figure out the differences between UTVs and ATVs so that you can make a smart purchasing decision. Read on to learn more, then bring us any questions you may still have!

UTVs

Otherwise known as side-by-sides due to their bench- or bucket-style seats that are arranged in rows, UTVs are the larger of the two powersports vehicle styles. Designed to hold anywhere from two to six passengers, these vehicles more closely resemble a typical passenger car in design and operation, as they have seatbelts, steering wheels and gas/brake pedals. Unlike a car, though, side-by-sides only have half-doors and possibly a canvas roof, but no full metal enclosure. UTVs offer some cargo space at the rear of the vehicle as well as room for stashing tools or supplies between the seats.

UTVs are more work-friendly than ATVs, so you’re more likely to see them on worksites than you are on trails. Their high towing and hauling capacities make side-by-sides ideal for hauling and towing trailers full of loose materials or heavy payloads. This makes UTVs extremely useful in a variety of professional applications, from farms to ranches to construction sites to forestry and more. 

You’ll even see these vehicles being used in airports and on college campuses as a means of transporting passengers or students around. Also, UTVs are great for janitorial work since they have space for storing cleaning supplies and tools. Some people use them to transport crews of workers around a muddy worksite.

You can also take your side-by-side for a recreational ride, if you like, and they’re ideal for families since they’re a safer choice. Kids will love strapping in and going for a nature trail ride or off-roading.

ATVs

Also called quads or four-wheelers, ATVs are the smaller powersports machine, capable of handling only one passenger at a time for the most part. A few models are designed to be strong enough to carry a second passenger behind the operator, but this isn’t very common. ATVs are operated more like a motorcycle than a car, with handlebars and a throttle, and a straddle-style seat that doesn’t have a seatbelt. ATVs are totally open to the air, with no enclosure whatsoever, so they can be a bit more risky to ride. 

You’ll find ATVs are most commonly seen on the racetrack and at recreational off-roading areas or on trails. Quads make excellent recreational riding vehicles for fun and for sport, and they’re sure to get your heart racing when you twist the throttle! You can also do work with them, though, since there are some models with higher towing and hauling capacities for attaching trailers or equipment. These four-wheelers can be used by farmers, ranchers, landscapers and construction workers, among others, as an easy means of transport over difficult terrain.

Ready to make your choice? Visit our dealership in Big Bend to have a look at our full stock of new and used UTVs and ATVs for sale. You can talk to our staff about financing options if you need them. Road Track & Trail proudly serves the cities of Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin, and our neighbors to the south in the Chicago, Illinois, metropolitan region.