If you enjoy outdoor activities and nature, off-road trips should be among them. Off-road thrills are the best experience on a good side by side.This is why we want to look at the best side by side for the money which means more adventure without breaking the bank.
Side by side are the ultimate outdoor vehicles that will engage you in beating through the toughest trails and dunes. Exploring with friends or family is a fun and a good way to spend quality time. Side-by-side are spacious and are capable of accommodating more than one person.
For the off-road purpose, they must have features that will make them reliable such as good ground clearance and independent suspensions among others.
The challenge comes when looking for the best UTV that matches your interests since there are many different models out there. Today we have highlighted a few models that have different levels of power, reliability, functionality while giving the best value for money.
Features of a Good Side By Side
Comfort features –if we compare the 1980s side by side and the recent ones there is so much that has been upgraded. Manufacturers have put great effort into providing comfort to modern UTVs. Power steering with tilt, automatic climate control, power windows, and other features such as central door locking have spiced up the whole fact of comfort.
Affordable – a good side by side ought to be affordable and one does not have to break the bank to own one. It should give one the best value for money.
Engine – a side-by-side should have a powerful engine so that it does not keep on going on and off. Again since they are meant to adhere to tough terrains the engine should be super powerful. There are gas-electric engines, full electric, and hybrid. Also, different engines have different no of cylinders and cooling systems.
Four-wheel drive – it might seem like it is a normal feature for a side-by-side to come with this feature but there are other models that do not have it. 4WD is important it helps get the extra traction especially if you are in an area with snow or mud
Strong suspension and chassis- these are two important features that a side-by-side should be able to endure tough terrains and thus promotes smooth rides. The suspension absorbs the weight of the vehicle and ensure it remains sturdy by enhancing the tires to be in contact with the ground. Another good thing about it is that it absorbs all the shocks
Best Side by Side for the Money
Best Overall: Polaris RZR Pro R
Polaris RZR ultimate performance is enhanced by its strong chassis, rear and front suspension, roll cage, and the driveline. Its CVT is built to withstand the toughest terrains it can come through. Well, it uses a wider and longer belt, bigger clutches, and good airflow that lengthens its life
Best Value: Artic Cat Wildcat XXSE
Artic is well equipped with a 998 cc engine, 3 cylinders, and 4 strokes with 130 horsepower. This is a very powerful and race-worthy engine. The good thing is that it supports all types of rides, it has dial shocks that you can easily shift depending on the type of terrain you are handling.
Best Budget: Hisun Strike 1000R
Hisun Strike is a well-designed side by side for both recreational and utility value. It being a strike 1000 means that it has so much power and ability
Top 5 Best Side By Side For The Money
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Polaris RZR Pro R
Polaris RZR is one of the best side-by-side for trail riding, built and designed to give drivers confidence and all the control off road. Its ultimate performance is enhanced by its strong chassis, rear and front suspension, roll cage, and the driveline.
It has the best stance of 74 inches and an amazing wheelbase of 133.5 inches which creates a good platform with a good ground clearance of 16 inches. Off-roading has never been this better. Its CVT is built to withstand the toughest terrains it can come through.
Well, it uses a wider and longer belt, bigger clutches, and good airflow that lengthens its life.
Another feature is the handling feature that you can shift modes depending on which path you are in. The engine of 225 horsepower cooperates with your demands, you want rock crawling, thriller rides, and flying out to the most throttle response will do as you want.
Polaris RZR Pro R is without the best side by side for money due to its impeccable features at a good price. It may cost more than 20,000 USD but you feel the worth of every penny on that crazy fast but smooth ride.
Specs
- 1997cc displacement
- 12-gallon fuel capacity
- 4 strokes, DOHC in line 4 cylinder
- Automatic PVT
- 225 horsepower
- 4-wheel disc front and rear brakes
Advantages
- More comfortable for trail rides
- Wider stance offers great stability
- Ride command with easy accessory integration
- Quick engine response
- Larger interior
Disadvantages
- Some complain of the radiator getting clogged
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Artic Cat Wildcat XXSE
This side by side is well-loaded with outstanding features that are able to beat through the rocks and dunes. It is well equipped with a 998 cc engine, 3 cylinders, and 4 strokes with 130 horsepower. This is a very powerful and race-worthy engine.
Artic performs wonderfully and it’s everyone’s dream to have a side-by-side that is reliable and convenient. This vehicle support all types of rides, it has dial shocks that you can easily shift depending on the type of terrain you are handling.
Well, you can change from soft to medium, to tough. It has also elevated your rides and made them smooth, thanks to its 14-inch ground clearance that ensures you are away from any ground obstacles.
When artic manufactured their side-by-side they did not compromise on comfort. It is well taken care of during those hot days there is the flow of air as the dual CVT air intake ensures it is cool.
A vehicle with safety features has my heart. In case you want to have thrill rides artic got you covered and you have them in style. This vehicle has a strong and durable rollover system that keeps you safe.
The driver and passenger are well protected from any elements during the rides. It has standard full doors that prevent any dirt or debris from reaching it.
Specs
- 4-stroke DOHC
- 130HP engine
- 998cc displacement
- 10-gallon fuel capacity
- 4-wheel hydraulic disc brake
- 95-inch wheelbase
- 14-inch ground clearance
Advantages
- Strong rollover system
- Good ground clearance
- Designed for tough environments
- Powerful engine that brings an ultimate thrill
- Improved cooling system
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t have the smoothest ride
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Hisun Strike 1000R
Hisun Strike is well-designed side by side for both recreational and utility value. It being a strike 1000 states how it has so much power and fun ability. What would make you fall for it?
Well it’s value in the market makes it the best side by side for the money basing on all the features it has. You will get the details as you scroll down.
It features a 976cc v twin cooled liquid engine and well paired with a CVT with two wheel drive and four wheel drive modes.
It is exceptionally pimped with all the good features side by side would have. Should we just mention a few features such as the electric power steering which makes your turning easy, 4500 pound winch, piggyback reservoir shocks, steel front bumper and many others?
This vehicle also features speedometer and tachometer with LCD rider information that indicates the fuel level and shows the speed level. Others are the odometer, engine temperature and the clock.
Strike 1000R has operational dual A-arm front and rear suspension hydraulic shocks with nitrogen assist charge. It can as well comfortably accommodate two persons. Lastly it features the horn and turn signals as a safety feature.
Specs
- 4500 lb winch
- Front and rear dual A-Arm suspension
- 13 inch ground clearance
- 5 gallon fuel capacity
- 2WD/4WD drive system
- Automatic CVT
- 85 inch wheelbase
- Aluminum wheels
- V twin cylinder
- 976cc displacement
Advantages
- Adjustable suspensions
- Good ground clearance
- Smooth performance
- Powerful engine
- Has safety features
Disadvantages
- Aggressiveness can cause loose of rear differential bolts
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Yamaha Vikings EPS
Yamaha is a widely known company with great and standard vehicles. When it comes to a side by side they surely did not disappoint. This is the ideal perfect vehicle for an adventurer and is crafted for an off-road purpose.
From the aluminum wheels to the body, Viking EPS will deliver all the grind you would be looking for.
The electric power steering provides great comfort and uses energy for the drivers. Speed and torque provide assistance 2WD,4WD, and locked differential thus making the rides so swift.
The engine as well is powered and has a displacement of 686cc which is fuel single injected and produces serious torque making it perfect for work and play. The large diameter rear and front wheel disk provide good stopping power and the dash-mounted brake helps to alert the driver if the parking brake is engaged at the wrong time
It is fully packed with features for utility functions that include a rubber bed mat, strong steel dump bed, standard 2-inch receiver, and is the best utv for hauling
Specs
- 8 ground clearance
- 2 inch standard receiver
- Fully locked differential 4WD
- 686cc displacement
- Electric power steering
- SOHC ,4 valve cylinder
- 1 inch wheelbase
Advantages
- Excellent for handling different types of terrains
- Good braking power
- Rubber cargo mat reduces noise and vibration
- Good performance in all conditions
- Drives system air intake prevents overheating
- Well secured an d comfortable seats for driver and passengers
Disadvantages
- Springs are designed to handle heavy weights
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Can-Am Maverick X3
Maverick is built with the best for good performance. Its Fox Racing shocks are ready for demanding terrains. You can as well set and calibrate trail modes to match the terrain. It is the best side-by-side for your racing adventures.
Can-Am Maverick ensures that safety comes first when it comes to their vehicles. It offers full lock ability on the fly through the smart lock technology and has automatic modes that keep the vehicle in traction.
The 30-inch tires on the 14-inch cast aluminum wheels together with the good ground clearance facilitate smooth and soft rides. We have been cruising the desert sometimes with my fiancé during holidays and this is the side-by-side you have missing on.
I can highly vouch for its suspensions and chassis they have kept my UTV on the move and offered the best rides. This is why it qualifies to be featured as a best side by side for the money
Specs
- 200 horsepower
- Intelligent throttle control
- 2WD/4WD front differential lock
- Cast aluminum wheels
- 102-inch wheelbase
- 14-inch ground clearance
- 5 gallon fuel capacity
Advantages
- Comes with a dash display of electronics
- Adjustable seats and steering
- Offers comfort and utility
- Strong braking performance
- Visibility from the driver’s position
- Smooth suspension
Disadvantages
- Sometimes belt noise in the cab is loud
Conclusion
In this review we have seen some of the side by side for the money, one can choose from any of the above depending on personal preferences. It is not a must you break a bank to own one, we have affordable, luxurious side by sides.
Adventures should never be boring.