Arctic Cat expanded its four-seat sport UTV lineup for 2014 with three versions of the Wildcat 4. The standard Wildcat 4 returned alongside the new Wildcat 4 Limited and the higher-performance Wildcat 4 X, which combined four-passenger seating with the more powerful 90-plus-horsepower Wildcat X engine.
The Wildcat 4 X was the headline addition. It brought the extra output of Arctic Cat’s upgraded 951cc H2 V-twin, 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires and the appearance upgrades included with the Limited model. All three versions retained the long-travel suspension and stretched four-seat chassis that distinguished the original Arctic Cat Wildcat 4.
Three Wildcat 4 Models for 2014
Arctic Cat based every 2014 Wildcat 4 on a full-perimeter exoskeleton chassis stretched 29 inches longer than the two-seat Wildcat. The longer platform provided space for two rear bucket seats while preserving the low seating position and long-travel suspension that defined the original Wildcat.
All four seating positions used high-back bucket seats and three-point seat belts. Four tube-frame doors with integrated nets enclosed the passenger compartment, while a rear cargo area provided a rated 300-pound carrying capacity.
2014 Wildcat 4 Model Differences
| Model | Engine | Tires | Key Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat 4 | 951cc H2 V-twin | 26-inch Duro Kaden | EPS, FOX Podium shocks and machined aluminum wheels |
| Wildcat 4 Limited | 951cc H2 V-twin | 26-inch Duro Kaden | Color-matched seats, aluminum bumpers and cargo tie-downs |
| Wildcat 4 X | 90-plus-horsepower 951cc H2 V-twin | 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn | Limited equipment plus the higher-output engine and larger tires |
90-Plus-Horsepower Wildcat 4 X
The new Wildcat 4 X used the higher-output version of Arctic Cat’s liquid-cooled 951cc H2 V-twin. The four-stroke, four-valve-per-cylinder engine featured electronic fuel injection and produced more than 90 horsepower.
Power reached the wheels through a CVT automatic transmission with High, Low, Reverse and Park ranges. TEAM Rapid Response drive and driven clutches were designed to improve throttle response and acceleration. Drivers could select two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with the front differential locked.
The same upgraded engine was used in the two-seat Arctic Cat Wildcat X. Our period Wildcat X review provides additional insight into how the more powerful engine changed the vehicle’s performance.
Long-Travel Suspension
All three Wildcat 4 models used double A-arm front suspension with 17 inches of travel. At the rear, Arctic Cat’s five-link trailing-arm suspension delivered 18 inches of travel while controlling wheel movement and maintaining tire contact through rough terrain.
FOX Podium remote-reservoir shocks offered 23-position compression adjustment. Ground clearance was 13 inches, giving the four-seater the clearance and suspension travel needed for dunes, desert terrain and rocky trails.
Variable-assist electronic power steering reduced steering effort at low speeds while retaining feedback as vehicle speed increased. A tilt-adjustable steering wheel allowed the driver to tailor the seating position.
Improved Braking for 2014
Arctic Cat revised the hydraulic brake pedal for the 2014 Wildcat 4 lineup. Its new leverage ratio was intended to create a firmer, more aggressive response from the four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Dual-piston calipers were used at the front.
Wildcat 4 Limited Equipment
The 2014 Wildcat 4 Limited added several functional and cosmetic upgrades to the standard model:
- Color-matched two-tone bucket seats
- Aluminum front and rear bumpers
- Bed-mounted cargo tie-down hooks
- Automotive-style painted bodywork
The Wildcat 4 X included this Limited-model equipment while adding its more powerful engine and 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires.
2014 Arctic Cat Wildcat 4 Features
- 951cc liquid-cooled, SOHC, four-valve V-twin engine
- Electronic fuel injection
- CVT automatic transmission with High, Low, Reverse and Park
- Engine braking
- TEAM Rapid Response clutch system
- Select-able 2WD, 4WD and front differential lock
- Variable-assist electronic power steering
- Double A-arm front suspension with 17 inches of travel
- Five-link trailing-arm rear suspension with 18 inches of travel
- FOX Podium remote-reservoir shocks with 23-position compression adjustment
- 13 inches of ground clearance
- Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
- 14-inch machined cast-aluminum wheels
- Four high-back bucket seats with three-point seat belts
- Four tube-frame doors with integrated nets
- LED headlights and taillights
- Tilt steering wheel
- Dual-fan cooling system
- Glovebox and under-seat storage
- 300-pound rear cargo capacity
Tires and Colors
The Wildcat 4 and Wildcat 4 Limited rode on 26-inch Duro Kaden tires. The Wildcat 4 X received larger 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires for additional ground clearance and traction.
Arctic Cat offered the Wildcat 4 and Wildcat 4 Limited in Orange Metallic and Team Arctic Green Metallic. Wildcat 4 X color choices included Viper Blue Metallic, Team Arctic Green Metallic and Vibrant Red Metallic.
Why the 2014 Wildcat 4 X Mattered
The original Wildcat 4 introduced one of the industry’s earliest purpose-built four-seat high-performance UTV platforms. For 2014, the Wildcat 4 X addressed its most obvious shortcoming by adding the stronger Wildcat X engine without sacrificing its four-passenger layout or class-leading suspension travel.
That combination made the Wildcat 4 X the performance-focused model, while the Wildcat 4 Limited offered many of the same comfort and appearance upgrades with the standard engine. For a broader look at the platform and its development, see our Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 history and model guide.
