The Honda Big Red MUV was Honda’s first production side-by-side and the machine that established the foundation for today’s Honda UTV lineup. Introduced for the 2009 model year, the Big Red combined a 675cc fuel-injected engine with a three-speed automotive-style automatic transmission, shaft drive and a work-focused chassis.
Honda designed the Big Red primarily as a utility vehicle rather than a high-performance recreational UTV. Its conservative speed and suspension travel reflected that mission, but its beltless drivetrain, predictable power delivery and familiar automotive-style controls distinguished it from the CVT-equipped machines that dominated the market.
The Big Red remained in Honda’s lineup through the 2013 model year. It was then replaced by the more versatile Pioneer family, beginning with the Honda Pioneer 700.
Honda Big Red at a Glance
- Model years: 2009–2013
- Engine: 675cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder
- Transmission: Three-speed automatic with hydraulic torque converter
- Driveline: Direct front and rear driveshafts
- Drive modes: 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock
- Seating: Two occupants
- Width: 64 inches
- Original cargo capacity: 500 pounds
- Original towing capacity: 1,200 pounds
- 2011–2013 cargo capacity: 1,000 pounds
- 2011–2013 towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
Honda’s First Production Side-by-Side
Honda entered the modern side-by-side market later than several of its competitors. Instead of following the established formula, Honda approached the category using technology influenced by its automotive experience.
The result was a machine Honda called a Multipurpose Utility Vehicle, or MUV. The Big Red used a four-pillar Occupant Protection Structure, automotive-style three-point seat belts, bucket seats with adjustable backs and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Its controls were deliberately simple and familiar for drivers transitioning from a truck, tractor or other utility vehicle.
The original Big Red was 64 inches wide and had a 75.7-inch wheelbase. Independent double-wishbone suspension provided 5.9 inches of front travel, 7.1 inches of rear travel and 10.3 inches of ground clearance.
675cc Fuel-Injected Engine
Power came from a longitudinally mounted 675cc liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder four-stroke engine. The four-valve cylinder head used short pushrods, allowing Honda to reduce the engine’s overall height and keep the center of gravity relatively low.
Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection system used a 40mm throttle body and provided automatic compensation for changes in temperature and elevation. A high-mounted radiator helped protect the cooling system from mud and trail debris, while a liquid-cooled oil cooler helped regulate engine temperature.
The Big Red was not intended to deliver sport-UTV acceleration. Instead, its engine emphasized manageable torque, smooth response and predictable operation when carrying cargo or working at low speeds.
Beltless Three-Speed Automatic Transmission
The Big Red’s defining feature was its automotive-style automatic transmission. Rather than using a belt-driven continuously variable transmission, Honda paired the engine with a hydraulic torque converter, three hydraulic clutches and three forward gears.
An Electronic Control Module selected the appropriate gear using information such as throttle position, engine speed, vehicle speed, brake application and oil temperature. The torque converter allowed the engine to idle while the vehicle was stopped in gear, much like a conventional automobile.
This system also delivered positive engine braking without a drive belt. Direct front and rear driveshafts transferred power to the wheels, reducing the routine belt inspection and replacement requirements associated with a conventional CVT.
The driver could select between three configurations:
- 2WD: For firm surfaces, lawns and sensitive terrain.
- 4WD: For loose surfaces and more difficult conditions.
- 4WD with differential lock: For maximum traction in mud, rocks or other challenging terrain.
Utility Capability
The original Big Red had a 500-pound cargo-bed rating and a 1,200-pound towing capacity. Its bed measured approximately 33 inches long, 52.6 inches wide and 10.3 inches deep. A molded polypropylene liner resisted rust, while four integrated tie-down points helped secure cargo.
A gas-assisted tilting mechanism made unloading easier. Raising the bed also provided access to the high-mounted air-filter housing.
For 2011, Honda increased the cargo-bed capacity to 1,000 pounds and the towing rating to 1,500 pounds. These higher capacities continued through the remaining model years and made the later Big Red substantially more useful for farm, ranch and property-maintenance work.
2011 Honda Big Red Updates
The 2011 model represented the most significant update during the Big Red’s production run. In addition to the higher cargo and towing ratings, Honda made several changes intended to improve comfort and capability:
- A newly contoured bench seat replaced the original bucket-seat arrangement.
- Maxxis Bighorn tires provided more aggressive tread and stronger sidewalls.
- Revised suspension settings improved ride quality.
- Rear shocks gained spring-preload adjustment.
- The protective structure was updated to meet applicable OSHA rollover-protection requirements.
See the complete breakdown in our 2011 Honda Big Red MUV guide.
Honda Big Red Specifications
| Model | MUV700 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 675cc liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Bore x stroke | 102.0 x 82.6mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Fuel system | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection with 40mm throttle body |
| Transmission | Automatic with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and Reverse |
| Drive modes | 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock |
| Driveline | Direct front and rear driveshafts |
| Front suspension | Independent double wishbone; 5.9 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Independent double wishbone; 7.1 inches of travel |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic discs |
| Tires | 25×10-12 front and rear |
| Length | 114.7 inches |
| Width | 64.0 inches |
| Height | 76.9 inches |
| Wheelbase | 75.7 inches |
| Ground clearance | 10.3 inches |
| Turning radius | 13.8 feet |
| Fuel capacity | 7.9 gallons |
| Original cargo capacity | 500 pounds |
| Original towing capacity | 1,200 pounds |
| 2011–2013 cargo capacity | 1,000 pounds |
| 2011–2013 towing capacity | 1,500 pounds |
Specifications and capacities changed during the Big Red’s production run. Confirm the model year and identification label before ordering parts or using maximum load ratings.
Cab and Chassis Features
The Big Red included several features that were unusual in the early utility side-by-side market:
- Three-point Emergency Locking Retractor seat belts
- Four-pillar Occupant Protection Structure
- Automotive-style fuel shutoff system
- Hydraulic parking brake operating the rear calipers
- Glove box and dashboard storage
- Water-resistant 12-volt accessory outlet
- Four equal-size tires, allowing one spare to fit any corner
- Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
- Two-inch receiver hitch
- High-mounted radiator and air-filter housing
Honda Big Red Accessories
Honda offered a broad accessory catalog for work, weather protection and recreational use. Available equipment included a Warn winch, hard and fabric roofs, folding and one-piece windscreens, grille and A-arm guards, a rear cab curtain, bed mat, cargo box, auxiliary battery box, underhood storage box and digital meter kit.
Because the Big Red has been discontinued, many original accessories are now found through used-parts sellers, remaining dealer inventory or aftermarket suppliers. Owners should verify the exact model year before purchasing cab enclosures, suspension parts or cargo-bed accessories.
What Replaced the Honda Big Red?
Honda replaced the Big Red with the Pioneer 700 for the 2014 model year. The Pioneer used a more compact chassis and retained Honda’s preference for a geared automatic transmission rather than a belt-driven CVT.
The Pioneer line also addressed one of the Big Red’s largest limitations: seating flexibility. The Pioneer 700-4 introduced Honda’s QuickFlip rear seating system, allowing the vehicle to carry as many as four occupants without permanently sacrificing its cargo bed.
That formula eventually expanded into the Pioneer 500, Pioneer 520 and Pioneer 1000 families. See our Honda Pioneer 700 versus Pioneer 1000 comparison for a closer look at Honda’s later utility and recreation UTVs.
Where the Big Red Fits in UTV History
The Big Red was not the fastest or most recreationally capable side-by-side of its era. Its two-seat layout, moderate suspension travel and work-oriented performance limited its appeal as the market shifted toward faster multipurpose machines.
Its influence on Honda’s later UTVs was nevertheless substantial. The Big Red established Honda’s use of fuel injection, direct driveshafts and a beltless automatic transmission in a side-by-side. Those priorities—durability, controlled power delivery and geared transmissions—continued throughout the Pioneer family.
Read our original Honda Big Red review for additional driving impressions, or browse the Historical UTV Models Archive for more discontinued side-by-sides.
Honda Big Red FAQ
What years did Honda make the Big Red UTV?
Honda offered the Big Red MUV700 from the 2009 through 2013 model years. The Pioneer 700 replaced it for 2014.
What engine is in the Honda Big Red?
The Big Red uses a 675cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected OHV single-cylinder four-stroke engine.
Does the Honda Big Red use a CVT belt?
No. It uses a three-speed automatic transmission with a hydraulic torque converter and hydraulic clutches. Power is transferred through direct front and rear driveshafts.
How much can a Honda Big Red tow?
The original Big Red was rated to tow 1,200 pounds. Honda increased the towing capacity to 1,500 pounds for the 2011 model year.
What is the Honda Big Red cargo-bed capacity?
Original models had a 500-pound bed capacity. Beginning with the 2011 model, Honda increased the rating to 1,000 pounds.
Why did Honda discontinue the Big Red?
Honda replaced the Big Red with the Pioneer 700, which offered a more compact and versatile platform along with an available convertible four-passenger seating configuration.
