The 2009 Honda Big Red MUV was Honda’s first production side-by-side and one of the most unconventional utility UTVs of its era. Instead of following the industry’s familiar formula, Honda developed a substantial two-seat work machine with a 675cc engine, shaft drive and an automotive-style three-speed automatic transmission.
The Big Red was not designed to chase sport UTVs or deliver the fastest acceleration in its class. Honda emphasized predictable handling, occupant protection, low-speed control and long-term durability. That conservative approach limited its recreational appeal, but it also gave the Big Red qualities that continue to attract owners shopping for a dependable used utility vehicle.
2009 Honda Big Red Review Highlights
- 675cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder engine
- Beltless three-speed automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter
- Selectible 2WD and 4WD with front and rear differential-locking capability
- Fully independent double-wishbone suspension
- 500-pound cargo-bed capacity
- 1,200-pound towing capacity
- Two-passenger cab with individual bucket seats
- 10.3 inches of ground clearance
Engine and Power Delivery
The Big Red is powered by a 675cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder engine with Honda’s PGM-FI electronic fuel injection. It was tuned for tractable torque, consistent starting and predictable power rather than aggressive acceleration or a high top speed.
Honda positioned the engine low in the chassis to help reduce the vehicle’s center of gravity. Its four-valve OHV design uses a camshaft located close to the cylinder head and short pushrods. A high-mounted aluminum radiator helps keep the cooling system away from mud and trail debris, while a liquid-cooled oil cooler assists with temperature management.
Power delivery is smooth and easy to control around a ranch, jobsite or technical trail. Drivers accustomed to more powerful modern UTVs will find the Big Red comparatively slow, but speed was never its primary mission.
Beltless Honda Automatic Transmission
The Big Red’s most distinctive mechanical feature is its automotive-style automatic transmission. Instead of using the continuously variable transmission found in most utility UTVs, Honda paired a hydraulic torque converter with three forward gears and Reverse.
An electronic control module monitors throttle position, engine speed, vehicle speed, brake application, gear-selector position and engine-oil temperature before selecting the appropriate gear. Power is transferred through hydraulic clutches, eliminating the drive belt that owners must periodically inspect and replace on a conventional CVT-equipped UTV.
The geared transmission also provides positive engine braking. That is especially helpful when descending hills or controlling a loaded machine on uneven terrain. Shifts are more noticeable than the uninterrupted acceleration of a CVT, but the system reinforces the Big Red’s solid, automotive-like character.
Selectable Four-Wheel Drive
A dash-mounted selector allows the driver to configure the drivetrain for different surfaces and working conditions. The available settings include:
- 2WD with an open rear differential for lawns and other sensitive surfaces
- 4WD with the rear differential locked
- 4WD with both front and rear differentials locked for maximum traction
The open rear differential makes the Big Red easier on turf than a permanently locked rear axle. When conditions deteriorate, the differential locks provide the traction needed for mud, loose climbs and uneven terrain.
Ride and Handling
The Big Red uses independent double-wishbone suspension at all four corners, with 5.9 inches of front travel and 7.1 inches at the rear. Suspension travel is modest by modern standards, but the system delivers a controlled and predictable ride at the speeds for which the vehicle was designed.
A 75.7-inch wheelbase, 64-inch width and approximately 1,431-pound curb weight give the Big Red a planted feel. The substantial chassis is stable and reassuring, although the machine’s size and weight make it less nimble than smaller utility UTVs.
Ground clearance measures 10.3 inches. Honda equipped the vehicle with matching 25×10-12 tires at all four corners, allowing an owner to carry one spare that can be used in any position.
Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes provide confident stopping power. Honda also incorporated scrapers into the brake-caliper design to help reduce debris accumulation between the calipers and wheels.
Cab Comfort and Occupant Protection
The two individual bucket seats are rubber mounted and have adjustable backrests. The cab provides generous shoulder room, and its seating position places both occupants well inside the protective structure.
Honda equipped the Big Red with three-point emergency-locking-retractor seat belts, side nets and an Occupant Protection Structure. Storage includes dash compartments, cup holders and a 12-volt accessory outlet located between the seats.
The controls are straightforward, and the dash-mounted transmission and drive-mode selectors are easy to reach. The overall experience is closer to operating a compact work vehicle than a recreational sport UTV.
Cargo and Towing Capability
The original 2009 Big Red has a steel tilt cargo bed rated to carry 500 pounds. An automotive-grade plastic liner protects the steel structure, while a progressive-action assist strut makes it easier to raise the loaded bed.
A standard two-inch receiver hitch gives the 2009 model a 1,200-pound towing capacity. These were useful ratings for the period, although Honda increased both figures substantially when it updated the Big Red for 2011.
Where the Honda Big Red Falls Short
The qualities that make the Big Red a dependable work machine also define its limitations. Acceleration and top speed are conservative, the suspension does not encourage aggressive driving, and the large chassis can feel cumbersome on tight trails.
It also seats only two people. Honda later addressed the demand for greater versatility with the Pioneer lineup, including convertible seating configurations that could carry additional passengers without permanently sacrificing the cargo bed.
Buyers wanting a fast or highly recreational UTV will find newer machines much more capable. Those prioritizing a beltless drivetrain, predictable handling and mechanical durability may still appreciate the Big Red’s focused design.
2009 Honda Big Red Specifications
| Engine | 675cc liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Fuel system | Honda PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
| Transmission | Automatic three-speed with hydraulic torque converter and Reverse |
| Drive system | Shaft drive; selectable 2WD and 4WD with differential locks |
| 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 |
| Ground clearance | 10.3 inches |
| Wheelbase | 75.7 inches |
| Width | 64 inches |
| Curb weight | Approximately 1,431 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 7.9 gallons |
| Cargo-bed capacity | 500 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 1,200 pounds |
| Seating | Two passengers |
Honda Big Red Review Verdict
The 2009 Honda Big Red was not the most exciting utility UTV of its generation, but it was unmistakably a Honda. Its beltless automatic transmission, shaft-driven drivetrain, stable chassis and carefully engineered controls placed durability and predictability ahead of outright performance.
Its size, weight, modest suspension travel and two-seat layout prevented it from matching the recreational versatility of some competitors. Nevertheless, the Big Red established the engineering direction Honda would continue to develop with its geared-transmission side-by-sides.
Honda discontinued the Big Red after the 2013 model year as the more versatile Pioneer family took over. Read about the model’s later improvements in our 2011 Honda Big Red overview, or explore the machines that succeeded it in our Honda UTV guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year did the Honda Big Red UTV come out?
Honda introduced the Big Red in September 2008 as a 2009 model. It was Honda’s first production side-by-side vehicle.
What engine does the Honda Big Red have?
The Big Red uses a 675cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder four-stroke engine.
Does the Honda Big Red use a drive belt?
No. The Big Red has a three-speed automotive-style automatic transmission with a hydraulic torque converter and hydraulic clutches instead of a conventional UTV CVT and drive belt.
How much can a 2009 Honda Big Red tow?
The original 2009 Big Red has a 1,200-pound towing capacity and a 500-pound cargo-bed capacity. Honda increased those ratings to 1,500 and 1,000 pounds, respectively, for the updated 2011 model.
Why did Honda discontinue the Big Red?
The Big Red was replaced by Honda’s more versatile Pioneer side-by-side family after the 2013 model year. The Pioneer retained Honda’s emphasis on geared transmissions while offering broader utility and recreational capability.
