The 2015 Honda Pioneer 500 brought Honda’s utility-focused Pioneer platform to the 50-inch trail-UTV class. Introduced in May 2014 with an $8,499 suggested retail price, the compact two-seat side-by-side combined a 475cc engine, selectable four-wheel drive and a five-speed transmission controlled by steering-column-mounted paddle shifters.
The Pioneer 500 was designed for owners who wanted a machine small enough for width-restricted trails but capable of handling property work, hunting trips and recreational trail rides. Its combination of compact dimensions and traditional geared transmission also distinguished it from many continuously variable transmission-equipped UTVs of the period.
2015 Honda Pioneer 500 Highlights
- 475cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder engine
- Electronic fuel injection
- Five-speed transmission with reverse
- Steering-column-mounted paddle shifters
- Selectable two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
- 50-inch overall width
- 73.1-inch wheelbase
- 13-foot turning radius
- Independent front and rear suspension
- Two-person bench seat
- Integrated doors and side nets
- $8,499 original MSRP
A Pioneer Built for 50-Inch Trails
At only 50 inches wide, the 2015 Pioneer 500 could access many trails with width restrictions that excluded larger recreational and utility UTVs. Honda paired that narrow stance with a relatively short 73.1-inch wheelbase and a 13-foot turning radius, making the machine maneuverable in tight woods and around farms or other confined properties.
Honda also promoted the Pioneer 500 as being compact enough to fit in the bed of many full-size pickup trucks. Its 102.5-inch overall length made it considerably easier to transport and store than a full-size side-by-side.
475cc Engine and Paddle-Shift Transmission
Power came from a 475cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The engine was tuned to provide usable low-rpm torque for trail riding and light utility work rather than the high-output performance associated with sport UTVs.
One of the Pioneer 500’s defining features was its five-speed gearbox. Instead of using a belt-driven CVT, Honda equipped the machine with an electronically controlled transmission and paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. Drivers could select gears without operating a manual clutch.
That geared drivetrain delivered direct engine response and eliminated the drive belt found in most competing UTVs. Reverse was incorporated into the transmission, while selectable two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive allowed the driver to match the drivetrain setting to trail and working conditions.
Compact Two-Person Cabin
The Pioneer 500 used a bench seat for the driver and one passenger. Honda integrated each door and side net into a single assembly, allowing both pieces to open together rather than requiring occupants to operate a separate door and net.
Three-point Emergency Locking Retractor seat belts were provided for both occupants. The Roll Over Protective Structure was designed to meet applicable occupational safety requirements in effect when the vehicle was introduced.
Unlike the larger Pioneer 700 and later Honda Pioneer 1000, the Pioneer 500 did not have a conventional tilting cargo bed. It instead used a rear utility rack that could carry equipment and accept accessories while helping keep the vehicle narrow and compact.
2015 Honda Pioneer 500 Specifications
| Specification | 2015 Honda Pioneer 500 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 475cc liquid-cooled OHV four-stroke single-cylinder |
| Fuel system | Programmed Fuel Injection |
| Transmission | Five-speed with reverse and electric paddle shifting |
| Drivetrain | Selectable 2WD and 4WD |
| Front suspension | Independent double-wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Independent double-wishbone |
| Front brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Rear brake | Hydraulic disc |
| Overall length | 102.5 inches |
| Overall width | 50 inches |
| Wheelbase | 73.1 inches |
| Turning radius | 13 feet |
| Seating capacity | Two |
| Original MSRP | $8,499 |
Where the Pioneer 500 Fit in Honda’s Lineup
The Pioneer 500 joined the Pioneer 700 and Pioneer 700-4 as Honda expanded beyond the earlier Big Red utility vehicle. It gave Honda a lower-priced and more trail-friendly entry point while retaining practical features that appealed to recreational riders, landowners and hunters.
Honda designed the model in Ohio and manufactured it at Honda South Carolina in Timmonsville using domestically and globally sourced parts. More than 40 Honda Genuine and Signature Accessories were offered when the machine debuted, allowing owners to add protection, weather coverage, storage and other utility equipment.
The Pioneer 500 was eventually developed into the larger-displacement Pioneer 520, but the original model remains important because it established Honda’s compact 50-inch Pioneer platform.
More Honda Pioneer 500 Coverage
- Honda Pioneer 500 Review
- Field Mowing With the Honda Pioneer 500
- 2027 Honda Pioneer 700 and Pioneer 520 Lineup
- Honda Pioneer 700 vs. Pioneer 1000
Originally published May 15, 2014. Updated with expanded model history, specifications and technical details.
