Historical UTV Models & Discontinued Manufacturers

Side-by-side vehicles have changed dramatically since the earliest utility machines evolved into today’s specialized sport, recreation, adventure and work UTVs. Along the way, hundreds of individual models have been replaced, renamed or discontinued, while some manufacturers have left the UTV market entirely.

This historical UTV archive organizes influential and discontinued side-by-sides by manufacturer and model family. It includes machines such as the Yamaha Rhino, original Polaris RZR, Arctic Cat Wildcat, Honda Big Red, Kawasaki MULE and Teryx, early Can-Am Commander and numerous work-focused utility vehicles.

For vehicles currently in production, visit our current UTV models by manufacturer hub. For the historical development of the entire industry, explore our growing collection of UTV industry news and history.

Arctic Cat and Textron Off Road UTVs

Arctic Cat helped bridge the gap between traditional work-focused utility vehicles and the emerging recreational side-by-side market. The Prowler family began as a practical utility platform, while the Wildcat moved Arctic Cat into the rapidly growing high-performance UTV category.

Textron acquired Arctic Cat in 2017 and temporarily marketed some vehicles under the Textron Off Road name before restoring Arctic Cat branding. UTV Guide’s Arctic Cat and Textron Off Road archive preserves coverage from both periods.

Notable Arctic Cat Prowler Models

Arctic Cat Prowler 650 – An early recreational utility side-by-side that helped establish the Prowler family.
Arctic Cat Prowler XTX 700 – A larger-displacement Prowler with electronic fuel injection and independent suspension.
Arctic Cat Prowler XTZ 1000 – A V-twin Prowler that pushed the utility platform toward higher performance.
Arctic Cat Prowler HDX 700 – A work-oriented model with a long wheelbase, three-passenger seating and substantial cargo capacity.
Arctic Cat Prowler HDX 500 – A smaller-displacement version of the HDX utility platform.
Arctic Cat Prowler 550 – A value-oriented member of the Prowler range.

Notable Arctic Cat Wildcat Models

Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 – Arctic Cat’s original long-travel sport UTV and an important early rival to the Polaris RZR XP.
Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail – A 50-inch sport UTV developed for width-restricted trail systems.
Arctic Cat Wildcat Sport – A 60-inch model positioned between the Wildcat Trail and full-size Wildcat.

Historical Can-Am UTV Models

Can-Am entered the side-by-side market with the original Commander for the 2011 model year. The brand subsequently expanded into pure-sport UTVs with the Maverick, long-travel turbocharged performance with the Maverick X3 and work-focused utility vehicles with the Defender.

Read the complete history of the Can-Am Commander or browse current and historical vehicles in the Can-Am UTV archive.

Original Can-Am Commander Family

Can-Am Commander 1000 – The original high-output Commander combined recreational performance with a dual-level dumping cargo box.
Can-Am Commander 1000 XT-P – A performance-oriented Commander package with upgraded suspension and equipment.
Can-Am Commander MAX – The four-seat version of Can-Am’s recreation and utility crossover.

Early Can-Am Maverick Models

Can-Am Maverick 1000R – The original two-seat Maverick brought increased performance to a platform related to the Commander.
Can-Am Maverick MAX – A four-seat version of the original Maverick sport UTV.
Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo – An important early factory-turbocharged sport UTV.
Can-Am Maverick X3: The long-travel turbo platform that moved Can-Am into a new level of desert and dune performance.

Can-Am Defender History

The Defender grew from Can-Am’s first dedicated utility UTV into a broad family that includes two- and six-seat models, long cargo beds, six-wheel drive, factory HVAC and several engine choices. Read the complete history of the Can-Am Defender.

Can-Am Concepts and Specialty Vehicles

Can-Am Commander E Concept: An experimental electric utility vehicle developed before battery-powered UTVs became widely available.
Military Strike-C Commander: A specialized Commander-based military vehicle developed by BRP’s advanced-development group.

Historical CFMOTO UTV Models

CFMOTO’s early U.S. side-by-side range focused on affordable ZFORCE sport vehicles and UFORCE utility models. The company subsequently developed larger and more sophisticated platforms with turbocharged engines, four-seat configurations and factory-enclosed HVAC cabs.

Visit the CFMOTO UTV archive for current lineup information, new-model announcements and earlier vehicle coverage.

Earlier CFMOTO ZFORCE Models

CFMOTO ZFORCE 500: An early entry-level two-seat sport side-by-side.
CFMOTO ZFORCE 600: A compact recreational sport model.
CFMOTO ZFORCE 800 and 800 EX: V-twin sport UTVs that helped establish CFMOTO in the American side-by-side market.
CFMOTO ZFORCE 1000: A larger-displacement predecessor to newer ZFORCE sport platforms.

Earlier CFMOTO UFORCE Models

CFMOTO UFORCE 500: A compact utility side-by-side.
CFMOTO UFORCE 800: A V-twin work and recreation UTV.
CFMOTO UFORCE 1000: The earlier full-size UFORCE platform that preceded the newer three-cylinder U10 family.

Historical Honda UTV Models

Honda entered the modern recreational utility side-by-side market with the Big Red before replacing it with the more versatile Pioneer family. Honda later entered the pure-sport segment with the Talon.

Browse the Honda UTV archive for Pioneer, Talon and historical Honda side-by-side coverage.

Honda Big Red

Honda Big Red MUV700: Honda’s first modern side-by-side, introduced as a durable utility and recreation vehicle with an automotive-style three-speed transmission.

The Big Red emphasized durability and utility but offered only two seats and a relatively conservative layout. Honda replaced it with the Pioneer 700, which introduced a more compact package and available convertible rear seating.

Earlier Honda Pioneer Models

Honda Pioneer 700 and 700-4: The original Pioneer family and the first Honda side-by-side to offer the company’s convertible rear seating arrangement.
Honda Pioneer 500: A compact 50-inch side-by-side that was later succeeded by the Pioneer 520.
First-generation Honda Pioneer 1000: A larger recreation and utility platform with a six-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission.

Historical John Deere Gator Models

John Deere was producing utility vehicles long before the modern recreational UTV category emerged. Early Gators were primarily work machines, but later XUV and RSX models added independent suspension, higher speeds and greater recreational capability.

For the complete story, read the history of the John Deere Gator. Current models are covered in our John Deere Gator lineup guide, while additional legacy coverage can be found in the John Deere Gator archive.

Historical John Deere Gator XUV Models

John Deere Gator XUV 620i – An early crossover Gator with electronic fuel injection and four-wheel drive.
John Deere Gator XUV 625i – A mid-duty XUV developed for work and trail use.
John Deere Gator XUV 825i – A higher-output gasoline Gator introduced for the 2011 model year.
John Deere Gator XUV 825i S4 – A multi-passenger version of the 825i.
John Deere Gator XUV 850D – A diesel-powered utility model.
John Deere Gator XUV 855D – A diesel XUV with independent suspension and work-focused capability.
John Deere Gator XUV 550 – A value-oriented midsize Gator.
John Deere Gator XUV 550 S4 – A four-passenger version of the XUV 550.

John Deere Gator RSX and Specialty Vehicles

John Deere Gator RSX 850i – John Deere’s performance-oriented recreational Gator.
John Deere M-Gator: A specialized military utility vehicle based on the Gator platform.
John Deere R-Gator: An experimental autonomous military utility vehicle.

Modified Gator XUV and RSX vehicles also competed in WORCS and Best in the Desert. Read our complete John Deere Gator racing history.

Historical Kawasaki UTV Models

Kawasaki introduced the original MULE in 1988, years before “UTV” became the industry’s common term. The MULE established a durable work-vehicle formula, while the Teryx later brought Kawasaki into the recreational side-by-side market.

Read the history of the Kawasaki MULE and the evolution of the Kawasaki Teryx, or browse all Kawasaki UTV coverage.

Historical Kawasaki MULE Families

Kawasaki MULE 1000: The original 1988 two-seat MULE and one of the foundational vehicles in the utility side-by-side category.
Kawasaki MULE 2010 and 2020: Compact and midsize work vehicles from the early MULE lineup.
Kawasaki MULE 2500 and 2510: Larger utility models offering increased work capability.
Kawasaki MULE 3000 and 3010: Full-size work vehicles offered in gasoline and diesel configurations.
Kawasaki MULE 4010 Trans4x4: A convertible model able to exchange rear passenger space for additional cargo capacity.

Historical Kawasaki Teryx Models

Kawasaki Teryx 750: Kawasaki’s original V-twin recreational side-by-side, introduced for the 2008 model year.
Kawasaki Teryx4 750: An early compact four-seat recreational UTV.
Kawasaki Teryx 800 and Teryx4 800: Updated V-twin models that carried the original Teryx platform forward.

Historical Kubota RTV Models

Kubota built its RTV reputation around hydrostatic transmissions, diesel engines and work-focused chassis. Many early RTV models sacrificed speed for controlled power delivery, durability and precise low-speed operation.

For the current range, see the Kubota RTV lineup guide. Additional legacy models can be found in the Kubota RTV archive.

Historical Kubota RTV Models

Kubota RTV900 – The diesel work UTV that established the basic Kubota RTV formula.
Kubota RTV900XT – An updated version of Kubota’s long-running RTV900 workhorse.
Kubota RTV1100 – A diesel utility vehicle with an integrated factory cab.
Kubota RTV1140CPX – A transformable utility vehicle able to exchange rear seating for additional cargo space.
Kubota RTV500 – A compact gasoline-powered RTV developed for lighter work and tighter spaces.

Historical Polaris UTV Models

Polaris played a central role in the development of both modern utility and sport UTVs. The RANGER established a broad family of work and recreation vehicles, while the original RZR created a new template for compact, performance-oriented side-by-sides.

Read the complete history of the Polaris RZR or browse the Polaris UTV archive.

Influential Polaris RZR Models

Polaris RZR 800 – The original compact sport side-by-side introduced for the 2008 model year.
Polaris RZR S 800 – A wider RZR with additional suspension travel and a stronger focus on recreational performance.
Polaris RZR 4 800 – The first factory-produced four-seat sport UTV.
Polaris RZR 170 – A youth side-by-side that extended the RZR name into a smaller recreational vehicle.
Polaris RZR XP 900 – A landmark sport UTV with a purpose-built ProStar engine and trailing-arm rear suspension.
2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 – A major performance benchmark with 107 horsepower and substantially increased suspension capability.
2014 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 – The four-seat version of the original RZR XP 1000 platform.
2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo – Polaris’ first factory-turbocharged RZR.

Historical Polaris RANGER Models

Polaris RANGER 6×6: An early high-capacity utility platform with six-wheel traction.
Polaris RANGER 400 and 500: Compact and midsize work-focused RANGER models.
Polaris RANGER 570: A versatile midsize platform offered in several generations and configurations.
Polaris RANGER 800 XP – A full-size utility model that preceded the ProStar-powered XP 900 generation.
Polaris RANGER CREW 500: An early value-oriented multi-passenger RANGER.
Polaris RANGER XP 900: A major full-size RANGER generation powered by the ProStar 900 engine.

Polaris Military and Specialty Vehicles

Polaris MVRS800: A military utility vehicle powered by a JP8-compatible engine.
Polaris RZR SW: A militarized vehicle based on the RZR S platform.

Historical Yamaha UTV Models

Yamaha’s Rhino changed expectations for recreational utility vehicles by combining a compact footprint, four-wheel drive, independent suspension and a useful cargo bed. It did not invent the side-by-side, but it redefined what a side-by-side could be.

Read the complete history of the Yamaha Rhino or browse the Yamaha UTV archive.

Yamaha Rhino

Yamaha Rhino 660: The original model launched for the 2004 model year and helped create the recreational UTV aftermarket.
Yamaha Rhino 450 – A smaller-displacement version intended to provide more accessible performance.
Yamaha Rhino 700 FI – The final major Rhino generation, adding electronic fuel injection and an updated engine.

Rhino production ended after the 2013 model year, but its influence remains visible throughout the modern recreational side-by-side market.

Yamaha YXZ1000R

Yamaha YXZ1000R – A high-revving naturally aspirated sport UTV introduced with a sequential manual transmission.
Yamaha YXZ1000R SS – A paddle-shift version using Yamaha’s Sport Shift system and an automated clutch.

The 2025 model year was the final production year for the YXZ1000R, ending one of the industry’s most distinctive pure-sport UTV programs.

Other and Discontinued UTV Manufacturers

The rapid growth of the side-by-side market attracted manufacturers from the powersports, agriculture, golf-car, outdoor-power-equipment and import industries. Some remain active in other product categories, while others have changed ownership, stopped selling UTVs in the United States or disappeared entirely.

Utility and Work-Vehicle Manufacturers

Sport, Recreation and Imported UTV Manufacturers

Browse the complete Other UTV Manufacturers archive for additional brands, individual vehicles and older industry coverage.

How to Use This Historical UTV Archive

Many of the vehicles listed here are no longer supported as current models, but they remain important to owners, collectors, builders and shoppers evaluating used UTVs. Specifications and equipment can vary significantly by model year and trim level, so confirm details for the exact vehicle before purchasing parts or making modifications.

When evaluating a discontinued UTV, consider:

Availability of replacement and maintenance parts
Dealer or independent-shop familiarity with the platform
Condition of the engine, transmission, drivetrain and cooling system
Evidence of rollovers, racing or heavy commercial use
Availability of model-specific tires, wheels and suspension components
Whether recalls or service campaigns were completed
Condition and legality of aftermarket cages, seats and restraints

This archive will continue to grow as UTVGuide.net refreshes its historical coverage. For vehicles currently in production, comparisons and buying advice, visit the current UTV model directory, our UTV reviews and the latest UTV buyer’s guides.