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 older side-by-sides by manufacturer and model family. Some model names remain in production; the entries below describe earlier generations, not necessarily discontinued nameplates. 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.
Researching a specific vehicle? Browse our UTV model news and reviews directory, organized by manufacturer with articles listed from newest to oldest.
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.
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.
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.
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 and past vehicles, and compare the 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025 model-year lineups.
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.
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.
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.
Modified Gator XUV and RSX vehicles also competed in WORCS and Best in the Desert. Read our complete John Deere Gator racing history.
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, the evolution of the Kawasaki TERYX and our early TERYX and RZR racing history, or browse all Kawasaki UTV coverage.
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.
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 history of the Polaris RZR and history of the Polaris RANGER, or browse the Polaris UTV archive.
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 history of the Yamaha Rhino and our 2008 UTV industry retrospective, or browse the Yamaha UTV archive.
Rhino production ended after the 2013 model year, but its influence remains visible throughout the modern recreational side-by-side market.
The 2025 model year was the final production year for the YXZ1000R, ending one of the industry’s most distinctive pure-sport UTV programs.
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.
Browse the complete Other UTV Manufacturers archive for additional brands, individual vehicles and older industry coverage.
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:
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.