Choosing An Off-Road Vehicle

Off-road vehicles or ORVs such as ATVs and UTVs can be useful for a variety of purposes, both professional and recreational. Their rugged construction, compact size and maneuverability make them capable of handling difficult riding conditions that a passenger car or truck wouldn’t be able to do. The style of ORV you require depends on whether you’re looking for a weekend off-roading adventure or a way to accomplish difficult tasks. At America's Motorsports Madison, we know the importance of having the right vehicle for a given purpose, so we’ve compared and contrasted these two styles to help you narrow down your decision. When you’re ready to look at some models, we carry both ATVs and UTVs, including popular Can-Am side by sides.

Differences Between ATVs and UTVs

There are two primary styles of off-road vehicles, ATVs or all terrain vehicles, and UTVs or utility terrain vehicles. UTVs are often referred to as side by sides because of their bench seating style. Both four wheeler styles have a few similarities, such as their open-air riding compartment and ability to tackle tough terrain. However, their key differences make them suited to different purposes.

ATVs are generally built to hold only one passenger, the operator, with no space for other riders or cargo. To ride them, you straddle the seat similar to how you’d mount a motorcycle. UTVs are larger and heavier vehicles capable of seating anywhere from two to six passengers in a side-by-side orientation. The riding style is more like a passenger car and there are usually seat belts for safety. UTVs have cargo space and are often able to tow trailers.

Benefits of ATVs

ATVs are best when it comes to pure fun. They offer the kind of high-speed thrills over rough terrain that powersports enthusiasts crave. Many trails and tracks are available specifically for riding an ATV, and they can be fun to take on camping trips for a scenic adventure. ATVs are able to fit into smaller spaces and have tighter handling than their side by side counterparts. They steer using handlebars like a motorcycle, so for motorcycle riders who want to head off the pavement, they’re a great choice.

Benefits of UTVs

UTVs can work for recreational riding, too, especially if you want to take the whole family or a crew of friends on an off-roading adventure. They offer more seating and room for cargo which is a boon if you don’t want to invest in an ATV for each rider, or you want to bring kids who aren’t old enough to handle their own ATV.

The primary purpose of UTVs is in their name -- utility terrain vehicles. They are powerful workhorses that can perform certain tasks on job sites much better and faster than a pickup truck or large construction vehicle could. If you want to get several workers across a field or site quickly with all their equipment in tow, a UTV is perfect for this. And when it comes to towing materials, many UTVs are capable of having a trailer hitched up to haul heavy payloads across sites so you don’t have to get a specialized dump truck.

Some people use UTVs while hunting since you can carry your entire hunting party and their guns and supplies deep into the forest without having to navigate creeks and mud on foot. The storage capacity lets you haul your game back with you, too. UTVs are the more versatile option, but their handling is not as fast or nimble as that of an ATV when it comes to recreational riding.

Now that you’re briefed on the differences between these off-road vehicles and the benefits of each, you’re ready to make your choice. Come see the models in our showroom and ask our staff any questions you may still have regarding ATVs and UTVs. Our Madison dealership has a wide array of the latest ORV styles, including four wheeler models by Can-Am. America’s Motorsports Madison serves the cities of Hendersonville, Lebanon and Springfield, Tennessee, as well as nearby Bowling Green, Kentucky.