2008 Side X Side 'Sport Class' Comparison

2008 Side X Side 'Sport Class' Comparison

RHINO - RZR - RANGER - TERYX - PROWLER

With all the newly released utility vehicles (aka: sidexsides, sxs, UTV) on the market it can be confusing as to which make & model to choose. They all have there great features but when its all said and done it comes down to what your primary purpose is going to be for your sxs. If you want something for cruising around with the family and are looking into adding a four-seat cage and a backseat for the youngens id recommend the Rhino or Ranger. The Rhino is more sporty in a since that it comes equiped with bucket seats that keep you from sliding around as easy. On the other hand the Ranger has a larger size bed so your back seats occupants will have a little more room. If speed and kicking ass is what you looking for than theres a few tough choices you'll have to make. The RZR is currently the fastest (50mph) out of the box sxs on the market. Although with RZR you do sacrafice a lot of cab room. For some guys these UTV's are just too compact and as a result you might not enjoy bumping shoulders with your passengers. The Rhino although not at fast (43mph) from the factory has plenty of aftermarket products on the market that'll get it going well over 50mph with not much effort. In addition you'll have more cab room than the RZR. As for the Prowler and Teryx, they too have similiar top speeds as the Rhino and include a similiar layout and cab size.

Besure to scroll down and check out each vehicles spec's along with our Good & Bad comments for each vehicle at the bottom.


Model	Rhino 700	RZR 800	Ranger 700	Teryx 750	Prowler 700
Year	2008	2008	2008	2008	2008
M.S.R.P	$11,999	$10,299	$10,499	$10,599	$10,999
Engine	Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke; SOHC, 4-valves, all wheel braking	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke twin cylinder	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke twin cylinder	4-stroke, 90°, V-twin, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valves per cylinder	4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
Displacement	686cc	760cc	683cc	749cc	695cc
Bore x Stroke	102 x 84 mm	n/a	n/a	85 x 66 mm	102x85 mm
Compression Ratio	9.2:1	n/a	n/a	8.8:1	n/a
Carburetion	Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), 41 mm	Electronic Fuel Injection	Electronic Fuel Injection	Dual Keihin CVKR-D34	Electronic Fuel Injection
Ignition	32 Bit ECU	n/a	n/a	Digital DC-CDI	n/a
Starter	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric
Transmission	Yamaha Ultramatic V-belt CVT Transmission	Automatic PVT (Polaris Variable Transmission)	Automatic PVT (Polaris Variable Transmission)	Continuously variable belt-drive with high and low range (CVT)	Continuously Variable (CVT)
Suspension	Front & Rear: Independent double wishbone with 5-way preload adjustment; 7.3 in. travel	Front: Double A-Arm with Anti-Sway Bar & 9.0 inches of travel Rear: Adjustable, Rolled independent Rear Suspension with Anti-Sway Bar & 9.5 inches of travel	Front: MacPherson 8.0 inches of travel Rear: Independent Rear Suspension 9.0 inches of travel	Front / Rear: Adjustable dual A-arm with gas-charged shocks; 7.5 in. travel Front / 7.3 Rear	Front & Rear Independent Double A-Arm Travel (in): 10
Brakes	Front: Dual hydraulic disc, twin piston Rear: Dual hydraulic disc	Hydraulic Disk - Dual Piston Calipers (front), Single Piston Calipers (Rear)	Dual Piston front, Single piston rear, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, stainless steel lines	Front: Dual hydraulic discs with 2-piston calipers Rear: Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc	Rear Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc Front Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Tires	Front: AT25 x 8-12 NHS Rear: AT25 x 10-12 NHS	Front: 25 x 10 - 12 Maxxis Front: 25 x 8 - 12 Maxxis	Front: 25 x 10 - 12 Maxxis Front: 25 x 8 - 12 Maxxis	Front: Maxxis 26 x 8-12 Rear: Maxxis 26 x 10-12	Front Tire: AT 26 X 9-14 Rear Tire: AT 26 X 11-14
Length	113.6 in.	102 in.	113 in.	115.7 in.	115 in.
Width	54.4 in.	50 in.	60 in.	58.3 in.	61.3 in.
Height	73 in.	69 in.	75 in.	75.4 in.	77.5 in.
Wheelbase	75.2 in.	77 in.	76 in.	75.8 in.	75 in.
Ground Clearance	12.1 in.	n/a	11 in.	11.2 in.	12.5 in.
Fuel Capacity	7.9 gal.	7.25 gal.	9.0 gal.	8 gal.	8.2 gal.
Turning Radius	153.5 in.	101.5 inches	148 in.	n/a	n/a
Load Capacity	400 lbs.	300 lbs.	1,000 lbs.	n/a	625 lbs.
Weight	1,212 lbs.	945 lbs.	1,185 lbs.	1,200 lbs.	1,160 lbs.
Colors	-	Red / Green	Green / Solar Red	Camo / Red / Green	silver

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The good and the bad
What we like and dislike about each one of these UTVs.
* Keep in mind the spec's above are taken from each manufactures website. The good & bad comments are based off our knowledge of these side x sides as well as our personal opinion which may differ from yours. If you would like to comment register or log-in and post your comments.
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Yamaha Rhino

Yamaha Website

Good: Happy to see yamaha stepped it up and introduced a new 686cc fuel injected engine for there 08 line up. Also the new colors available are really nice too! Factory equipped doors arent bad for stockers. Atleast there safer!

Bad: Still no power steering or alternator (maybe in 09). Also wouldn't mind seeing all models equiped with the digi-dash stock regardless of model.

Polaris RAZR

Polaris Website

Good: Polaris definitly stepped it up in the sport class UTV market with this little guy. Fast, light weight, able to fit on ATV trails legally, and comes equipped with some nice features.

Bad: Because its so narrow some stability was sacraficed, The seats aren't very comfortable, The vehicles built with some what lesser quality than the other UTV's on the market in my opinion. If your a bigger guy plan on bumping shoulders with your buddy because there isnt much cab room.

Polaris Ranger XP

Polaris Website

Good: Great all around UTV for both family cruising and work around the house. Nice new colors available for 2008.

Bad: Desperatly needs a factory tilt column & Leg protection. Please ditch the bench seat for 2009.

Kawasaki TERYX

Kawasaki Website

Good: Very happy to see Kawasaki hop on board the sport class UTV market. The engine and spec's on this vehicle look impressive and im sure the aftermarket accessories will be up there with the RZR and Rhino's.

Bad:Needs leg protection or doors.

Artic Cat Prowler

Artic Cat Website

Good: Great UTV that offers factory gauges and cupholders. Also the steering column has a factory equiped tilt feature.

Bad: The roll cages on these vehicles got to go. Doesnt look very functional either. Again, weres the leg protection? This stuff should be factory equipped after Yamaha's lawsuit. Only available in one color! (silver)

More UTV Information:

Yamaha Rhino Aftermarket Buyers Guide - Click Here
Polaris RZR Aftermarket Buyers Guide - Click Here
Polaris Ranger Aftermarket Buyers Guide - Coming Soon
Kawasaki Teryx Aftermarket Buyers Guide - No products available yet
Artic Cat Prowler Aftermarket Buyers Guide -

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