Hello Friends,
I’m in the market for a new UTV. I’d like something quiet without sacrificing too much power or 4 wheel capability. Was looking at an electric option to cut down on noise like the Polaris EV but not sure if they offer a 4 seat versions. Doesn’t have to be a 4 seater, but would prefer it. It’ll be used mostly to zip around the ranch and check feeders and fill/top them off and check cameras, check fences, look for new hog holes. When we get rain the ranch gets very sloppy and a UTV is sometimes the only way to get around. Appreciate any advice!

Go and drive them all and the decide which you like best. The place I hunt has Rangers and Mules and are all good machines. I have a ranger crew and love it. It’s like anything else, everyone has a preference and an opinion. Pm me if you have any questions on the Polaris. It’s the only one I have experience with.

I appreciate that Grim, PM on the way.

[spoiler][/spoiler]I love my Mule Pro Fxt. It’s not as loud as some of the others and so far been a great machine. Everyone that rides it likes it a lot.

I'd go with the gasoline powered Mule.

The Honda Pioneer would be my choice since I have it's big brother the Honda Big Red.

Mule Pro FXT
Can Am Defender Max (2020 model is supposed to be significantly quieter than the 19s and down)
Polaris Ranger Crew

Those three are the most popular models out there. Go drive each one and see what you like. They're like the big three domestic trucks, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, and each have their fans and haters.

If the 2020 Can Am Defender is significantly quieter than the 19s down, then it must sound like a Prius.

get the Polaris Ranger Crew , you will be happy.

Honda’s are loud, Yamaha Vikings are loud and underpowered, Polaris has tranny and rear end problems.


If you need a bigger machine, go can am defender. If small and low to the ground is your bag a mule FTX pro is a good rig, tough as nails just a tiny bed

I own the defender

I have a pioneer 1000 and it fit my needs the best. It will sit 3 grown men all over 235 with 2 over 325. It has the cut transmission and is not as load as other sxs on our lease. It will go up anything and you don’t have to worry about a belt slipping.

Sounds like the Can Am Defender May be the quietest of the 3 contenders. Is that the general consensus? I always thought the Mules were the loudest, but I liked them otherwise. Was leaning toward a Crew, but that was not knowing much about the Defender. I wonder though just how much quieter it is than the other two and if it’s worth it or not. Being Quiet is one of my biggest concerns.

My brother has the Pioneer 1000 and I have buddies with the Can Am Defender HD10, the Polaris Ranger Crew 1000, the Mule Pro FXT and the Yamaha Wolverine. If I had to rank them I would go:

Can Am Defender
Mule Pro FXT
Honda Pioneer
Yamaha Wolverine
Polaris Ranger

I personally would not own a Polaris, only reason I would own a Pioneer is if I needed a smaller footprint close to a ATV. Can Am is by far the nicest machine in my opinion.

After in depth use of defender 10 crew, Pro FXT, Mahindra crew(deisel and gas), Pioneer 1000, Polaris 900&1000 crew.....

I went with the Pro FXT for my needs
Second was a defender 10(my storage location is limited and it’s overall size knocked it down, power wise it’s in a class of its own)
Third Tie between Mahindra(best price point option) and Polaris
Last Pioneer(it’s a great machine but strictly a two grown man machine, seating in back is useless IMO)

Little over 1-2” different in ground clearance between Pro and HD10(package model varies between 11-13), easy remedy to increase it. Also Kawasaki has 3 year standard with 6 year warranty option.

My mule won’t do 65mph on the Hwy like the defender 10 will but will do 45, which is still to fast for kids driving them.
Few add one’s Ill be at 15” of ground clearance almost 14” of suspension travel

For what you describe, get something with gas power but remember to treat your gas with Stabil or walk when it doesn't start due to funky gas.
Mud will suck the power out of batteries like no tomorrow and you will be replacing them every 2-3 years.

I have 2 electric golf carts, an electric TaylorDunn flatbed and 2 Mules on the ranch.
The electrics are all parked with dead or near dead batteries and nothing is more frustrating than fixing fence or doing something else and have batteries go dead in middle of job.
If you run out of gas in a UTV, it's your own fault but can be fixed in a few minutes by adding gas but charging batteries takes a long time.

The Japanese manufacturers have lots of cross-engineering into autos and aerospace that puts them quite a bit ahead in reliability and longevity.
Polaris is getting better but still has catching up to do.

Best bet is what you are already doing which is research.
A few test rides from friends and dealerships will help make your decision.

Good luck with your decision and make sure to show pics when you get it!

None of them are going to be so quiet that wildlife won't hear you. If stealth is the key, get an electric golf cart for going back and forth to the blind, and then the SXS of your choice for the heavy work.

I've got a club car carryall (electric) that I use to get to the blind and back. The bed is large, and it's got enough power to haul a few hundred pounds of corn or firewood in the bed on decent roads. If it's not in use, it's on the charger, never left me stranded with a dead battery. Then I've got an ATV for going places the cart won't go.

Honda, Mule pro and cam am are all really close at idle and under 20 mph.

Above 20mph I felt mule was quietest, followed Honda very very closely(could be a draw depending on where you are sitting) then cam am. All three are really close IMO

Other variables to consider.
Adding a roof makes any UTV louder
I have a Pioneer 700-4. I love having the ability to pop up the rear seats for grandkids or hunters I don’t like.
I added the bed mat and put the silver bubble insulation under the front seat (summer heat reduction) and both of these helped to quiet my rig down.
Mine is 5 years old, has been outside at camp the whole time and a replaced battery is all mine has ever needed beside an annual oil and filters change.
My 2005 Honda ATVs have been perfect as far as reliability so that’s why I went with the Pioneer.

If you want something quiet, consider buying a used real truck. Something akin to a Tacoma,. They run smooth and quiet. As long as you keep the idle smooth, you can drive up real close to animals and sneak in when a higher pitched ATV engine will run most everything off. They also have air conditioning, wipers, stereos and such. We have found the heater function to occasionally be very useful. Ditto for space both inside the cab and in the bed.

For the price of a new ATV, you can purchase a good used hunting truck, equip it with snow & mud bias ply tires and the trailer to haul it on. You'll find this set up to be extremely versatile.

Just thoughts.

PRO FXT W EPS. Like riding in a caddy around the pasture. I have pulled some large hunting buggies out of mud w it. EPS is definitely worth the money for me. I still run tires that came on it and are just fine through mud and muck. I have not lifted cuz I like just sliding in and out.

Defender 6x6 is on my wish list, currently have a 2016 defender hd10 and its been awesome machine.

I have a 2019 Viking 6 seater Ranch Edition.

Room for 6 grownups. Not 6 guys like me, with bulky clothes on, but 6 normal people.

It is not lifted, still has stock tires. I don't find it to be lacking anything in the power department. It is a 700cc engine, that is a tried and true Yamaha engine. It's not 1000cc, and I don't expect it to be.

I added a hard top, a windshield, and a couple of led lights.

It is big, long, runs 50mph on the road with my family of 4 in it. No complaints with it.
I like the 1/2 doors, keeps snakes and dog out, and kids in.
EPS is awesome. My older Ranger didn't have EPS.

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