What is a Side by Side or UTV and How is it Different from ATVs?

The UTVs or Side by Sides have become very popular because of being versatile and tough. You can most commonly find then in farm fields, family campgrounds, backcountry tracks or dune playgrounds. If you want to buy a side by side, this article is for you. But before you begin, you need to know what is it and how it is different from ATV.

A UTV or a side by side is a four to six wheel off road vehicle that comes equipped with a steering wheel bench or bucket seating with seatbelts, a roll bar, foot pedals or a cage. Most of the UTV models come bearing with multiple seats for up to 6 riders to a maximum. Many also come equipped with 4WD or all wheel drive or AWD features, though some are totally 2WD. As most of the UTV models have at least 2 front seats which is why they are popularly termed as side by sides or SXSs. They can also be called Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles or ROVs or Multipurpose Off-Highway Utility Vehicles or MOHUVs and in a broader sense, All-Purpose Vehicles (APVs) or as Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs). You can explore them at https://performancenc.ca/vehicules/usages/cote-a-cote/

How are they different from ATVs?

One of the most significant differences between the two is the steering and seating designs. A UTV bears a steering wheel and an ATV bears motorcycle style handlebars. When you sit on an ATV, it is more like riding a bike, you sit in a UTV for driving it like a truck while wearing a seatbelt. A UTV also bears a roll bar or cage for safety reasons and also bears a windshield and doors. A UTV is larger in size than ATV and can bear more passengers and cargo. A Polaris UTV comes with two, four and six seater models. There are also many single seater models available if you want to ride solo.

If you have more than two people, go for a UTV rather than a single seater ATV. If you are planning to carry a lot of gear, feed or heavy cargo on a daily basis, UTVs are the best. As the width of the ATV is narrow, means you can access the restricted trails. It can fit in the ball of a full size backup, carrying UTVs would need a trailer. You can also factor in the relative physicality and comfort when driving an ATV v/s a UTV.