2021 Honda ATV & SXS Buying Guide
Types of Honda ATV and SXS
Honda breaks their ATV and SXS lineup down into Rec/Utility and Sport models, with either rear or all-wheel drive. A total of five Rec/Sport models are offered. All except the top-line Rincon are available in anywhere from two to as many as eight separate trims, adding features such as an automatic transmission, independent suspension, and power steering. Other choices include assorted colors, accessories, and more, with varied options depending on the model. Some are available with a trailer hitch.
The lineup includes two Sport ATV models, including a downsized model for younger riders. Sport models are short on frills, and are designed more for off-road fun.
2021 Honda Talon 1000R FOX Live ValveThe variety is even broader with Honda UTVs. A total of five Rec/Utility UTV models are offered, and they are the workhorses of the lineup. These models feature four-wheel drive, automatic transmissions, and seating for two to five passengers depending on the model and trim. Safety features include three-point seatbelts and a roll cage. Available features include a plow blade, dump box, and trailer which with up to 2,000-lb towing capacity depending on model.
In addition, three Sport UTV models are offered. Sport models are built for off-road performance, and feature full suspensions, four-wheel drive, automatic transmissions, and seating for two or four passengers. All include a roof with rollover protection and side doors. These are the models to consider purely for off-roading – and with limited storage, they aren’t designed for hauling cargo. As is the case with ATVs, most are available in multiple trims with added features.
Honda ATV and SXS Prices
Honda ATV base prices range from $3,199 for the TRX90X for youth riders to the four-wheel drive Fourtrax Rincon at $9,499. Rec/Utility UTV models range from $9,199 for the rear-wheel-drive Pioneer 500 to $17,299 for the four-wheel-drive Pioneer 1000-5. Sport UTV base prices start at $19,999 for the Talon 1000X and go up to $23,999 for the Talon 1000X-4 Fox Live Valve.
Honda Rec/Utility ATV Lineup
Honda Fourtrax Recon: Base MSRP $4,299 – $4,549
The Fourtrax Recon is the most affordable and utilitarian of the ATVs in the Honda lineup. Powered by a 229-cc single-cylinder four stroke engine with electric start and rear-wheel drive, the Recon has a manual transmission with five forward speeds plus reverse and an automatic clutch. The front suspension is an independent double-wishbone design, while the rear suspension uses a swing arm with a single shock. Sealed drum brakes are used front and rear.
Designed for a single rider, the Recon includes front and rear racks, and weighs 434 pounds with a full tank of fuel. The Recon ES adds an automatic transmission and starts at $4,549.
Honda Fourtrax Rancher: Base MSRP $5,499 – $8,199
Base Fourtrax Rancher models use a 420-cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start and rear-wheel drive. The manual transmission has five forward speeds plus reverse, and uses an automatic clutch. The base Fourtrax Rancher gets an independent double-wishbone front suspension and rear swing arm with a single shock absorber. Dual hydraulic disc brakes are used in front, while a sealed mechanical drum is used in the rear.
Designed for a single rider only, the Rancher has storage racks front and rear, and weighs 580 pounds with a full tank of fuel. A total of eight separate Fourtrax Rancher trims are offered, adding additional features such as four-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, an independent rear suspension with disc brakes, and power steering. The least expensive model with four-wheel drive is the Fourtrax Rancher 4X4, which starts at $6,499. The top-trim Fourtrax Rancher 4X4 Automatic DCT IRS EPS has a base price of $8,199.
Honda Fourtrax Foreman 4X4: Base MSRP $7,399 – $8,349
The base Fourtrax Foreman is powered by a 518cc, liquid cooled and fuel injected single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start. The transmission is a foot-operated five-speed manual with reverse and an automatic clutch. Other standard features include selectable two or four-wheel drive, an independent front suspension and solid axle swingarm rear suspension, dual front hydraulic disc and a rear sealed drum brake, and utility racks front and rear.
The Fourtrax weighs 636 pounds with a full tank of fuel. Stepping up to the $8,099 Fourtrax Foreman 4X4 EPS adds electric power steering. The $8,349 Fourtrax Foreman 4X4 ES EPS adds an electric shift program.
Honda Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4: Base MSRP $8,699 – $9,899
The Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4 lineup includes four trims, starting with the base Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4 Automatic DCT. This ATV is powered by a 518cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start, which is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with an automatic clutch, reverse, and low range. Selectable two or four-wheel drive is standard, along with a locking front differential and an independent suspension front and rear. Brakes are dual front and single rear hydraulic discs. Other standard features include a digital instrument display and front and rear cargo racks.
The base Rubicon’s fully fueled weight is 700 pounds, and towing capacity is 1,322 pounds. The $8,799 Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4 EPS adds power steering and a manual transmission. The $9,399 Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4 Automatic DCT EPS adds both power steering and the dual-clutch automatic. At the top of the range, the Fourtrax Foreman Rubicon 4X4 Automatic DCT EPS Deluxe adds aluminum wheels, color-matched suspension, and painted bodywork. The Deluxe starts at $9,899.
Honda Fourtrax Rincon: Base MSRP $9,499
At the top of the Honda ATV lineup, the Fourtrax Rincon features a 675-cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start. The transmission is an automatic with three forward gears plus reverse, and riders can switch between rear or all-wheel drive.
The Rincon gets an independent suspension front and rear, along with dual front and single disc rear brakes. Only one trim level is available, and includes front and rear racks. The Rincon weighs in at 657 pounds.
Honda TRX90X: Base MSRP $3,199
Designed to accommodate riders as young as 10 years of age, the TRX90X is an entry-level ATV with compact dimensions and user-friendly features. Powered by a 86cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start and paired with a four-speed manual transmission and automatic clutch, the TRX90X is available only with rear-wheel drive.
The front suspension is an independent design, while the rear uses a swingarm with a single shock absorber. Two sealed drum brakes are used in front, with a single brake in the rear. The TRX90X weighs just 262 pounds.
Honda TRX250X: Base MSRP $4,949
Larger and more powerful than the TRX90X, the TRX250X is intended for teenagers and adults. The engine is a 229cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electric start, matched with a five-speed manual transmission with reverse. The TRX250X uses what Honda calls a SportClutch, which is essentially a semi-automatic clutch with a handlebar-mounted lever like a conventional manual. Honda says the SportClutch combines a manual transmission with stall-prevention for riders unfamiliar with using a clutch.
The front suspension is an independent double-wishbone design, while the rear uses a swingarm with a single shock absorber. Brakes are dual hydraulic discs in the front, and a single sealed drum in the rear. The TRX250X weighs 384 pounds when fully fueled.
Honda Pioneer 500: Base MSRP $8,499
Honda Pioneer 700: Base MSRP $10,999 – $12,499
Honda Pioneer 700-4: Base MSRP $12,399 – $13,899
The Pioneer 700-4 gives up the tilting bed of the Pioneer 700 in favor of rear seats that increase seating capacity to four. When not needed for people, the rear seats can be folded for cargo. The 700-4 uses the same 675-cc single-cylinder fuel-injected and liquid-cooled four-stroke engine with electric start found in the Pioneer 700, and still comes paired with an automatic transmission with three forward gears plus reverse.
Standard features include headlights, a receiver hitch, three-point safety belts, a roll cage, and doors for the driver and passengers. All other specs are the same as the Pioneer 700, including fully independent suspension and dual front/single rear disc brakes, 1,000-pound bed capacity, and 1,500-pound towing limit. The Pioneer 700-4 Deluxe adds power steering, paddle shifters, and aluminum wheels.
Honda Pioneer 1000: Base MSRP $15,899 – $18,999
Honda Pioneer 1000-5: Base MSRP $17,299 – $20,999
Honda Talon 1000X: Base MSRP $19,999 – $22,099
Built for off-road performance, the Honda lineup of Talon models starts with the two-seat 1000X. Powered by a 999-cc two-cylinder liquid-cooled and fuel-injected four-stroke engine with electric start, the transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic that can be shifted manually using paddle shifters. Standard intelligent four-wheel drive sends power to whichever wheels need it, or can be switched off for rear-wheel-drive operation. The Talon 1000X gets an independent front and three-link rear suspension with generous travel front and rear, and disc brakes all around.
Other standard features include power steering, a tilt steering wheel, an LCD instrument display with speedometer, tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, clock, trip information, and more. All Talon 1000X trims also include rollover protection, three-point safety belts, a roof, doors, and a cargo bed. The Talon 1000X Fox Live Valve trim adds a launch mode, color-matched frame, and 2.5-inch shock absorbers for all four wheels that automatically adjust to conditions for improved ride quality and handling.
Honda Talon 1000R: Base MSRP $20,999 – $23,099
Honda Talon 1000X-4: Base MSRP $21,999 – $23,999
Combining performance with added passenger capacity, the Talon 1000X-4 adds two rear stadium seats that allow an extra two people to come along for the ride. The 1000X-4 gets the same powertrain used in other Talon models: a 999-cc, two-cylinder liquid-cooled and fuel-injected four-stroke engine with electric start, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and low range. Intelligent four-wheel drive controls power distribution for optimum traction, or you can turn off that system and opt for rear-wheel drive. An independent double-wishbone front and three-link rear suspension provide 14.4- and 15-inches of travel, respectively, and the 1000X-4 gets disc brakes at all four corners.
Other standard features include power steering, a tilt steering wheel, an LCD instrument display with speedometer, tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, clock, trip information and more. Also included is rollover protection, three-point safety belts, a roof, and doors. Talon 1000X Fox Live Valve trim adds a launch mode, color-matched frame, and 2.5-inch shock absorbers for all four wheels that automatically adjust to conditions for improved ride quality and handling.