Yamaha Grizzly 700 F1 4x4
The two best and most expensive units by far were the Polaris Sportsman 800 X2 and the Yamaha Grizzly 700, though the personalities couldn't be more different. The $8199 Grizzly is more like a sport quad, since the EPS makes the steering super light and almost eliminates feedback through the bar. The engine is strong but controllable, and the chassis provides a smooth and mostly controlled handling. It tended to swap a little in the whoops, in 2WD, but after testing back and forth, we realized the EPS is so good that there was no downside to leaving it in 4WD all the time. In fact, it seemed to pull the front end up and out of the whoops better this way, and also cornered better, with the front end pulling the machine around. We weren't able to compare fuel usage in the test, between 2WD and 4WD, but that would be the only possible downside to leaving the Grizzly in 4WD all the time, as steering, handling and overall control are better in this mode. The brakes were a little soft, however, and rear skidding on the downhills was also somewhat problematic. A stand-up riding style is needed in the whoops, and like a sport quad, body English is useful on the trail. The unit is a generation ahead of the last four in terms of steering effort and feedback, and for the more sport-minded consumer, this is the one, without a doubt.
Polaris Sportsman 800 X2 EFI
The Polaris, on the other hand, is definitely the utility master with the most versatility out of any of the other vehicles. At 839 pounds, though, this ain't no light-weight, and body English is more or less futile. In fact, with a side-by-side twin engine that is quite wide and hooked to a CVT transmission, it's like a really fat horse, so standing is uncomfortable at best. That means sitting is the place to be, but fortunately, Polaris has done its homework and the chassis just plain works. With a wheelbase at 57 inches-about 7 more than the rest-it works surprisingly well in the whoops. Just sit down and gas it. And like the Grizzly, leave it in 4WD. Even though it doesn't have assisted steering, the effort required is low, and feedback is minimal. Fact is, it doesn't need EPS and definitely handles better in 4WD, pulling out of the whoops better and steering better, with the front end pulling the long quad around the corners. The ground clearance is the highest of the bunch, and in the rocky streambed test, the Polaris was right in the game, with the low-steering feedback, smooth power and supple MacPherson strut front suspension. In addition, the rear sway bar provides a more solid, less tippy feel than all the others, holding this big hauler snug to the ground.