The RZR only had a few bad points. For some reason the pedals felt a little too far to the right, and there was no easy place to put your phone, wallet, cooler or gas; it felt like it would just fall out of the back.
The Rhino's balance of good to bad traits won the day. Its suspension was a little rough when just cruising but seemed to help in high-speed bumps, unexpected G-outs or potholes. The ground clearance helped for straddling big rocks and other obstacles in the road. It was very comfortable and easy to step in and out of.
The two major things that I did not like about the Rhino were it was too slow, and it always wanted to roll anytime it hit a corner too fast. Two minor problems: when going up on a ledge, if there was a tree next to you, the roll cage would get caught on it. And if I were to roll in the Rhino, because of its open sides, I felt I would fall out.
No matter what, you must know how to drive the Rhino because it has a tendency to roll very easily. A beginner could handle the RZR at 30 mph and lower speeds, but once you get the Polaris over 30 mph, it's best to know what you are doing.
Tyler Ruiz
5'9"/180 lb/Novice
When I sat down in the passenger seat of the Yamaha Rhino, I immediately loved the comfy seats and leg room. When we took off, I instantly noticed how smooth the ride was, despite "barreling" (a Rhino maxes out at 40 mph) over rocky, uneven terrain. I also liked the Rhino's cargo area. You can even strap in an ice chest or a duffel bag if you decide to camp overnight. That extra space would come in handy if you have a growing family but can't quite afford to buy a sand rail-it's a good starter car in that regard. Then I slid in behind the wheel. I thought the Rhino accelerated a bit sluggishly, and as for the speed ... well, it would have been fun to go a little faster. If you were headed uphill, you're more likely to run faster than the Rhino. It seemed to be pretty good on gas mileage.
On to the Polaris RZR. It wasn't that bad but it was not as comfortable as the Rhino. We took off on the same type of terrain and I found that I felt everything-especially large rocks. I loved the speed; the RZR maxed out at 55 mph. It made me a bit nervous, but that was part of the reason it was so fun! Going around the turns at a faster speed just increased the adrenaline rush. Finally, I got to drive the RZR. This was definitely a different driving experience than the one I had with the Rhino. First, when I stepped on the accelerator, it moved. Driving this UTV felt like (I would imagine) driving a race car-you had to countersteer quite a bit, whereas driving the Rhino felt pretty similar to driving a standard car. The steering did enhance the experience and going around the turns at a faster speed, combined with the change in steering, was pretty exciting for me. Second, I noticed I didn't feel the impact of hitting those rocks as much when I was sitting in the driver's seat-nice!
If you're looking for a fast, fun little side-by-side, then the RZR is your best bet. If you're in the market for a fun, off-road vehicle that has great ground clearance, offers some cargo space and a smooth ride, then I'd say go with the Rhino. It's a bit more costly than the RZR, but to me, you're getting more bang for your buck.
Kristi Romine
5'4"/140 lb/Novice
When it comes to the decision of which machine I'd like to see when I open my garage door, my vote goes to the Yamaha Rhino. I viewed this machine as the most versatile of the two.