5 Best ATVs For Trail Riding in 2026

An ATV can be enormous fun off road, but with so many makes and models on the market it is tough to work out which one is right for you.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at five of the best ATVs for trail riding in 2026, weighing engine power, premium suspension quality, handling and the features that actually change how an ATV behaves off road. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider looking to upgrade, this should help you find the right quad for challenging terrains.

We cover models from Yamaha, Can-Am, Polaris, Honda and Kawasaki. From electric power steering to locking differentials, independent suspension and a snorkeled air intake on the mud-focused machines, each vehicle here offers something that improves control, comfort and optimal performance.

A fair bit has changed since our last update. One of our picks has been discontinued outright, two were listed with the wrong engine specifications, and one model name no longer exists. Everything below is current for 2026, with prices checked at the time of writing.

1. Yamaha Raptor 700R

Mention Yamaha and most riders want to know what the brand is up to next. The Raptor 700R is a beast of an ATV, a genuine high performance ATV aimed at experienced riders, though forgiving enough for a confident beginner who respects it.

A 686cc single cylinder four stroke motor delivers strong acceleration across every surface, with fuel injection, a five-speed transmission with reverse gear and electric start. One correction from our previous version: this engine is liquid-cooled, not air cooled as we previously stated. On an ATV worked this hard that distinction matters, because liquid cooling is what lets it hold power through a long technical section without heat soak.

The springing is the Raptor’s party trick, with 9.1 inches of front and 10.1 inches of rear travel and 9.5 inches of ground clearance, so it handles mud, hills and rocky terrain without complaint. What it gives up against the utility machines is not clearance but carrying capacity, because this is a sport ATV rather than a workhorse.

At 422 lb wet it is also by far the lightest ATV on this list, which is a large part of why it feels so agile. There is no cargo bed and no diff lock, and that is the point — this is a focused machine, not a workhorse. The Raptor 700R costs $10,799, with the standard Raptor 700 at $10,199 if you can live without the adjustable suspension.

2. Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT EPS Deluxe

This brand keeps refining rather than reinventing, and the Rubicon Deluxe is the most intelligent ATV here. At $10,949 before destination it is also the best value of the big utility ATVs.

It runs a 518cc liquid-cooled single — another correction, since we previously gave this as 475cc — with electric power steering, engine braking and Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission. The DCT is the reason to buy it. There is no belt to cook on a slow technical climb, and the automatic shifts are smooth enough that you stop noticing them, which is exactly what you want when your attention is on the terrain rather than the drivetrain.

There is 7.3 inches of front and 8.5 inches of rear travel through independent arms at both ends, and ground clearance is a useful 9.7 inches. The front differential is torque sensitive and locking, with selectable 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with the front axle locked.

Curb weight is 719 lb, so it is no featherweight, but the stability that comes with it suits long days. With front and rear carrying racks it balances utility and off road capability better than anything else at the price.

3. Kawasaki Brute Force 750 EPS

The Brute Force lives up to its name: rugged, powerful and happy doing trail work and light farm duty in the same weekend. Note the name change — Kawasaki dropped the “i” from the old 750i designation, so you are looking for the Brute Force 750 EPS, at $11,499.

At its core is a 749cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine built to pull through tough conditions. It has a front limited-slip diff with a front differential lock, power steering, and selectable 4×2 or 4×4. Combined with a durable chassis, it handles rocky terrain and inclines with confidence.

Travel is 6.9 inches front and 7.4 inches rear, slightly different from the 6.7 and 7.5 we previously quoted, and clearance is 9 inches. It is tuned for durability and load carrying rather than for speed, which is the honest trade on a utility ATV.

At around 708 lb curb it is among the heaviest here, so it demands more effort in tight woods than the Raptor does. What you get in return is a solid rear rack for gear and tools and the sense that it will still be working in ten years.

4. Polaris Sportsman Touring XP 1000 Trail

This is more than a trail ready ATV — it is a touring vehicle with power and convenience, and the one to buy if you ride two-up. Note the name has shifted slightly: Polaris now lists it as the Sportsman Touring XP 1000 Trail, at $15,999.

A 952cc ProStar engine pushes out an impressive 88 horsepower. It gives 9 inches of front and 10.25 inches of rear travel with 11.25 inches of ground clearance, so the rear end stays settled over steep hills, rough paths and slippery mud. Multi-select EPS, one-touch AWD and both EBS and Active Descent Control are standard.

The rear seat is removable, so it works solo or two-up with sensible ergonomics and weight position either way. A 3,500 lb winch and rear view mirrors are included. Note that a touchscreen and connected services are accessories rather than standard, despite what some listings suggest.

If you want something more aggressive and trail focused, the Polaris Scrambler is the sibling to look at. The Scrambler XP 1000 S at $16,499 uses the same 952cc ProStar with multi-select electronic power steering, and the Polaris Scrambler 850 at $11,999 pairs an 850cc ProStar twin with a much lower price — the value pick of the range, and strong performance for the money.

5. Can-Am Renegade X xc 1000R

Our previous list led this entry with the Can-Am Renegade 570. That ATV no longer exists — Can-Am has pruned the Renegade range to three models, all of them big. The X xc 1000R at $16,249 is the one built for the kind of riding this guide is about.

A 976cc Rotax V twin produces 91 horsepower, which is a serious amount for an ATV and more than most riders will use. What makes it a high performance ATV rather than just a fast one is the chassis: sport-tuned independent suspension front and rear, four-wheel drive and a locking differential, set up for rocky climbs and steep descents rather than for hauling.

The rest of the range tells you what Can-Am expects you to do with these. The X mr 650 at $14,149 makes 62 hp and the X mr 1000R at $17,549 matches the xc’s 91 hp, with both mr models built for deep mud and fitted with a snorkeled air intake. If you want utility rather than sport, the Can-Am Outlander is the sibling to look at. The Outlander 500 and 700 start at $6,999 and give 9.75 inches of front and 10.25 inches of rear travel with 12 inches of clearance — more suspension and more clearance per dollar than anything else here.

This is the most expensive ATV here and the fastest by a distance. It is also the one where it is easiest to get into trouble, so match it to your experience honestly.

What Makes An ATV Great for Trail Riding?

Not every ATV is built for trail riding. These are the things to check before you buy.

Suspension Travel and Ground Clearance

These two numbers tell you more about an ATV’s intended use than the engine size does, and they often pull in opposite directions.

Travel is about absorbing hits at speed. The Raptor’s 9 to 10 inches is sport ATV territory; the utility models sit nearer 7 to 8 inches because they are tuned to carry weight without wallowing. Clearance is about what you can drive over without hitting the frame, and the spread here is narrower than you might expect: 9 inches on the Brute Force, 9.5 on the Raptor, 9.7 on the Rubicon and 11.25 on the Polaris.

If your riding is fast and smooth, prioritise travel. If it is rocky, rutted or full of fallen timber, prioritise clearance. Roughly 9 inches of front travel and 11 inches of clearance is the practical dividing line between a utility machine and a trail-focused one.

Width — The Spec Everyone Forgets

Check the width before anything else, because it can rule a machine out entirely. Many eastern US riding systems cap vehicles at 50 inches, and plenty of capable ATVs are wider than that. The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 S is 55 inches across — superb on open terrain, and not legal where a 50 inch limit applies. The Kawasaki Brute Force is 46.1 inches, the Yamaha Kodiak 46.5 and the Can-Am Outlander 47.6, all comfortably inside the limit. Find out what your local area allows before you shortlist anything.

Great Shocks & Tires

As you know, automobiles can never function without tires. And not just tires, I mean quality tires that boast excellent tread patterns and superior traction, compatibility with multiple riding terrains.

Because trail riding demands and involves all sorts of conditions, including rocky paths, steep inclines, mud, and so on, your ATV must have a set of great pieces of shocks. These will help you to navigate your riding without ending up with a sour taste of the experience.

Drivetrain and Diff Locks

You want selectable 2WD and 4WD, which is what gives these trail ATVs their day-to-day versatility, and you want to understand what the diff actually does, because the marketing blurs it.

A limited-slip front diff sends torque to the wheel with grip automatically and keeps the steering easy. A locking differential forces both rear wheels, and the fronts, to turn together, which is what gets you out of a rut or up a slick climb, though it leaves no give in the driveline, so a sudden gain in traction puts real strain on axles and CV joints. Some brands also pair that with on-demand AWD for extra traction and control as conditions change. The best setups let you choose between the two. Out riding you will spend most of your time unlocked and be grateful for the lock perhaps twice a day..

Engine Braking

This is the feature riders notice most on their first steep descent, and it is central to safe trail riding. Engine braking uses the drivetrain to hold the machine back on a downhill rather than leaving it all to the brakes, which stops the ATV running away from you and saves your pads.

Polaris is the clearest about this: EBS works automatically using engine compression, while Active Descent Control is driver-selected and applies braking to all four wheels below 15 mph on a descent. Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission gives all-wheel engine braking on the Grizzly and Kodiak. On a belt driven CVT vehicle without it, a long steep descent gets unnerving fast.

Cooling

Nearly every full size trail ATV on sale is liquid cooled, and that is what you want: it holds power through slow technical work where there is no airflow. Air cooled engines still appear on youth ATVs and small utility models, where the duty cycle is light. If you are looking at a used full size ATV advertised that way, check what it actually is.

Storage and Recovery

Make sure the ATV carries what you need without being towed home. Towing straps, tools, water, snacks and a first aid kit all have to go somewhere, which means a rack or a rear box.

A winch is the single most useful accessory here, and it is worth budgeting for one if the ATV does not come equipped with a mount. Getting yourself unstuck, or pulling a friend out, turns a ruined day into an anecdote. Pack a strap and a basic tool kit alongside it, check the battery before a long day, and maintain the line as you would any other part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Raptor 700 good for trail riding?

Yes, with one caveat. It offers excellent control, a responsive motor and the best suspension travel here, and upgrades like Fox shocks and aftermarket arms take it further. The caveat is ground clearance. It is built for dunes, fast going and open terrain, and the lack of a rack means you carry recovery gear on your back. For that kind of trail riding nothing here is more fun.

Are ATVs road legal in Nevada?

No, Nevada’s own OHV guidance states that operation of an OHV on the street is generally not allowed unless posted, and that while two-wheeled motorcycles can be converted to on-road use, other OHVs cannot be. An OHV decal is a registration, not a street-legal certificate. Cities and counties may designate small sections of public street purely for access to and from off-road areas, and where that applies you need lights, a brake light, a reflector, a spark arrestor, a licensed operator aged 16 or over and a helmet.

Rules vary enormously by state and often by county, so check locally before you ride anywhere paved. Some states have no road access at all for ATVs; others allow it widely on designated routes.

What size ATV should a beginner buy?

For an adult beginner, something in the 450 to 570cc utility class is plenty — a Polaris Sportsman 570 at $7,999 or a Honda Rancher gets you into trail riding without the ATV writing cheques your experience cannot cash. The 1000cc sport ATVs here make 88 to 91 horsepower, which is a lot of power to manage on a loose surface.

Utility or sport quad for trails?

Utility if you want carrying capacity, a winch, clearance and the ability to do jobs around a property, with the sport-4×4 niche tracing back to early machines such as the yamaha wolverine, one of the original sport 4×4 ATVs. Sport if you want low weight, long travel and agility, and you are prepared to give up carrying capacity for a machine that can handle quicker steering inputs and feel more responsive on the trail. Most people who do a lot of trail riding are better served by a utility ATV, which is why four of our five picks are one, but any of the four can work well no matter which direction you lean.

Conclusion

When choosing an ATV for trail riding, consider power, suspension, and durability. We hope this guide helps you find the right vehicle for your next adventure. Always prioritize safety and follow local rules while exploring.

If we had to pick one: the Honda Rubicon DCT is the best all round trail ATV here and the one we would buy, the Raptor 700R is the most fun if your terrain suits it, and the Scrambler 850 is the value choice if you want sport performance without the flagship price. Whichever you choose, prioritise safety, wear a helmet and follow local rules on where you can ride.

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