Polaris Ranger 1000 Crew vs Honda Pioneer 1000-6 (2024)

I'm looking at getting a crew SxS. Use will be farm work, a little fun and of course, trapping. It needs to be good at getting my family of 5 around comfortably.

My family has had two different Polaris Rangers over the years. Their current one is about 12 or 13 years old. No major problems and it's never left us stranded. Minor repairs have been needed over the years but nothing I'd consider excessive. Polaris gets a fair bit of disdain from the internet. I'm not sure if the newer Polaris models are not made as well or if my family's experience has been lucky.

I've looked at Can-Am, Honda, Kawasaki, and Polaris.
I've narrowed it down to a Polaris Ranger 1000 Premium Crew or a Honda Pioneer 1000-6

Polaris cons: has a reputation of breaking down
Polaris pros: cheaper, I'm familiar with them

Honda cons: the pioneer 1000-6 is pretty new. All the bugs may not be worked out. I've heard heat can be an issue with these.
Honda pros: supposedly more reliable

Any thoughts on either of these choices?

I have a buddy had transmission failures on both hondas he has had - not the 1000. I have 5000 miles on my four year old ranger 900 crew and I have had some bushings and bearings replaced - but I drive in a lot of mud and water.

The biggest deal breaker for me - and most will consider it trivial - but for me, I cant stand hard sided doors hinged on the front side. I have six miles of trails - I am constantly getting out to remove limbs from the trail or trim overhead limbs. Half the time I dont even fasten my soft sided door. I didnt really realize how much hard sided doors were an inconvenience until I rode in my neighbor’s yamaha with hinged doors. I got wore out opening the door and walking around it to get to a gate, cable, branch or limb. Just trail riding - no worries. Working everyday - big aggravation for me

I curse the day I bought a Ranger.

I’ll never own another Polaris product.

One of the companies I work for have both Honda pioneer 1000s and 700s. They abuse the crap out of them and they keep on ticking.

Hog hunting buddies of mine have Polaris', they gripe about them all the time. Bought a Can Am and it is pretty awesome, he takes it through heck and back. Smooth ride too.

Honda fourwheelers, are dang near indestructible. If their UTVs are built the same, and I think they are; its probably a pretty good investment.

I'm biased though, I own Honda stuff, and it has done me well......from generators, to air compressors, to fourwheelers.

Buy a Honda or a Kawasaki

I have a Polaris four wheeler that is broke down 90% of the time

I have a 2013 polaris ranger 900 with a ton of miles and it's been really good, the only repair I had to make to it was replacing a bent drive shaft (which was a $900 repair!!!!)

I just bought a 2021 ranger 570 with a snow plow and full cab with heater, etc. We'll see how it goes. Even though I have owned quite a few polaris ATVs over the years, I have mixed feelings about them. Since polaris is a company based here in MN, They are everywhere and are the best price generally. They have a mixed reputation but my personal experiences with them have been mostly good.