Looking For a Cheap Four-Wheeler? Here are Five of the Best

If you're looking for an engine with a solid power profile you can really get excited about, the Kodiak 700 from Yamaha is a great option. It's got a low price for its engine size and it shares frame and suspension components with the Grizzly, Yamaha's flagship ATV. That gives it a familiar profile and the support a big engine needs when going over rough terrain. You're not going to get a lot of enhanced features, and that's why the MSRP is below $7,000. What you will get is a solid ATV with basic features you can count on. This low-priced ATV has a solid power profile and shares frame and suspension components with Yamaha's flagship Grizzly model. It may not have a lot of enhanced features, but it's a reliable choice for under $7,000.

This one has a little higher price tag than the Yamaha, but it also has some features you just can't get in that model. The big draw here is the two-seat construction that allows you to legally ride with a passenger, paired up with a 38-horsepower engine that will give you the power to show off when you've got a rider along. Add to that the optional power steering for a $900 upcharge, and you've got a balanced ATV you can use with friends and family. For a sticker price between $7,800 and $8,800, that’s not too bad.

Polaris® is a major name in recreational vehicles on land and sea, and for good reason. Their designs deliver a lot of fun with a range of options, and they produce models for every price point. Their entry into this cheap four-wheeler list comes in at $300 more than their basic 450 model, but it has an upgraded front and rear steel bumper, receivers for trailers, and a 33-horsepower engine to give it the power to haul any cargo you can fit on its standard steel cargo racks. It's an ATV built for the trail or the farm, and a great choice for someone who is looking for an entry-level four-wheeler that can also get some work done.

Entering the market at the same price point as Polaris®'s Sportsman 450 above, the Fourtrax Rancher delivers a 420cc engine that is known for its dependability and ability to pack power into a small space. The profile is built with the balance needed for a nimble trail machine, and it's easy to handle when you need to get some work done. The best part about it? Its manual transmission. It might take a little practice to get used to shifting gears with your foot if you've never used one before, but the trade-off is that there are no belts to break, and you have more control over its power output at every phase of your ride.

Rounding out this list is the entry from Kawasaki, and it's about what you'd expect from this major name in motor sports. At just $4,299 MSRP, it's the lowest-priced cheap four-wheeler on this list, and it delivers a lot for its tiny price tag. Its 271cc engine packs a punch while delivering a light machine that handles easily for beginners. It's not built for farm work, but it can handle most jobs without trouble—you just won't find the extra features like cargo racks and receivers that other models on this list boast. What you will get is a simple two-wheel—drive machine you can teach any member of the family to handle easily, making it a great entry for kids or recreational ATV users looking for a first machine.