2017 Arctic Cat / Textron Alterra 4x4 ATV Review

June 6, 2017

Early in 2017 Textron announced that it had purchased the Arctic Cat brand. So for a little while, current model AC ATV's and UTV's will go by both names. On the other hand, the Bad Boy Offroad name has also changed to Textron.ATV Rider

Performance Chart:	2017 Arctic Cat/ Textron Alterra 700
Power Rating:	5
Suspension:	3
Steering:	4
Seating comfort/ergonomics:	3
Tires:	4
Brakes:	3
Engine Braking:	4 (4mph)
Overall Handling:	3
Fit N Finish:	4
Storage/racks:	4
Total:	37

The overall size of this 700 is larger than most 1000s. It's not overly heavy, it just has large, full coverage bodywork that stands out. The seat hight is about an inch taller than most big bore machines. The right side of the bodywork lets out a lot of engine heat you can feel on your leg.ATV Rider

The dash is simple but full of information like temperatures, fuel level, speeds, distances and more.ATV Rider

Single lever brakes are used on the Alterra. They are very hard to manipulate pressures on. When you need to stop hard, the rear locks up then the fronts. By that time the front end dives which is not good. Engine braking is good only if keep up on throttle inputs to keep tension on the belt.ATV Rider

For a 700 engine, the Alterra did not disappoint in the power department. It was quick in high and rarely needed to be shifted to low when the trails get steep.ATV Rider

The Alterra chassis has very light steering and wide handlebars. You have to use a lot of body english to ride it fast. Traction is inconsistent and the back end seems to slide around more than the front even when in 4WD.ATV Rider

Suspension action is good at slow speed but not when ridden hard. The rear shock finds its limits way sooner than the front.ATV Rider

Being there is a large range of engine and chassis sizes available in the 4x4 catagory we are in the process of looking at a group of our favorites from each brand. The comparison will be machines right at the $10,000 mark and not a specific displacement. Shear power will not have an advantage although we payed close attention to power feel, low range grunt and overall smoothness of operation. Each machine will be judged on usefulness and rideability for work and play. We rated them all using the same seat of the pants feel on technical and smooth trails as well as how they did around a working ranch. In the comparison we will explain why we rated each section as we did.