You’re out there. Somewhere deep in the trails of Moab or maybe just crawling through the back forty of a farm in Georgia, and you realize something pretty quickly. Riding solo is boring. Even a two-seater feels like you're leaving half the party behind. That is basically why the 4 person side by side—or UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) for the technical crowd—has absolutely exploded in popularity over the last few years. It isn’t just about moving people from point A to point B anymore. It’s about not having to choose which kid stays at the campsite with a tablet while everyone else goes to see the sunset at the ridge.
Honestly, the engineering behind these things has gotten a little ridiculous. Ten years ago, if you put four grown adults in a side-by-side, you’d bottom out the suspension on a speed bump. Today? You have machines like the Polaris RZR XP 4 or the Can-Am Maverick R that can handle 70 mph across open desert while carrying a literal family of four in relative comfort.
The weird physics of a longer wheelbase
When you stretch a chassis to fit that second row of seats, everything changes. Most people think a longer machine is a disadvantage. They’re wrong. Well, mostly wrong.
Sure, your turning radius goes to garbage. You aren't going to be flicking a 4-seat Maverick around a tight wooded trail in Vermont as easily as a nimble 2-seater. But the stability you gain is massive. Because the distance between the front and rear axles is longer, the machine doesn't "buck" as hard over whoops or choppy terrain. It’s simple physics. A longer lever takes more energy to move. In a 4 person side by side, that translates to a much smoother ride for everyone involved.
If you've ever been in a short-wheelbase Jeep or a 2-seat buggy, you know that "kick" the back end gives when you hit a bump at speed. In a 4-seater, that sensation is dampened. It’s more like a boat over waves than a pogo stick. For parents taking kids out, this is the difference between a fun afternoon and a car-sick disaster.
Picking the right flavor of 4 person side by side
Don't just run out and buy the flashiest one you see on Instagram. There are basically three distinct buckets these machines fall into:
💡 You might also like: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
The Pure Sport Speed Demons
Think Polaris RZR, Can-Am Maverick, and the Honda Talon. These are built for one thing: going fast. They have massive suspension travel—sometimes over 20 inches—and engines that sound like angry hornets. If your weekend plans involve sand dunes or wide-open desert, this is where you live. Just know that you aren't going to be hauling much gear. The "bed" space is usually just big enough for a small cooler and maybe a spare tire if you're lucky.
The Utility Workhorses
The Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT and the Polaris Ranger Crew are the kings here. These are the machines you see on ranches and construction sites. The Mule is particularly cool because it has a "Trans Cab" system where you can actually fold the back seats down to expand the cargo bed. It’s a 3-person or a 6-person machine depending on the day. They aren't fast. You’ll be lucky to hit 50 mph. But they can tow a literal ton and the seats are usually bench-style, making it easy to slide in and out.
The Crossovers (The Sweet Spot)
This is where most people should be looking. The Yamaha Wolverine X4 or the Polaris General. They have enough suspension to handle "real" trails, but they still have a functional dumping bed for hauling firewood or camping gear. It’s the SUV of the off-road world.
The "Invisible" costs of going big
Look, a 4 person side by side is expensive. We’re talking $20,000 to $40,000 for a new high-end model. But the sticker price is just the start.
You need a bigger trailer. A standard 10-foot utility trailer that fits a 2-seater won't work. Most 4-seat UTVs are between 12 and 15 feet long. If you don't have a truck capable of towing 3,000+ pounds (machine plus trailer), you’re looking at a vehicle upgrade too. Then there’s the maintenance. Four seats mean four sets of harnesses. More weight means you’re going to burn through drive belts and tires faster than the solo guys.
📖 Related: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
I’ve seen plenty of people buy the machine and then realize they can't actually get it to the trailhead because it doesn't fit in their garage or on their existing trailer. Measure everything. Twice.
Why the back seat matters more than the front
In a 2-seater, the driver and passenger are the stars. In a 4 person side by side, the people in the back are the ones who decide if the trip is a success.
Cheap manufacturers will skimp on the rear. They’ll give you "stadium seating" (where the back seats are higher than the front) which is great for visibility but terrible for the center of gravity. Or, they’ll give you zero legroom. If you’re planning on putting adults back there, you need to sit in it yourself. If your knees are hitting the front seat while the machine is parked, imagine what it feels like when you're hitting a rock garden at 15 mph.
Can-Am and Polaris have gotten much better at this, offering "real" seats in the back with actual bolstering. Some even have 12V outlets and cup holders back there now. It sounds fancy, but when your kid's iPad dies three hours into a trail ride, you’ll wish you had that charging port.
Safety isn't just a suggestion
You’re carrying precious cargo. The stock "nets" that come on many machines are better than nothing, but they aren't great. Most serious owners swap them out for solid doors.
👉 See also: Pink White Nail Studio Secrets and Why Your Manicure Isn't Lasting
- Helmets for everyone: It doesn't matter if you're just "puttering around." Roll-overs happen in slow motion and that's when heads hit roll cages.
- Fire Extinguisher: These machines carry a lot of fuel and run hot. Mount one where the driver can reach it.
- Harnesses: Ditch the automotive-style 3-point belts. Put in 4-point or 5-point harnesses. They keep you glued to the seat if things go sideways.
The community aspect nobody tells you about
One of the coolest things about owning a 4 person side by side is the social shift. You start finding other families who have them. Suddenly, your weekend isn't just you and a buddy; it’s four machines, sixteen people, and a massive cookout in the middle of the woods.
There are entire trail systems—like the Hatfield-McCoy trails in West Virginia—that are perfectly mapped for these wider, longer machines. You can spend a week riding from town to town, grabbing lunch at a diner, and never hitting the same trail twice. It’s a different way to see the country.
Real-world performance: What to expect
If you’re coming from a Jeep or a truck, the capability of a UTV will blow your mind. A stock 4 person side by side will out-climb almost any street-legal 4x4. They are lighter, they have better power-to-weight ratios, and the CVT transmissions keep you in the power band constantly.
However, they are loud. Even the "quiet" ones are noisy. If you want to have a conversation while driving, you’re going to need a Bluetooth intercom system like Rugged Radios or PCI. Expect to spend another $1,000 on that. But being able to talk to your kids in the back seat while you’re cruising through a forest is worth every penny.
Actionable steps for the aspiring owner
If you are serious about getting into the 4-seat game, don't just browse websites.
- Rent first. Spend the $400 to rent a 4-seater for a day at an off-road park. See if your family actually likes it before you drop $30k.
- Check your width. Many trails have "gate keepers" set at 50 or 60 inches. Most high-performance 4-seaters are 64 to 72 inches wide. Make sure the places you want to ride actually allow wide machines.
- Budget for "The Big Three." You will almost certainly want to add a roof, a windshield, and a winch immediately. Most machines don't come with these from the factory.
- Look at the used market cautiously. These machines are often driven hard. Look for mud in the electrical connectors or "clunking" in the CV axles. A "deal" on a used 4-seater can quickly turn into a $5,000 repair bill.
- Join a forum or Facebook group. Search for the specific model you're eyeing. You’ll quickly see the common "weak points" (like certain years of the Polaris RZR having weak bushings) and can plan accordingly.
The reality is that a 4 person side by side is the ultimate "core memory" generator. It gets the family away from screens and into the dirt. Just be prepared for the maintenance, the towing logistics, and the inevitable urge to buy even more accessories once you get a taste of the trail.