While I adore the go-fast, send-it side-by-sides on the market—things like Can-Am's Maverick R and X3, as well as Polaris' Pro Rs—the world that birthed them isn't the one that we're living in any longer. The world's become much more expensive since the onslaught of sales occurred during the middle pangs of the pandemic when everyone was flush with cash and time to burn outside.
They're still cool as hell, and I love me some mini trophy truck action, but the vast majority of folks looking for a side-by-side are looking for something with utility. They're looking to get a job done. To get work done on a farm or haul themselves out into the backcountry to chase some furry critters or go camping. All of which requires room for multiple people, a comfy enclosed space, and a bed with some payload. Hence the recent focus switch by manufacturers to their utility side-by-sides.
The latest of which is CFMoto and its all-new U10 Highland Pro and XL Pro UTVs, both of which are designed to take and hit and keep on ticking. Perfect for whatever work you've got to do. But let's see how these two stack up, as even the utility market is heating up these days.
The heart of the new U10 UTVs is a 998cc naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine producing 88 horsepower and 69 pound-feet of torque with variable valve timing. That, however, is connected to CFMoto's own OmniDrive CVT and is controlled much like many GM products are these days, via a push-button gear selector. There's also 13 inches of ground clearance from the factory, along with 11 inches of travel, which is pretty much the norm across the rest of the industry.
A 4,500-pound winch with synthetic rope comes as standard, and the cargo bed features a 1,000-pound payload capacity. It can also tilt via an electronic controller, making dumping whatever load you've got in there a breeze. The UTV can also tow up to 2,500 pounds. There's also an undermounted skid plate, and front and rear sway bars for both better protection and more off-road control. But whereas others in the space focus more on the utilitarian nature of these machines, CFMoto is hoping that—as I've mentioned before—folks are trading in their trucks for these UTVs. And in doing so, they still want a bit of comfort and luxury.
That's where the interior and standard accouterments come in.
First off, you've got three-abrest seating in both the two and four-door models. That means a total of six people could conceivably fit in your U10 UTV. Second, those three to six seats are skinned in what look like leather, but are likely a more durable composite material. But they look plush, which is always a plus when you're going over terrain. HVAC is standard, as well as power windows, a rear sliding window, a power tip-out windshield, and "automotive-spec tempered tinted glass." You also get a standard audio system so you can listen to a podcast on how to call elk while heading out to chase elk.
Shout out, Corey Jacobs of Elk101.
And queuing that up is easier than those aforementioned GM products as, unlike those from Detroit, Apple CarPlay remains as a standard feature for CFMoto's 8-inch infotainment system. You also get things like Hill Descent Control, a locking rear differential, and a "Turf Mode" which makes it less likely to tear grass up to boot. Likewise, customers will have access to three distinct colors, including Nebula Black, Bordeaux Red, and TrueTimber Camo.
As for price, the base price of the CFMoto U10 Pro Highland (2-door) is $23,999, while the U10 Pro XL (4-door) starts at $26,999. And, honestly, these prices just about undercut everything out there, making them an absolute bargain. Granted, you may or may not see the current tariff war raise these prices significantly given CFMoto is a Chinese company and all bets are off given the tit for tat gamesmanship both countries are playing.
But if all that ever stops, they'd be incredible deals for whatever you're looking to do.
