FIRST DRIVE: 2023 HONDA PIONEER 700-4

The Honda Pioneer 700’s, price, size and dependability have made it a very popular UTV, and the 2023 model is the most improved yet. Here’s what you need to know about it.

WHAT’S NEW

-Added Storage: The storage volume is nearly twice that of the previous generation, and the glove box is the largest of any Honda side-by-side. The Forest version includes additional under-dash storage.

Tilt Steering: A new tilt steering wheel enables fine-tuned comfort, in addition to improved vehicle ingress and egress.
Beverage Holders: The front-door-mounted beverage holders have been redesigned to hold tumbler-size cups.
Pre-wired Accessory Connector: For all Pioneer 700 versions, a pre-wired panel is provided under the hood to simplify installation of Honda and aftermarket electronic accessories.
Dash Switch Panel: Also to facilitate clean installation of electronic accessories, pre-wired switches are integrated in the dash on all Pioneer 700 versions.
In-Bed Outlet: The Pioneer 700 Forest, Deluxe and EPS versions now have a handy 12-volt accessory receptacle in the bed, enabling use of electronic devices like coolers, work lights, food warmers, sprayers, air compressors and more.
Winch:The Pioneer 700 Forest comes standard with a 4,500-pound-capacity winch for removing obstacles and providing peace of mind in rugged conditions.
New Meter:All Pioneer 700 versions now have a new dash meter that’s twice the size of the previous generation, for improved visibility.
Bed Lights: For locating gear in low-light conditions—for example, selecting a fishing lure—the Pioneer 700 Forest, Deluxe and EPS come with dual bed lights.
Wheels:The Forest and Deluxe come standard with black aluminum wheels, while the EPS and standard versions have steel wheels.
Accessories: To customize the vehicle to owners’ needs, there are over 76 accessories for the Pioneer 700—including 13 new accessories. Examples include a snowplow, a glass windshield and a GPS.
Electric Power Steering:Deluxe, Forest and EPS versions come with updated Electric Power Steering that increases torque assist by more than 25%, improves handling and features a new “Return to Center” function that improves responsiveness and reduces steering effort.
Protection: The Pioneer 700 is designed with additional floor toughness, a new radiator-fan vent tube, increased frame strength-to-weight ratio and revised front and rear driveshaft boots that improve puncture resistance.

HOW DOES THE COST COMPARE?

The Pioneer 700-4, which seats up to four, starts at $13,299 and goes to $16,899 for the Pioneer 700-4 Forest. Our test machine, the Pioneer 700-4 Deluxe is $14,899.

The two-seat Pioneer 700 starts at $11,799 and ranges to $15,399 for the Pioneer 700 Forest. The Can-Am Defender DPS HD7 is $13,899. The Can-Am Defender Max HD7 is $14,699. The Polaris Ranger 570 Full Size is $12,499. The Polaris Ranger Crew 570 Full Size starts at $14,799.

WHAT KIND OF UTV IS IT?

It’s a recreation/utility machine. The Pioneer is capable of serious towing and hauling, but it isn’t a slow, pure utility UTV. It can do 40 mph and the suspension has 7.9 inches of travel up front and 9.1 inches of rear travel. The 700-4 seats four, can carry 1000 pounds in its tilting bed and tow 1500 pounds.

WHAT POWERS IT?

A single cylinder, 675cc, pushrod, 4 valve engine. The engine is mounted longitudinally, which puts the crankshaft in line with the driveshafts to reduce power losses.

WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION DOES IT HAVE?

An automotive style, three speed automatic with a hydraulic torque converter and manual shift mode. Shifting is done with sports car-like paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, and you can override the automatic mode and shift manually without switching out of automatic mode. As with Honda’s other geared UTV transmissions, the 700’s has no drive belt. The range selector and the paddle shifters have a smooth, positive feel.

You feel the gear shifts, but the transmission operates smoothly.

WHAT KIND OF 4WD SYSTEM DOES IT HAVE?

Selectable 2WD/4WD with selectable front differential lock mode. There is no unlockable rear differential like on the Pioneer 1000.

HOW FAST IS IT?

It’s no sport UTV, but it is fast enough to be fun and it has the pulling power to handle challenging trails. The Pioneer 700’s shift program works so well that we didn’t use manual shift mode as much as we expected to. Automatic shift mode even gives the best acceleration.

HOW IS THE POWER DELIVERY?

The Pioneer 700’s transmission gives you more control over its power delivery than UTVs with continuously variable transmissions. Automatic mode works well for any kind of riding, including rugged, technical terrain. The transmission shifts smoothly and it always finds the right gear for the speed you need and the terrain you’re in. Unlike continuously variable transmissions, you feel it upshifting and downshifting just as you do with most car and truck automatics, but it doesn’t hunt annoyingly to find the right gear.

Manual shift mode give you more precise control over the 700. Being able to pick the gears you prefer and ride in those gears, or shift at will, makes the Pioneer feel sporty.

Shifting manually is handy for chores, too. Holding the machine in first gives access to serious torque for towing, hauling or plowing. Holding second or third is handy in conditions where you want the smooth, broad power of second or relaxed cruising in third. The transmission downshifts for you when you come to a stop, even in manual mode.

WHAT KIND OF SUSPENSION HAS IT GOT?

The Pioneer has double A-arms and non adjustable shocks up front with 7.9” of travel. In the rear, spring preload adjustable shocks on Double A-arms with a swaybar produce 9.1” of travel.

HOW DOES THE SUSPENSION WORK?

It’s smooth and comfortable at a regular speeds, even in very rugged terrain, but big bumps can bottom the front pretty easily if you’re charging down the trail. The Pioneer’s suspension can handle a quick pace on dirt roads, though it’s tuned more for comfort than for speed.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?

It’s agile but also well planted and stable. Power steering and smart weight distribution makes the Pioneer easy to maneuver, and it feels steady even in steep, uneven terrain. There’s very little body roll, and the 59.9” wide machine handles tight, quick turns with no sense of tippyness.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE HILLS?

It’s very capable. Four wheel drive with front differential lock mode makes sure traction available even in slippery conditions, or with a front wheel in the air. The Pioneer isn’t a powerhouse, but it can climb any hills most drivers need to climb.

Few UTVs feel as secure as the Honda going down steep hills. True, natural engine braking to all four wheels in four wheel drive, and the added control manual shift mode provides, let you control downhill speed very well. The front disc brakes and single driveshaft mounted rear disc offer very good power and feel.

HOW ARE THE DETAILS?

Better than ever. As we listed earlier, Honda improved most areas of the 700 for 2023, making this comfortable, easy handling machine even better. Riders six feet tall and taller could use more leg room up front and the rear seats are mainly for smaller adults or children. At the core, it’s still a quiet, refined machine that has a high quality feel. The engine and suspension operate more quietly than most other UTVs in the Pioneer 700’s price class.

WHAT’S OUR FINAL ANSWER?

The Pioneer 700 isn’t the fastest recreation UTV, but it easily handles all the adventure and work many riders need a side-by-side for. The much-improved 2023 model is by far the best Pioneer 700 yet.

HIGHS

-Many improvements to an already impressive machine

-Geared transmission eliminates drive belt worries

-Serious hauling and towing capacity

LOWS

-Sporty driving overwhelms the suspension

FIRST DRIVE: 2023 HONDA PIONEER 700-4

SPECS: HONDA PIONEER 700-4 Deluxe

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

Engine type…Liquid-cooled, 4-valve, OHV 4-stroke single-cylinder

Displacement…675cc

Bore x stroke…102mm x 82.6mm

Compression ratio…9.2:1

Lubrication system…Semi dry sump

Induction…40mm throttle body

Starting/back-up…Electric/none

Starting procedure…In any gear with brake engaged

FIRST DRIVE: 2023 HONDA PIONEER 700-4 - UTV Action Magazine (2024)