Arctic Cat - 700 H1 EFI Mudpro
ATVs have certainly changed since the days of the three-wheelers. The machines have evolved faster than their designers envisioned and they continue to do so, in large part by drawing on cutting-edge innovations from the automotive, motorcycle and snowmobile industries. First there was the electric start, then fuel injection and now, just when it seemed there was no more room for improvement, manufacturers are enticing us with power steering to make the ride even slicker.

Recently, I jokingly suggested to someone from one of the major ATV companies that all the machines needed now were coffee makers. His response was, "Well, actually-" I didn't wait around for the rest. The point is, there's never been a better ride for heading into the backcountry than today's ATVs. Here's a roundup of this year's stable of the newest and greatest. Sure, there are no coffee makers (yet!), but they'll certainly get you out to the back of beyond-and back to the cabin-in style and comfort.

For further technical details on the following ATVs and others, please see the complete specification charts on last page of this article.

ARCTIC CAT - 700 H1 EFI Mudpro
Designed as a race-ready mud machine, the Mudpro does yeoman duty wherever the going gets sloppy and nasty. That's clearly demonstrated by the snorkel rising in front of the digital instrument pod. It's not there for show, but rather it provides air to the engine and keeps the continuous variable transmission running cool. Swamp this one and you have a lot more than air intake to worry about. The Mudpro comes with 28-inch Outlaw MST tires, which sport aggressive one-inch lugs and provide a degree of flotation through the worst gumbo. Also from the mud-race circuit comes a tranny specifically tuned to the demands of riding in muck. The powerhouse is a liquid-cooled hemi with electronic fuel injection, while the drive options toggle between two-wheel, four-wheel and differential lock. The ground clearance is generous, but if you have a problem with high saddles, give it a showroom try. Also note that the snorkel reduces the cargo space on the front rack.
Learn more: (204) 982-1656; www.arcticcat.com

CAN-AM - Outlander 800R EFI
At first glance, Can-Am's big 800-bore machines appear to be angular reincarnations of last year's models. It's true the designers have updated the front facia, giving the 2009 models a more aggressive look, but there's more than meets the eye. The rest of the story is under the cowling, where you'll find a larger intake and air filter to deliver more air to the fuel-injected Rotax engine. There's also a hotter camshaft and a recalibrated engine control unit to provide nine per cent more power. Combined, these refinements translate into a total of 67 horsepower for the 800R. That could have been uncomfortable at lower-end performance, but Can-Am also adjusted the power curve for a smooth ride. Otherwise, the big-bore Outlander remains the solid, inherently stable, high-performance machine riders have come to know and love.
Learn more: (819) 566-3366; www.can-am.brp.com


CLUB CAR - XRT950 4x4
When Club Car decided it needed a mid-range machine in its stable of recreational side-by-sides, the message to its Georgia-based engineering team was concise: build an XRT that fills the void between the workhorse 1550 and the light-duty 850 without compromising quality. The result is the XRT950. Powered by Briggs & Stratton's Vanguard air-cooled V-twin engine that generates 14 horsepower, it sits on a mid-size frame and sports a mid-size price tag. The 950 is 105 inches long and 55 inches wide, yet ride comfort and ground clearance are maintained thanks to independent rear suspension and trailing arms with lateral links. And the driver-side access to the external fuel tank further confirms the gap between off-road vehicles and two-up off-road utility machines is shrinking.
Learn more: 1-800-258-2227; www.clubcar.com

CMI - SWAT
Last year, CMI brought the China-built Moose Tracker to the Canadian scene. This year, the company has expanded its lineup with a side-by-side utility vehicle featuring a 493-bore, single-overhead cam, liquid-cooled engine that has power enough to push the two-seater along at a top speed of 80 kilometres an hour. In terms of size, the Swat is on par with most other mid-size offerings at a hair under 115 inches long and just under 56 inches wide. The front ground clearance is an acceptable 10.2 inches with 13.8 at the back end. Colour options are red, yellow, black, grey and camo.
Learn more: 1-877-463-3940; www.cmitech.ca