Why have four wheels when you can have six? Bigger is almost always better, right? The Polaris Sportsman 66 570 certainly isnt a little machine.
I wasnt initially sure how Id feel about an ATV with so much additional length. In the area I tend to rip around in, being nimble is a requirement for an ATV. Honestly, my first thought was, Great, more tires to change.
That negative sentiment changed as soon as I got this Big Boss into the mountains. When it comes to tackling rough trails, hauling gear, or just feeling like a boss on some gnarly inclines, the Polaris Sportsman 66 570 (starting at $14,999) is definitely here to flex. I mean, just look at it.
In short: Whether you’re a hardcore hunter, a farmer, or just someone who loves to play hard in the mud, the Sportsman 66 570 is built to handle it all. It fills that sweet spot between ATV and UTV, allowing you to move quickly and haul whats needed. It might not have as much pep loaded down on the steep stuff, but thats a small price to pay for the capability and range it has.
Polaris Sportsman 66 570 Check it out at Polaris
Specs Price: Starting at $14,999 Engine: 567cc ProStar single-cylinder, four-stroke Horsepower: 44 hp Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs. Payload capacity: 1,115 lbs. (combined front and rear racks) Drive system: True 6-wheel drive Ground clearance: 11.5 Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal. Weight: 1,072 lbs. (dry) Pros Six-wheel drive for maximum traction Impressive towing and payload capacity Smooth ride, even on rough terrain Large rear cargo bed (think mini UTV vibes) Affordable price for a 66 ATV Cons Limited top speed compared to sportier ATVs Turning radius leaves something to be desired Rachelle Schrute The Details
Fresh from the lot; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) Lets keep it short and sweet and hit the highlights of this ATV.
True On-Demand 6WD: Automatically engages all six wheels when you need maximum traction and then reverts to 2WD for smoother cruising. ProStar Engine:The fuel-injected, single-cylinder, dual-overhead-cam, four-stroke motor puts out a claimed 44 horsepower. Large Rear Cargo Bed: With an 800-pound capacity, it’s perfect for hauling tools, game, or camping gear. (Or an overzealous amount of firewood.) Independent Rear Suspension: This keeps the ride surprisingly smooth, even when fully loaded. High-Mounted Air Intake: Designed to keep water and debris out of the engine while you’re splashing through mudholes, which we did plenty of on this test. Accessory Integration: Compatible with Polaris’s Lock Ride system for easy attachment of gear, gun racks, or even a winch. There are plenty of attachment points, making securing your load super simple. At a starting price point of $14,999, its actually reasonably priced for what it is. Thats something that seems a bit rare in todays powersports world.
Testing the 2025 Polaris Sportsman 66 570
More than enough room for a large Gunner Kennel and a few eager pups; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) I put some serious miles on this machine throughout hunting season this year, from bird hunting to elk hunting and even tip-toeing into deer season before I had to hand the keys back over.
Because the bed is so sizeable and offers so many attachment points, I was able to load my Gunner Kennel in the back and get my bird dogs into upland areas wed never considered before. It also just allowed them to come along on a few more adventures.
The additional seat means you can comfortably haul two people and all the gear needed for a camp, hunting, fishing, or whatever else you might want to hoist with you on the trail.
Throughout the fall, I loaded this puppy down with actual puppies, an entire wall tent camp, more firewood than anyone would ever need, my hunting gear, chicken feed, a deer (or two), and even supplies to haul from my front door to our annual harvest dinner by the fire.
It literally became my go-to form of transportation and hauling during my time with it, and it never once failed me.
The Bed of My Dreams
(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) I was a bit skeptical about the beds dump capability since it is a manual lift, but the hydraulic system makes it slick. You can easily haul dirt, gravel, hay, grain, or any other loose material and dump it relatively easily.
It also happens to be super-useful to dump out the overnight snow.
Yes, it would be neat if this were a push-button, automatic dump system, but as is, it works pretty dang well.
Mountain Trails and Elk
(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) Elk hunting has always been something Ive loved. For the most part, my style of elk hunting means getting in deep and on foot. This year, I made a bit of a shift in the way I hunted, and I wanted to get up some old forest service roads with a bit more efficiency than my boots offered.
The Packout Perk One of the reasons I hadnt considered hunting this particular area much in the past is that I prefer to hunt solo. In the early archery season, that typically means hot temperatures that arent kind to fresh meat. A solo pack out over a long distance can mean meat loss.
Covering several miles on a trail on the 66 570 essentially allowed me to create a makeshift basecamp far deeper into the woods than I could have on foot. Fortunately, the area I decided to hunt this year made this style work. I just ripped in well before the sun even toyed with the horizon and started my hike from there.
A successful hunt meant a packout to the ATV, which would then run me, my gear, and the entire elk out in one trip. Because of size, I couldnt have done that easily on a traditional four-wheeled ATV and certainly couldnt have done it in aUTV.
Though this style of hunting wont work in every scenario, its a phenomenal tool when it does fit your hunting landscape.
What the Sportsman 66 570 Does Best
(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) This machine is a workhorse through and through. Its six-wheel drive system provides better-than-expected traction while climbing rocky inclines, navigating muddy trails, or hauling a heap of gear. The ride is shockingly comfortable, even when you’re pushing it to its limits. The rear cargo bed — basically a mini truck bed — is a feature that makes it perfect for hauling big loads without needing a full-size UTV.
For hunters, farmers, or outdoor adventurers, this ATV’s ability to tow and carry gear is a huge perk. And while it’s no speed demon, the 44-horsepower engine is more than enough to handle challenging tasks.
It starts when its cold, rips when its hot, and carries everything you need and maybe more for both work and play.
Where It Falls Short No machine is perfect, and the Sportsman 66 570 has its quirks. The weight of the ATV can make it feel a bit sluggish, especially if you’re used to nimbler four-wheelers. The turning radius is another limitation; tight corners and switchbacks can be a bit of a wrestling match.
When fully loaded with riders and gear, it doesnt exactly rip up a vertical trail. It makes it, but not with any speediness.
The instrumentation panel is pretty basic for a machine at this price point — a few more bells and whistles would go a long way.
Who Should Consider Investing in a Big Boss? Me and anyone like me. If youre a farmer, rancher, hunter, off-road enthusiast, or just a utility-focused rider who needs a machine to get you and your stuff from point A to point B, this is a no-brainer.
This may be one of the first ATVs Ive tested that made me look at the price tag, not for the review, but to see if I could afford the addition to my fleet.
Final Thoughts
(Photo/Polaris) The Polaris Sportsman 66 570 is not the fastest or the flashiest, but it’s a dependable, rugged machine that excels at getting the job done. If you’re looking for an ATV that can handle heavy workloads and still have fun on the weekends, the 66 570 might just be your perfect match.
Sure, it’s got a few quirks, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a small price to pay for a machine that’s really ready for just about anything.
This is not lip service, either. Im genuinely looking at my budget for the upcoming year to see if I can figure out a way to get one back onto my trailer.
Big Play. Big Work. Big Machine: 2024 Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar UTV ReviewThe Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar is clearly designed for adventure but is more than capable of doing the tough stuff. Read more
Check it out at Polaris Rachelle Schrute
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