Contrary to their workaday Japanese cousins, US-built ATVs are big, brash and offer bountiful horsepower.

And the latest Sportsman 570 from Polaris is no exception.

Just like its forebear, it has the proportions of a Hereford bull, is backed by a comprehensive options list and packs a punchy 570cc single-cylinder engine that puts out 44hp.

But a recent overhaul has seen it sprinkled with refinements that improve performance and comfort, as well as making it easier to look after.

See also: ATV buyer’s guide 2024-25

Chief among these is the inclusion of a tougher chassis, which Polaris claims has twice the rigidity of the old one.

Easier maintenance is another promise, with longer-lasting sealed bushings for the suspension and a 50% increase in service intervals.

Plus, there are some nice-to-have upgrades such as piercing LED lights, bigger tyres and a sealed storage bin under the front rack.

Seen here is the mid-spec Nordic Pro X2 version, which comes with pleasing luxuries such as a front winch and heating elements in both the grips and throttle lever.

© James Andrews

Less desirable are the unnaturally bright “white lightning” body panels which, with the addition of a front wind deflector, put it one flashing blue light away from joining a police force near you.

In contrast, the muted green plastics and humble steel wheels of the standard EPS model are far better suited to an agricultural setting.

Convertible seating

When it comes to seating and cargo arrangements, Polaris differs from the norm.

On X2 variants such as this, there’s convertible seating for one or two passengers, as well as a tipping cargo bed that can carry 181kg.

In theory, the ability to tip a load rather than lift it off a fixed rack is a bonus.

However, it’s not big enough to carry much in the way of loose materials and isn’t particularly handy for mounting a slug pelleter or sprayer.

Another downside of the design is that the gap between the bed and rear fenders allows mud to flick through and splatter the back of the rider’s legs.

© James Andrews

As for the front end, there’s a plastic load rack with metal rail that lifts to reveal a sealed box.

This offers a decent amount of storage and gives easy access to the battery.

Speaking of which, having this located here rather than being exposed on the chassis like older models is a vast improvement.

Power

Having 44hp on tap means the Sportsman is rapid off the mark and soon reaches its limited top speed of 60kph.

This is in place to meet Tractor homologation requirements, but unrestricted versions are also available.

Riders can alter the oomph on offer by selecting one of three modes – work, standard and performance – and it’s possible to set a limiter for jobs that require a constant speed such as slug pelleting or spraying.

© James Andrews

Earlier generations of this bike could feel a little unstable when putting the power down, but the new chassis and tweaked suspension gives it a more planted feel.

Like most ATVs, the Sportsman is fitted with a belt type CVT transmission that’s shifted via a lever on the side of the bodywork.

This is smooth enough to use, but the low position means the rider can end up clonking it into their knee.

Where this bike differs from many rivals is that it has a raft of clever electronics to control the way the transmission and four-wheel drive system works.

Rather than sending power to all wheels, all the time, Polaris uses an on-demand setup that kicks in when required.

It also has an electronic rear differential that can be left open to allow tight, scuff free turns, or locked to give maximum grip.

Coupled with this is a hill descent mode (ADC) which inches the bike down the steepest of slopes, meaning there’s no need to use the brakes and risk locking a wheel.

© James Andrews

Size

As mentioned earlier, the Sportsman is a big lump of a bike that sits some 200mm taller than a Honda Foreman 520.

This elevated stature, combined with a raised seat backrest, means it’s awkward to swing a leg over. And, once the rider is in position, the seat is a touch on the wide side.

That said, when it gets going, the nicely weighted power steering – complete with three sensitivity settings – makes it surprisingly easy to handle.

The new LED lights are also worth a mention as these are searingly bright. There are  plenty of them, with headlights, a single spot on the handlebars and a wide low-level lightbar.

This sits just above the integrated winch, which is rated to pull 1,588kg.

Farmers Weekly verdict

The Sportsman X2 has never been short on power, but earlier versions lacked the surefooted handling required to make the most of it.

Thanks to a stiffer chassis, better suspension and sharper steering, the current iteration is far more accomplished in this department.

Plus, the promise of more durable suspension bushes and longer service intervals will be welcome news for those that need to look after them.

It’s not perfect – the gaps in the mudguards need plugging and the tipping cargo rack won’t be to everyone’s liking – but it seems to be a solid contender.

© James Andrews