The 5 Best 2024 Youth Side-by-Sides

Full-size side-by-sides aren’t great for young drivers. They’re too powerful and fast to be safe for kids, but that doesn’t mean kids have to hang back until they’re driving age. The industry offers a range of smaller, less powerful UTVs with strong safety features and tech to help the grown-ups stay in control. We’ve selected our favorite youth side-by-sides for 2024 to help you get started. You’ll find value and plenty of features with these models, so let’s get rolling to see what they’re all about.

Polaris equips the RZR 200 EFI with a range of features to help young riders stay safe while having fun, and parents get peace of mind with tech that helps manage the experience. The 180cc engine delivers power to the rear wheels, while the suspension system provides 10 inches of ground clearance. And the four-stroke engine is easy to start for riders of any age.

Polaris’ Ride Control feature lets parents set a top speed, and the UTV’s mapping features enable geofenced boundaries to keep kids within a defined area. The RZR 200 also comes with Helmet Aware tech, which requires a helmet to start the vehicle, and Polaris includes two helmets. Other safety features include hard doors and LED headlights, and all vehicles come with a high-visibility flag.

The Ranger 150 comes with a kid-friendly 150cc and rear-wheel drive. It offers 8 inches of ground clearance, a 375-pound payload capacity, and seating for two. Polaris sets a 16 mph top speed at the factory, but parents can remove the limitations for a top speed of 29 mph. The suspension system provides 5 inches of front travel and 6 in the rear, and the 22-inch tires give the Ranger a comfy ride in most situations.

Like the RZR 200, the Ranger 150 comes with a load of safety tech to help parents manage the ride. It gets the same Ride Control and Helmet Aware features, and two helmets come with every purchase. Although it’s made for riders 10 years and up, the Ranger’s adjustable seat and steering wheel give riders room to grow, so parents won’t have to shell out the dough for a new side-by-side every year.

The Honda Pioneer 520 isn’t necessarily designed exclusively for kids, but its friendly design and modest power output make it a good choice for beginning riders. Its 518cc engine reaches the rear or all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission, and a manual-shift mode is standard. Independent double-wishbone suspension delivers 8.5 inches of ground clearance, and the Pioneer’s bed can handle 450 pounds. The little SxS can also tow up to 1,000 pounds so that young riders can pull their own weight on the trail.

The Pioneer’s 50-inch width makes it stable in motion, but it’s still tidy enough to fit in most full-size truck beds. Large-diameter tubing keeps passengers safe, while hard doors and nets provide isolation from the elements outside. The base 520 is available in four colors, and its reasonable starting price and good value retention make it a strong contender among youth-oriented UTVs.

The HiSun Strike 250 offers excellent value and an approachable design that make it ideal for younger riders. Its 229cc engine sends power to the rear wheels, and the vehicle’s 30 mph top speed is enough to have plenty of fun for more experienced youngsters. The Strike has 8 inches of ground clearance, and its cargo bed can manage up to 50 pounds of gear. Additionally, its 2,500-pound winch makes it easy to recover if things get hairy.

HiSun offers four colors, high- and low-beam headlights, and a two-year warranty to keep things rolling. The two bucket seats are covered in vinyl for easy cleaning, and digital instrumentation makes viewing important vehicle information a breeze.

The Sector 250 is similar to the Strike 250R but has a few differences to be aware of. It also gets a 229cc engine and rear-wheel drive, but its cargo bed accommodates up to 110 pounds. Eight inches of ground clearance is plenty for kids, and the Sector retains the 2,500-pound winch from the Strike.

Easily readable analog gauges and simple controls make the Sector a straightforward ride, and the comfortable vinyl-wrapped bucket seats make cleanup less of a hassle. That said, the Sector lacks doors, so it’s probably best reserved for more experienced younger riders.

Want to stay up to date on the latest UTV Driver news and reviews? Sign up for our weekly newsletter!