2012 John Deere Gator Xuv 550 S4 Reviews

In every manufacturer'southward lineup, there are models that mark watershed moments of major change.  In the hardworking utility vehicle market place, John Deere first found success with the five wheeled AMT, then enjoyed an even greater following with their next generation Gator.  Last yr they celebrated a huge milestone when the 500,000th Gator rolled off the line at their Horicon, Wisconsin plant, just other companies took notice of the Gator as well.  Polaris rapidly capitalized on a loyal sportsman following with their Ranger, while Yamaha catered to operation lovers with the Rhino.  Kawasaki continues to offer their Mule utility vehicles, but the Teryx also appealed to the sporty crowd.  Conspicuously, customer tastes had evolved into the desire for both work and play.

The technology and marketing coiffure at Deere carefully watched market evolution likewise, and the event is i of those watershed moments of alter that marks a new management for the Deere Gator lineup.  To meet the needs of homeowners and weekend sportsman but remain truthful to their hardworking heritage, the Gator lineup has branched out into two singled-out platforms.  On one end are the total-sized, hardworking Gators like the 825, but with the new XUV 550, the Gator now appeals to recreational riders like never before.

Gator XUV 550 Start Await

Since the Gator XUV 550 is all new from the basis up, we were anxious to dig into the new design.  It's the little details that can make or break a model and in that location was enough to discover on the new Gator.  Even from a altitude though, it's a very pleasing blueprint and overall styling is modernistic, sporty, and tough.  We actually like how the body lines flow from front to dorsum, and surfaces are contoured not only to consummate the sporty await, simply for functionality.   A closer inspection of the bodywork showed a smooth surface in nigh areas, but Deere wisely gave a textured terminate in areas likely to see abuse or abrasion from branches, dust, and general wear.  The anti-scuff texturing is a nice touch that will aid keep the Gator looking peachy for years.  The bodywork also seems tough, pliable, and able to have a beating, but information technology's under the skin where y'all actually find out what a model is made of.

Like every Gator earlier information technology, the new XUV 550 is solid!  Main chassis members are a combination of beefy steel tubes and formed plates all welded together in a frame that is more than capable of taking whatsoever abuse you lot can give it in this configuration.  As information technology sits now, nobody is going to take a problem with this chassis, but it also hints at the future.  We've seen spy shots of Deere's sporty new RSX 850 model supposedly to be released this summer, and we're betting it will be based on this platform.  Rather than talk almost every little particular though, we're going to show you with a pictorial inspection.

Coiffure Comfort

No part of the Gator speaks to Deere's new design philosophy more than the cab area.  Gone is the intrusive cycle well and tractor manner seats; this Gator is congenital for comfort.  As with all Gators, it was easy to hop in and out of the XUV 550, and nosotros institute the standard loftier-back bench seat to be comfortable.  Three signal shoulder and lap belts go on the driver and rider in place and seating position is much like well-nigh other Side x Sides.  The ultimate in protection, though, is the certified ROPS structure.  Thankfully, at that place is plenty of leg room for both riders, and a center divider helps keep the rider's feet out of the pedal area.  We also like how the floor feels solid and not flexy.  On some competing models, the floorboards flex a lilliputian and we've even poked sticks through twice.  The dash has besides been completely reworked, and Deere went ALL-OUT with storage!  Dissimilar whatsoever Gator before it, the new XUV has storage everywhere, and for hauling annihilation from bales to white tails, there is a tough blended dump box at the rear with multiple tie-downwardly loops.

Engine & Intermission

The new Gator XUV 550 is powered by a 16-hp, 570cc, air-cooled, v-twin gas engine which provides practiced torque.  We were especially happy to find the CVT air intake and engine air intake are located high in the chassis to go along out any dirt or h2o.  A dual range transmission featuring Hi, Depression, Neutral, and Reverse gets the XUV rolling, and acme speed is listed at 28mph.  The engine runs on regular fuel and the fill up cap is located just outboard of the driver's seat.  While there is no actual fuel gauge, there is a view window under the seat and right betwixt the driver's feet to check fuel volume in the 4.nine gallon tank.

Firing up the Gator is a simple matter of belongings the brake and twisting the key.  The engine tin can be started in gear, but y'all'll demand a foot on the brake either style.  In one case running it purrs nicely and never really gets any louder fifty-fifty at high RPMs.  Slipping the manual into gear was easy with the nuance mounted lever, and with a stab at the throttle, nosotros were rolling.  With merely 16 hp to piece of work with though, nobody is e'er going to hand you a checkered flag.  Still, the 28 mph meridian speed should be fast enough for nigh owners, but it's not going to exist an overly exciting ride.  It will, however, be a smooth ride and the suspension on the adjustable shocks soaked upwardly any of the rutted terrain we could find.  We too tried the transmission in Low which offers increased torque for pulling loads, but whether in Low or High, nosotros were able to climb medium grades without hesitation.  Deere built the XUV 500 for torque and not top speed.

Deere Trail Details

On our beginning test drive, there were a few things immediately noticeable virtually the Gator that nosotros actually liked.  Visibility over the hood is very good.  The dash and hood angles brand information technology piece of cake to see what's alee.  Turing radius is too extremely tight and on par with some total-sized ATVs.  Slipping the XUV into 4wd had almost no issue on steering effort at the wheel, or on overall turn radius, and only with the differential lock engaged was in that location a difference.  The diff lock didn't really change the steering wheel feedback, but with all the tires biting at the ground, it's harder to pull tight turns, and a lot easier to pull up grass.  For ordinary driving, yous'll never need the diff lock engaged, and when you do need information technology, ripping out a little grass is the least of your issues.  At that point you'll probably be glad the XUV offers expert splash protection also.  As always though, there are a few things they might want to consider for time to come models.

We love the like shooting fish in a barrel access when hopping in and out of the Gator XUV seats, just that also means there isn't much between the edge of your seat and the ground.  Nosotros've come to appreciate the higher seat side bars on other models, and although this might slightly impede entry or exit into the Gator, peculiarly for bigger riders, a niggling higher, padded side bar holding y'all in place would be worth it.  Side nets might be even better.  As Deere continues to button the operation aspect of the Gator, this will become even more necessary.  The second thing we think they should consider is a human foot guard for exactly the aforementioned reason.  It'due south very easy to drive the Gator with one foot pointed outside, and we've seen many riders do it.  You don't want your pes to grab any shut passing tree, stone, or estrus.  Kawasaki had the verbal same consequence until they installed a small, foot protection console on their Teryx a few years ago.  It solved the trouble and even provided a piddling more splash protection.  The tertiary thing we would really similar on the Gator XUV 550 is a digital brandish.  Deere has the best digital display in the business in their Gator 825, and we would love to see some version of it in the XUV 550.  It provides enough of useful information, and it's just too handy not to take, especially because information technology would add footling to the overall cost.  It's well worth information technology!  To be fair, nosotros jumped all over Honda for exactly the same matter, and for making the glove box door an accompaniment!

Even with our wish list for future XUV models, the new Gator XUV 550 is a huge step forward for Deere into the recreational category.  We beloved the sporty, sleek, yet tough look!  You're non going to win any races – always – and nosotros would gladly take more power in a chassis that tin clearly handle it, but the new models were designed to meet the needs of recreational users, to offer good off-road capability with a supple suspension and 4wd, and to get in the back of a pickup.  The comfortable, well thought out cab area is a HUGE improvement and we tin't say enough about the awesome new storage areas.  As with all Deere models, fit and terminate is outstanding, and you can even go a Realtree Hardwoods™ HD Camo design if the traditional John Deere green and yellowish doesn't work for you.  Deere besides has over 75 available attachments and accessories to customize all Gator XUV models, such equally cabs, brush guards, and custom blend wheels.  We can't wait to get our hands on 1 for some extended trail testing, just only from our get-go inspection and examination rides, there is a lot to love in the new Gator XUV 550.

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Source: http://atvillustrated.com/content/first-ride-john-deere-gator-xuv-550

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