The 2027 Honda FourTrax Rubicon 700 4x4 Automatic is the rare big-bore utility ATV that deliberately avoids both a belt CVT and a dual-clutch transmission. Its 675cc single works through a three-speed automotive-style automatic with a hydraulic torque converter. That is an old-school answer in a market full of electronically managed belts, but it is also the reason the Rubicon 700 has a particular appeal for riders who value smooth, consistent driveline behavior and straightforward work capability.
Honda is still listing the new model’s MSRP as TBD, plus a $620 destination charge, so this is not the time to quote a pretend out-the-door number. The official product page does show the 2026 model at $9,999 alongside it, but that is not confirmation of a 2027 price. Honda also does not publish a horsepower rating. ATVPedia’s 40 hp field is an estimate for filtering and comparison purposes, not a Honda claim; the facts that matter more here are the 675cc engine, 699 lb curb weight, 47.5-inch width, 848 lb tow rating and three-speed transmission.
It is a sensible machine for a buyer who needs an ATV to haul gear, pull a light trailer and spend long days on rough property. It is not the right answer for someone shopping by horsepower, looking for power steering, or expecting a modern high-travel trail ATV. The Rubicon’s strength is calm competence, not theatrics.
What is new for 2027
Honda carries the FourTrax Rubicon 700 4x4 Automatic into 2027 as a single, focused trim in Hero Red or Matte Silver. The 2027 spec sheet retains the same essential layout: the 675cc liquid-cooled longitudinal single, PGM-FI, three-speed torque-converter automatic, independent double-wishbone suspension, 26-inch tires and torque-sensitive locking front differential.
Honda’s current material does not identify a separate engine, transmission or chassis redesign for 2027. Treat this as a continuation of the current Rubicon 700 rather than a newly engineered platform. That is not a criticism. It simply means a good price on 2026 inventory deserves a direct equipment comparison, especially while Honda has not yet announced the new model’s MSRP.
The feature list is still practical: an LED handlebar-mounted headlight, a larger instrument display, integrated storage, a robust front bumper and Honda Pro-Connect rack compatibility. The important word is “compatibility.” Honda sells a hitch kit, cargo options and a heavy-duty winch separately. Do not assume that accessory equipment shown in marketing photography is standard.
The 675cc engine: do not confuse displacement with a published power number
The engine is a 675cc liquid-cooled, longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke with a 102.0 mm bore, 82.6 mm stroke, OHC four-valve head and 40 mm PGM-FI throttle body. Honda supplies an electric starter and an optional auxiliary recoil. The semi-dry-sump layout keeps the engine shorter vertically, helping ground clearance and center-of-gravity placement.
Honda does not state horsepower or torque for this model. That is worth saying plainly because several dealer listings and comparison sites will supply a number as though Honda has published it. ATVPedia uses approximately 40 hp for its standardized filters, but it should not be read as a factory rating. A prospective owner should judge the Rubicon by its utility behavior, gearing and test ride rather than treating a third-party output number as a promise.
The engine’s longitudinal orientation and shaft drive suit its mission. The Rubicon is not trying to build the lightest, fastest package in its class. It is designed to deliver its torque through the kind of driveline that can tolerate slow work, low-speed trail obstacles and towing without relying on a belt to provide every ratio change.
The three-speed automatic is the point of this ATV
The transmission is an automatic with a hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears, reverse and electronic controls. There is no drive belt and no DCT clutch pack sequence to manage. A torque converter provides a familiar automotive-style smoothness at low speed, which can be welcome when creeping around a jobsite, negotiating uneven ground or easing a trailer into place.
That does not mean it is automatically superior to every alternative. A modern CVT can be light, effective and very responsive; Honda’s five-speed DCT on the Foreman Rubicon 520 offers a broader set of ratios and different control. The Rubicon 700’s three speeds are a deliberate trade-off: fewer moving decisions and a very particular feel, in exchange for less ratio choice and no sporty manual-shift persona.
The driveline has direct front and rear driveshafts plus a torque-sensitive locking front differential. Two-wheel drive can reduce steering effort on firm ground, while four-wheel drive brings front traction when mud, snow, loose climbs or a loaded trailer need it. The front differential should be used according to Honda’s instructions and terrain needs. Four-wheel drive adds traction, not invulnerability; it will not fix poor tire choice, excess speed or an overloaded rack.
Size, suspension and the workday reality
At 86.5 inches long and 47.5 inches wide, the Rubicon 700 fits a very useful space between compact utility ATVs and large sport quads. It is narrow enough for many traditional ATV trails, although local regulations and actual gate openings decide access—not a brochure width. Its 50.6-inch wheelbase and 10.8-foot turning radius should be an asset when working around trees, sheds and trail switchbacks.
The independent double-wishbone front suspension has 6.9 inches of travel, while the rear has 8.0 inches. That is neither a bargain-basement solid-axle layout nor a long-travel sport setup. It is a practical IRS arrangement intended to keep tires in contact with uneven ground and reduce fatigue on a long day. The 26-inch tires, 9.5-inch ground clearance and 699 lb curb weight support that job-oriented balance.
Keep its limitations in mind. Ground clearance is modest beside big-tire competitors, and a loaded 699 lb utility ATV will feel every bad choice on a side slope. The Rubicon is designed for deliberate, controlled travel. It should not be launched, ridden like a sport ATV or treated as a two-up machine; Honda recommends it for riders 16 and older and specifies that ATVs are for one rider.
Braking is handled by dual 180 mm front discs and a 170 mm rear disc. That is a welcome all-disc layout for a utility ATV, but towing and cargo still change how much room the rider needs. Brake progressively, secure the load and reduce speed before the terrain forces the issue.
Capacity and accessories: useful numbers, not permission to overload
Honda rates the Rubicon for 848 lb of towing. The front rack carries 99 lb and the rear rack 187 lb, for 286 lb of listed rack capacity. Fuel capacity is 4.4 gallons. These are solid, practical figures for firewood, fencing supplies, a small utility trailer or a day of trail gear.
They are not numbers to combine casually. Rack load, rider weight, tongue weight and trailer weight affect handling differently. Heavy cargo should stay low, secure and as close to the vehicle’s center as practical. An 848 lb trailer on level, firm ground is a different task from the same trailer on a wet hill or a rutted trail. Follow the owner’s manual and make the trailer’s braking, balance and hitch hardware part of the plan.
Honda’s Pro-Connect system is a useful ownership advantage for riders who frequently switch cargo boxes, accessories or equipment. But the base ATV does not include everything shown in the accessory catalog. Price the hitch kit, winch, storage solution, hand protection and any work lighting before deciding the machine’s total cost—especially because the 2027 MSRP itself remains unannounced.
2027 Honda FourTrax Rubicon 700 4x4 Automatic specifications
| Specification |
FourTrax Rubicon 700 4x4 Automatic |
| Engine |
675cc liquid-cooled longitudinal single; OHC, four valves |
| Output |
Honda does not publish horsepower; ATVPedia estimate: about 40 hp |
| Fuel system |
PGM-FI with 40 mm throttle body |
| Transmission |
Three-speed automatic with hydraulic torque converter, reverse and electronic controls |
| Drive system |
Direct shafts; selectable 2WD/4WD with torque-sensitive locking front differential |
| Front suspension |
Independent double-wishbone; 6.9 in travel |
| Rear suspension |
Independent double-wishbone; 8.0 in travel |
| Tires |
26 x 8-12 front; 26 x 10-12 rear |
| Brakes |
Dual 180 mm front discs; 170 mm rear disc |
| Length x width x height |
86.5 x 47.5 x 48.1 in |
| Wheelbase |
50.6 in |
| Ground clearance |
9.5 in |
| Curb weight |
699 lb, with full fuel and standard equipment |
| Fuel capacity |
4.4 gal |
| Towing capacity |
848 lb |
| Rack capacity |
99 lb front / 187 lb rear |
| Seat height |
34.8 in |
| Colors |
Hero Red or Matte Silver |
| Base MSRP |
TBD by Honda; $620 destination charge listed |
| Availability note |
Not available in California or for California use |
FourTrax Rubicon 700 versus the alternatives
The 2025 Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 520 is the closest same-brand alternative. It is smaller at 518cc but has a five-speed automatic DCT and is listed at $8,999 in ATVPedia’s existing data. The 700’s extra displacement and torque-converter transmission are the reason to choose it; the 520 is the better choice for a rider who wants Honda’s current DCT approach and a known price point. Compare the two Honda Rubicons.
The 2027 Polaris Sportsman 600 makes a useful contrast. It is a lighter 567cc CVT ATV with a published 44 hp output, a 1,350 lb towing rating and a $7,999 MSRP. The Polaris is stronger on stated capacity and price clarity; the Honda is for buyers who specifically want the three-speed torque-converter drivetrain and its no-belt character. See the Rubicon and Sportsman comparison.
The 2025 Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS is the more trail-oriented 700-class single. It offers a CVT, power steering and stronger published output in the current data. The Honda brings a lower seat, different transmission philosophy and measured work demeanor; the Yamaha is likely the better pick for a rider prioritizing active trail pace and steering assistance. Compare the Grizzly and Rubicon.
The 2025 Can-Am Outlander 700 is another modern-CVT alternative. It costs less in the site’s current data, has more listed power and is lighter, while the Honda offers a different kind of low-speed control through its torque converter and three actual forward gears. The sensible decision is not which brochure has the bigger number; it is whether your work and riding reward a modern CVT or the Rubicon’s very specific automatic driveline. Compare the Outlander and Rubicon.
Pricing and buying advice
Honda’s 2027 MSRP is TBD at the time of publication. That is the whole answer; it should not be padded with a guess. Honda does list a $620 destination charge. Ask the dealer for a written quote with the base vehicle, destination, setup, registration and any accessory installation separated line by line. The product page’s separate $9,999 figure belongs to the 2026 model and should only be used as a prior-year reference.
Buy the Rubicon 700 if you want a single-rider work/trail ATV with a 675cc engine, real three-speed automatic, shaft drive, IRS and useful rack/tow capacity. It is particularly appealing if avoiding a belt CVT is a meaningful priority. Wait or choose another model if pricing certainty is essential now, if you need power steering, if you prefer the control and ratios of a DCT, or if 9.5 inches of clearance will be the limiting factor on your terrain.
Verdict
The 2027 Honda FourTrax Rubicon 700 4x4 Automatic is a characterful utility ATV in a market that often makes every large ATV feel the same. Its 675cc single, three-speed torque-converter automatic and shaft drive give it a calm, deliberate working personality, backed by IRS, all-disc brakes, a torque-sensitive locking front differential and an 848 lb tow rating.
Honda’s unannounced MSRP and unpublished horsepower need to be part of the buying conversation, not hidden behind estimates. If the final price is sensible and you want this exact driveline, the Rubicon is a compelling long-term work/trail ATV. Browse more Honda ATVs, visit the 2027 model-year hub, explore utility ATVs, or add the Rubicon to the comparison tool.
