If ATV owners had a “buy it once” pick, the Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS would be near the top of every list. It is not the most powerful utility quad you can buy, but it might be the most trusted. The story here is Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission, standard power steering and a reputation for running trouble-free for years. Here is what the Grizzly does well, where it gives up ground on paper, and whether it earns its $10,499 price. (New to the numbers? Start with our guide to reading ATV specs.)
The Grizzly runs a 686cc single making about 48 horsepower. On a spec sheet that trails the big V-twins from Can-Am and Polaris, but the numbers miss the point of this machine. Yamaha tuned the engine for smooth, linear torque that is easy to meter out on a slick climb or with a loaded trailer, not for a headline horsepower figure. It pulls cleanly, it never feels frantic, and it is quiet and refined in a way that makes long days easy.
Top speed sits in the low 60s in mph, around 62 by most owner accounts, though Yamaha doesn’t quote a number and tires and load will shift it. For a work and trail quad that is plenty.
The Ultramatic transmission is the real story
Ask a Grizzly owner why they bought it and the answer usually comes back to the Ultramatic. It is Yamaha’s automatic CVT, and it has earned a reputation as the most durable belt system in the business. A constant belt-tension design reduces wear, and the all-wheel engine braking gives you real control on steep descents that many rivals cannot match. This is a big reason Grizzlies hold their value and pile up years of service without drama. If reliability is your top priority, this transmission is the argument.
How it rides: On-Command 4WD, EPS and comfort
Yamaha keeps the controls simple with On-Command, a push-button system that lets you switch between 2WD, 4WD and a locked front differential on the fly. Electronic power steering is standard, so low-speed work and rocky trails do not wear you out. With 11.8 inches of ground clearance, fully independent suspension and a compact 47-inch width, the Grizzly is comfortable and planted, and it fits onto tighter trails than the widest machines can.
Work capability: towing and chores
The Grizzly is rated to tow 1,322 lb, which covers a loaded utility trailer, a small implement or a hunting cart. Its racks handle the usual boxes and tools, and the combination of engine braking, EPS and sure-footed 4WD makes it a confident partner for property work and hauling. It is a real workhorse that also happens to be a pleasure on the trail.
Who it’s for
The Grizzly 700 EPS is the right ATV if you value reliability, resale and refinement over raw power. It suits owners who plan to keep a machine for a long time, riders who want standard power steering and smooth manners, and anyone who does a mix of property work and trail riding and wants something that will simply keep going.
It is not the pick if you want the most horsepower for your money, since the Polaris Sportsman 850 and the big V-twins offer more grunt at a similar price. And if you want the same dependability for less, Yamaha has an answer in its own lineup, which brings us to the competition.
How it compares
At $10,499 the Grizzly sits at the premium end of the mid-to-big utility class. The rivals worth weighing:
- Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS, $9,699. Same engine, same Ultramatic, about $800 less. It is the value version of the Grizzly, with slightly less suspension and plainer styling. Compare them →
- Honda FourTrax Foreman 520, $7,499. The other reliability legend. Simpler and cheaper, with less power and EPS offered rather than standard. Compare them →
- Can-Am Outlander 700, $8,999. More modern and a little more power at 50 hp, with Can-Am’s DPS steering, but without the Grizzly’s long-haul track record. Compare them →
Want more power for the money? The Polaris Sportsman 850 ($9,999) brings 78 hp and On-Demand AWD. Prefer torque at a lower price? The Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi ($9,749) is a torquey, no-drama option. Compare the Grizzly and the KingQuad →
Where it sits in the Yamaha lineup
Yamaha keeps its utility ATVs simple and consistent. The Kodiak 450 EPS ($7,699) is the compact, beginner-friendly entry, the Kodiak 700 EPS ($9,699) is the value big-bore workhorse, and the Grizzly 700 EPS is the premium trail-and-work flagship. All three share the Ultramatic transmission and On-Command 4WD. Shopping for a young rider? The Grizzly 110 ($3,499) is the youth-sized starter quad.
Price and value: is it worth it?
At $10,499 the Grizzly asks a premium, and it is fair to wonder what you get for it over the cheaper Kodiak 700 or a Honda. The answer is the whole package: standard EPS, more suspension travel, sharper styling, and the reassurance of the class-leading Ultramatic reputation. You also get some of the best resale value in the segment, which softens the sticker price when you eventually sell or trade.
So is it worth it? If you keep your machines a long time and value dependability and comfort, yes. The Grizzly costs a little more up front and pays you back in years of easy ownership and strong resale. If your budget is tight or you want maximum horsepower, look at the Kodiak 700 or a big V-twin instead.
Pros and cons
The good: the class-leading Ultramatic transmission with real engine braking, standard electronic power steering, a smooth and reliable 686cc engine, and excellent resale value.
The catch: only about 48 hp, so V-twin rivals feel stronger, and it costs more than its own Kodiak 700 sibling for a similar core machine.
The verdict
The Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS is the sensible rider’s utility ATV. It does not chase horsepower headlines, and it does not need to. It gives you standard power steering, smooth and confident manners, and a transmission with the best durability reputation in the business, all wrapped in a machine that holds its value. If you plan to buy once and ride for a decade, the Grizzly belongs at the top of your list.
Want to see how it stacks up against a specific rival? Drop it into the side-by-side comparison tool, or browse the full database to filter by power, towing and price.
