Purchased just weeks ago, the 2020 Honda Pioneer 500 has already seen its fair share of action. As someone considering both the Polaris Ranger 500 and the Pioneer, ultimately choosing the Honda, this review aims to provide a balanced perspective for prospective buyers. While the Pioneer 500 boasts strengths, particularly its narrow width, there are definitely areas where potential owners need to be aware. Initially priced at approximately $16,400 Canadian out the door with accessories including a Honda roof, soft rear panel, hard tip-out windshield, mirrors, soft doors, windshield bag, 27″ tires, 2500 lb winch, skid plate, LED lights, spare rim, and plow, the Honda Pioneer 500 presents a compelling package. However, let’s delve into the specifics based on real-world experience.
Navigating the Nuances: Points to Consider Before Buying a Pioneer 500
Several aspects stand out as potential drawbacks for Pioneer 500 owners. It’s crucial to weigh these against the machine’s advantages to determine if it aligns with your needs.
Storage Solutions: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
The most immediate and noticeable limitation is the near-complete lack of integrated storage. Frankly, the Pioneer 500 offers virtually no storage from the factory. While a cutout suggests a glove box was considered, it’s absent in the standard model. Aftermarket solutions like under-seat or under-hood storage exist, but come at a significant additional cost. To address this, a Honda roof bag was purchased for around $100 CAD, providing just enough space for essentials like registration, insurance, and a few small items.
Receiver Hitch Size: An Unexpected Inconvenience
The Pioneer 500 comes equipped with a 1.5″ receiver hitch. While not a deal-breaker, this was an unexpected detail. It meant existing 2″ hitch accessories couldn’t be used without an adapter, an extra step and cost to consider.
The Missing Dump Box: Utility Compromise
Unlike some competitors, the Honda Pioneer 500 lacks a dump box. While the intention is to build a custom storage box for the rear, the convenience of a dump box, as found on models like the Polaris Ranger, is undeniably useful for many tasks.
Suspension and Ride Comfort: A Bumpy Ride
The suspension on the Pioneer 500 is undeniably stiff. Even on relatively smooth packed dirt roads, potholes and bumps translate to a jarring ride. Upgrading shocks is a potential solution, but for now, adjusting speed to mitigate the bouncing is the current approach. The top speed, by the way, is around 63 km/h.
Seat Belt Safety: Proceed with Caution
The seat belt design can be somewhat aggressive. Hitting bumps can result in the seatbelt tightening uncomfortably and abruptly, posing a potential neck hazard. Awareness of this is important when navigating uneven terrain.
Door Design and Truck Bed Loading: A Tight Squeeze
While the doors are a welcomed feature, their design can create challenges when loading the Pioneer 500 into a truck bed. Depending on the loading angle and truck bed width, exiting the side-by-side can be restricted. In one instance, removing the driver’s side netting was necessary to exit the vehicle after loading.
Reverse Gear Operation: A Unique Approach
The reverse gear selection differs from traditional shift levers. The Pioneer 500 utilizes a handle that must be pulled with the right hand while simultaneously using the left-hand paddle shifter to downshift into reverse. While it becomes familiar with use, the complexity might be a concern, particularly in winter conditions when plowing, where quick transitions might be needed.
Accessory Fit and Finish: Room for Improvement
The fit and finish of Honda accessories are somewhat disappointing. The hard front windshield, advertised as scratch-resistant, scratches easily. Furthermore, achieving a consistent seal along the bonnet and top edge of the windshield has been problematic. A glass windshield, similar to those found on the Polaris Ranger, would be a significant improvement.
Shifting Noise: Noticeable Clunking
A pronounced “clunking” sound accompanies shifts when operating in automatic mode. This noise is a noticeable characteristic of the Pioneer 500‘s transmission.
Front Differential Lock: Not Included, But Perhaps Not Needed
The Pioneer 500 lacks a front differential lock. However, in initial use, this hasn’t yet proven to be a limiting factor, suggesting it might not be essential for typical use cases.
Ground Clearance: Tire Upgrade Recommended
Stock ground clearance is limited. Scraping the undercarriage is a frequent occurrence on uneven terrain. Upgrading to larger tires is highly recommended to improve ground clearance and reduce scraping. This was addressed by purchasing 27″ trail tires.
Overall Aesthetics and Finish Compared to Polaris: A Matter of Preference
In terms of overall fit and finish, the Polaris Ranger presents a more refined appearance. The Ranger boasts a more visually appealing dash, more integrated storage solutions, a wider range of accessories, and pre-wired locations for adding switches. Polaris accessories also tend to integrate more seamlessly with their machines.
Service Reminder Sensitivity: Early Indication
The service reminder activated after only 10 hours (or approximately 100 km). While adhering to service intervals is important, postponing the first service to around 500 km is planned.
Original Tire Wear: Faster Than Expected
The original tires exhibited noticeable wear even within the first few weeks of use. This observation further justified the decision to upgrade to more robust 27″ trail tires.
The Pioneer 500’s Strengths: Why It Still Satisfies
Despite these points of critique, overall satisfaction with the Honda Pioneer 500 remains high. This satisfaction stems from several key advantages that cater to specific needs and priorities.
The 50-Inch Advantage: Access to Narrow Trails
The defining feature and primary reason for choosing the Pioneer 500 is its narrow 50-inch width. This dimension is crucial for accessing trails and areas inaccessible to wider side-by-sides. In essence, it offers the maneuverability of a quad with the added benefit of side-by-side seating.
Manual Mode and Paddle Shifting: Enhanced Control and Quieter Operation
The inclusion of a manual mode with paddle shifters is a significant positive. Manual shifting provides greater control over gear selection, particularly beneficial in varied terrain. Furthermore, shifting in manual mode is noticeably quieter than in automatic mode, mitigating the “clunking” noise.
Beltless Transmission: Reliability Focus
The absence of belts in the Pioneer 500‘s transmission is a major advantage in terms of reliability. Belt failures are a common concern with CVT transmissions in other UTVs. Honda’s beltless design contributes to peace of mind and reduced maintenance concerns.
Steering and Handling: User-Friendly Experience
Steering is responsive and light. There were initial concerns about potentially needing power steering, especially for less experienced drivers, but the standard steering proves to be sufficiently easy to manage, even for younger or less strong users.
Functionality Over Frills: Prioritizing Essentials
The Pioneer 500 prioritizes core functionality and reliability over luxury features. While lacking some of the “luxuries” found in other machines, these omissions don’t detract from its core purpose. The focus is on dependable performance and access to tight trails, which the Pioneer 500 delivers effectively.
Conclusion: A Niche UTV with Clear Strengths
The Honda Pioneer 500 is not without its shortcomings. The lack of storage, stiff suspension, and basic accessory finish are notable drawbacks. However, for those prioritizing a narrow, reliable, and maneuverable UTV capable of accessing tight trails, the Pioneer 500 presents a compelling option. Its 50-inch width, beltless transmission, and user-friendly handling are significant advantages. While it may require some aftermarket additions to enhance storage and comfort, the core functionality and reliability of the Honda Pioneer 500 make it a satisfying choice for specific applications. Further updates will follow after winter use with the plow and doors.
