I bought one new in 2022 and it has been a great machine, goes everywhere like a little mountain goat. My wife and I took it to the black hills and made it everywhere. One thing I will say is, the machine needs storage to which i bought the glove box from crossroads and it helped alot and a strap on bag for behind the seat. The 520 also is very limited on top speed which is about 38 mph so if you cruise without red lining the little guy, you need to stay around 30 mph and that is kinda slow for others so another gear would help immensely. The stock tires suck so the first thing to buy is 27 inch tires, which helps with ground clearance and they do not rub at all, they should really come with them honestly. Overall it is a great little machine that you can do everything with and have a good time doing it at a price point that you cant touch anywhere else.
Bought one of these for use on our farm which is mostly driven by myself or my mum. Love the little thing! wanted honda reliability and simplicity. Added honda parts: roof, rock rails, winshield, light bar, rear light, rearview mirror. I wish EPS electronic power steering was an option but I'm going to put an aftermarket kit on for my mom. When going slow, it's a struggle for her to turn the little beast. I love that it's quiet and easy on fuel. Love the geared transmission and fully locked diffs... it's a little mountain goat! cons: no turf mode, door netting is weird, changing oil is ackward (for a honda), low top speed, limited suspension travel, engine heat comes into the seat area in the summertime but is nice in the winter, no in-cab storage.
Great review, very accurate. I bought a 2023, and so far it has been great. I thought 60kmph might be slow, but on a lot of bush trails 30kmph is fast enough. Bought it for hunting and work around the house, with trail rides as a possibility. I added the crossroads glove box, and a cell phone holder to the roll bar. Next I'm going to install a storage bin under the drivers seat with access through a marine style door, so the seat doesn't' have to come off. Added a tote under the hood for cover, gloves, etc. All in All a great, reliable and fun machine. I've owned ATV's my entire life and find the Honda a great value.
Really not bad for the price. It's not gonna be a trail monster or tow a big load but probably fine for most uses. I honestly wish there were more manufacturers that built a simple utilitarian trail machine at low cost. Everything has gotten too tall.
Nice review! I’m looking for a vehicle that will help me with chores around the house, so it will be driven on my lawn. My question is, will this machine tear up my grass then making sharp turns?
My friend bought one of these a few years ago. I tried it, definitely not for me. Very slow and not very comfortable. Every bit of trail roughness is really felt in the cab. But I’m sure it has great Honda reliability.
Got a 2022 Pioneer 520 with 10000km. Went across Newfoundland last summer. I put 27in tires on witch improves the ride but review is rough ride, slow, no storage. But Honda reliability so that trumps a lot have a friend with a 500 Foreman with 45000 km on it.
I believe they make an accessory storage tray for under the hood. Like most manufacturers these days they want you to spend more money once you buy it. Roofs should be standard.
Can you ship some of these pioneer 520 to Tennessee please. I can’t find one. 2 dealers told me today 8-24-24 they can’t get them. What’s the deal with Honda and the pioneer 520. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love your content on the trucks and utvs. Thanks.
I know the 500 had the dct does the 520 have the dct or did they go to the auto clutch like the Forman they say on the website that it’s got an auto clutch with an automatic shift setting the dct is good but I do like the auto clutch better because I like the way it shifts I like the automatic shift setting it’s definitely I nice option but I also like being able to shift it myself and I like the price tag on it
They're coming! I like to do an introduction walkaround video when I first get a new machine, to allow more focus on small features. Then we'll shoot a full review. In this case, I'm going to make sure to load this little Honda right up to max capacity to see how it does, so stay tuned.
I have a 2023, it drives very smoothly, not too speedy at 63 kmph max, runs better at 58 on decent roads. Max 30 kmph on bushroads, certainly not a cadillac ride but better ride and more comfortable than my polaris and yamaha ATV's. So far I'm very happy with the handling in the bush and on bush roads.
Get an Argo XF 500, a couple grand less expensive, bit larger, lots of storage, more travel in the suspension, larger tires, better 4x4 system.. more value for the money. If reliability is the ONLY thing you're looking for than I guess this machine is ok, but for function, form and performance, you get a lot less in this package. its really a ATV is a steering wheel.
I want to like it alot. I like that the width can fit in the bed of a truck if needed. But I just don't think I would end up buying one of I needed a smaller utility SxS. And maybe it's my biased genuine disappointment in Hondas ATV efforts that has left a bad taste
As with everything else right now need to get into Dealership hands/Lowes Home Depot Wal-Mart Ace Hardware until then it's just "good pricing" and not actually being sold.
With all the negative description about this machine as small, cheap, no wheel travel, etc etc I am surprised that anyone would want one. I think this dealer needs to receive a little training on the positive aspects of this 50" machine.
$10k starting price in usa. Too much for too little imo. I'm actively looking at this type of machine but for this i think $8k is more of a fair price.
Lots of potential for a small sxs. A bit more speed and suspension travel is needed. Why not use same suspension and gearing as the rubicon?? Until then I'll pass.
I bought one new in 2022 and it has been a great machine, goes everywhere like a little mountain goat. My wife and I took it to the black hills and made it everywhere. One thing I will say is, the machine needs storage to which i bought the glove box from crossroads and it helped alot and a strap on bag for behind the seat. The 520 also is very limited on top speed which is about 38 mph so if you cruise without red lining the little guy, you need to stay around 30 mph and that is kinda slow for others so another gear would help immensely. The stock tires suck so the first thing to buy is 27 inch tires, which helps with ground clearance and they do not rub at all, they should really come with them honestly. Overall it is a great little machine that you can do everything with and have a good time doing it at a price point that you cant touch anywhere else.
I had bought a 2025 Honda Pioneer 3 weeks ago. I am still breaking it in I. Absolutely. Love it. I wish it had a glove box or more stories.
Aftermarket glove box and under driver seat storage box are available 👍
Bought one of these for use on our farm which is mostly driven by myself or my mum. Love the little thing! wanted honda reliability and simplicity.
Added honda parts: roof, rock rails, winshield, light bar, rear light, rearview mirror. I wish EPS electronic power steering was an option but I'm going to put an aftermarket kit on for my mom. When going slow, it's a struggle for her to turn the little beast. I love that it's quiet and easy on fuel. Love the geared transmission and fully locked diffs... it's a little mountain goat!
cons: no turf mode, door netting is weird, changing oil is ackward (for a honda), low top speed, limited suspension travel, engine heat comes into the seat area in the summertime but is nice in the winter, no in-cab storage.
Great review, very accurate. I bought a 2023, and so far it has been great. I thought 60kmph might be slow, but on a lot of bush trails 30kmph is fast enough. Bought it for hunting and work around the house, with trail rides as a possibility. I added the crossroads glove box, and a cell phone holder to the roll bar. Next I'm going to install a storage bin under the drivers seat with access through a marine style door, so the seat doesn't' have to come off. Added a tote under the hood for cover, gloves, etc. All in All a great, reliable and fun machine. I've owned ATV's my entire life and find the Honda a great value.
I have a '23, minus the top speed being 38 MPH I love it.
Don’t feel bad my Pioneer 700 would only do 42 lol
Can't beat it for the money. Ton of fun. Great little machines.
Great review of a basic machine! Let's have more of these affordable sxs!
Really not bad for the price. It's not gonna be a trail monster or tow a big load but probably fine for most uses. I honestly wish there were more manufacturers that built a simple utilitarian trail machine at low cost. Everything has gotten too tall.
Nice review! I’m looking for a vehicle that will help me with chores around the house, so it will be driven on my lawn. My question is, will this machine tear up my grass then making sharp turns?
Mine is camo 22 it's like a tank also ride's like one, but overall I like it
My friend bought one of these a few years ago. I tried it, definitely not for me. Very slow and not very comfortable. Every bit of trail roughness is really felt in the cab. But I’m sure it has great Honda reliability.
Got a 2022 Pioneer 520 with 10000km. Went across Newfoundland last summer. I put 27in tires on witch improves the ride but review is rough ride, slow, no storage. But Honda reliability so that trumps a lot have a friend with a 500 Foreman with 45000 km on it.
I believe they make an accessory storage tray for under the hood. Like most manufacturers these days they want you to spend more money once you buy it. Roofs should be standard.
Can you ship some of these pioneer 520 to Tennessee please. I can’t find one. 2 dealers told me today 8-24-24 they can’t get them. What’s the deal with Honda and the pioneer 520. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love your content on the trucks and utvs. Thanks.
Nice simple machine. Reminds me of my 2017 Arctic Cat Prowler 500.
Great review Steve! Keep em coming!
I know the 500 had the dct does the 520 have the dct or did they go to the auto clutch like the Forman they say on the website that it’s got an auto clutch with an automatic shift setting the dct is good but I do like the auto clutch better because I like the way it shifts I like the automatic shift setting it’s definitely I nice option but I also like being able to shift it myself and I like the price tag on it
Awesome review.
I was hoping for some drive impressions.
They're coming! I like to do an introduction walkaround video when I first get a new machine, to allow more focus on small features.
Then we'll shoot a full review. In this case, I'm going to make sure to load this little Honda right up to max capacity to see how it does, so stay tuned.
I have a 2023, it drives very smoothly, not too speedy at 63 kmph max, runs better at 58 on decent roads. Max 30 kmph on bushroads, certainly not a cadillac ride but better ride and more comfortable than my polaris and yamaha ATV's. So far I'm very happy with the handling in the bush and on bush roads.
How about the fact that Honda didn't build ANY 2024 520s?
Return to basics. I think I'll keep my Honda Rubicon 520
Does it have power steering
no, i added it to mine, works great.
Come on Honda put on at least 12”rims/25”tires. Good grief! So 15 years ago.
It's a budget machine for you to modify as needed.
I've always been fond of this machine. The lack of a locking or even a limited differential means that it's completely useless for what I need to do.
You can get an aftermarket locker.
Just buy an old Yamaha Rhino
Get an Argo XF 500, a couple grand less expensive, bit larger, lots of storage, more travel in the suspension, larger tires, better 4x4 system.. more value for the money. If reliability is the ONLY thing you're looking for than I guess this machine is ok, but for function, form and performance, you get a lot less in this package. its really a ATV is a steering wheel.
I want to like it alot. I like that the width can fit in the bed of a truck if needed. But I just don't think I would end up buying one of I needed a smaller utility SxS. And maybe it's my biased genuine disappointment in Hondas ATV efforts that has left a bad taste
Test drove one of these. Worst driving SxS I’ve ever driven. I really wanted to like it but the rough shifting tranny was a deal breaker.
The transmission is the expensive part of this machine but reverse engagement is goofy and not as quick and easy as the cvt machines.
Better of buying a clean used Yamaha Rhino. More power, better suspension, better transmission, locking diff and LOW gear
Yamaha Viking 700 even better.
Too wide
16K Can$ is way to much for this kids size SxS.
16 k... They can shove it..
As with everything else right now need to get into Dealership hands/Lowes Home Depot Wal-Mart Ace Hardware until then it's just "good pricing" and not actually being sold.
Ten hrand in American is the same as 16 in canada kinda lol same same use American money in canada, and how much is it then
With all the negative description about this machine as small, cheap, no wheel travel, etc etc I am surprised that anyone would want one. I think this dealer needs to receive a little training on the positive aspects of this 50" machine.
$10k starting price in usa. Too much for too little imo.
I'm actively looking at this type of machine but for this i think $8k is more of a fair price.
Yamaha Viking enters the chat.
i can not justify any of theses costing more than a used pickup the only thing they are better at it small size
The stock tires are a joke unless you are on a paved road.
16 grand no way!
The NRA is giving one of these away
Lots of potential for a small sxs. A bit more speed and suspension travel is needed. Why not use same suspension and gearing as the rubicon?? Until then I'll pass.
Too small… overpriced… might be good for grandpa around the farm, but for the average trail rider, no.