Introducing the 2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 750 and 550 UTV’s. Although Cub Cadet is a relatively unknown name in the UTV market, they have been around since the 1960’s and have been selling UTV’s for nearly a decade. They have over 1300 dealers that primarily sell lawn care equipment. Their parts facility is centrally located in the U.S. so spare parts and accessories should be simple to order if your local dealer doesn’t stock them.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger

550 & 750 UTV Review

New Rec-Ute UTV Choices

By UTV Driver March 2, 2017

For 2017, the company is ready to build a sportier brand awareness and “challenge” the competition with a new machine designed and assembled in the U.S. called the Challenger. This model comes with a choice of powerplants; 750 and 550 and very affordable starting price tags at $10,999 and $9,999. Camo is an extra $300. Design changes from their older UTV’s come in the form of bodywork and the 50cc increase. What you get with the base models is rather impressive. Those features include a roof, full windshield, two

side mirrors, full doors, aluminum wheels, 6-ply tires, bumpers, fully adjustable, turn signals, front and rear 2-inch receivers, shocks and a 3500 pound winch as standard equipment. With some aftermarket brands, these products alone could fetch $10,000. So value is what Cub Cadet is after and it looks as they are off to a great start. When we see a non name brand company selling products for the same or sometimes more than big names like Honda, Polaris or Yamaha, it’s hard to take a closer look. But with the 2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 750 and 550 we did just that. Under the skin, the company is not shy admitting the chassis is very similar to the old Yamaha Rhino. That’s not

something to be embarrassed about since the Rhino was a great machine. In fact, Cub Cadet had their manufacturer, Hisun, make the same tweaks to the chassis we think the Rhino needed 10 years ago. Included in that list are a wider stance at 61.4”, dual sway bars, and the bigger engine. Even with the width increase, both Challengers will fit in the back of most full sized, long bed pick up trucks.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review You can dump the bed bed from either side. The bed has a 500 pound capacity and multiple tie down points and divider slots.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review Steering effort is not overly hard even without EPS. However, in diff lock we do with we had it. EPS in an $800 option. The cockpit is filled with needed appointments such as a large glove box, under dash storage, small tool pockets, tilt steering and cup holders. Like the Rhino, the seats are not adjustable but a wide range of driver sizes can operate it comfortably. In fact there is a little more room on the driver’s side than on the passenger side. There is no power steering either. It will be offered as an $800 option on both models. There are inside and out door handles and the dump bed has a release on the passenger and driver’s side which is a nice touch. The dump bed has standard tailgate, lots of tie down points and can hold 500 pounds. Out on the trails, the Challenger was fun to drive. Power is smooth and not at all jerky when you lay your foot on the skinny pedal. On flat ground or down hills, the Challenger 750 will go just over 50MPH which is great for this style of rec ute machine. The 550 hits around 40MPH as a top speed which was the Yamaha Rhino’s top speed. The 500 does a little slower all around but and can tackle hills just as good as the 700. Turning is precise and not overly heavy in four wheel drive. The only time we felt any sort of frontend push was in sandy turns. Bump absorption was excellent thanks to the adjustable shocks. We softened them up a bit from the stock settings and liked the feeling. You do have to use a screwdriver to adjust the compression and rebound while the preload needs a spanner wrench. The tool kit surprisingly was fully stocked. It had more tools than we have seen any manufacturer supply in decades.

Hopefully tools will not be needed for the most part on these machines. They both felt very solid on the trails and well built. There were no signs of jiggling parts or loose bushings and we drove them very hard. It was rare that we could even bottom out the suspension. If the Challenger's are driven as they are meant for; light recreation and small ranch work, we think they would last as long as any brand. For serious trail riding we would upgrade to EPS as with most machines and we would also do some minor clutch tuning, just so the secondary clutch would stay in low a bit longer on takeoff and when going up hills. Like with most other machines, using diff lock really stiffens up steering effort but with

it, we could drive it over any obstacle and needed it up some steep, short hills. In the rear, the unlocking differential is another feature that the Yamaha Rhino never had and is a huge plus if you do drive on sensitive grass or concrete that you don’t want to leave rubber marks on.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review This one of only a few UTV's that come with full doors. It's the only one that offers them for under $10,000.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review Turf Mode unlocking rear differential and front locking differential are great features that makes this machine perfect for work and play.

Cub Cadet has a serious Challenger in their stable to take on machines like the Honda Pioneer 700, Kymco 700, Polaris Ranger 570 and Can-Am Defenders. We really like the amount of features that come standard and even more so the price. Expect to see more tests from us surrounding the Cub Cadet as well as more of them on your local trails. To see the complete line of Cub Cadet products see www.cubcadet.com/equipment/ cubcadet/utility-vehicles

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review You may notice small turn signal lights on the front fenders. They are standard as is a switch on the dash. A horn is also standard.

2017 Cub Cadet Challenger 550 & 750 Review Front and rear 2-inch hitch receivers are standard equipment as are aluminum A-arms guards.

Spec Chart: 2017 Cub Cadet 750 And 550

MSRP: $10,999-$9,999

Engine Type: 735cc/546cc liquid-‐cooled OHC 4-stroke

Fuel system: Fuel Injection

Clutch/Trans: CVT w/ high, low, neutral, park and reverse

Drivetrain

Drive system: 4WD with Difflock and Turf mode

Suspension (Type/Travel)

Front: Double Wishbone; 9.0”

Rear: Double Wishbone; 8.1”

Tires/Wheels

Front: 26x9-14

Rear: 26x11-14

Brakes

Front: Hydraulic disc

Rear: Hydraulic disc

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 76.8”

Turning Radius: 11.3’

Claimed curb weight: 1648 lbs.

Ground clearance: 12"

Length/width/height: 118"x 61.4” x 79.7”

Fuel capacity: 7.6 gal

Load Capacity

Cargo capacity: 500 lbs.

Towing capacity: 1200 lbs.

Colors: Black, Camo