Wrangler vs Pioneer: What's Better Off-Road a Jeep or a Side-By-Side? 

Never go extreme off roading in the veh you have to drive home

Side by sides, for when you hit your golf ball way,WAY out of bounds.

Great video you guys! Tommy is getting better with each video; this felt more relaxed and fun.

Yeah know what I love about my pioneer (700 2014) I can haul a 65 gallon tank full of sap go through mud thick enough to lose your boots in and never get stuck I can also pull a full load of hay (100 little square bale about 65 pound each on a wagon) up a gravel barn filling (about 20 degree slope) no problem and also go creek crossing never had a problem great dealer support so yeah y'all keep your RZRs and mavericks I 'll keep my bought and paided for honda pioneer that can do all I need it too and take me back home at the end of the day

That Honda is more of a work/farm UTV, and as capable as it is, there are UTVs out there, like the some of the Polaris offerings that make Jeeps look silly on the trails. With that, it comes down to the right tool for the job, and the offroading you want to do. There are a lot of trails where I ride that are too narrow for a full-sided vehicle like a Jeep.

Get a Jeep and an ATV. You can trailer the ATV with the Jeep, go anywhere. Side by sides, not so much.

Awesome test. I like how you guys think outside the box and give us unique shootouts such as this. Keep up the good work!

Side by sides are awesome, amazing what they'll go through.

Oh yeahhhh ! I want more reviews with atv and side by side !!! :D

Also street legal in certain counties in Michigan as long as you have both ORV stickers.

Great video. I went back and watched the new Raptor go up Dare and was amazed how much easier it looked going up than these two.

Depends on the person and their intended use. Wranglers are excellent off road vehicles but not everyone wants nor needs a Wrangler especially for everyday use. A lot of people are more weekend warriors and those are the ones who will gravitate towards a side by side since they can tow them behind vehicles they have or would prefer. Also those same people probably only go out a handful of times a year so it really isn't a big deal to hook it up. People who off road as a major hobby and go out often would obviously prefer a Jeep because of the ability for on road use and comfort/convenience. Granted this isn't taking into performance desires. The pure sport side by sides are extremely fun to drive fast and jump high. Never going to be able to do that with a Jeep.

A few key differences. The Jeep has heat and ac so it would be suited for more year round use. The pioneer on the other hand is more of a Rubicon edition jeep in that you can lock the differentials. You can also count on the jeep to last much longer when it comes to miles and range. Frankly I was very impressed with both of them.

That’s right my 07 rhino 660R is completely street legal here in good ole AZ, I drive my rhino to work quite often.

I have a Wrangler and I always thought the SXS machines were a waste of money. If your Jeep is your only vehicle then, yes it is the way to go. However, if you can have a toy then the SXS is far superior. You can go all day, all out over rough terrain in the SXS will not kill your back. Those things can absorb amazing bumps because of the amount of suspension travel.

The benefits of a side by side are extreme off road capabilities and its not the vehicle you are driving home or your daily driver. The cons are it costs as much as a used jeep, and you have to trailer it. Also, some states frown upon the ATV class, and severely limit where you can use them.

I've had both and the SXS's are more fun due to their power to weight ratio/agility/capabilities.

Thing reminds me of that kubota that pulled my stuck truck up the mountain. Did dish network out in N. California. Was going up this steep washed out dirt road and got stuck with my chevy 2500hd 4x4. This lady comes down with this lil kubota tractor and pulls my big truck all the way up like nothing.

This is one of the most helpful videos I've seen on side-by-sides

For a land owner that works the property the side by side is a better option especially as the acreage increases, somewhere around 70 though can be much less as well a dedicated off-roader is necessary and most will have them. A side by side's ability to cover rough ground more comfortably, more efficiently, with less impact on the ground, in much less time is an advantage that tends to result in "I should a bought one of these years ago" statements. Those bone jarring hits and bouncing your head into the ceiling in a stiff suspension of a 4x4 add up and cash in as wear on the body that can't be rolled back, and the time saved allows for more time to get to other things that put a smile on your face ;).

We used to run Polaris rangers on our cattle ranch. But about a year ago we bought a 2012 wrangler and that has been the best help

Their version of rock crawling is the trails I use to get to the rocks at rausch creek.

Great video guys. I saw the little Pioneer in the Raptor video with Tommy chasing Blue Beard and I am glad to see a full comparison to the Wrangler.

Love that Honda. Very expensive though. I could see using that around town if it was legal

I think the comparison is a little off. Not in this video, but a Jeep will always be better than a UTV. The Jeep will always be more comfortable, have AC, more utilitarian, and just as capable in stock/nearly stock form as shown here. Further, consider you can get a Jeep WJ with big lift and lockers for under $10k that would go places a UTV could only dream.

Awesome video! I've always been interested in those side by sides. I didn't realize they were that fast

sxs are so expensive you can bout buy a damn jeep for the price and it’s street legal

don't get me wrong, side by sides are a BLAST!!! but a jeep is definitely more useful.

Roman Mica Love that lil' thang (definitely not what she said). Some questions I've always wondered about CliffHanger: 1). Do you return the same way, or is there another road down? 2). What is the traffic level there? I'd think there'd be vehicles on it all the time. You must be on the trail for hours doing each video, so how are other vehicles accommodated? THANK YOU for all the good content.

Thought about you guys today. The place i work in Texas had two 2019 Ram trucks show up. They had a 2019 Ram 2500 longhorn and a 2019 Ram texas edition 1500. They where shooting a three part commercial and he happened to be one of the stops. Not sure about the 1500 but the longhorn was one of one,both had Michigan plates put on them. The guy also said last week he hauled a 2020 Raptor and loaded it on a boat headed to China.

Loved the video. But been nice to have found a trail(s) that one couldn’t go up and the other could.

I think that Honda with larger tires would make it even better for trails. Very versatile SXS with the flip out seats in bed. I see a lot of these out on the trails and they perform quite well. You also get Honda reliability. I don't see Pioneer replacing a Jeep, but it's a great platform to off-road on. It's like comparing apples to oranges SXS vs Jeep. Both are excellent. It really depending on what your using for and if you want to trailer your SXS to trails vs drive from street to trail in a Jeep. Not everyone want to abuse their daily driver off-road, so trailering a SXS to trails to play on makes sense. If you break the sxs on trails, you can still tow it home on your trailer and repair it. If you break your Jeep on trails you must limp home the entire way or call an off-road tow service. LOL

Wheres Charlotte and her chemistry lectures?

Depends on the intended use, for pure off reading for fun, the Jeep. But if you need a machine that will take you anywhere on your property, the Pioneer due to its ability to actually "fit" more places truly off road.

Very instructional! I've never driven one of those side by sides offf-road and am a Jeeper. I have a long list of mods that I won't bore anyone with, but my only concern with these SBS vehicles is how strong the axles, etc are, especially when people add bigger more aggressive tires. In comparison to the occasional Jeep off-roaders, what is the frequency of broken parts to both type vehicles. If people are breaking major components and I suspect they are because my SIL is a top salesman of Polaris vehicles, then this extra cost should be factored in. If they remain stock and people don't go crazy, then I am sure they are built adequately.

Here in Texas, people who own land buy UTVs for working and playing on their property, deer leases, and for the few ORV parks. They make much more sense than a larger Jeep or pickup when you don't need anything to be street legal. In a state like Colorado with miles of public off-road trails, a Jeep seems more sensible for being able to drive to your destination. I own 3 Honda motorcycles, but I hace a few complaints about the Pioneer. Mainly, that Dual Clutch Transmission is very jerky, almost unusable in low range. I have the DCT version of the Africa Twin and love it in that application. Also, a big turn off for many people on the Pioneer 1000-5 or 700-4 is that you have to choose between carrying passengers or cargo. The Pioneer is very maneuverable because its compact size, but that design limits what you can use it for. Kawasaki's Pro FXT gives you the best of both worlds and is still very maneuverable. Rigs like tge Polaris Ranger and Can-Am Defender crew are too big. Once you throw on a lift and 31" tires, even less maneuverable.

It looked from here that the Wrangler struggled while the Pioneer scampered over the rocky,uphill environment. The Wrangler started to overspend just to get over a hurdle. I vote the Pioneer as better.

Please stop using the term rock crawling. This is a hill with loose rocks. Not rock crawling.

Heres the thing. I've owned jeeps and I'm the current owner of a polaris rzr xp 1000. Now I'll give the jeep all the creature comforts of a car but heres the thing. We are talking whats better offroad and I gotta say the side by sides especially with their far superior stock suspensions handle the bumpy stuff so much better. My Jeeps were highly upgraded suspension wise and they beat me up severely when riding on similar trails. I go on the same rocky trails today in my RZR and it just doesn't beat me up like the jeep did so for my money the RZR is far better and here in Az I get to drive mine on the road and on the trails.

Why does the image quality of your RU-vid videos of 5 yrs ago appear to be better than your videos of 2022? Excellent video, by the way.

I'm shocked to see a 4x4 without locking diffs make it up that steep climb. I'm confused about what one actually needs versus what is preferable to have. After all, you did use Cliffhanger to demonstrate the superior capabilities of the Power Wagon and Raptor. Where can the Power Wagon go that a Wrangler Sport can't follow? Thanks for the consistently professional, entertaining, and informative videos.

Should have gotten a Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec and had and extra $10k in your pocket

Definitely one of your better videos guys, great job

I like the new wrangler guys. You went and bought the best daily drivable wrangler: 2 dr sport with manual gearbox, then put the rubicon wheels and tires to add a sprinkle more of capability. I suggest you do a 0-60mph test at sea level or something see what it gets with the lift and without!

Quite a few Michigan counties, as well, allow them on roads (aside from interstates). Just need lights and signals!

Please give the fr and rear track, and the wheelbase. Will help a lot. Good to see, what these vehicles can do.

TOO BAD comfort was not covered. Which vehicle offered the better ride soaking up the trail littered with loose rocks. I actually enjoyed seeing both of these units in action. Not mentioned: air conditioning in the wrangler would be my favored flavor during heat waves here in our Mojave Desert. Really fun guy!

Where the hell has THIS video been hiding!? Seriously! I've been debating these 2 for the last year! Nice timing I guess, since I'm getting ready to make a final decision, 😅😅

I bought my first jeep 4days ago and yes i took it offroading within 200 miles. Its a new willys and i ran into to guys running these side by sides and i was with them the entire way. Mind you that i havent offroaded in 15 years and i was right there with those guys in my wrangler. Lol i did end up knocking my rear bumper loose on one side but hey its a jeep i was planning on changing the bumpers anyway.

Love them both but if you want to drive on road to get there and back I would choose the Jeep. Those super tight trails would let that Honda shine here in the east coast woods .

I've got a Polaris RZR 1000 with a few spices on it. It's a beast.

On my Manitoba ranch I prefer my Land Cruiser or Tacoma until the going gets rough, then I use my CanAm Side by Side. When it’s real rough that’s when I have to use my Honda ATV.

Jeep videos always good mate

MY question is not whats better off road but whats going to be better when things get broken. I would choose one of the more capable side by sides from Can Am or Polaris with a little bit of lift and a bigger tire. I use to wheel a tacoma and it can get really expensive when things get broken and the downside of having only one truck is you have to get to work the next day. So what would ultimately is going to be the more affordable option as an off roader if you already own a full size truck that can tow. Side by side with some mods or a jeep?

2020 1000-5 EPS Deluxe for 14,550 in Missouri, with roof and NICE windshield it was 15,700 out the door!!!!!!

Arizona, Utah and Wyoming get on our level.

Get a Rubicon and don't look back. Best vehicle I've ever owned. I can Daily drive it and go 500 miles one way and spend a week in Moab off-roading and drive it home. lots of mods. And it's super dependable. It helps to have a good shop or be able to do the mods yourself so you know they are done right . It's only fun to go fast off-road sometimes. you don't get to see any scenery when you're flying through. I prefer my Jeep

I’m very impressed with how easily the Jeep made it up the trail. The drivers abilities had a lot to do with that.

I'd take a used wrangler 2 door any day. AC, radio and when I'm done off reading, I can drive it home without having to tow it back home like a utv. Plus the cost is cheaper, parts are easy to find and I have a spare tire in case I puncture my tire.

That same pioneer 5 seater is in the upper 20s now for price

Since you picked the wrangler... should have picked the Rubicon 2dr vs the rzr xp and/or wildcat X...

make a video between a roxor and a wrangler...

idk about pioneer but i just got a new maverick 1000 i can say i think it's more worth money than honda

Nice video. Can tell I am getting old cause bouncing back in forth on those rocky trails doesn't even look like fun.

I rather spend 21,000 dollars on a used jeep with a lift and 35in tires than on a side by side

I'm guessing its cheaper to brake the side-by-side. Also side-by-sides don't have to follow the gigantic list of regulations that a road legal wrangler has to follow, thats pretty huge when building strictly for performance.

I'd rather a quad than a side-by-side tbh.

I don't offroad, and if I did it wouldn't be much. Also I am not a big fan of wranglers, but I'd take than any day over the side x side. A/C, radio, more comfortable, and I can use it everyday.. oh the other hand.. the sxs is probably a hell of a lot more fun, and durable off road.

The Wrangler driver wants to spend 90-100% of their time running around town, looking like an off road warrior. You can't really do that with the UTV unless you live in a really small town. Major advantage: Wrangler!

I'll keep my 87' Isuzu Trooper. Can do those trails just fine, plus you can sleep two in the back and all for a tiny fraction of the price of either.

Would love to see the Wrangler verse the new RZR XP Turbo S with 32in tires stock like the jeep has. I did see your review of the new RZR XP Turbo S but would like to see a side-by-side comparison with the Jeep! Keep up the great work love the channel!👊😀👍👍

As always another awesome video thank you for sharing your awesome video

I think the greatest benefit of the jeep is you can go off roading then hop on the highway.

10:19 'point and squirt' ???!!!! WTF!? haha

Even being focused on off road, these ride really well on-road.

When are you going to do the new Chevy Colorado ZR2 4X4 on Cliffhanger 2.0????? We want to seeeeeeeeee!!

This is actually a pretty real world review for some. I can imagine some might compare a side by side to a used 2 door Wrangler for strictly offroad fun.

I'll pay the extra ~$12K for the Wrangler for how much more more it gives me, namely street legal anywhere, more comfortable for passengers (esp. on Unlimited), and actually able to pull my other buddies out when they get stuck in their Jeeps, FJ's, trucks, etc. One you use on the weekends, one you can use every day. Having said that, OBVIOUSLY they both have their pros and cons, and generally I'd expect a stock ATV (that's right, it's an ATV with a cab, don't need to make up more names lol) -- which is fully purpose-built for off-road usage -- to be better than any stock on/off-road automotive vehicle, even a Wrangie with knobby tires.

I would like to see the rubicon and a fj trd match up. Also would like to see the side by side go through boulders or deep mud. This is just a question I noticed on a lot of your videos you have a lot of wheel spin and momentum is that a technique or just how the newer vehicles have to be driven. I have been driving a cj3b for a long time and it while just roll up a hill at a slow walking speed

You guys should try the Chevrolet silverado with the Alaskan snow plow package... Another idea is how a crew cab long bed off roads!!

You can see how steep the upper portion is when they are standing there talking about the Razor Bend rock.

It's snowing right now at my mountain house in Colorado and I would want to be in the Jeep.

Get an ATV, more fun, more control and waaay less expensive. Cool test though.

Obviously the Honda because the Japanese are perfect and if they make a mistake it's the suppliers fault.

Even that essentially stock non-rubicon Wrangler made that look easy haha.

I've own 3 sxs in the past and regret buying them , broken axles , busted differentials , wheel bearings , pos 800 rzr blown engine after 1000 kms . Just buy a Suzuki samurai and add some gears and tires like I did and run circles around those sxs.

Very interesting comparison! Fun!!

Jeeps only clog up the trails in TN where I ride. RZRs can cover 10 times as many trail miles there in a day. A trail that jeep groups take an entire day on is only one small part of a offroad day for our RZRs. Yes I have had built jeeps before but a RZR Turbo is in a whole different dimension.

Cool... A souped up golf cart! Great Grams would love one of those!

Add an Oreion Apex in there. 1000cc, street legal, 2 or 4 seater, manual transmission and 4x4.

keep off roading like that and those axles are gonna grenade themselves. likely a Dana 30 front and Dana 35 rear and they are definitely not known for their toughness. in fact it's kind of amazing that they haven't blown apart yet on that cliff hanger driving like that

Cliffhanger 2.0 seems to be a lot more fun than Gold Mine Hill :D

Did you ever take the power wagon up the cliff hanger?

If your going to have a side by side on the show, maybe y'all should start demoing the other brands too. Be something interesting to add to the business.

I love my attic cat wildcat trail edition if not only for one incident where my cusion went on out back yard trail and wrapped it around a tree

Yall should do more side by side videos!

You guys should do more videos on side by sides

Try that in a blizzard. The honda people will freeze and be blind throught the windshield. Hardly a real world (Canadian) segment. Wrangler all the way.

I have both, and it isn't close in my book. SXS will simply go places a jeep can't. Size matters.

Listen. Let Tommy drive all the time. He drives the best out of all of you