In the late 1960s, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. asked one of its engineers, Osamu Takeuchi, to design a product that could continue to sell when sales for Honda motorcycles dropped in the winter. The following product was the first popular ATV—or ATC (All Terrain Cycle), as Honda called it.
Five decades later, Honda ATVs are some of the most popular in the space, and the company has announced that four model types will be a part of its ATV line in 2022. The manufacturer separates its ATVs into two categories: Rec/Utility and Sports. The four models for 2022 are the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon, Foreman 4×4, Rancher multipurpose models, and the TRX90X sport model.
These models offer unique advantages for different riders. For example, if you’re looking for a utility ATV with loads of power, the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon features independent rear suspension, Honda’s DCT automatic transmission, and more. Meanwhile, the TRX90X is a sports model designed for younger riders.
Read on to learn more about all the new Honda ATV models on sale in North America.
2022 Honda Rec/Utility ATVs
The following models are all in Honda’s Rec/Utility category for 2022:
2022 Honda FourTrax Rancher
The FourTrax Rancher will act as the base ATV model in Honda’s 2022 lineup—the smaller FourTrax Recon has not been updated for next year—but it is still fully capable off-road. With a 420cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, the Rancher offers sufficient power for you to have fun on a trail or lug around a considerable load.
You have the option of choosing from eight trim levels, each offering its own array of features. All variants have features like a utility compartment in the front and racks at either end to carry up to 199lbs of total load. The racks are also compatible with Honda’s modular Pro-Connect system, which allows you to install and remove luggage boxes easily.
The eight available trims are:
- FourTrax Rancher
- FourTrax Rancher ES
- FourTrax Rancher 4X4
- FourTrax Rancher 4X4 ES
- FourTrax Rancher 4X4 EPS
- FourTrax Rancher 4×4 Automatic DCT EPS
- FourTrax Rancher 4×4 Automatic DCT IRS
- FourTrax Rancher 4×4 Automatic DCT IRS EPS
Each of the above trims gives the Rancher added functionality. The ES variant adds Honda’s Electric Shift Program, which introduces the convenience of push-button shifting for upshifts and downshifts. The EPS, meanwhile, stands for Electric Power Steering, and it reduces steering effort and kickback through the handlebar. We believe this system will be beneficial while riding through ruts or over rocks.
Then there’s the IRS, offering Independent Rear Suspension instead of a swingarm-mounted monoshock. When equipped with IRS, the Rancher offers over 8 inches of suspension travel and 9 inches of ground clearance (by contrast, the swingarm-mounted monoshock provides 6.69 inches of suspension travel). At the front is an independent double-wishbone that also offers 6.69 inches of travel, irrespective of how you spec the rear suspension.
Braking is handled by 190mm twin discs at the end and a 160mm drum brake at the rear. Lastly, you also have the option of opting for Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and 4WD.
The Rancher’s prices start at $5,599 for the base model and go up to $8,299 for the Rancher 4×4 Automatic DCT IRS EPS. While the base model is quite capable by itself, we’d recommend the added convenience and functionality that 4WD and electric power steering will bring.
- Available Colors:
- Rancher: Red; Olive
- Rancher ES: Red; Olive
- Rancher 4×4: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Olive
- Rancher 4×4 ES: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Olive
- Rancher 4×4 EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Olive
- Rancher 4×4 AT EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Reactor Blue
- Rancher 4×4 AT IRS: Red; Olive
- Rancher 4×4 AT IRS EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Gray Resin
- MSRP: Starting at $5,599
- More info from Honda
2022 Honda FourTrax Foreman 4×4
The 2022 Honda FourTrax Foreman 4×4 sits above the Rancher and offers 4WD as standard. It’s robust, reliable, and all the ATV you’ll need—whether you’ll be ferrying loads across the farm or using it for more rigorous off-road applications.
The Foreman 4×4 is available in three trims for 2022, all of which are powered by a 518cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. The engine employs an overhead-valve and semi-dry-sump lubrication design that allows for an engine that’s not very tall—reducing the center of gravity and keeping the Foreman grounded on uneven terrain.
The three available trims on the Foreman 4×4 are:
- Foreman 4×4
- Foreman 4×4 EPS
- Foreman 4×4 ES EPS
Standard features across all three variants include robust front and rear racks, a utility box, reverse gear, and more.
The ES and EPS functions are the same as the Rancher, adding Electronic Shift and Electric Power Steering to the Foreman 4×4.
Honda’s TraxLok system lets you switch between 2WD and 4WD. Typically, using 2WD allows for easier steering, while the latter will give you better traction. There’s also a differential lock system that engages in 4WD mode. It sends power to both front wheels and locks the differential to get the most traction possible.
You should know that all the variants in the Foreman 4×4 line only come with a swingarm-mounted monoshock, and if you’re looking for a vehicle that offers Independent Rear Suspension (IRS), the one up next is the best that Honda has to offer.
Prices for the Foreman start at $7,499 for the base model, while the top-of-the-line Foreman 4×4 ES EPS will set you back $8,449.
- Available Colors:
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- Foreman 4×4: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Olive
- Foreman 4×4 EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Olive
- Foreman 4×4 ES EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Harvest Beige; Red
- MSRP: Starting at $7,499
- More info from Honda
2022 Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4×4
The 2022 Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4×4 is essentially the Foreman 4×4 with a little more to offer. For starters, the Foreman Rubicon 4×4 is powered by the same 518cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine on the standard Foreman; however, it features a wider bore (92mm vs. 96mm), resulting in a more efficient engine.
Other differences included hardware components like the suspension and brakes. While the Foreman and Rubicon feature 190mm disc brakes at the front, the former uses a 160mm drum at the rear, while the latter employs 170mm discs.
The Rubicon also features Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) as standard across all four trims available. As a result, this ATV is 1.7 inches longer, 0.6 inches taller, and has a 1 inch longer wheelbase.
There’s also notably more ground clearance to play with—an impressive 9.4 inches on the Rubicon, compared to the 7.5 inches on the standard model. Load capacity is higher as well, and the Rubicon can carry 99lbs on its front rack and 187lbs on its rear rack, while the Foreman can manage a slightly less 88lbs and 176lbs, respectively.
The Rubicon also has a towing capacity of a whopping 1322lbs, so you can attach a small trailer to it and carry around a lot of load. But all the additional hardware comes with a compromise: at 700lbs, the Rubicon weighs 64lbs more than the Foreman. Still, it’s not something you’re likely to notice.
As we mentioned above, the Rubicon is available in four trims:
- Foreman Rubicon 4×4 EPS
- Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT
- Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT EPS
- Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT EPS Deluxe
All four trims come with robust front and rear racks, a utility box, reverse gear, Honda’s TraxLok system, and more. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox on all of them, with the Rubicon EPS using a manual transmission, while the others offer Honda’s automatic DCT. The Deluxe version comes with aluminum wheels, color-matched suspension, and painted bodywork.
Prices for the Rubicon start at $8,799 for the Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT and go up to $9,999 for the Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT EPS Deluxe. The Foreman Rubicon 4×4 DCT EPS offers the best value for money as it has the most features and costs $500 less than the Deluxe, which mostly brings cosmetic add-ons.
- Available Colors
- Foreman Rubicon EPS: Honda Phantom Camo; Red; Matte Forged Bronze
- Foreman Rubicon DCT: Red; Olive
- Foreman Rubicon DCT EPS: Red; Olive
- Foreman Rubicon DCT EPS Deluxe: Honda Phantom Camo®; Matte Blue Metallic
- MSRP: Starting at $8,799
- More info from Honda
2022 Honda Sports ATVs
There’s only one designated Sports ATV model in Honda’s 2022 lineup—but it’s a good one, especially for younger riders.
2022 Honda TRX90X
The Honda TRX90X is the brand’s smallest ATV, and it’s designed to introduce kids to four-wheeled off-road fun. Powering the TRX90X is a small 86cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. The manufacturer has not revealed peak power and torque figures but has mentioned that it’s ideal for entry-level riders.
This ATV also features a throttle limiter, allowing users to adjust the power according to their experience level. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, which should make it much simpler for kids to ride.
Suspension duties are handled by an independent suspension system at the front and a swingarm-mounted monoshock at the rear, both of which offer 2.6 inches of suspension travel. Honda has also equipped the TRX90X with drum brakes at either end.
Weighing 262lbs, the TRX90X is much lighter than the bigger ATVs in Honda’s lineup. This, in addition to a relatively accessible seat height of 26 inches, should instill some confidence in less experienced riders.
The TRX90X is only available in one trim, priced at $3,249.
- Available Colors:
- TRX90X: White; Red
- MSRP: Starting at $3,249
- More info from Honda
Honda’s ATV portfolio for 2022 is relatively small with just 4 models; however, they cover a wide range of requirements and riders. The FourTrax Recon and FourTrax Rincon models are currently listed on the Honda website, along with the TRX250X sport model, but Honda has not updated them for 2022 yet.
Want specs on more new Honda vehicles you can take off-road? Check out the 2022 Honda Grom.