What Is the Fastest ATV? (2025 Guide)

Last updated on July 15th, 2025

What is the fastest ATV in the world—and why does it matter? Whether you’re an off-road racing enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a thrilling ride across open terrain, knowing the fastest ATVs on the market can make a huge difference in your buying decision.

In this expert guide, we’ll break down the fastest ATVs available in 2025, how speed affects your riding experience, what to look for in a high-speed ATV, and real-life models that are built for performance. You’ll also find modification tips, FAQs, and multimedia suggestions to give you a complete understanding. Ready to rev up? Let’s go.

Why Speed Matters: The Adrenaline Advantage

Speed isn’t just about fun—it affects performance, ride control, and terrain compatibility. Riders often seek speed for:

• Trail Racing: High-speed handling is crucial for off-road competitions.
• Sand Dune Riding: Power and torque matter for large dunes.
• Open Terrain Cruising: Flatlands allow for safer high-speed runs.

That said, speed should never compromise safety. Proper gear, experience, and trail choice matter as much as horsepower.

What Makes an ATV Fast?

Before we explore the models, it helps to understand what contributes to ATV speed:

Factor	Role in Speed
Engine Displacement (cc)	Higher cc often means more horsepower
Horsepower (HP)	Directly affects acceleration and top-end
Weight	Lightweight models accelerate faster
Transmission	Automatic vs. manual affects torque use
Tires & Suspension	Impacts traction and control at high speeds

Want more speed? You can modify your quad — but with trade-offs. We’ll cover that shortly.

The Fastest ATV

Although All-Terrain Vehicles are not manufactured by keeping the Speed factor among top priorities yet many like to fulfill their adrenaline rush by taking their ATVs to the top of their meter. 

When testing the top speed you definitely will need a lot of experience with the ATV and the trail you choose needs to be clear from blocks, mud holes, and other off-road features. 

If you choose the wrong track there is a high chance of an accident occurring. The manufacturers never suggest trying the top speed as the utility ATVs are dedicatedly made for off-road trail riding and other dedicated purposes like agriculture, survey, and many more. But speed is an important criterion for many even when considering ATVs.

Can You Modify an ATV for More Speed?

Absolutely—but it comes with trade-offs.

Common Speed Mods:

• High-flow air filters
• Performance exhaust systems
• ECU remapping
• Clutch kit upgrades
• Tire and gear ratio tuning

Risks to Consider:

• Voids factory warranty
• More maintenance and complexity
• Higher fuel consumption
• Safety hazards for inexperienced riders

👉 Pro Tip: Only attempt major mods through certified professionals or performance shops.

Modifying ATV Speed

The utility ATVs can be modified by some parts to increase their top speed. The manufacturer or either the dealer wouldn’t be willing to provide modifications. 

So when you modify it through a mechanic shop or an ATV professional mechanic the ATV Top Speed would increase but there will arise other troubles. When you make such huge changes in terms of functionality then your manufacturer’s warranty wouldn’t be valid anymore. 

Changing the system structure of the vehicle will also bar you from trying the easy DIY repairs and not every mechanic would be comfortable with the vehicle repairs. 

So in order to reach a respectable speed without any worrying, you need to buy an ATV with a great top speed limit that will satisfy your craving for adrenaline. 

How fast can ATVs go?

Today’s most powerful sports and utility ATVs can reach 80mph (128 km/h) Moderate sized bikes generally reach over 65 mph (104 km/h). ATVs have speed limiters for adolescents so your parents can decide how fast the vehicle can go.

Most ATV models do not receive these numbers from the manufacturer itself. You should not get as good an estimate as possible so I did a little digging to find out how fast an ATV could go from a bike size to an ATV top speed estimate. If you buy your favorite ATV you won’t be disappointed with their quality.

The Fastest ATVs in 2025: Side-by-Side Comparison

The top five ATVs that you need to choose are mentioned below in detail.

Model	Engine (cc)	Top Speed	Horsepower
Can-Am Renegade 1000R	976	~80 mph	91 hp
Polaris Scrambler XP 1000 S	952	75–80 mph	90 hp
Suzuki LT500R (Quadzilla)	500 (2-stroke)	~80 mph	N/A
Arctic Cat Thundercat	951	~70 mph	~80 hp
Yamaha Raptor 700R	686	65–70 mph	High torque

All speeds are approximate and depend on terrain, rider, and weather conditions.

The ATV Top Speed for any random All-Terrain Vehicle would not only depend on the horsepower but the number of strokes, engine category, and even the presence of restrictors fixed into the vehicle by the manufacturer to avoid your instincts getting a hold of the acceleration. 

When finding the answer to what is the fastest atv in the world , you should also consider the acceleration timing. The time in which an ATV can go from 0 to 80 will also be highly valuable to riders looking to achieve speed quicker. 

The ATV top speed and other consideration factors lead to the following vehicles which turn out as the best in terms of speed.

Detailed Reviews of The Top 5 Fastest ATVs

1. Can-Am Renegade XC 1000R Model

• Engine: 976cc Rotax V-twin
• Horsepower: 91 HP
• Top Speed: ~80 mph
• Features: Liquid-cooled engine, 10.5” clearance
• Why It Stands Out: Best power-to-weight ratio in stock ATVs

The Can-Am brand provides some amazing vehicles in the market and among them, the Renegade XC 1000R model is exceptional when talking about speed. This ATV is known for its colossal horsepower. This wild ATV from Can-Am has an astonishing 91 horsepower engine that can be said to be the highest in ATVs existing today. 

The vehicle also has a 976cc liquid-cooling modern engine. Everyone would want a model that they can buy directly from the brand without any hassle. This Renegade XC 1000R Model is open to all customers and doesn’t need special documents or dealers to get your hands on this model which can be called the fastest in the ATV riding world.

This vehicle can reach around 80 mph as its top speed and this is a huge amount in comparison to regular ATVs that would mostly reach 60 mph or even less with limiters present in the vehicle. 

This speed should be enough to explore the adrenaline rush and give you a never-before ATV experience. The ride is very comfortable and holds stable inexperienced hands even at greater speeds than the regular ATVs. The engine present in this vehicle is of the Rotax category. 

Although some customization options remain to use when you order. A snorkeled engine or modified tires can be requested for traveling more in the muddy trails. The price fairly stands around 13k dollars for this ATV. Along with a ground clearance of 10.5, weighing around 710 pounds the vehicle provides excellent torque for quick turns.

✅ Perfect for experienced riders who want factory-ready performance.

2. The Polaris Scrambler XP 1000 S

• Engine: 952cc twin-cylinder
• Top Speed: ~80 mph
• Horsepower: 90 HP
• Ground Clearance: 14.5 inches
• Extra: EPS (Electronic Power Steering), aggressive suspension

The Polaris brand has its own valued reputation among ATV riders for providing excellent All Terrain Vehicles with respectable strength and features. The Scrambler model can be stated as one of the most speedy ATVs to exist in the whole world and should appear in the top three for any speed list of ATVs. 

The vehicle has the strength of generating about a horsepower of 90. Being nearly the same amount as the Can-Am vehicle mentioned earlier, this Polaris scrambler also generates excellent acceleration and top speed. The vehicle goes from engine start to 80 mph real quick. 80mph is huge for an ATV and can be said to be 20mph more than any conventional utility ATV. 

The engine present is a 952cc capacity one and has an excellent design that makes the ATV more attractive. The sports design of this vehicle allows it to have a storage box which is also present in some other Polaris models. The accessories and tools they provide will feel like a bonus gift. This model has been tested by ATV riders and is known to be comfortable and firm in every kind of terrain. 

When riding in really rough terrains where most ATVs would get damaged this one can get away with the help of its 14.5-inch ground clearance. The electronic power handlebars are featured to better control.

This Polaris model stands with a price of around 15k dollars which is a little high priced, but the speed, acceleration, and other premium features are rarely to be found in any other ATV. But this vehicle is not for a beginner ATV rider because handling it with all the features might be a little overwhelming for the inexperienced.

✅ Ideal for technical trails and high-speed control on rough terrain.

3. Suzuki LT500R Quadracer ATV

• Engine: 500cc 2-stroke
• Top Speed: ~80 mph (real-world)
• Years Produced: 1987–1990
• Nicknamed: The fastest stock quad ever built

This is an old ATV and was introduced many years before, so you can term this as the oldest in the list of fastest ATVs present today. This vehicle is also known as the Quadzilla and was given this term for the colossal 500cc engine. This Quad Bike is considered a legend because when it came to the market there was no ATV that can even get close to the speed of this vehicle. 

Even when the concept of utility ATV was not much popular Suzuki came with this vehicle in 1987. The only ATV at that time was to reach 80mph of speed. The vehicle being only in manufacturing for three years is difficult to get nowadays. 

So if you have been wondering what is the fastest stock 2 stroke ATV, then the answer will be this model of Suzuki. The design of this vehicle is still unique today and every ATV fan who rode this stated this vehicle to be much thrilling and beast-like in performance. But buying this one would be a tough job as they don’t make this vehicle anymore.

✅ A legend in the off-roading world, but hard to find today.

4. Arctic Cat brand’s Thundercat ATV

• Engine: 951cc V-twin, 4-stroke
• Top Speed: ~70 mph
• Cooling: Liquid-cooled
• Status: Discontinued but still respected

This ATV from Arctic Cat Company is also a vehicle of the old block. When looking for what is the fastest stock 2-stroke ATV you won’t find this one in the list because the Thundercat model was a four-stroke induced model. The 951cc engine was capable of getting the vehicle to accelerate to a higher value much faster. 

But this one is not the fastest anymore after the introduction of the Renegade and the Polaris scrambler model. The four-stroke wasn’t the unique feature, the engine was also a v-twin category. But much like the Suzuki model, this vehicle is also not in production anymore and you need to search vigorously around to find this vehicle for a wild ride. 

The engine was liquid-cooled and could make the ATV reach 70 mph which is also a formidable number in terms of ATV speed. The ground clearance was about 11 inches and lets you take bumpy roads with many blocks. The ATV rider communities also respect the vehicles’ capability to handle sharp corners and powerful acceleration.

✅ Strong and reliable for speed lovers who value rugged builds.

5. Yamaha Raptor 700R Model

• Engine: 686cc, 4-stroke
• Top Speed: 65–70 mph
• Known For: Excellent torque and balance
• Fun Fact: Holds a world record for ATV top speed (modified version)

Yamaha has a separate kind of premium reputation in the motorcycle and ATV industry. The brand has been making ATVs for several years and has contributed a wide amount to the discovery of the modern ATV models that you see today.

The Raptor range also has several models but this 700R model can be called the latest and the fastest. Although it cannot beat the Can-Am renegade or the Scrambler yet it is not much behind them either in top speed. This Quad is also a four-stroke one and has exceptional torque capabilities which outrun every competitor. They are very popular for riding in the deserts and for trails with sharp corners. 

The Raptor has a very exceptional design and is a favorite to many ATV enthusiasts. You would be surprised to know that the world record for top ATV speed was also achieved using a modified Raptor ATV. Now that you know what is the fastest atv in the world? , it is time to choose the suitable one based on your requirements.

✅ Perfect for trail, desert, and riders who want strong performance with comfort.

ATV Speed by Class: What to Expect

ATV Type	Typical Top Speed
Youth ATVs	10–40 mph
Utility ATVs	45–65 mph
Sport ATVs	60–80+ mph
Modified ATVs	85–100+ mph

A look back at Quadzilla, the fastest stock quad ever built.

Quadzilla was based off the LT250R which a race quad that Suzuki used a few times previously dominated this race circuit. The LT500 was so powerful that the manufacturer claimed it would have a top speed above 125mph but after a high speed test of 3 & 4 in 1988 it was determined that.

The production for LT500 was stopped four years after its debut and just as that there wasn’t a massive two stroke engine on the four wheeler anymore. The nearest thing was Yamaha’s banshee made by a bike 350 cm a couple-stroke machine.

Conclusion

Reaching the top speed of an ATV has some strong risk factors associated with it. You should be having sufficient experience with ATVs and be comfortable with the ATV you choose to achieve the top speed with. If you are thinking about achieving speed on the paved road then you need to be extra careful because quads are not made to travel at high speed on paved roads. Use safety equipment and choose the right kind of terrain to ride at excess speed.

You should even inspect the terrain before you do the stunt-like adventure. There is not exactly one ATV that can be named on your question of what is the fastest atv in the world, but there are a couple of options that you can choose from as mentioned in this article.

FAQs About Fast ATVs