Image Arctic Cat Alterra 500

Arctic Cat Alterra 500: The Perfect Middle-Ground ATV

After riding Arctic Cat Alterra 500, I’ve got to say – this machine delivers serious bang for your buck. If you’ve been hunting for a full-sized ATV without the full-sized price tag, this might be your answer.

Power That Won’t Let You Down

Equipped with a 443cc engine, which may not seem massive at first glance, but trust me, the 33 horsepower it delivers feels just right on the trails. It’s got enough power to pull you through tough spots without being scary-powerful.

Being equipped with electronic fuel injection means no more messing with chokes or carb adjustments, now you just simply hit the starter and go, even on cold mornings.

What I really appreciate is the automatic transmission. No clutch to worry about means I can focus on the trail ahead instead of what my left hand should be doing. For me a big plus was the fact that having Park, High, Low, Neutral and Reverse makes this 500 Arctic Cat versatile whether you’re crawling through technical sections or cruising fire roads. The engine braking is a lifesaver on downhills too (I have to admit, I was impressed) – no more riding the brakes until they overheat.

The switch button for 2WD and 4WD is very accessible, and when things get really nasty, you can lock the front diff with another quick press. I tested this in some serious mud pits and was impressed how it pulled through spots that had my buddy’s machine spinning tires.

Comfort That Lasts All Day

After few hours in the saddle, I walked away without the usual backache, which I usually have when riding some ATVs. On this model the engineers outperformed and clearly spent time on the ergonomics from top to bottom. Being a tall and heavy guy, I enjoyed that my feet had plenty of room, and the narrower body meant I wasn’t constantly bashing my knees or calves against plastic.

The suspension is where this machine really shines. With 10 inches of travel front and back, it soaks up bumps that would have you bouncing off other ATVs in this price range. Add in 11 inches of ground clearance, and you’re rolling over obstacles that would hang up lesser machines.

The power steering might be my favorite feature though. At slow speeds, it’s light enough to steer with one finger but in the same time super helpful when you’re navigating tight spots or backing up to hook up a trailer. At high speed, the power steering it firms up, so you don’t feel disconnected from the trail or like you’re losing control of the ATV. After trying it, I don’t think I could go back to a non-EPS machine.

Ready for Work or Play

I also liked the racks, because those racks are rock solid. The front one holds 75 pounds and the rear handles 150 – perfect for hauling firewood, tools, or camping gear. The special rack attachment system means no more fiddling with bungee cords either.

If you want to use your utility trailer loaded with landscaping supplies or firewood you can do it without any problem. The 2-inch hitch receiver is standard equipment, so hooking up is a breeze.

The Nuts and Bolts

For you spec-sheet junkies, here’s the quick rundown (you can have a look at the top of this page to see all specs also):

• 443cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine
• 33 horsepower
• CVT automatic transmission with engine braking
• 2WD/4WD with locking front differential
• Double A-arm front suspension with 10 inches of travel
• Swing arm rear suspension with 10 inches of travel
• 11 inches of ground clearance
• 50-inch wheelbase
• 75-pound front rack capacity
• 150-pound rear rack capacity
• 1050-pound towing capacity
• 4.3-gallon fuel tank
• About 615 pounds dry weight

I really dig the dual headlights with the LED accent strips. They look sharp enough and light up the trail well after sunset. The LED taillights are pretty powerful and bright too, which matters a lot when you’re riding with buddies late in the night.

The small storage compartment in the back is handy for keeping your phone, wallet, and keys dry. It’s not huge at 1.44 gallons, but it’s enough for the essentials. The aluminum wheels aren’t just for looks either – they’re tougher than plastic composites when you inevitably bump into rocks or stumps.

Bottom Line

After putting about 100 miles on the Arctic Cat Alterra 500, I’m pretty impressed with what you get for the money. I can say that this it’s not the biggest or most powerful ATV I rode, but it hits a sweet spot of capability, comfort, and value that’s hard to beat these days.

The 500 Arctic Cat is a good ATV for property maintenance, hunting trips, or weekend trail rides, and you can handle it all without breaking the bank.