Image Arctic Cat Alterra 700

Arctic Cat Alterra 450: The Mid-Size ATV That Gets the Job Done

After putting my Alterra 450 through hell and back these past few months, I figured it was time to share what I’ve learned. If you’re looking for an ATV that won’t empty your bank account but still has enough guts to handle real work, this might be your match.

The Engine: Just Enough Power When You Need It

Don’t let the “450” name fool you – what you’re getting is a 442cc single-cylinder engine pushing about 27 horsepower. No, it’s not going to win any drag races against bigger machines, but that’s plenty of juice for trail riding and hauling stuff around your property.

The best part? That electronic fuel injection system. Anyone who’s messed with carburetors in cold weather knows what I’m talking about. This thing fires up first try whether it’s 20 degrees or 90 degrees outside. No choke fiddling, no waiting – just turn the key and go.

I’ve pushed it to about 50 mph on straightaways, which trust me, feels plenty fast when you’re bouncing down a rough trail. Any faster and you’d probably just be asking for trouble anyway.

Image Arctic Cat MUD Pro 700 LTD

Handling: Nothing Fancy, Just Works

The 2WD/4WD system uses an old-school manual lever instead of a fancy button. Some folks might complain about this, but I actually prefer it. Mechanical systems tend to last longer than electronic ones, especially when you’re regularly plowing through mud and water.

With just over 10 inches of ground clearance, I’ve yet to high-center this thing on a trail. The suspension gives you 7.5 inches of travel up front and 7 in the rear. Is it the smoothest ride out there? Nope. Will it get you where you need to go without shaking your fillings loose? Absolutely.

The transmission keeps things simple with High, Low, Neutral, Reverse, and Park. That Low range has saved my bacon more than once when hauling heavy loads uphill or creeping down steep slopes.

Built For Work, Not Just Play

This isn’t just a weekend toy – Arctic Cat built this thing to work. It’ll tow 1,050 pounds with the standard hitch, which is impressive for a mid-size ATV. The front rack holds 75 pounds and the rear handles 150 pounds. I’ve hauled everything from firewood to feed bags without any complaints.

The steel racks are nothing fancy, but they’re sturdy and have plenty of spots to hook bungee cords or ratchet straps. For the money, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better workhorse in this size class.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

For those who care about the specs:

• Tires: 25×8-12 front and 25×10-12 rear Kenda tires on steel wheels
• Brakes: Hydraulic discs all around (two up front, one in back)
• Gas tank: 4.3 gallons
• Oil capacity: 3 quarts
• Size: 83.9 inches long, 44 inches wide, 46.9 inches tall
• Weight: About 615 pounds dry

The dash shows you speed, what gear you’re in, miles, hours, and a fuel gauge. Nothing fancy, but you can read it even in bright sunlight, which matters more than you’d think.

Image Arctic Cat Alterra 700 TBX

How It Stacks Up Against Other Arctic Cats

Compared to the Alterra 600

The 600 gives you about 18% more power with its bigger engine, which you’ll definitely notice on hills and when hauling heavy stuff. The biggest difference? The 600 comes with power steering, while the 450 doesn’t have it at all. After a full day of riding, your arms will know the difference.

Is it worth the extra $1,500-2,000? Depends what you’re doing. If you ride rough terrain regularly or put in long days, that power steering alone might be worth the upgrade.

Compared to the Alterra 300

The 300 is about $1,400 cheaper than the 450, making it tempting if you’re on a tight budget. But you give up a lot – no independent rear suspension, less ground clearance, weaker towing capacity, and no fuel injection.

My take? The price jump to the 450 is worth every penny unless you’re just putting around flat property.

Compared to the Alterra 700

The 700 is the big boy in Arctic Cat’s lineup, with a monster engine, standard power steering, and fancier suspension. It’s also about $3,000 more expensive than the 450.

Here’s the thing though – the 700 is bigger, heavier, and can be intimidating if you’re not an experienced rider. The 450 hits a sweet spot where it’s powerful enough for real work but not so powerful that it’s trying to kill you.

Why You Might Want the Alterra 450

After putting some serious miles on mine, here’s why I think the 450 makes sense:

The Price is Right

For what you pay, you get fuel injection, independent suspension, and 4WD without shelling out for bells and whistles you might not need.

It Does Everything Pretty Well

Some ATVs are great for work but suck on trails, or vice versa. The 450 does a solid job at both. It’s comfortable enough for all-day trail riding but tough enough to handle actual work.

Just the Right Size

It’s big enough to feel substantial but not so massive that it’s hard to handle. New riders won’t feel overwhelmed, but experienced folks won’t outgrow it in a month either.

Built to Last

Arctic Cat’s been building these things for decades, and it shows. Nothing’s perfectly reliable, but these machines have earned a reputation for spending more time on the trails than in the shop.

Image Arctic Cat Alterra 700 EPS

Easy to Find Parts and Service

Arctic Cat dealers are pretty common, which matters a lot when something inevitably breaks down. Try maintaining some obscure brand, and you’ll appreciate this more.

Room for Improvement

To keep it real, there are some weak spots:

• The headlights are decent but not great. An LED upgrade would be nice.
• That manual 4WD lever works fine but feels old-school compared to competitors with push-button systems.
• No power steering option. You’ll notice this on long rides or in tight spots.
• Limited storage – nowhere weatherproof to keep your phone or wallet.
• Some owners (myself included) have noticed it runs hot during extended heavy use.

If you’ve ridden the 600 or 700 models before, you’ll definitely notice what’s missing. The lack of power steering is the biggest difference – your arms and shoulders will remind you after a long day of riding. And the display is pretty basic compared to the fancier models, though it shows you everything you actually need.

Bottom Line

The Arctic Cat Alterra 450 isn’t trying to be the fanciest or most powerful ATV out there. What it does instead is deliver solid, reliable performance at a price that won’t make you wince.

For folks with property to maintain, hunters who need a dependable trail machine, or weekend warriors on a budget, the Alterra 450 deserves a hard look. Sometimes the best choice isn’t the most expensive option with all the latest gadgets – it’s the one that reliably does what you need it to do, year after year, without drama. That’s exactly what this machine delivers.

Got one of these or thinking about getting one? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experience or answer any questions!