2018 Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE launch review

I was cold and wet and in just about any other scenario I would have been grumpy, so it's a measure of the thrills and fun to be had in the new 2018 Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE that I was grinning like a madman, tearing up the densely wooded (and very muddy) mountainside tracks on the outskirts of Queenstown, New Zealand.

This picture-postcard-perfect township, deep in the interior of New Zealand's rugged South Island, was a fitting choice for the Australasian media launch of the Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE. With the unofficial title of New Zealand's 'adventure capital', there's a smorgasbord of high-adrenalin pursuits on offer here, from hurling yourself off mountains with the aid of parachutes or rubber bands, to spearing up rivers on jet boats or even diving beneath the frigid waters of Lake Wakatipu in a high-speed mini-submersible. The Wolverine X4, now available in Australia in Special Edition (SE) guise, was in good company.

All-new design

A two-seater Yamaha Wolverine has been a part of the brand's side-by-side vehicle (SSV) range for some years, in other world markets if not here in Oz, but the Wolverine X4 is a four-seater SSV that is essentially a brand-new model.

With a redesigned chassis to accept the extra seating and the extra weight, it's powered by a new liquid-cooled and fuel-injected 847cc parallel-twin engine, and it serves as a recreational SSV that falls somewhere between the brand's pure sports YXZ1000R SS SE and the utility Viking range.

Incidentally, an 'SSV' can also be referred to as a 'UTV', or utility vehicle, while the non-farming models also fall under the broad banner of 'ROV', or 'recreational off-road vehicle'. They're different beasts to ATVs, or all-terrain vehicles, also known as quad bikes – jiggers like the Yamaha Kodiak 450 mid-size farm model we reviewed in August last year. Glad we got that straight.

As a recreational SSV the Wolverine X4 SE is all about fun and adventure, whether you're a family intent on off-road exploration, a group of mates out on a hunting trip, or simply an avid camper looking to get well off the beaten track.

And believe me, the Wolverine X4 will get you places you never thought possible. As the South Island's notoriously fickle weather closed in and the rain came down, the X4's supreme off-road ability was showcased to full effect. As the steep, rutted tracks of the private 11,000-acre property owned by Off Road Adventures (offroad.co.nz – check it out if you're in the neighbourhood; you won't be disappointed) because torrents of gelatinous mud, the Wolverine X4 SE was revelling in the slippery conditions.

Transmission and driveline

Driving the Wolverine X4 SE couldn't be easier. With a CVT (constantly variable) transmission there's no clutch to bother with so it's a two-pedal affair and simply a matter of using the hand shifter to choose between the four available modes: high range, low range, neutral or reverse.

Meanwhile there's a dash-mounted dial on the left of the grippy steering wheel to select between two-wheel drive, limited-slip four-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive with a locked centre differential. It's all part of Yamaha's 'On-Command' system; the driver can switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive on the fly, while locking the centre diff must be done at a standstill.

It's all very easy to use but there's a heap of tech going on beneath the surface. For a start, the fuel-injected donk is mated to a ride-by-wire throttle for excellent response, while electric power steering takes the sting out of bumps and ruts as well as the physical effort required at the wheel.

The rear shocks are self-levelling, meaning that within a few moments of travel the shocks have automatically adjusted to deliver a constant ride height irrespective of the load (within limits, of course). It's an independent A-arm double wishbone set-up front and rear, with a generous 221mm of wheel travel at the front and 226mm down the back.

Durable cockpit

The cockpit is a hardwearing mix of plastics but the fit and finish is good and cleaning the thing at the end of a muddy session is simply a matter pulling out the jet-washer.

The two-tone seating is attractive and supportive and there are three-point, automotive-style seat belts front and rear and sturdy grab rails right where you want them. A small glove box and centre console bin complements the front under-seat storage, and there are two cup-holders up front and four in the rear. There's also a 12-volt power socket on the dash, not far from the clear and concise LCD digital instrumentation replete with an array of easy-to-view icons detailing gear selection, drivetrain mode, and more.

Meanwhile the plot rides on chunky Maxxis tyres with trick-looking cast-alloy wheels – essentially part of the 'Special Edition' guise in which the Wolverine X4 is sold in Australia, which also comprises overfenders, painted 'Matt Silver' bodywork, and an interior trim that features colour-matched highlights to complement the red suspension springs. The cost of admission? $23,999, including GST, with it all covered by a three-year, extended factory warranty.

On the trail
I found the task of hopping in and out of the Wolverine X4 a bit of a challenge but still thoroughly acceptable given my size (188cm tall, or 6ft 2in, and 105kg). Still, once in position the seating's side bolsters and the three-point belt holds you securely, instilling the confidence to throw the thing around on the trail.

I could have done with a little more legroom – even with the driver's seat as far back as possible – and the side panels will squish larger passengers inside the cab a bit. However, that's far better than inadvertently getting a limb pinned outside of the cab in a rollover, not that an accident like that is particularly likely given the model's inherent (and impressively high) stability.

There were Wolverine X4 SE models in a few different guises available at the media launch. For the most part I stuck with the basic, fully open model. This still has a rollcage for protection, but it offers the best visibility of the bunch. There's also a fully enclosed cab model – the only factory fully enclosed cab available on the market, says Yamaha – with doors, a roof and a toughened glass windscreen complete with wiper.

The enclosed cab is a little claustrophobic for a full payload of big, burly blokes – the model with a roof but no sides would have been a better choice as the rain teamed down in Queenstown.

I should also disclose that despite having reviewed motorcycles for a living for over 20 years, the Wolverine X4 SE was my first introduction to SSVs. Now, having sampled it first-hand, I wish I'd tried these things years ago and if you haven't yet, make the effort – they're an insane amount of fun and, in the X4's case, sharing the experience with up to three others only adds to the enjoyment.

I love 4WDing and riding motorbikes, both road and trail, and above all else I love getting out and exploring Australia's vast tracts of bush, and to my mind this Wolverine X4 SE really combines all the best aspects of all these pursuits in the one compact, accessible bundle.

Easy driving
Stomping on the accelerator, it takes a moment for the CVT transmission to hook up before sling-shotting the Wolverine X4 SE forward. While Yamaha Motor Australia doesn't quote output figures US outlets indicate around 69hp, and that's plenty to shove you back in the seat and get those aggressive off-road hoops spinning up in their quest for traction.

The power steering treads a perfect line between a light touch at the wheel and healthy feedback, and virtually all the road shock is removed from the equation. It means driving the Wolverine X4 SE in anger requires really very little effort, and that means less fatigue – and more time – on the trail.

The Wolverine X4 SE also has a relatively narrow width of 1519mm, so it can thread its way through tightly wooded sections with relative ease. Certainly, it will get you places a standard 4WD couldn't hope to penetrate, and the ultra-short turning circle (just 4500mm, says Yamaha) means even tight switchbacks, which we encountered frequently on the mountainsides in Queenstown, only required one bite to devour.

Despite its agility, the Wolverine X4 SE also offers excellent stability – a paradox I'm putting down to the superb ride offered by the independent A-arm suspension, front and rear. Time and again we deliberately had these beasties all crossed up on deeply rutted and muddy sections of the off-road park, yet when sufficient steering input saw the plot snap back into line, there was never any fear of the world tipping sideways. Similarly when sustaining major hits while powering through tight corners, the Wolverine X4 SE simply soaked it all up and powered through, taking its hootin' and hollerin' human cargo wherever the front wheels pointed. Impressive, for sure, and what a blast!

Ground clearance is a healthy 273mm – around 40mm more than most of the current crop of dual-cab 4WDs on the market – while the engine delivers very tractable, useable and linear oomph, right throughout its rev-range. The new parallel-twin is also very smooth and quite quiet – just a low rumble can be heard, usually beneath the maniacal cackling of the X4's occupants!

Incidentally, there's a speed limiter too – a 'speed key' allows the Wolverine X4 to be set to full-biscuit 'hare' mode, or restricted to a 40km/h top speed in 'tortoise' mode, depending on the ability of the driver. Handy for when you want to let the kids have a go, which they invariably will.

The Wolverine X4 SE is equipped with disc brakes all round and they offer good power and feel, backed by impressive engine braking from the parallel-twin. For the most part, the engine braking alone is sufficient to wipe off speed on prolonged descents, the brakes only coming into play when approaching tighter corners (depending, of course, on how hard you're charging).

It all adds to the sense of security instilled by the Wolverine X4 SE, which in turn adds to its broad appeal for pilots of all levels of ability.

Practicality and payload

Although this is a recreational SSV the Wolverine X4 SE is still up for some work if need be. While there's only a fairly small amount of room behind the rear seating, the seat bases in the back flip forward and the seat backs slide on rails to deliver a pretty handy cargo area. There's a rear tailgate to aid loading and unloading, and with cargo bed limit and towing limits of 71kg and 900kg respectively, the Wolverine X4 SE could easily serve as a workhorse through the week and a toy come the weekend (an aspect that may well attract attention from farmers).

But it's recreation that is the Wolverine X4's main aim, and as a recreational off-road vehicle it truly excels. Yamaha offers a wide range of factory accessories to allow Wolverine X4 SE owners to tailor their machine to their particular focus, from winches to gun racks, premium audio systems to heaters, LED light bars to auxiliary battery set-ups and much, much more.

There's also plenty of scope for extra protection. As mentioned the overfenders are standard in Aussie 'SE' trim – although on a couple of well-planned occasions they still didn't save my front passenger from coping a drenching in a large bog hole (sorry, mate!) – but there are also rock sliders, a skid plate, A-arm guards and front and rear brush guards to choose from.

Summing up

Hopefully you'll now have a sense of just much I enjoyed driving the Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE. It's just a heap of fun that even dismal weather couldn’t dampen. Admittedly, at $23,999, these aren't perhaps cheap thrills, and of course the big thing holding back SSV sales in Australia is simply the restrictions on where you can ride them. Legislation varies from state to state and private off-road parks offer a way forward, but we're some way off the freedoms enjoyed by many SSV (and ATV) owners in, for example, North America.

Those issues aside, the Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE offers so much for families and other recreational users looking to enjoy the Aussie outdoors. Load up the partner and kids, throw in some lunch, hit the trails and enjoy – life is good, very good indeed, in a Wolverine X4 SE…

Yamaha Wolverine X4 SE specifications

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, four-stroke parallel-twin
Capacity: 847cc
Bore x stroke: 82mm x 80.2mm
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: N/A
Claimed maximum torque: N/A

TRANSMISSION
Type: Yamaha 'Ultramatic' CVT auto
Drive: Yamaha 'On-Command' 2WD/4WD/4WD plus diff lock
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel
Steering: Rack and pinion steering assembly with electric power steering
Front suspension: Independent A-arm with anti-sway bar and 221mm of wheel travel, adjustable for preload
Rear suspension: Independent A-arm with anti-sway bar and 226mm of wheel travel, self-levelling
Front brake: Dual ventilated 207mm hydraulic discs with twin-piston calipers
Rear brake: Dual ventilated 207mm hydraulic discs with twin-piston calipers and park brake
Tyres: Maxxis MU75/76, AT26 x 8-12 front, AT26 x 10-12 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 745kg
Cargo bed limit: 71kg (excl. occupants)
Towing limit: 900kg
Min. ground clearance: 273mm
Wheelbase: 2100mm
Overall length: 3100mm
Overall width: 1519mm
Overall height: 1960mm
Min. turning radius: 4500mm
Fuel capacity: 35 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $23,999 (incl. GST)
Colours: Matt Silver
Warranty: Three-year extended factory warranty
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia, yamaha-motor.com.au